Entry-level kayak? Good value?

[Haggis]

You can bring it down here and try it out on the Rappahannock...it's an excellent river to enjoy a 'yak on....

....until you reach the old dam, then chaos reigns. "Paddle hard right and brace for impact!". Jim's right though, we had a great time on the Rap last year and is quite a scenic river.

While I don't know much about paddling on big water, like the Bay, if your interested in getting some great wildlife shots with the camera, try some of the small lakes and beaver ponds on the Game Lands. Lots of opportunities to see waterfowl, eagles, ospreys, beavers, muskrats and other critters lurking about. And you don't have to worry about powered boats and their wake. I don't know your area of PA very much, but try some of the smaller creeks as long as the water level is up. Nothing sucks more than low water and spending the majority of your day dragging your boat. There are some good books on paddling waters for PA, try Waldenbooks or B Dalton and read up on local streams. Maybe someday you can get up this way and we'll get the boats wet on the Alleghany River or Tionesta Creek. Come up in the fall and we'll throw in some duck hunting at the same time. Canoes and 'yaks, twisty creeks, deadfalls and shotguns what could possibly go wrong.

 

[grahamfitter]

Welcome to the damp and smelly side of the world, Chris! Have fun but be careful.

You might look for used kayak racks in the local rag or on craigslist - people often sell them when they get a different car.

When I find the photo of Emily and Dane Jackson in their kayaks, on top of EJ's Mini, I'll post it.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[02TahoeMD]

Chris
Open water paddling isnt all that bad, if you choose your weather wisely. I have been about a mile off the coast of Outer Banks NC in the Atlantic with no issues but the curious pod of dolphin checking me out. But, there are LOTS of places around our area to go paddling. Try Muddy Run State Park up your way, the Conowingo Resevoir ( lots of launch places either side of the Susquehana ) the Broad Creek Boat Ramp, Eden Mill Park in North Harford County, assorted launches in and around Havre de Grace, just to name a few. Check out places to paddle on paddling.net for lots of suggestions around us.

If you ever need a hand, drop me a PM, I am not too far from ya.
John

 

[jim65wagon]

....until you reach the old dam, then chaos reigns. "Paddle hard right and brace for impact!"

Hey! Everyone survived that trip...well, except for towelie...he's gone. I sure do miss that old towel...(sniffle)

 

[jingram]

Chris, one way to get a nice kayak at a reasonable price is to build it yourself. I built this one last year for about $200. It's called a Toto and is 13' long. Nice stable kayak, easy to paddle and it took about 30 hrs to make. I purchased the plans for it at www.duckworksmagazine.com for $15.

Speaking of small worlds... you have this up on CL, do you not?

 

[compactcamping]

Jingram, yes I do. When I sell it, I plan on building another one with a woodstrip deck.

 

[jingram]

I thought it looked awfully familiar. Any bites?

 

[compactcamping]

You know, the usual with a CL add, scam replies, people saying they're on the way and never showing up and a few people thinking about it. So far one "real" person although he would like me to build a different plywood style kayak for him.

 

[jingram]

LOL, yeah... I hear ya. Well good luck with the sale!

 

[Rallyroo]

You know, the usual with a CL add, scam replies, people saying they're on the way and never showing up and a few people thinking about it. So far one "real" person although he would like me to build a different plywood style kayak for him.

I've recently had a bunch of craigslist flakes who never showed up. Thanks for wasting my time when I could of been doing something else! :unamused: Some people just have no manners. They need to have the courtesy to call me to say they don't have the money or that they're not interested anymore.