Dam, Keith, we had a great day!
Keith decided it was about time he tried out kayaking. So he did some research online and found information on different kinds of kayaks. Never knew there was so many different kinds! I was able to tell him about my different experiences with short ones which are used mostly on rivers and the longer ones that are good for lakes. We are now interested in a model that can be used mostly on a lake and is good for fishing.
I knew about several different kinds from my experiences since 2000. All the ones I have used set low and you put your legs inside and also had a sealing skirt that kept the water out; the person was attached to the kayak. I have been kayaking on several occasions including Outdoor Women weekends at a State Park near St. Louis and another time at Assumption Abby near Kansas City. My most exciting time was when I went on a Woman Bicycling Tour along the Outer Banks of North Carolina where I was part of a group that took a day kayaking along Ocracoke Island in the ocean and into Blackbeard's cove. I have also kayaked with my niece, Kristen, along the Shenandoah River in Virginia.
Since we live on a lake and no longer have a motorboat, a kayak for each of us is in the plan to enjoy our lake and do more lake fishing. The best way to shop is to find the right place that offers some we can try out. Dynamic Earth Equipment was just the right place. It is located next door to Mama Jean's Whole Foods Market where we do a lot of shopping in Springfield, Missouri. For $30/day we picked out two different kayaks to try out.
"See the world the way we do." Here is the Dynamic Earth website for more information: http://dynamicearth.net/
Mama Jean's Market is an awesome place next door that we do business with regularly:
Keith had recently bought a new rack for the pickup that works well for hauling long items.
The Wilderness Tarpon was my favorite! It has an open area for legs, two storage wells and a large area for packing items. It also has rails on both sides that can accommodate attachments for fishing equipment. It sets low in the water just like a traditional kayak and glides very well with little effort. As for fishing, you would have to put down the paddle in order to use your fishing rod. Fishing can be done mostly from tying up to a tree in the water or bringing it onshore to remote coves and getting out or just free-float and fish as desired. For me, fishing is not my primary desire when kayaking but I would like the option at times...maybe half the time. I mostly want the exercise. I also like the quiet and low environmental impact to enjoy lake areas but I want to go on local rivers too but not white water. The Wilderness Tarpon has all the features I need and is light enough for me to handle by myself.
The other kayak Keith wanted to try out was the Hobie Outback which has peddling features. It sets higher in the water than a traditional kayak and is wider too. The ruder and steering
works really well with levers conveniently located. It also has an open area for legs it to and from the water, of course. It is a heavier kayak but I understand there are portable wheels that can be purchased so one person can transport it to and from the water. There is here is another similar Hobie that may be better as it would set lower in the water and make hand paddling easier but it was not available to take out at this time.
As a fishing kayak, one with foot peddles is best because it frees your hands full time to handle a fishing pole. There are also holes to accommodate poles for trolling and a special hole for a separately purchased sail. Overall, it is more than a kayak but lacks the feel of a traditional kayak
So Keith and I had a wonderful day full of variety and challenges. Our first challenge was the weather. Just as we unloaded the kayaks on Pomme De Terre Lake, a storm rolled in and we had to wait until it passed. We did get out for a little while and was able to experience rough water and moving against the wind as well as the thrill of the wind at our backs.
But all was calm for several hours as we switched back and forth trying out both kayaks. We went across the open waters along the dam, checked out the island and did some swimming, and also a couple coves. It was a great day!
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