With the onset of spring a few months ago, I came to the realization that I live way too close to way too much water to not own any kind of water toy. I really wanted an 80s/90s ski boat (and I still do) but that's not in the cards until I obtain some more storage space.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a sketchy Facebook link about cheap kayaks and I assumed it wasn't real, but I found out that Lifetime (plastic company: basketball goals, coolers, etc) has a kayak distribution warehouse about 20mi from me. And they sell overstock kayaks at RIDICULOUS prices.
So for $149, I am the proud owner of a brand new kayak! It's a basic one, 10 feet long, but I think it will be great for putting around in the rivers up here.
Wife and I have plans tonight, so the maiden voyage will have to wait. If it's not raining, i'm gonna try to sneak in a quick run before work tomorrow.
It's not raining, so I left my place at ~6:20 and was on the water in 10 minutes. Views are pretty good.
I notice that unless i consciously think about it, I'm pulling towards the left while paddling. Which i suppose makes sense as I'm right handed. I'm also definitely using some muscles that I don't use that often, maybe I'll make this into some kind of morning ritual/workout and see how that goes.
Looks like a fun little boat!
I've got some family out on douglas lake, where's this mythical distribution warehouse with the off-the-back-of-the-truck deals?
Shift the center of the paddle to the left, it should compensate for muscle difference. Or just paddle more and your brain will figure it out. There should be adjustable footrests, knees lower might also be more comfortable. Kayaking is a great watersport, not fast but fun to watch what is happening. We have been lake paddling for 20 years, still enjoy an afternoon on the water.
That morning paddle looks so peaceful. Heck of a way to get the day started.
I'm looking for a nice tandem fishing kayak I'll have to see if my cousin in Knoxville can hit their outlet store!
Kayaking is great fun. It's like cars. We have ended up with three kayaks and a canoe and are looking for another kayak. Ha!
In reply to the_machina :
the Lifetime warehouse is in Mascot TN, which is a little community just west of strawberry plains. Right on the East side of Knoxville.
In reply to porschenut :
I have a multi-position footrest that I was playing with. I was also experimenting with paddle grip, I haven't been on a kayak in like 5 years now so i'm sure i'm not operating optimally.
In reply to dculberson :
Seems like they are operating mostly online? I was told they did a first come first serve big sale last year and it got nuts, so now they want you ordering online and going over there to pick it up. On the website, you can filter to pick up at the warehouse (rather than delivery) and see what options they have.
Went out with my uncle today, after the father's day festivities. Happened to cross under a railroad bridge at the same time a big train went over, so that was cool.
I feel like i'm much better at paddling, i seem to be going straighter and getting more thrust per stroke than before. Having a blast!
added some handles for loading/unloading the kayak. I wanted something more low profile than what I saw on Amazon, so i made these out of some cheap 1" webbing from REI. Tested beforehand and put them right at the balance point
I'm with you on the love of paddling. I grew up with canoes and got into kayaks in my late teens.
It is pretty fast IMO - probably the fastest self-propelled watersport. I've gone on multi-day backwater trips with them and you can cover a whole lot more ground...umm, water...than you can with a canoe. And if you really want some excitement, whitewater is a complete riot. Nobody complains about it being slow :) Get your roll down and learn to surf.
My 12 year old nephew has joined Scouts and they went canoeing. Now he wants to try kayaking and I just happen to have both a couple of whitewater boats and some sea kayaks sitting here. We're going to have some fun next weekend.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
i've not tried a water-borne camping trip, but i'm really excited to do that soon. My brother-in-law moved closer to me and he's also a big outdoorsman, so hopefully we can make some fun trips happen
