I bought a kayak off ebay using man logic and it back fired.
Discussion
Please help all I want to do is gently do a bit of kayaking down the local river over the summer. so I bought myself a old watertight 11ft long by about 2ft wide kayak/canoe. I took it down the local river popped it on the water, carfully climb in. (now this is were it goes to s
t.) I reach for my paddle on the bank but the kayak lean they way Im reaching so I lean the other way abit, and over she goes. I gave up on the 4 attempt. It's not like im a complete noop i have done a lot of sailing and windsurfing. What am I doing wrong? were in the boat should I sit? any other tips?
t.) I reach for my paddle on the bank but the kayak lean they way Im reaching so I lean the other way abit, and over she goes. I gave up on the 4 attempt. It's not like im a complete noop i have done a lot of sailing and windsurfing. What am I doing wrong? were in the boat should I sit? any other tips?Ideally the platform you're starting from would be level with the top of kayak when in the water.
place the paddle half on the front of the kayak and half on the platform. Use one hand to hold each.
Climb in, holding the kayak level with the paddle partly on the platform. Once level, pick up the paddle and off you go.
Try to fall in away from the dock.
What did you buy, have you got an ebay link?
place the paddle half on the front of the kayak and half on the platform. Use one hand to hold each.
Climb in, holding the kayak level with the paddle partly on the platform. Once level, pick up the paddle and off you go.
Try to fall in away from the dock.
What did you buy, have you got an ebay link?
louiebaby said:
Ideally the platform you're starting from would be level with the top of kayak when in the water.
place the paddle half on the front of the kayak and half on the platform. Use one hand to hold each.
Climb in, holding the kayak level with the paddle partly on the platform. Once level, pick up the paddle and off you go.
Try to fall in away from the dock.
What did you buy, have you got an ebay link?
Sometimes its easier to have the paddle behind the cockpit (hole) and put one hand on it over the boat and the other over the platform, then put your feet in and then slide across the paddle, then down into the boat. Or find someone friendly to hold the boat for you. place the paddle half on the front of the kayak and half on the platform. Use one hand to hold each.
Climb in, holding the kayak level with the paddle partly on the platform. Once level, pick up the paddle and off you go.
Try to fall in away from the dock.
What did you buy, have you got an ebay link?
If you can find a 'beach' on the river try seal launching (getting in on the land then sliding into the water), though since that looks like a composite/fibreglass boat i wouldn't try seal launching off anything.....
louiebaby said:
It doesn't look like a racing one, you should be able to make that work.
Generally, if things are worth doing, they're not easy. Think of the satisfaction you'll get when you master it...
Im not giving up but I was in the water before I even had my paddle. I gessed something wasn't right.Generally, if things are worth doing, they're not easy. Think of the satisfaction you'll get when you master it...
Deep water starts are always much harder. As above, I'd suggest trying a start of a sloping beach style entry first to get the hang of it. For such a launch I usually get the kayak in about a foot or two of water (just deep enough to paddle), then straddle the kayak and sit down in it that way, like sitting on a chair. Paddle with shallow strokes to get into deeper water, then off you go.
In answer to your (OP's) question, kayaks aren't really that unstable once you're in them and paddling, because of the height of the centre of gravity. If you lean right out of one towards something though yes, you'll capsize it.
I'd recommend going on a proper kayaking course, which will not only give you confidence in launching, but also teach you how to paddle correctly and lots of other useful things.
In answer to your (OP's) question, kayaks aren't really that unstable once you're in them and paddling, because of the height of the centre of gravity. If you lean right out of one towards something though yes, you'll capsize it.
I'd recommend going on a proper kayaking course, which will not only give you confidence in launching, but also teach you how to paddle correctly and lots of other useful things.
Should have got an open Canadian canoe, something like this:
http://www.kayaksandpaddles.co.uk/canoe/kayak/uk/s...
I've got one and they are very stable and perfect for rivers/lakes.
http://www.kayaksandpaddles.co.uk/canoe/kayak/uk/s...
I've got one and they are very stable and perfect for rivers/lakes.
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