Inflatable Kayak Blog

I’ve written a few articles about how to choose a kayak paddle and we’ve had others who have posted their ‘kayak paddle picking’ methods on our blog. The primary conclusion we’ve all come to is that choosing a kayak paddle really comes down to personal preference and an individual’s paddling style.

There are recommended lengths based on a paddler’s height and the width of your kayak, but those guidelines are simply good “rules of thumb” to get you started in choosing your kayak paddle.

Beginning paddlers shouldn’t fret or make a “big thing” out of picking the perfect paddle. The best choice is to pick a paddle that falls into the guidelines and head out to the water. It’s totally too early to tell what you really like until you get out there and paddle for awhile. It might take a year or two to decide what you really like. Then you can spend some extra dollars for a better paddle that fits your individual style.

I ran across this video that does a good job of explaining and demonstrating the whys and wherefores of paddle choices. Check it out and you’ll have a better understanding of how to choose a kayak paddle.

We were in Michigan’s upper peninsula the last full week of May visiting family and friends. Their spring season was just beginning and although it was still fairly cold and windy most of the time, we did manage to get into our inflatable kayak a couple times and get in a little paddling.

Our first paddling venture was on Lake Superior in the bay below the statue of Bishop Baraga between L’Anse and Baraga. I’m working on a historical video feature about the statue and I wanted to shoot some video from out on the lake towards the bluff where the statue has stood for almost 40 years.

It was cold and windy day, much colder and windier than we usually paddle in, but I wanted to get that video from the lake and seeing we don’t get up that way very often, we decided to brave the cold … Brrrr!

We inflated the boat then got in the car to warm up before heading out to paddle. There were some small white caps, a bit choppier than we are normally in, but when you have a destination in mind, you just have to get out there and do it. And, we did! Got some good video for my story. Once we had the boat loaded in the trunk and back in the nice warm car, we both decided that it really wasn’t all that bad after all and will be a fun memory of our trip.

A couple days later, the temperatures were a bit warmer and we managed to put the boat in one more time. My sister, Gretchen wanted to go for a paddle, so once again we braved the wind and cold to put the kayak in the water. We were just a block away from the boat launch area in Hubbell, so we put in there. My sister had never been in an inflatable kayak and was surprised how easily it inflated and how quickly we could get it in the water. Once she got the rhythm of paddling we were moving along quite well, though she didn’t want to get too far out from shore. We were still in some choppy water, but she felt confident the boat was stable. We did cut the ride short because the wind was biting, but she did enjoy the paddle.

One thing that we did have another chance to try out was our Wind Paddle Sail. We’ve used it on a few occasions, but not always in the best conditions. The wind this week was probably the best sailing winds we have had. One of the tricky things to learn is folding the WindPaddle into it’s compact form. Recently I had gotten some practice getting it folded and connecting it to the boat correctly. Now I have it down to where I can confidently fold it up even while sitting in the kayak. With a little more practice and a few more windy days, we should have an even better feel for using the sail. I must say that having used it this last time, it was a nice addition to our paddling experience.

If you get a chance to travel to the Upper Peninsula, you will find so many great places to kayak. Or if you are simply looking for a great scenic vacation destination, the U.P. is someplace you should definitely consider.

Since we’re in the middle of National Boating Safety Month, which happens every May, I thought I’d pass along some information on a new life jacket I discovered recently.

You know how some life jackets don’t exactly conform with your boat’s seat back. The Clearwater Mesh Back PFD solves that problem. It has a mesh section in the lower back area that allows you to comfortably rest up against the seat. The mesh also adds excellent ventilation in hot weather.

A soft PVC-free foam fills the front and upper back parts of the jacket enabling it to mold to your body. The Clearwater Mesh Back also provides a substantial 16.5 lbs of flotation. There’s 2 roomy pockets for convenient storage and plenty of reflective tape to make you visible in dim light.

The Clearwater Mesh Back PFDis made by NRS. It offers the perfect combination of comfort at a reasonable price. Most important of all, the Clearwater Mesh Back provides safety while allowing unrestricted movement while paddling.

As a big fan of folding and inflatable kayaks, how could I not be a fan of a “folding bottle’? Yeah, that’s what I said, a folding bottle! Actually is more of a collapsible bottle and it’s a perfect fit for campers, hikers and kayakers who are always looking for a better way to fit more gear into a small area.

The Anti-Bottle is made by the Vapur company. It was introduced in 2010 to allow users to tap into tap water everywhere and anywhere. The foldable, flexible, reusable eco-friendly water bottles are FDA-approved and BPA-free, so they’re a good fit for the environment, too.

The main drawbacks seem to be deciding where to hold them when drinking from them. Most say it’s better to hold them near the cap where they are less flexible. The Anti-Bottle also perspires alot when filled with cold liquid, which can be a hassle inside a back pack. But the advantages of portability seem to outweigh any negatives.

I know I’m impressed with finding another product that helps make my gear bag more compact.

by Victoria L. Holt-Adams

I love to sail along the waves, taking in nature’s magnificent vistas and watching out for unique glimpses of wildlife. One particular creature, the Manatee, has been high on my personal “bucket list”. In a recent effort to see Manatees in their natural environment, I journeyed to Florida hoping to check that activity off my list. In the process of visiting some areas where Manatees were plentiful, I found that many of these were also excellent spots for sailing.

Crystal River/Kings Bay
This is a wonderful spot to just kick back and enjoy the scenery with all it has to offer. The river is tidally influenced because it is fed from Crystal Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. I honestly could not tell you how long the trip was as I spent a full day on the water and tried my hand at some diving. Sadly, I only saw one Manatee and it was rather far away from me, but still quite a majestic experience. I fully intend to go back again and maybe next time I will be lucky enough to see one up close.

Honeymoon Island State Park
This is a prime spot for a good sail. A good haul at 9 miles around the island, but it also offers a pet beach in case you are kayaking with a pet on board (though I do not recommend doing this unless your experienced with sea kayaking, and definitely not if you’re using a sail). The hiking trails on the Island offer opportunities to do a little bird watching and to take in some spectacular scenic views. You will also find a snack bar and gift shop on the Island, so you can enjoy lunch as well as your time on the water.

Weedon Island Preserve
This is a 1,046 acre park on the south west side of old Tampa Bay offering a decent spot to explore, but I don’t recommend sailing in this area because of the mangrove tunnels. Mangroves are made up of various kinds of trees growing up to medium height that are coupled with shrubs and grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics. Weedon Island also has an observation tower that is 45 feet above sea level offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

Anclote Key Preserve State Park
This Park is three miles off the west side of Florida and is North West of Tampa. The park is a very popular spot for boaters and sunbathers, so keep on the lookout for boat traffic and bikinis. Once you get going through the water traffic it is an opportune spot for marine life. Keep your eyes open as you may spot a Dolphin or two. Anclote Key also boasts a lighthouse. There is generally a ranger in this area, so if you’re interested in taking a tour of the lighthouse, check with the ranger on duty. Anclote is a great spot for photos and the sunset view is spectacular.

Key Largo
Key Largo is south of Florida and the most northern Key in the Florida Keys chain. It offers some of the most picturesque sites, in my humble opinion, as well as lovely cerulean waters teeming with ocean life. Coral reefs and white sandy beaches are begging for your adventures. It is home to Americas’ first undersea park, where you can Snorkel, Kayak, Fish, and Dive. An exciting treat for kayakers is that you will find a scuttled Navy ship off the coast, put there to encourage a coral reef to form, but ready and waiting to be explored.

I am predominantly a kayaker, however I often use my portable WindPaddle sail to turn my kayak into a mini sailboat. I found these Florida locations to be excellent for combining paddling and sailing. Florida is a stunning State to discover and revisit. So pack your bags, bring your sunscreen and bug repellent, but most importantly just enjoy Florida.

This article was originally published it’s author, Victoria Louise Adams in eZine Articles under the title “Five Of Florida’s Most Scenic Sailing Destinations“.

(Victoria L. Holt-Adams is the mother of two wonderful children, a stay at home mom, semi-professional photographer, and self taught graphic artist. She enjoys a myriad of other activities to stimulate her creative processes.)