Inflatable Kayak Blog

(Candace Clayton is an author who’s written novels, poetry and other short stories. She was kind enough to write this fictional adventure series specifically for the Inflatable Kayak Blog about ‘The Traveling Man’, a kayaker who tells us tales about his youthful adventures with his buddies on the rivers where he grew up. We hope you’re enjoying it!)

When last we saw the Traveling Man and his buddy, John, they were lost in the swamps of Louisiana in their canoe. It was after dark and they decided to spend the night in a cave. After they had entered the cavern, they hit a rock and their lantern went sailing overboard. Once again, they were submerged into darkness. In the gloom, something hit their canoe a second time. That was when they realized they were not alone inside the cave…..

I tell ya Friend, and I ain’t ashamed to say it, We were plum scared!

John and I had been through some exciting adventures, but this was not one of those times, no sirree. John took a flashlight out of his backpack and started shining it around the cave.

“John, aim that there light at the water,” I told him.

Sure enough, there were two beady, yellow eyes looking at us. Those eyes were attached to an angry ol’ gator. Happens, he wasn’t thrilled to have us barge in on him in his cave.

Yep, it was staring at us and we were staring at it. You ever have a staring contest with a cat? This was just like that, ‘cept those eyes did not belong to a cuddly kitty cat. So, there we were staring each other down, when that ol’ gator decided he had had enough and with one last disgusted look at us, high tailed it outta the mouth of the cave. We were relieved, I can’t tell ya how relieved.

“John,” I says, “Shine that there light around some more. Let’s see if there’s anything else in here with us.”

Fortunately, we didn’t see any other creatures with us in that cave. I guess that gator had scared them all away. So we rowed the canoe up to the side of the cave, and climbed out on the ledge. After tying the boat up, we decided to explore that cave a bit. Seems our sense of adventure had restored itself as soon as that gator left us alone in that cave.

John went first, as he had the only light. All of a sudden, he says, “Look there!”

I looked where the light was a aiming and saw the most amazing sight. This cave had been inhabited before. There were charcoal drawings all over the cave walls. They were hard to make out by the dim light, but we could see pictures of gators and snakes. There were also some pictures of fellas with spears a-fighting those old gators.

Just then something at the back of the cave caught my eye.

“John, put that light over here.”

From where we were standing, it looked like a pile of old leather and some sticks. We headed over for a closer look. The closer we got, the more shape that pile of leather took.

“Looks a lot like our canoe,’ John says.

“John, you know what this is? This is the remains of an Indian Canoe. We have made one heck of a discovery here.”

There we were, staring down at that ancient canoe, when we heard another noise. I swear it sounded just like feet dancing and pounding the ground in time to the chanting we could hear. Then, the smell of smoke from a campfire and food cooking on an open flame caught our nostrils.

Suddenly, a strange mist swirled all around us. We could see ghostly figures dancing around at the back of the cave. John and I looked at each other in shock. Had we wandered into a haunted cave?

Come back next month and find out how The Traveling Man and John get themselves out the haunted cave.

The author, Candace Clayton, lives in Granbury, Texas with her Husband and family, spending as much time in the outdoors as she can.

Sometimes new, progressive designs are so good that one new kayak can replace two. That’s exactly the case with PakBoat’s Puffin Saco, which was released last year. The 12 foot Puffin Saco was created to replace the 12 foot Puffin Kayak and it’s been a rousing success. PakBoats creator Alv Elvested didn’t expect it to do more than that, but it seems it has.

Super light weight at only 20 pounds, 2 pounds lighter than the Puffin 12 Kayak, the Saco only weighs a couple pounds more that the 10 foot Puffin Sport and customers have been migrating toward the Saco rather than the Sport this year causing sales of the original 10 foot Puffin Sport to slow significantly. With this trend and customer’s preference for the Saco, PakBoats has stated that “It is becoming clear that we will no longer produce the model, and we are dropping its price to move the remaining inventory.”

The Puffin Sport is a great boat for activities like fishing and wildlife viewing. Because of it’s design, paddling efficiency is very good for such a small boat. The Sport doesn’t come with a deck, which is the way most fishermen prefer, however decks are available at discount prices.

Although we’re sad to see it go, the PakBoat Puffin Sport is a superb bargain at the new retail clearance price of $595, dropped from the original retail of $775. The Saco retails for $890, so unless you absolutely need the extra 2 feet of boat, the Puffin Sport is the way to go.

By the way, the Puffin Sport clearance models are all 2010 models, made for this year, and the PakBoats 3 year warranty is in effect.

by Guest Author, Carole Ann Moleti

Leisure time is crucial for building bonds between family members. Doing things with their parents allows kids to see values in action and learn important lessons about teamwork, cooperation, and sticking together. For couples, freedom from everyday chores and distractions can trigger a spark of romance and allow time for reconnection.

Traditional family activities like movie going, sporting events, and amusement parks bear an onerous price tag. Economic conditions have cut deep into entertainment and travel budgets. Many are planning “staycations”–day or overnight trips to destinations close to home.

With summer in full swing, kids have no homework, the college set is home, and there is no better time to enjoy being out in nature. Spending it in air conditioned malls, or in the house watching television or on the computer is a waste of one of our greatest natural resources: the outdoors.

Being physically active keeps both the body and mind in tip-top condition. Tranquil natural environments soothe jangled, over stimulated nerves and instill respect and reverence for the flora and fauna. If we are to save our ecosystems from degradation, this is a lesson young people must learn from those closest to them.

Some of our most memorable family bonding experiences have occurred when we’ve needed to seek shelter during an unexpected storm, found and helped an injured or lost animal, given aid and assistance to someone stranded, or just enjoyed quiet time exploring new places.

Blending the interests and abilities of all family members can be a challenge. Some outdoor activities are too physically strenuous for younger children (such as mountain biking and hiking). Teenagers really do not want to be anywhere near their parents. Mom and Dad crave couple time.

About.com’s US Parks page is a great source of information about state and national parks in the US and Canada, including discount passes, entry fees, and attractions. There are oodles of public access waterways, either free or low cost, where one can pull in, inflate a kayak, and sit and watch the older ones paddle around. When they’re tired, parents can take it out for a spin, with the younger ones tucked in between them.

In my own family of five, the boys always seem to be able to amuse themselves walking along the shore, flying a kite, fishing, catching and releasing frogs and turtles, and bird watching. They entertain their younger sister, or she comes along with my husband and me for a ride.

My investment in an inflatable Sea Eagle 370 is paying off big time. For the first time in years, the teens are excited about our planned vacations, and they’re asking to take it out on our local New York waterways as well as the kettle ponds and salt marshes (see picture) of Cape Cod.

All I have to pack is a cooler with snacks and drinks, first aid supplies, sunscreen, and insect repellent. My husband loves the fact there is no fiddling with roof racks and tie downs, and we’re hoping to get some time aboard for just the two of us. I’m delighted that we seem to have once again found some common interests and enthusiasm for being outdoors as a family. There are sure to be a lot of laughs, pictures, and happy memories.

I’ll be sharing my experiences here and would love to hear about yours.

Guest Author, Carole Ann Moleti lives in New York City and juggles a full-time job, freelancing, a house, husband, garden, three kids, a big dog, and a very mean cat. She is looking forward to the summer and some quiet time for family bonding.

Summer begins tomorrow and Portable Kayaks is starting the season with a sale on Sea Eagle 330 Deluxe and Pro packages. The 330 has been Sea Eagle’s most popular kayak over the past 4 years. It’s durable, functional and an excellent value at under $250 for the entire package, including pump, paddles and storage bag. Everything you need to start paddling except for PFD’s. Use the coupon code 330summer and you’ll get $20 off either the Deluxe or Pro package.

Better yet, Portable Kayaks FaceBook Fans are receiving an extra discount bonus. If you currently are or if you become a Fan (click that you “like”) of Portable Kayaks on Facebook, you’ll have access to a ‘fan only’ coupon code for the extra discount. Click here to become a ‘fan’. You need to be logged into your FaceBook account.

This is a short term sale. It ends June 30, 2010. So check it out soon.

Most of the time, kayakers paddle along quiet, passive streams, small rivers and lakes. Occasionally, though, we paddle in areas where there is more marine traffic and there, you may see some channel markers.

Channel markers are a standardized system that has been installed and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers to regulate boat traffic, especially large boats. Unlike highway signs, which usually have information printed on them, channel markers are “read” by their shape and color, which are easy characteristics to distinguish in low light or foggy conditions compared to trying to make out words or symbols on signs.

Also called buoys, channel markers can be found floating, mounted on posts in the water or on land or sometimes on natural rocks or trees. There are basically two colors and two shapes. Red markers are always triangular shaped with the pointed end up, and Green markers are rectangular in shape. If the markers are numbered to correspond to navigational charts, the red markers will be even numbers and the green markers will have odd numbers on them. At night, lighted markers will display the red or green color and may also emit a sound to better locate them.

From a larger body of water to a smaller body of water, the red markers are on the right. From a small body of water to a larger body of water, the green markers are on the right.

You may also see a combination of red and green markers. That indicates an intersection or junction with the top color indicating the preferred set of markers to have on your starboard or ‘right’ side.

You will see an occasional yellow marker which indicates a wide range of specific water uses such as dredging, fish trap areas, spoils areas or military exercises, among others. Be aware and use caution when you see a yellow channel marker.

There’s also regulatory white markers and, or, buoys with an orange border, diamond, circle, or square that are often used to provide information or regulations such as a no wake zone or a shoal area.

If you’d like to read more, there’s a more detailed article on channel markers at PaddleTheWorld.com.

Contributed by Victoria Adams

Alligators can be found in the Southern portions of the United States such as Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Mississippi, Eastern Texas, Virginia, and the southern tip of Oklahoma. Avid Kayakers need to be aware of proper safety measures and what one should do if they encounter an alligator while kayaking in these areas. Alligators have the capability to kill a human, but are naturally wary of people and will only attack when provoked.

In some states there are laws that protect alligators from harassment and molestation by tourists. So by all means kayak and enjoy the water, but be cautious and respectful of Alligators and their environment.

Be prepared and contact your local fish and wildlife organization for information about Alligator mating season, behavioral patterns, and the times that predators feed.

What do you do if you encounter an Alligator on your trip?

1. Do not panic! Just leave them alone! And Don’t Feed Them! It is against the law to feed Alligators. The reason is because if humans feed alligators then alligators will become desensitized and more prone to attack.
2. A must for kayaking in dangerous waters is a PDF whistle. PDF stands for personal flotation device. The whistle is typically plastic and without a pea in it to prevent corrosion and to facilitate using it if it gets wet and is attached to your life jacket so you don’t lose it. If you encounter an alligator you can use the noise from your PDF whistle to scare it off.
3. If you are in an area where you see signs of Alligator activity (for example a muddy wallow where they like to roll, a slide for them to slip into the lake or river, and/or Alligator eggs), leave the area as quickly and as calmly as you can. Gators are naturally territorial and will defend their eggs aggressively.

More than likely if you encounter a gator and it is your first time seeing one you are going to panic. You may feel threatened, and you may want to run or paddle wildly. If possible, try to have someone who has experience in gator encounters with you when paddling in potential gator areas. The buddy system works wonders in helping you overcome your fears. If you see gator activity in an area, make a notation and call the fish and wildlife organization and notify them of your sighting.

This might make you feel a little safer if you are kayaking in an inflatable kayak or a folding kayak. Most of the material components in these type kayaks are designed to keep you afloat even if the hull of your boat is punctured. For example, even the smallest Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak has three separate air chambers for the floor and each side of the kayak. Most importantly be safe, do your research about the area you choose to kayak, and have respect for the alligator populations leave them alone.

If you’d like to read more, here are a collection of links to a variety of additional information about alligators in general and kayaking around alligators.

http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/NatureIssues/sharks.htm#ali

http://www.clubkayak.com/greenwave/showpage.asp?page=070609_Alligators

http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/Instruction/SignalDevices.html

http://members.tripod.com/lauras_house/alligator.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Alligator

PakBoats has been designing and manufacturing excellent folding kayaks for several years. Their Puffins have been an excellent value, more boat for the money, than most other folding kayaks on the market. The only issue was that the Puffin line was a fairly “short” collection of kayaks ranging from 10 feet to 14 feet long, while many kayakers prefer their crafts to range from 15 to 18 feet long. 

The XT series has changed that. In 2009 PakBoats introduced the XT-15 and XT-16 folding kayaks. The XT-15 is a solo model and the XT-16 can be paddled as a solo or tandem, depending on which deck you decide to use. Not only are the XT’s longer, but their unique design that features steep stems results in the XT kayaks having waterline lengths similar to other kayaks that are at least a foot longer. 

For 2010, PakBoats has introduced the XT-17 folding kayak, an even larger (17 foot) member of the XT family of touring kayaks. There has been plenty of advance excitement generated in the XT-17. It was mentioned in Canoe & Kayak Magazine’s Buyers guide well before it was available for purchase. The XT-17 is a “stretched” version of the 15 foot XT-15, and the two share almost all components. If you are a large person or need to carry a heavy load, the XT-17 will be good news. This really is a “full-size” touring kayak. But it does not make the XT-15 obsolete. For paddlers under 200 pounds, the XT-15 has a nice, sporty “feel” to it.

The designer and owner of PakBoats, Alv Elvested, commented in his blog about how he felt about the XT’s. “I generally like smaller boats so it is not surprising that I like the XT-15 for day trips. The XT-17 may well work better for you. They are both really nice, “friendly” kayaks with great paddling performance, excellent stability – and the most comfortable seat we have found in a kayak!” 

You’ll find excellent prices on all the PakBoat XT folding kayaks at PortableKayaks.com.

By Guest Author, Victoria Adams

A float tube or Belly boat is an inflatable flotation device used in fly fishing. They are basically a seat for a fisherman to sit in while he fishes a lake that is inaccessible by boat, and they generally allow a fisherman to fish more area on a lake than he would from a boat. Float tubes are also better for the environment because they are man powered by using a pair of fins or flippers, rather than gas powered. They are economical and come in a range of prices as low as $60.00. They have a compact portability fitting into a space no bigger than your average back pack. They can go from packed to lake worthy in less than 15 minutes depending on the type of air pump used. Many different styles offer different storage options, so where ever you go, your gear can go with you too.

One of the basic styles of float tubes is The Round Boat Float Tube made by the Creek Company. It looks like a doughnut with a back rest and a seat in the center. It is made of a 14 gauge PVC main bladder and has a separate backrest bladder; the outer cover is heavy duty 420 denier nylon, with a 20” interior diameter and 3 pockets for gear storage. It’s like having your own personal foot powered yacht. With its 225 lb capacity and fishing rod holder straps you don’t have to worry about losing anything to the water.  Its 6 pound weight makes it very portable and enjoyable to use on any lake fishing trip.

A different option would be to go with a U style boat like the Original U-boat Float tube, also made by the Creek Company. U style boats have an easier accessibility due to the open front style so there is no stepping into it. The tension straps keep the boat from collapsing on the water. The 14 gauge PVC main bladder and separate backrest bladder seat you higher above the water and give you a better maneuverability when you are on the water. The side pockets and one large rear top pocket give you plenty of storage space for everything you will need so you don’t have to get out of the water, multiple rod-holder straps for hands free use. It has a weight capacity of 275lbs, and weighs about 7 pounds so it is very packable. It is also designed to be carried on your back fully inflated so you can switch lakes without having to deflate it.

A pontoon style float tube is another option you could take when looking for stability, visibility, and safety as comfort and portability. The Kennebec Pontoon Float Tube has some very nice features like a Hydrodynamic hull shape for maximum stability, buoyancy, and tracking. It has a unique sculpted design, and a high back stadium seat with adjustable backrest for support and comfort. The horizontal rod holder assures that you’re not going to drop your rod as you get in or out of the lake, and the roomy armrest storage with additional pockets are a bonus for keeping other things as well as your gear in, plus the additional rear storage pocket and exterior mesh storage pocket make it easy to pull a day trip out on a lake. The Kennebec has a weight capacity of 300 lbs it has a 48” width and a 54” length. It is heavier than the Round boat at 12.75 lbs, but still reasonably easy to maneuver to those remote area lakes.

Shopping for a float tube can be difficult in some areas of the country. Float tubes for fishing are often easier to find in online stores than even the big outdoor sports retail outlets. All of the fishing float tubes I’ve mentioned in this article are available online at PortableKayaks.com.

Whatever style you choose; wherever you go fishing a float tube is a fun, affordable, comfortable way to enjoy and relax in the water. Always remember to fish responsibly, legally, and safely. Follow the proper channels find out if float tube fishing is allowed on the venue you choose to take, clean up after yourself and leave the environment as undisturbed as possible. There are some videos on YouTube that show some examples of fishing from a float tube, if you want to check them out.

Thank you, and happy fishing.

Kayaking is an outdoor sport, so we all should be thinking about using sunscreen, wearing hats and trying overall not to get too much sun. We know the negative effects … too much sun can cause skin cancer. But there is another side to the story … sunshine is probably our bodies best source of vitamin D.

In order for our bodies to stay healthy and operate correctly, we need vitamins. We get these vitamins mostly from the food and drink we ingest. Vitamin D can come from various types of fish, including salmon, as well as from fortified milk. It also is absorbed into the body from the sun, a truly unique method of vitamin nourishment. In fact, the chemical reaction which allows the skin to absorb vitamin D from the sun’s rays, has a built in shut down system that keeps the body from overdosing on the vitamin. That’s something that doesn’t occur when eating a vitamin. The best part of all is that recent studies show that Vitamin D may prevent and even fight the development of cancer.

This is where it gets a little confusing. You want to get the best form of vitamin D from the sun, yet you don’t want to get too much sun and get skin cancer. Sunscreen blocks the body from converting the sun’s vitamin D.

Here are some recommendations for compromise that I read recently …
·    Most studies show that people are not getting enough vitamin D. Researchers recommend 1000 IU (international units), which is higher than the current government’s recommend 200 to 400 IU. This may change in the near future.

·    There is a way to get a good supply of vitamin D from the sun as well as supplements. A researcher recommends you check out how long it takes for your skin to become red or react to the sun and then spend one quarter of that time in the sun without sunscreen, (except for your face). An estimate would be about 10 to 15 minutes in the midday sun exposing at least 50 percent of your body. When that time is up, then put on the sunscreen as recommended.

So with a little caution, we can get the best of both sources of vitamin D. You can read a more detailed article about the Health Benefits of Vitamin D from the Sun at PaddleTheWorld.com.

By Guest Author: Dee Owens

Taking the family pet kayaking is becoming a more and more popular family sport. What is your dog if not a part of your family? Before you load up your inflatable kayak and head to the water there are a few things that you need to do first.

Your first thought is probably whether ‘Fido’s’ toenails will damage your inflatable. It should be a concern but unless they are super sharp, most of the higher quality kayaks made today will stand up to the challenge. Putting down an old piece of carpet can help ease your mind as well.

One really nice thing about inflatable kayaks is that, unlike hard shell enclosed style kayaks (where your pet would not be able to join you) or hard shell sit-on-top kayaks which have no sides, the side chambers of an inflatable kayak make like walls, similar to how a canoe is designed. It’s a perfect setup for both of you.

Most inflatable kayaks will be able to hold the weight of you and your dog, but your should check to be sure. Two person inflatable kayaks shouldn’t be an issue, however those that are made for solo use may.  If the kayak is too small then you can run into complications such as capsizing the kayak. That can be avoided by a “cargo canoe”, a small craft that will attach to the back of the kayak.

Next on the list is to make sure that you and your pet have a Portable Flotation Device, also known as a Life Jacket. Buying the right life jacket for your pet is extremely important, it can be the difference between a fun filled day on the water or not. Also be sure to have a harness for your pet. This will allow you to get your pet back into the water easier if he or she jumps out.

Take your time and chose a location where the water is calm and the weather favorable. Choppy waters are not the best idea for taking your dog with you at any time. Once you know where you are going, it is time to take the pet out onto the water. Take it slowly with your dog the first time and practice commands before going out. You want to know that if you tell him or her to sit they will without delay. Spend time allowing your pet to get used to riding in the kayak as well, remember this is their first trip out with you and they might be a wee bit apprehensive or slightly over excited.

When you feel comfortable with your pet in the kayak, then it’s time to plan your day trip. Take some of their favorite treats with you so you can reward them throughout the day for their good behavior. Always remember to not over tire yourself or your dog, kayaking with your pet is meant to be a fun, relaxing day for you both.

The Author, Dee Owens has published two novels and a variety of articles online.