Buying a Kayak

Needless to say I now need to go purchase a kayak. I think I've decided on the 14' Calypso. They have an orange one in stock at the store (no rudder). While at first I wasn't too happy with the thought of an orange boat, I read an article on www.paddling.net about a chat two people were having about watching a group of kayakers cross a bay. With his binoculars he saw two kayaks, but there were five on the trip. But only two could be seen. One in a yellow kayak and the other failed to mention. But the boats that could NOT be seen were a red and a blue one. The article goes on to mention that orange is the most visible color to the human eye, with yellow a close second. While a Coast Guard friend of theirs assures them that Robin's Egg Blue is extremely visible from the air because there is nothing that color in nature that is bigger than a robin's egg.

Anyway, that seals my fate on the color. I want to be seen if God forbid anything were to happen. And I'll probably go with a bright pink of Hi-Vis yellow PFD when it comes down to it as well.

I sat in the boat and it feels good on land. With L.L. Bean's return policy I'm not worried about if I don't like it. I can always take it back. 100% guarantee! I also looked at the roof racks. She convinced me that I should get the Carbon-fiber paddle. Aqua-Bound makes a Sting Ray model that comes in a small shaft that is easier on the hands. While I have long fingers my palms are normal girl-sized.

In addition to my boat, PFD, paddle and roof rack...it looks like I'll also get a pair of paddling gloves, a safety package (paddle float, bilge pump and whistle; although, I already have my Fox 40), cockpit cover and LED light.

At this point, I'm trying to hold out for a sale, but it's absolutely killing me! I want to be on the water so badly. It makes me unhappy when I'm not.

Getting Back Into It

So, I'm finally getting back into the idea of kayaking. I convinced a few friends and my mom to come try it out last weekend with a Walk-On Adventure through L.L. Bean. After fitting us with PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices), formerly called life vests, we were given instruction on the paddle and sent out on the water.

I told them I was interested in more of a touring/light touring kayak so they put me in a 12' Calypso. It's made by Perception but given the L.L. Bean label. It's a boat that is made for women because it has a lower deck and it is slightly narrower. Mom was in a Pungo 120.

We went out on Nockamixon. They helped to launch us. We went out and did some forward paddling and then some back paddling. We went down through the cove and saw a turtle on the platform. We also saw a few Egrets and an Osprey. There were quite a few fish jumping around. One of our guides mentioned that last week they had a fish jump onto one of the kayaks. When we headed out of the cove Jeremy and Brent decided that we could learn how to use both a forward and back sweep to turn our boats around. We did a few circles and continued out. Our group was really good so we kept going. When we got as far as we were headed for the day they decided to show us a J-stroke to bring yourself closer to someone or something laterally. These went really well and no one sucked an oar under the boat and flipped which is always preferable. Then we headed back for a nice leisurely paddle to the launch point.