Hello everyone, as this is my first post, and I am an inexperienced paddler, I have a somewhat complicated question(s).

First some quick background. I live in the South Puget Sound (Tacoma) and love getting out on the water. I row an Adirondack Guideboat, but I also really enjoy paddling, and seeing where I am going. I have taken some intro kayaking classes at the Seattle Kayak Academy. I do not have a roll yet, nor do I have my own kayak yet. I do not have a group of kayaking friends, so most of my opportunities to get out on the water are solo. I am a busy professional with family (none of whom, sadly are small boat people).

In thinking about how I can safely go out under a variety of conditions, a couple of thoughts/concerns come up. To be safe in a sea kayak, it seems a good roll is key. As you all know, the water around here is always cold! I am not sure I have the time and opportunity to learn and maintain a bombproof combat roll. Also, I have been in a number of different kayaks, and have not yet found one that I am comfortable in for more than 2 hours or so. I am 6'2" and 215 lbs.

In researching boats, I ran across some interesting looking decked canoes: the Kruger Seawind and Dreamcatcher, the Clipper Sea-1, and the Sterling Expedition. I have no experience at all with anything like these boats. They are billed as expedition quality safe boats that are almost as fast as kayaks for touring, and more comfortable and stable.

So, do any of you have any experience with these boats? Any comments on pro's and con's versus kayaks? Should I quit wining and just learn to roll like Dubside ?
Is going out alone in Puget Sound inherently stupid and not safe? Any of you live near me and want to paddle, especially on Wednesdays which I sometimes have off?

Sorry about the long post.

JS

No luv, you don't need to have a roll to be safe. What is key is good judgment and self rescue skills. Yes, a roll is a pretty darned important skill, but it's not essential to have a roll to be safe in a kayak.

To be safe, you need to be educated in and have good cold-water rescue skills, and have reliable and well designed equipment. You also need to fully know your limitations and not venture out beyond them -- especially if you're paddling solo.

I used to work at Clipper and paddled a Sea-1 a few times. I really liked it, and it is everything that you hear it to be. It's a stable, good tracking boat, that stores a ton of gear. Since I only paddle one a few times I can't really comment too much about it, but another member of these forums who goes by the nickname Sludge, has one and does a lot of paddling in it -- hopefully he will chime in here with some experienced answers for you. In my limited exposure to the boat, I'd say that a kayak is more capable in rough waters and windy conditions but the Sea-1 is a very capable boat and can go nearly anywhere a kayak does.

*****

Quite agree. However to gain the right skills and judgement it's highly recommended to paddle with others. You will be surprised how much and what you can learn from paddling with others. Even after many years of kayaking I still benefit of paddling in a group.
Paddling in a group is a great safety enhancer - learn the assisted rescue and you will have a robust rescue skill. It is much quicker to learn than a roll - you will master it in an afternoon and with regular practice you can get someone out of the water and back in the kayak within minutes.

Having said that a roll is still a good plus to have. But that can take a while - at least it did for me - I'm still envious when I see younger, more athletic, beginning paddlers pick it up at the first instruction lesson ... ah well

-stephan

Thanks for the replies! I would certainly agree with everything said so far. I actually would much prefer to paddle in a group, but often solo is all I have at the moment if I want to get out. I am someone who would like to be prepared for worst case senario, hence my thinking about these things. Having practiced wet exit and reentry some, both solo and assisted, I have noticed that it takes a lot of energy in choppy conditions, especially if you do it a few times. Certainly seems a roll would be better and ultimately safer.

As far as my eventual padding craft of choice goes, it may boil down to comfort. If I can find a kayak I can be comfortable in, then I would prefer one for its versatility and fun factor. If not, then a decked canoe may be the way to go. Thanks Dan on the Sea-1 comments, I will have to see if I can go up to BC and do a demo paddle.

Thanks again,

js

That's a very good observation you make. I have seen many paddlers practice self rescue in protected waters and not in the conditions you would meet when you actually need to rescue yourself. I have to include myself in that category having learnt my lesson the hard(er) way.

As you are in the situation you speak of, you need to develop a system of safety layers. This is common practice in many risk areas, be they professional ones such as firefighting or sports activities such as rock climbing, diving etc.

Here is a stab at it (I'm sure others can add to it):

1) before you go out leave a float plan with someone you can trust to act if you don't report in at the agreed time.
2) develop the habit to plan your paddles with safety margins and contingencies: identify areas of risk, for every risky area have a plan B if things go wrong. Have pull out locations identified and scouted. Check the weather. Be prepared not to go if things look marginal.
3) Talk to solo practioners of other sports what philosophy they have to safeguard against surprises (there is a good book, I think it is called 'Deep Survival')
4) Practice paddling in marginal conditions with extra safeties built in. E.g. on a high wind day find a beach where the wind is onshore with small surf. Launch there and practice paddling and maneuvering in the wind. Can you direct the kayak to go any direction you want to go? Practice paddling in the rebound and the soup zone of the surf. If you fall in make sure you get pushed back to the beach - not onto rocks. Learn how to do safe surf landings. (wear a helmet)
5) Have your safety gear ready and keep it in working order: immersion wear, pump(s), towline, Marine radio, flares, PLB/SPOT etc.

You need to be aware that when you are in a situation where you need item 5), esp radio/flares/PLBetc that your chance of survival at that point is severly diminished - these items are definitely not surefire ways to get your out of trouble. So plan not to have to rely on these.

I know of people who do not want to carry flares/PLBs because they believe it makes them less risk averse. That's a personal decision - one many disagree with. It demonstrates however that we respond to perceived risk vs real risk - good safety planning is about understanding real risk.

-stephan

I would just like to say thanks to everyone for the good advice. I will definitely follow it. If anyone is interested in my ongoing boat demos and experiences I will post/update here.

js

Please do...the experience and impressions of others is always useful. One reader is certainly not going to have the same background/experience/skill as another so the more ideas, the better. "Behold the lowly turtle, for he does not make progress until he sticks his neck out".

The other day I paddled a friend's Feathercraft Whisper that was the first kayak that I felt comfortable in for multiple hours, more of a straight leg position than bent. Unfortunately the boat wanted to pull to the right, requiring constant corrective strokes, and didn't seem to respond well to edging. Also, on a 13 mile paddle, it seemed slow compared to the Sterling Illusion my friend was paddling (I definitely had to expend more effort, we are equally fit).

Any thoughts on kayaks that lend themselves to a straighter leg paddling position, would fit someone my size, and are not too slow?

Thanks,

js

Hey

In addition to the safety tips above, I would add that some form of communication is key when you're out alone on the water. Preferably a radio, although a cell phone in a ziplock can be used. (the ziplock is important though.) also an Eprib or other form of PLB is a good idea.

When I am alone on the water I leave my (zip-locked) phone on speaker with 911 set to a speed dial number. I keep the phone in a pocket I am wearing.

Could I make the suggestion to use something different than a ziplock bag? They are ok for protecting your phone for the average paddling condition. But consider what the circumstances may be in a situation where you are forced to contact 911. Possibly you have large waves hitting you, or you may have fallen in and scrambled back onto your kayak once or twice. In that situation, the phone will take quite a beating anda ziplock bag may not be sufficient to protect it.

There are a number of waterproof phone cases and bags available that are quite sturdy and reasonably priced.

-stephan

I am new to kayaking. My past experience has been with either small sailboats or powerboats. The powerboats almost always have VHF radios- the sailboats not so much (esp under 20')

I have been thinking about this myself and went to west marine's web site and found this: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10253 . It is waterproof and compact and cheap. seems like a good investment.

The cell phone isnt really a good comm system because it isnt designed to withstand the elements. I suggested it as a back up plan. A VHF set on 16 is way better.

This has been on my mind as I am a solitary person by nature. My work schedule is erratic, I travel a lot an it is impossible for me to plan trips with friends. If I have a chance to get out on the water its is usually "hey its sunny (or not raining hard), I am not working and I have the morning off."

Mixed reviews on that one. See Amazon's listing: http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Compact-Wat ... B00126K8BM

Dave, correct me if I am wrong, but they are both Cobra electronics MR HH 125? although the link you had is cheaper. I have had a couple bad experiences with Amazon retailers. West Marine clerks may not know much, but when they say they have shipped something I always get it- Amazon retailers have been less acurate. I prefer Englund Marine over West because the customer service people seem to have actual boating experience.

Either way. I would say 45-60 bucks is a small price to pay for being able to get ERS involved when you need it.

Same radio; WM prices are no longer bargains. Becky works for Englund's and can tell you stories about that.

The reviews detail some disturbing drawbacks of that model of radio. YMMV.

Pricing to a great extent depends on how soon you need something. If I need it now, and go to Englund, I pay for it in the price tag. If I want it now from west marine online they charge me fed ex. Works out about the same.

I can only go on my own experience- but three times lately I have ordered from Amazon.com sellers, only to have them (weeks later) admit that they dont have what I ordered and have refunded me my money- basicly borrowing my money for three weeks free of charge- third time was the charm for me. I wont order through amazon anymore.

Englund's has always been good to me. I have brought plenty of stuff back and they have never done anything other than replace it co questions asked. Like REI you may pay for that service, but I am OK with that. They guys at the counter (at least in Newport) were pretty helpful when I was picking out a float coat for USACE use.