Hi I am new here... so a bit of backstory

I have been looking for a kayak for a while, and it has been frustrating. Partially because it seems most kayaks are designed for short people. (I am 6'6".. short to me is under 6') and skinny people (I am 250lbs), add to that my tight budget (hmm more my love of bicycles, motorcycles, hiking, etc...) and I had pretty much given up and occasionally rented kayaks (when a rental place had one that fit) when I came across a 2004 storm for a good price.

The only thing is that in order to fit, I will be unable to use the foot rests- my feet rest against the bulkehead quite comfortably. (36" inseam). has anyone ever modified the rudder controls for hand use? Any other suggestions for a larger paddler.

Also as i live in Portland, any good local paddling areas would be most helpful. I am already looking forward to Sauvies Island- and other locations for day trips?

mojo,

I just sold my Eddyline Wind Dancer to a guy your size; it is an example of a boat for folks with long legs and larger body mass. A Storm is very small for you. No surprise about the fit. No knowledge of hand controls for a rudder -- your hands will be busy with the paddle.

The Wind Dancer is no longer made, so perhaps others will have suggestions for boats to consider.

As to where to paddle near PDX, couple ideas:

1. Subscribe to PDXSeaKayaker: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PDXseakay ... =119374634

2. Get a copy of Philip Jones guide: http://www.amazon.com/Canoe-Kayak-Route ... 0898865131

Foam bulkheads(or any bulkheads for that matter) in a plastic kayak are not meant to be used as footrest, and especially with somebody your size, it will come lose.
What you CAN do(other than getting a boat meant for somebody your height) would be to move the footpegs forward(you'll have to drill new holes in boat). You will also need to relocate bulkhead forward(you'll have to cut it down to fit) and replace the rudder cables with longer ones(probably,but not necessarily, depends on the setup). Expect about 30$ in parts/materials and maybe 2.5-5 hours of work(good chunk of that to get the bulkhead right).
Or you could look into getting a boat meant for somebody your height,but they're typically fiberglass. Telkwa by Nimbus and Solstice GT Titan by Current Designs come to mind. Or better yet a skeg boat so footpegs are solid and don't have to move. Also with a glass boat,you CAN use a glassed-in bulkhead as footrest if it's strong enough, and if not it can be reinforced easy enough.

Of all the kayaks I have tried in the last ten years this is the one that fit best. It is heartening that others may be better fits. But it was what I had with my budget. I dont know as I like kayaking enough to spend thousands to get started. A few hundred (a very few hundred truthfully) I am good for. And like a lot of tall people I am used to things not quite fitting right- my bike is 62cm not a 66, my cc ski boots are 49s not 50s. I have learned to adapt and survive. Thanks for the idea of moving the footpegs and front bulkhead. That is certainly doable.

Tell me about it! 6'4" and 250lbs. I couldn't find a thing commercially available to fit. I built the largest wooden kayak I could find and was still uncomfortable! I wound up with a SOT Fishing kayak. Very comfy!!!!

OK, I am gonna step on a landmine I know... but SOTs are just... not pleasing to my eye.

Sitting in the storm was comfortable enough for the five minutes or so I checked it out. It was... hmm.. "not spacious" but the reviews I found here http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showRev ... l?prod=233 seemed to indicate that people close to my size liked their CD storms. also I have found that I am a "dense" 250. I take up a lot less space then most guys my size. Maybe cause it is stretched out over a large area, but also because I have a pretty high muscle mass from bicycling. But I am picking it up today and taking it with me to Florence Oregon later this week. By the end of next week the comfort issue will be known I think.

So I went to pick up the kayak and the guy through in a bunch of stuff- we had agreed on the paddle and spray skirt, but he also had a waterproof duffle and a paddle float. Everything but a PFD, luckily I have a collection of them for work. This also gives me an excuse to get another one.

So final tally- one CD storm, one skirt, one paddle, one water proof bag and one paddle float for 400$! woohoo.

So I got to take my new-to-me kayak out on the water. The weather offshore was too windy yesterday for work, so I took the kayak Inland to Wahonik Lake to check it out. I had not been able to test paddle the kayak so it was kind of eye opening.

Things I learned- the sprayskirt does not fit the kayak, or me for that matter. Luckily it was a calm day.
The rudder in the up position is a great sail. Took me a while to figure out why I was always pulling right till I started heading back and it kept pulling left. I really need to figure the whole foot peg/rudder thing out.
I also found out that I have a two position paddle.. good thing cause it was windy- offshore it was blowing 30, on the lake it was 7-10 with gusts to 15.

I feel like a 6 year old on a bicycle. I am fine until I try and stop turn or do anything fancy. On the plus side I managed to beach the kayak and get out without getting soaked.... the first time I have managed that feat. Its all about keeping your expectations low I guess.

On rudder up as a sail...I don't think it has that much to do with the rudder blade, I think you're experiencing weathercocking. Most boats have somewhat of a tendency to turn upwind in beam-on or quartering seas. Should get better as your paddling improves(but an operational rudder won't hurt)
Skirt doesn't fit boat, kind of unusual(Storm should take a standard Large or 1.7 size skirt) But if it doesn't fit you,moot point.
Paddle-you mean it can be feathered? It's all about personal preference,not something you normally switch depending on weather. Though feathering the paddle does help when going upwind.(but your own body is still always going to be by FAR the biggest 'sail')
Enjoy the new toy,you got a hell of a deal on it(not unheard of,but rarely do you find anything servicable that cheap)

After a second trip out on the water (this time on the North Siuslaw) I have come to appreciated the rudder. I started messing with it on shore and realized that they were lower (longer) settings. This surprised me because the guy I bought it from was maybe an inch or two shorter than me- either he never used them (he said he only took it out twice) or his legs were shorter than mine. either way once I got them all the way down I found they worked pretty well. They could still be an inch longer, but i didnt feel uncomfortable on them as long as I stretched every so often.

The skirt must not have fit the other guy either. he was my size at least. who knows....

The north Siuslaw is a tidal river I found the portage here: http://www.siuslawwatertrail.com/#. The entry point at Bender Park is just a cement ramp. No dock so entry was... tricky... I managed to make it in without soaking my camera and after getting situated made some good time up river (against the ebb and wind) until sunset when I turned around and headed back. Love the rudder! Especially in a tight area or when taking pictures. I was hoping for some bird shots because last time I was on the water i floated by a heron at eye level about 10 feet away. Nothing so good today, but with the learning curve of kayaking and photography probably best I stuck to still life photos.

Anyone who is curious can see the photos here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/starkmojo