For the love of Kayaking

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Sachita

I have two large ocean 11 foot kayaks. I was able to get both of them in my cargo van myself, however when i traded it and bought my Escape (suv) I attempted to get one on top to tie it down. I just don't feel comfortable doing this and even though they make a padded system to hold them up there its the weight of trying to get them up there alone. Often I go out by myself.

I just had a hitch put on and out a 5 X 8 trailer on lay-away. It has a ramp and I'm going to have something welded for the kayaks and a storage box. This way i can put camping gear and my bike underneath. This was a problem in the van because once the boats were in I couldnt fit anything else but maybe a few small coolers.

I am an experienced outdoors woman. Still I take no chances and often I am outdoors a lone. I always call someone, like my sister and let her know where i am at and many times email maps to her. I pack extra things in case of emergency. You never know what could happen. Cold water can be deadly. It's not a bad idea to talk to people who have already kayaked in the area you want to go.

I have someone I check in and out with when i go out exploring anywhere.

I also have neighbors here that know if I'm not home by midnight something is up. I also tell them if I'm out playing so that the alert by be made earlier or if I'm not coming home at all so the whole forest doesn't end up looking for me.

If I have access i log into latitude also

I will find out today how well i can lift it on top. I did snag my step ladder from home!

[Blaze]

Forgive the ad commercial, but this video shows that sometimes you can be lucky! And Doctor Mary Neal is now a believer, she wrote a book called "To Heaven and back"
http://video.foxnews.com/v/163241318...king-accident/

[Blaze]

A heart warming story of a dog... Kayak Fisherman Rescues Tragic Dog in Gulf of Mexico


http://www.gofishn.com/mary-pinkowis...ulf-of-mexico/

[The Oopster]

so i survived my first time out!

I loved it! Although I think I'm going to be really sore ... I didn't realize how much it would get your leg muscles also, even though that part of my body is pretty strong! I was out for somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half I think.

I'm really really happy with it though. I really have been trying to find something to strengthen my upper body that I enjoy and I think this will do the trick!

I was surprised at how easy it was! I don't know if this is due to my canoe experience or what. But I felt it was so much easier to maneuver then a canoe.

Definitely need to stock up on Dramamine if I'm going to be on any lakes with motor boats or waverunners on them.

The insulation seems to work really well on my rack. I do recommend putting it on before putting the boat on top though. Whoops! Then I just used tie down straps that I looped through the drainage holes wrapped around the cross bars then fed through the interior of my car! Cost for insulation was about $11 and cost for tie downs around $5. Now I just have to get my carrier built so i can take it to a few of the more remote coves I like!

I'm not as strong as I'd like to be but still can manage to get it up on my car. Luckily it's a newer crv. So not as high as some suv's plus the back is sort of round and I was able to use the curvature to help me ease it up there.

I do want to see if they have some type of cover for it though. I'd like to keep it up on top of my car a lot but would like to protect it from the sun and bird poop!

[Blaze]

Here is a trick to help load a kayak by yourself, if you have a harbor frieght near by. for $5.99 you can buy one or two of these Dual Cup Suction Lifter

Basically you can stick it to your window, or when I had my Jeep, I use to use the suctions and attach them to the top of my rear roof, I would use a pool noodle from walmart or the dollar store.
And when there on sale, stock up on these suckers! You can use them for just about anything, from floating your line, to extra flotation in your yak, to cutting a piece and using it to help from your paddle sinking, you'll be surprised at what you can use these for. Any way, I cut the pool noodle to fit the handle and use plastic tie straps to keep it on the dual cup suction lifter, that way when you lift one end of your kayak onto it it will help you guide and slide your kayak easily onto your vehicle roof rack....
If you buy two of them you can also attach a PVC pipe with pool noodles to make an even wider guide for your kayak, imagination is limitless!
Paddle on!

[Blaze]

Welcome to the world of kayaking Oopster! Glad you enjoyed it, and yes, kayaking actually helps you to use every muscle in your body. It's a wonderful exercise and can tone you up quickly. Just be aware of your limits and your surroundings! I can't stress this enough, Mother Nature has no favorites and you don't want to become a statistic. Be aware, be careful and use as many safety precautions as possible.

Originally Posted by The Oopster

so i survived my first time out!

I loved it! Although I think I'm going to be really sore ... I didn't realize how much it would get your leg muscles also, even though that part of my body is pretty strong! I was out for somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half I think.

I'm really really happy with it though. I really have been trying to find something to strengthen my upper body that I enjoy and I think this will do the trick!

I was surprised at how easy it was! I don't know if this is due to my canoe experience or what. But I felt it was so much easier to maneuver then a canoe.

Definitely need to stock up on Dramamine if I'm going to be on any lakes with motor boats or waverunners on them.

The insulation seems to work really well on my rack. I do recommend putting it on before putting the boat on top though. Whoops! Then I just used tie down straps that I looped through the drainage holes wrapped around the cross bars then fed through the interior of my car! Cost for insulation was about $11 and cost for tie downs around $5. Now I just have to get my carrier built so i can take it to a few of the more remote coves I like!

I'm not as strong as I'd like to be but still can manage to get it up on my car. Luckily it's a newer crv. So not as high as some suv's plus the back is sort of round and I was able to use the curvature to help me ease it up there.

I do want to see if they have some type of cover for it though. I'd like to keep it up on top of my car a lot but would like to protect it from the sun and bird poop!

[Blaze]

Found the one made on youtube, hope it helps, loading by yourself
http://youtu.be/LBcPgDx5kJY

[Blaze]

How to load a kayak for smaller cars and your cart
http://youtu.be/6wnzk1VOJa0

again for a car http://youtu.be/4SN55Jfu94c

how to tie down and load. http://youtu.be/fgPCYYfLjBA


More to come later, I'm tired, lol