Canoe and Kayak Recomedations needed

canderson

Thinking about getting a canoe or kyack for nature/wildlife photo adventures. Need some recomendations on what to get or look for. Please keep in mind I am a bigger guy...

ian408

About the only thing I can recommend is a trip to your local REI and have a look around. Keep in mind most outdoor stores will have put their summer stuff away in favor of winter.

The alternative would be to see if there are Canoe/Kayak classes held in your area, take one of those and learn what would work for you.

canderson

Closest REI is +500 miles away. Thought I might get better help here than the flunkies at Dick's.

ian408

I suppose your choices are a bit limited then

DoctorIt

canderson wrote: »

Closest REI is +500 miles away. Thought I might get better help here than the flunkies at Dick's.

Look harder.

Seriously, Dick's is the only place in a greater metro region like Indy to buy a boat??? If you live close enough to paddling, there just has to be a shop that sells boats. Unless I knew exactly what I was looking for, I can't imagine ever buying a boat online. The cost of shipping will more than outweigh what it might cost in premium to buy from a local shop where you can actually sit in the boat.

Craigslist?

denisegoldberg

I second DoctorIt's suggestion to see the boat in person before buying it. Even more than seeing it, try to find a place that will allow you to try it out on the water. Kayaks in particular have all manner of tippiness, from tippy to stable. If you're planning to shoot from the boat, make sure it is stable enough for you. Make sure you can stash your gear safely, that you know you have some level of protection if you happen to flip.

--- Denise

Art Scott

here is a list of Gander Mountain stores in In. ...... Indiana

Castleton/Indianapolis, IN #272 5702 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46250, (317) 577-1114
Evansville, IN #271 5476 Indiana Street, Evansville, IN, 47715, 812-473-9117
Ft. Wayne, IN #187 6043 Lima Road, Ft. Wayne, IN, 46818, (260) 416-0943
Greenwood, IN #273 1049 N. Emerson Ave, Greenwood, IN, 46143, (317) 865-1734
Merrillville, IN #185 1630 Southlake Mall, Merrillville, IN, 46410, (219) 793-1700
Terre Haute, IN #270 3602 S. US Highway 41, Terre Haute, IN, 47802, (812)237-0940


There is 1 Cabelas and 2 Bass Pro Shops in IN.....but none in Indianapolis...sorry.....

You might want to look at Sevylor's site for inflatable canoes or the porta-bote site also.....

canderson

Thanks! I was looking for some useful info from another photographer. Are there any features you would look for or stay away from?

Art Scott wrote: »

here is a list of Gander Mountain stores in In. ...... Indiana

Castleton/Indianapolis, IN #272 5702 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46250, (317) 577-1114
Evansville, IN #271 5476 Indiana Street, Evansville, IN, 47715, 812-473-9117
Ft. Wayne, IN #187 6043 Lima Road, Ft. Wayne, IN, 46818, (260) 416-0943
Greenwood, IN #273 1049 N. Emerson Ave, Greenwood, IN, 46143, (317) 865-1734
Merrillville, IN #185 1630 Southlake Mall, Merrillville, IN, 46410, (219) 793-1700
Terre Haute, IN #270 3602 S. US Highway 41, Terre Haute, IN, 47802, (812)237-0940


There is 1 Cabelas and 2 Bass Pro Shops in IN.....but none in Indianapolis...sorry.....

You might want to look at Sevylor's site for inflatable canoes or the porta-bote site also.....

ripbob

canderson wrote: »

Thinking about getting a canoe or kyack for nature/wildlife photo adventures. Need some recomendations on what to get or look for. Please keep in mind I am a bigger guy...

Check out the hobie kayaks with their no-hands paddling. You paddle with your feet and still shoot with your hands. There's different models depending on how much you want to spend. GL

Art Scott

canderson wrote: »

Thanks! I was looking for some useful info from another photographer. Are there any features you would look for or stay away from?

I cannot recommend any at this time................................
I am not ready to take cameras out into the depth of white water or even placid lake waters in a canoe or kayak at this time....I need to get water proof housing first......but I was looking at pontoon styled kick boats, like for flyfishing for doing different rivers in the Ozarks but the realization that I needed really good waterproof housings kinda put out the fire for now :~}}

DsrtVW

I have a Coleman 16.5 canoe with outriggers and trolling motor. I am using it for a platform on quiet waters. You have to consider that it would be easy to destroy your equipment if you flipped it. I also have a water proof case for transporting equipment from place to place and camera only comes out when it is safe to do so. I am a big guy too canoes and kayaks are tippy things. Be safe and always wear a life vest.
Source for equipment, good service here
http://www.sailboatstogo.com/v_page.php?content=stabilizer_length

canderson

DsrtVW wrote: »

I have a Coleman 16.5 canoe with outriggers and trolling motor. I am using it for a platform on quiet waters. You have to consider that it would be easy to destroy your equipment if you flipped it. I also have a water proof case for transporting equipment from place to place and camera only comes out when it is safe to do so. I am a big guy too canoes and kayaks are tippy things. Be safe and always wear a life vest.
Source for equipment, good service here
http://www.sailboatstogo.com/v_page.php?content=stabilizer_length

Thanks for the sugestion and link. I had not seen these before.

Icebear

Check this out. Very versatile. Stable as an aircraft carrier, and carries a load. If you're over 300lbs, they make a single-seating kit for this one. I have a tandem by the same company (Folbot) and am an enthusiastic endorser of the concept and the company. Not cheap, but it's a lifetime boat.

canderson

Icebear wrote: »

Check this out. Very versatile. Stable as an aircraft carrier, and carries a load. If you're over 300lbs, they make a single-seating kit for this one. I have a tandem by the same company (Folbot) and am an enthusiastic endorser of the concept and the company. Not cheap, but it's a lifetime boat.

Very slick! To those who said I should just go to REI, I would not be getting these wonderful sugestions from other people.

DoctorIt

canderson wrote: »

Very slick! To those who said I should just go to REI, I would not be getting these wonderful sugestions from other people.

Yeah yeah. By the way, I fixed your title. It's a "kayak", not a "kyack" ... maybe that's why your google searches weren't finding that local outfitter???




:hide

pathfinder

J L Waters in Bloomington, ( on the west side of the square downtown ) sells kayaks, canoes, and outdoor clothing. They usually offer a Saturday try out day in the spring at a local lake in Monroe county. You might call them and ask if they are planning that in the spring again.

ian408

canderson wrote: »

Very slick! To those who said I should just go to REI, I would not be getting these wonderful sugestions from other people.

I'm not sure how my suggestion to go to REI would have eliminated anyone's opinion?

Just FYI, some REI locations offer kayak tours (amongst other tours) as well as the occasional chance to try several different boats out. Since I've taken advantage of both of these, I thought it was a pretty good suggestion.

pathfinder

I love REI, Ian. I shop at the stores in Denver whenever I am out there, but there is no REI within several hours of Circle City ( Indianapolis ).... I do wish there was, but we get no love. I have been an REI member for over 25 years.

Gander Mountain does offer an assortment of kayaks and canoes in several areas around central Indiana. J L Waters is a small, privately owned store that has been in Bloomington for a very long time, and has actively sold canoes and kayaks there.