Boat Forum / Paddle Boats / August 2004

Over July 4th weekend, I drove my buddies Tom and Martin to Johnsondale
and met Simon, who had flown in from NYC to Bakersfield and rented a car
to do shuttle.  He usually flies to more exotic paddling destinations,
but seemed satisfied with the Kern, a total whitewater classic.

Yesterday I went kayaking for the first time.   I had a Dagger closed
kayak, which we rented from a local place.  I had a very hard time to
keep the kayak tracking straight.  There were very few rapids, so it was
mostly just slow paddling in smooth water.

I plan on paddling into late fall this year (Minnesota) and have a trip to
Upper MI coming up next month.  I've been considering either NRS Boundary
Shoe or Chota Mukluk Light for the inevitable wading I'll experience in the
cold weather.  I'm preparing for thirty's to high forty's ...

Has anyone seen or read of sea kayakers using water relaunchable kites
to sail with a sea kayak?
I am a little hesitant due to all the lines on a kite, in particular
the potential for entanglement with a powered kite. This is the

Is anyone aware of any professional/trade organization for whitewater
rafting outfitters/charters?

I can barely sail into the wind.  Can a canoe with a lee board really sail
into the wind with any efficiency?

Hope you don't mind a question from someone who isn't even a lurker in this
newsgroup.
Here's my situation:
A friend has offered to sell me a "like new" Eddyline Wind Dancer with

I tried the Avocet on the weekend and loved it.  But based on comments
that it's not the best boat for a 255 pound guy so I tried the Skerray,
which is similar, but bigger.  And for some reason, while it was nice and
all, it didn't grab me the way the Avocet did.

Due to an unfortunate rack accident, my wife's new Ocean Kayak Frenzy
now has a hole in the left front footwell...kinda tongue shaped, about
1.75 x 2.5 inches.  The flap is still hinged in place and I think it
can be pulled back to fill the hole, leaving what might be described

Here is an online petition that may help rid us of this plague!!!!  
Vote and give the url to everyone in your address book!
http://www.nobeachtags.com/

I'm thinking of going the gauley river festival this year. Suggestion on
where to park ?

Hi - has anyone experience of taking kayaks on aeroplanes? We are thinking
of taking two kayaks on Easyjet to Nice as they take another 10kg of sports
equipment for free. Can you pack things inside them? Do they get damaged? Do
you leave them at cargo or take them to check in? any ...

I've been kayak paddling a few years with the paddle what brought me.
But now I have a chance to buy a spare for the back of my sea kayak. Or
who knows maybe it will be my main blade. My main is cracking and
fraying and needs epoxy and some glass.

Joe Ferrerio after noting that Canoe and Kayak carts can be built offered
the plan.  I took him up on it and he was kind enough to allow me to post
his plans here.
Thanks Joe.

12 People - 3 Rafts - 5 Kayaks - 8 Days
We just got off the Middle Fork of the Salmon yesterday.  Great trip.
We expected low water but were greeted with a week of pretty much
constant rain (only one day was completely dry).  The rive rose from