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A sit on top traditionally floats very low and flat in the water and one draw back is they do not have much cargo room to store your kayak accessories unless this has been cut into the boat itself. Kayaking is a great way to relax and just about everybody can take up kayaking or canoeing whether you are young or old. Approximately one third of the way round Horsey Island is a head of land called Stone Point. It has a charming sandy beach and is situated right at the point where the Walton Channel meets the sea. Looking for a place to camp overnight on Horsey Island we were closing in on the rusty barges which are run aground in Hamford Water. Having paddled our kayaks two thirds around Horsey Island situated in the Walton-on-the-Naze backwaters we were confident we would soon find a suitable place to land. Sitting in the openings of our tents and sipping a hot drink we even started to crack some jokes about what we had gone through, thinking that things could not get any worse. How wrong we were. One of the major problems paddling a river after there has been a long hot dry spell is the build up of weed and algae. This river weed is not dissimilar to pea soup and smells a whole lot worse! Upon rounding a bend in the river we were faced with a huge patch of 'pea soup' that spanned across the entire width of the river. Both the plastic sit on top and traditional Perception kayak ideally used to be stored in a shed or garage and will need a kayak or canoe trolley plus a roof rack to be transported over any distance. We have many varied kayaks to choose from these days with it would appear every sport, style and requirement catered for. There are fibreglass kayaks, inflatable kayaks, sit on tops, kayak fishing boats equipped with outriggers, racing kayaks, surf and sea boats and so on. When you are looking to buy a kayak or canoe there are many factors to consider before you part with any of your hard earned cash. Since the 1970s when the first rotomoulded kayaks were introduced there has been an explosion of kayak styles and designs to suit every purpose and every need imaginable. If you are considering taking up kayaking as a hobby or sport the first thing you need to consider is how much you are prepared to spend on a new or used kayak together with the cost of the essential kayak accessories you will need. The next thing to consider is where you will store your kayak when you are not using it. Sit on top kayaks are not to everybodys taste and they are best suited for coastal paddles and generally having fun in the surf. The most important items you will need are a life jacket or buoyancy aid, a light or torch, a good quality rope, a paddle leash, a mobile phone and last but not least a fellow paddler. 1 | ||
