Canoes and Kayaks

[matthewriches]

This weekend was devoted to getting away from boats and ferries and tug berths. So I went baby boating... Dedham to Flatford Mill for tea and cakes.

I saw a bridge...


Some cows confused


And obviously some common ducks.

 

[Hydrozoan]

This weekend was devoted to getting away from boats and ferries and tug berths. So I went baby boating... Dedham to Flatford Mill for tea and cakes. ...

:encouragement: They also do hot soup, which is useful as you can’t always have your kayak and eat it.

 

[Plum]

We have an inflatable Sevelor two-man one which came with us for a few cruises. It is quite fun, but a bit wide when inflated so not all that pleasant to paddle for far - however, it is good to take kids out in because it is very stable. If you go that way, there are some nice looking alternatives, though I must compliment Sevelor on the toughness of theirs.
We also have, at home, some wooden ones we made ourselves. They are made of very thin ply (1.5mm) so are very light (9kg for a 4.5m kayak) but have to be handled carefully on stony beaches etc. We take them out frequently locally (Maldon) to paddle on the Blackwater, and Gordon has had one in the sea in Wales and Ireland and the tidal Thames - so they stand up to calm seas, but not white water! They are pretty stable.
Consider making yourself one, with your practical skills. The latest of ours took about 5 weeks and cost maybe £200 in materials. A heavier one made of 4mm ply would be cheaper and quicker.
The Blyth would be a lovely area to kayak.

Do you have any information about the design/drawings of your ply kayaks, please?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Ali-alshira]

Plum,

Yes, we have lots of plans and measurements, and the wooden frame (in pieces) that we built it around. You are welcome to come and look at it and even borrow all that, if you want to build a similar one. The design was our own, specifically to be stable and light, but tough enough to be launched off a smooth beach and ok for sheltered waters - certainly not rough sea, stony beaches or white water!

However, we are now in Kiel heading north and east, and are unlikely to be back in Essex until September. If, then, you are interested, then send me a private message and you can try one out.

 

[reginaldon]

From first experiences with Canadian canoes at Bedford in 1940, boats have always been a priority, but my mother's family had been sailors & fishermen on the N. Yorkhire Coast since time immemorial. I was not flush, but first dinghy a Heron, sailed off S E Kent, but from teaching started canoe club, we built kayaks, both marine ply and GRP, slalom sea kayaks and a Canadian, getting Snr Instr. BCU in the process. Latterly had a Caprice, my Kayaking days over because of arthritic knees, they didn't have sit ons in my day, but last Canadian experience 6 years ago, in a Norwegian fyord at age 82 - I hadn't lost the knack! - still got the Caprice also

 

[Plum]

Plum,

Yes, we have lots of plans and measurements, and the wooden frame (in pieces) that we built it around. You are welcome to come and look at it and even borrow all that, if you want to build a similar one. The design was our own, specifically to be stable and light, but tough enough to be launched off a smooth beach and ok for sheltered waters - certainly not rough sea, stony beaches or white water!

However, we are now in Kiel heading north and east, and are unlikely to be back in Essex until September. If, then, you are interested, then send me a private message and you can try one out.

Thanks. Very kind of you. Have a great voyage.