By
admin on
January 5, 2009
One of the most popular activities, Ocean Kayaking, is for people of all ages interested in living a life of adventure. The best way to get familiar with kayaking and its techniques is to peruse the open water first. Lake and oceans, otherwise known as open water, provide the best venue to build your confidence and master you skills in one of the most relaxed atmospheres available. Once you conquer the open water, there are many miles of whitewater adventures beyond the horizon.
If you really want to experience nature at its best, while tempting your own perceptions of adventure, then start with open water or ocean kayaking. Being on the open water, out in the throws of nature and her surroundings, provides a lifetime of memories and joy. During your ocean kayaking experience, you will learn the very basic methods of control and recovery. Being able to establish a somewhat expert level of accomplishment should lend its hand in driving your desire to venture into the wilds of whitewater.
Beyond the cockpit opening on either end, there is an area called the ?scuppers? which is beyond the foot wells. This are is ideal for storing your camping gear, and food rations for an adventure of a lifetime. The scupper area will provide safe haven and a dry spot for all your gear. Following the shoreline on an adventure that is sure to thrill even the most timid, while requiring a great deal of planning can prove to be most relaxing, unlike the whitewater thrills you can step into afterwards.
Perfecting and honing your skills, will afford you the ability to step up to the next level when you are ready. The most important factor aside from safety, is to enjoy the adventure you are about to embark on, and live life to its fullest. Happy Sailing!!!!
Posted in Kayaking
| Tagged Kayak, Kayaking, Lake, Ocean, ocean kayaking, Water, Whitewater
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
Of the throngs of kayak producers, one stands out as an exceptional player whose innovations and designs have thrilled kayak-lovers all over the world. Dagger Kayaks have a reputation for making top-quality kayaks that have excelled in international competitions and are esteemed by serious kayak users. Dagger Kayaks are renowned for their ease of movement and toughness. They are highly reliable pieces of equipment because of their steadiness in water and the sophisticated outline. Their robust fabrication is highly valued as well.
The founders of the company, Joe Pulliam and his three kayak comrades started their business in Roane County, TN. The main product of the enterprise remains the whitewater boat but many models of kayaks destined for leisure activities are also produced. The company has many models of whitewater kayaks including the Mamba, Nomad, RPM, Juice and the Crazy 88. The latter has acquired recognition as the Gear of the Year for 2005 from Outside magazine. Crazy 88 is acclaimed for its flawless design, outstanding speed and excellent spreading of volume in the deck.
Of the leisure kayaks, the Dagger Fiesta is famous and prized by both adults and children alike. The Dagger Exodus is fitting for people who love outings on kayak. The Cortez, on the other hand, is simply adored for its slender shape and rapidity in the waters, a delight for experienced users. If a smaller model is required, the Dagger Blast is the ideal one, especially in smooth waters. Other models such as the Blackwater, Element and Catalyst are also available. These models are available as single-seaters or two-seaters and equipped with the Airfare seat system whose comfort have been hailed as excellent for trips that span over more than a day.
Dagger Kayak’s expedition-oriented products, such as the Exodus, Halifax and Specter, have unique polythene hulls. Dagger Kayak are highly appreciated, not only because of their extraordinary quality but also because of the guarantee offered by the company.
Posted in Kayak Types
| Tagged Canoes and Kayaks, Dagger Kayak, Kayak
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
Beginners into kayaking often choose the inflatable kayak as a means to start. Their affordability, transportability and straightforwardness with which they can be stored are appealing attributes. New production methods, using advanced lightweight and resistant fabric, have produced kayaks that are interesting for experienced users as well.
Innovations in inflatable kayaks have led to the development of more and more products, covering all the major areas in kayaking. Now, even whitewater inflatable kayaks exist, which when completely extended cannot be discerned from normal kayaks. Their flexibility makes such inflatable kayaks an invaluable asset in rough waters. Boards added to the floor of inflatable boats improve their quality.
Another application of kayaks is for fishing. Amateur fishermen are now able to transport inflatable kayaks in bags to places that cannot be reached by traditional methods. They can now hike up to an otherwise unreachable lake, inflate the kayak, and fish to their hearts content. Seafaring yachts also use such kayaks to move from ship to shore. For longer trips at sea, the inflatable kayak has also become very fashionable.
For novices, the inflatable kayak is a cheap way to get to know the sport, before moving to more elaborate and costly equipment. The user can browse the newest versions before making a decision on the type to buy. The advice of kayak clubbers is also necessary. It is often preferable to enroll into a club and gather experience before taking off to the seas alone. As with all aquatic sports practice is crucial for safe and pleasing kayaking experience.
Many experienced kayakers recommend the inflatable Sit-on-top kayak for the novice as they easily exit the kayak in case of a mishap. Good kayak deals can be found online at canoe and kayak websites.
Posted in Kayak Types
| Tagged Boat, Fish, Inflatable, Inflatable boat, Kayak, Kayak fishing, Sport, Whitewater
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
Kayaks originate from the Eskimo people who inhabit the Arctic region. They are little crafts that can have one to three people at a time. The kayak typically glides over water when the users cause it to move using a paddle having blades at both ends. The kayak has only a tiny entrance just sufficient for the user to get his lower body in. The edges of this entrance usually have some material attached to prevent water from entering and filling up the insides. This may cause kayaks to turn over.
There are three types of Kayaks:
Inflexible Kayaks
The materials used to make such kayaks include fiberglass, plastic, wood, carbon fiber or Kevlar. The advantage of having plastic kayaks is that they are cheap and quite robust. They are however heavy and very difficult to fix in the event of any breach of the hull. Fiberglass kayaks are lighter but the drawback is that they are more costly. Although they are more prone to hull damage, they can be mended more easily. The other types of kayak made of Kevlar, carbon fiber and graphite will be more high-priced and lighter.
Many people have a net preference for wooden kayaks which have a more striking appearance. Such kayaks are usually assembled by the users themselves and are thus bought as kits. Prices are variable and depend on the level of quality of the wood. Wooden kayaks can be mended easily and need little maintenance.
Foldaway Kayaks
These can be folded up, facilitating its transport and minimizing the amount of space it takes up. They are usually made of aluminum and wood. They are costlier but endure for a longer period than inflexible kayaks. Another advantage is that used kayaks retain their value and can be sold at a reasonable price. The main drawback is less speed.
Inflatable Kayaks
These are very practical as they can be deflated and stored in a small space. Materials used for such kayaks are PVC, hypalon or cloth dipped in polyurethane. Electric or manual pumps can be used to blow up the kayak as only low-pressure air is sufficient. These kayaks are, however, quite fragile and can be used only in tranquil waters. Inflatable boats are quite steady, adapted for use by novices. More exertion is, however, needed to move them, and consequently they tend to be slower than conventional kayaks.
Entrepreneurs have been active in developing new designs inspiring themselves from the foldaway kayak and the conventional inflexible kayaks. The result has been innovative sea kayaks that use many inflatable parts.
Posted in Kayak Types
| Tagged Canoes and Kayaks, Carbon fiber, different kayak, foldaway kayak, inflatable kayak, inflexible kayak, Kayak, Kevlar, Paddle
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
The Kayak [kahy-ak] was the brainchild of people indigenous to the arctic regions of the world. The boats were used to hunt and fish the inland waterways of the North Atlantic, Arctic Ocean, Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. They were built of stick frames covered with animal skins such as seal. Evidence has been uncovered by archeologists dating back some 4,000 years.
The meaning of ?Kayak? simply means ?man?s boat? or ?hunters? boat? and was a very personal craft built only by the individuals that would use them, often employing the services of the wife to sew the skins together allowing for a water tight skin. A need for a jacket called a Tuilik was laced to the rim of the cockpit gave the advantage of an enclosed craft which when utilizing what is known as the Eskimo barrel roll, would make the kayak almost unsinkable. The kayak, in almost every instance was custom built by using the individuals own measurements, to ensure the most efficient boat available. They were typically 3 times the arm span in length, only as deep as a fist with an outstretched thumb. The cockpit was no wider than the hips plus a clenched fist.
The first three types of kayaks were traditionally known as; Baidarkas from the Alaskan and Aleutian seas, whose rounded shape gave an almost Blimp like appearance. West Greenland kayaks, were more angular in shape, with the gunwales coming up to a point at both the bow and stern and the East Greenland kayak that had a similar appearance to the West Greenland style, but fit more snuggly to the paddler providing a much steeper angle, stem to stern providing optimum maneuverability.
Some of these same kayak building methods are still being used by natives of Greenland, known as the Inuit, today. The kayak still proves to be a viable means of transportation and a valuable tool in there day to day hunting and fishing.
Posted in About Kayak
| Tagged Alaska, Arctic Ocean, Eskimo, Fish, Greenland, Kayak, kayak origin, Pacific Ocean
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
The kayak is a small boat with a covered deck. The word ?kayak? is an Eskimo word that means ?small hunting boat?. Kayaks originate from the peoples inhabiting the Arctic Circle, who have been using them for hunting for many thousands of years.
The contemporary kayak is still very similar to the ones that were developed by the Eskimos. The innovations that the modern age has brought are in terms of materials. Instead of wood, plastic is now regularly used. Plastic kayaks are made by inserting polyurethane plastic pellets into a mold made of aluminum. The mold is heated causing the pellets to melt and adopt the shape of the mold. Upon cooling, the kayak is ready. Plastic kayaks are now more common than the fiberglass ones, because of their low cost and lightness.
Fiberglass kayaks start with a wooden mold. The fiberglass strips are then added layer by layer and glued together using resin. More modern materials such as Kevlar and carbon have also become available. However, because of their high prices, kayaks made with such materials are expensive and are destined for professional kayakers who use them in races or whitewater kayaking. In such disciplines, robustness and stability are very important so that users do not hesitate to spend on more performing kayaks.
New users imperatively have to gain the advice of more experienced kayakers in order to find out the exact kayak style that best suits their needs. Local canoe or kayak clubs are proficient at giving such expert advice. Broadly speaking, kayaks can be classified as follows:
- Whitewater and leisure-oriented kayaks?for rough waters
- Sea Kayaks; these have a small rudder to facilitate navigation in open waters
- Sit-on-top kayaks?for amateurs seeking a amusing activity
- Racing kayaks?usually for professionals
- Inflatable kayaks
Posted in About Kayak
| Tagged Boat, Canoes and Kayaks, Kayak, What is kayak, Whitewater
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
- Start with two pieces of gun whale skin which are symmetrically cut.
- Both ends of the pieces are cut similarly so they meet exactly when joined up.
- The extremities of the pieces are attached and the shape of the boat is set by placing wooden planks in between the pieces.
- Deck supports made of wood are made and placed. Some of them have special functions and need to be designed accordingly: foot brace, back-support and two should be curved to facilitate entry.
- These supports are attached to the gun whale pieces.
- Holes are made in the gun whale pieces for insertion of ribs.
- Ribs are made from planks. These should be of the same length as the breadth of the pieces.
- They are bent and inserted into the assembled pieces and attached.
- Attach keel piece to the ribs.
- This structure can be covered with skin of any material.
- A cockpit cover can be made and sewed to the skin.
- Paint the skin in order to keep water out once the kayak hits the lake, sea, or ocean.
- Complete a trial in an actual body of water to insure your kayak is indeed water proof.
The time-taken to build such a boat is around 100 hours. It weighs less than 40 lbs and total cost is $200
Posted in Build Kayak
| Tagged Boat, build a kayak, skin and frame, Water
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
- Several pieces of 4X8? plywood boards are added up to form one large sheet.
- The parts of the kayak are drawn on this sheet in actual dimensions.
- The parts are cut out from the sheet.
- Along the edge of each part, numerous 3-5? holes are punched.
- The hull is assembled by passing wire in the holes.
- The inner line of stitching is glued up with a resin and further sealed with a glass tape.
- The same procedure is repeated for the deck.
- The deck and the hull are assembled and glued in the same way as indicated above.
- Wires are removed by dragging them out and/or sanding them.
- Fiber-glass is applied on the outside.
- General smoothening is carried out. The exterior can be painted.
- A trial can be carried out in water.
This method would take 1-1 ? months to complete, if one works only on evenings and weekends. Time-taken could be considerably less if one works full time. The total weight of the end-product is around 40 lbs. Total cost of construction would be around $200.
Posted in Build Kayak
| Tagged build a kayak, Business, England, Fiberglass, Kayak, Plywood, Resin, Stitch and glue, Water, Wire
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
- A life-size outline of the kayak is made and pasted onto low-cost plywood.
- The plywood is cut out according to the outline using saws.
- A hole is cut in each of the structures thus formed.
- The structures are aligned on a two by four basis.
- ?? X ?? plywood bands are laid on the structures and nailed up. Glue is added to seal the bands and the structure, thus forming a shell.
- When the structures are completely covered with bands, the nails are removed.
- The surfaces are smoothened by sanding.
- Fiber-glass is added to the exterior.
- The shell is separated from the structure in two halves: the deck and the hull.
- The insides of the shell are also smoothened.
- Fiber-glass is added to the insides as well.
- Both halves of the shell are put back together and pasted up.
- General smoothening is carried out.
- The end-product is varnished and smoothened repetitively until the desired outlook is obtained.
- A trial may be carried out in the water.
Typical time-needed for completing a kayak by using this method is about three months. The total cost of the kayak comes to around $300. The weight of the end-product comes to around 45 lbs.
Posted in Build Kayak
| Tagged build a kayak, Business, Extreme Sports, Fiberglass, Kayak, Operating Systems, Paddle, Plywood, Strip Built, Water
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By
admin on
January 5, 2009
There are two known techniques for making homemade kayaks: the Strip-built method and the Stitch and Glue method. Conventional skin-covered kayaks can also be made at home. One method is described here. Other methods can be inserted at a later stage.
Both techniques are quite different from each other. With the Strip Built method, narrow wooden bands are bent around an outline structure. In the Stitch and Glue method, the structure is absent. Instead, plywood boards are sewed up and bonded together with an adhesive. The resultant quality of the boats is not affected by the method utilized. Both methods produce good boats. The difference is purely aesthetic. Strip-built boats are more curvy and smooth without the hard edges of Stitched and Glued boats. Some people have a preference for the angular shapes that are produced by the Stitched and Glued boats.
In terms of ease of assembly, the Stitched and Glued boats are faster and easier to make than Strip-built ones. A simplified methodology for building kayaks from each method is described below:
Posted in Build Kayak
| Tagged Boat, build a kayak, Building, Kayak, Plywood, Shopping, Stitch and glue, Strip Built, Watercraft
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