Paddling.com Weekly Newsletter | |
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PaddleNews | August 22, 2024 |
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| The BOTE 10 Inflatable Floating Dock is a solid, versatile option for those looking to enhance their water-based activities. It excels as a base station for canoes and stand-up paddleboards and provides a safe, stable play area for kids. However, the lack of an integrated ladder and its higher price point may lead some users to consider other options |
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| There are some very important qualities you should look for in a paddling location when you learn the fundamentals of this watersport. If you are looking to learn how to SUP, or want to teach a friend or loved one how to enjoy this activity, make sure you find a paddling location with all the criteria listed below to ensure a safe and successful paddling lesson.
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| The difficulty in selecting a touring kayak is narrowing it down to just one. You need to be careful when selecting a touring kayak that suits your size, planned distances, water types, and experience. You can easily find yourself looking at boats 12'-18', but the right touring boat for you will be different if you are looking for a multi-hour day trip versus a week-long sea kayaking expedition. |
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| Hi folks, This is quite the novel! Sorry for my verbosity, but if you want to just skip all the background, I’ve put my two big questions right up front: - I can’t find much info on how you sit relative to the waterline in the Pakboat Quest 150 or the Puffin Saco Kayaks. The Pakboat website stats describe the the boats as 10 inches deep (or 13 with the Quest deck), but the vendor also indicates that they can be used as sit-on-tops. I really don’t like using normal sit-on-tops since I feel so high and disconnected from the water. I like to feel that I’m sitting at or below the waterline, as in a traditional sit-inside, both for stability and comfort. Does anyone know how much of the 10 inch depth of the Pakboat kayaks is below the waterline? And whether it feels like a sit-in or a sit-on kayak? Or where the bottom of the seat sits? Honestly, I might have to look at other manufactures over this issue…
- I know that the Quest 150 is best for coastal and flatwater, but the Puffin Sacco (12.5ft) is better for all around recreational paddling in rivers and rapids. But I was wondering if you think I would be able to use the Quest 150 in a river like the Delaware? It is very, very shallow in parts, but only has class II+ rapids in normal conditions. I found this great thread (https://forums.paddling.com/t/pakboats-puffin-saranac-vs-quest-150/116236/3) that suggests I might be able to take a Quest on class II river rapids, but I don’t really understand much about the various types of rapids (don’t worry, I’ll do my homework and work up to things–I just want a boat that can do it when I finally have the skills).
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| Before you get in the water, make sure you have the most important piece of safety gear - a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Life jackets work only when you wear them, and the law requires you to have one for every person in every boat. Test your knowledge with the Life Jacket Quiz to be sure you know your basics! |
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| We've broken down the best available kayaks at REI by type of kayak. Read reviews for each, compare specs, and narrow down until you've found the best boat for you. |
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