My Kayak was delivered today

[kirby999]

Well here it is ; a Manta 2.5 my first plastic boat . actually , it's not as I've owned a couple of Coleman canoes in the past , but it is my first kayak . Looks like a big banana . I want to try it out today , but I've got to get over that fear of the possibility of getting wet . I got a surprise as this model came with 3 rod holders that I thought were only offered on the green " Angler " model .. Fits the truck great . I plan on doing some river fishing with it if the rain would slack up enough for the fish to be able to do something besides swim for their life . kirby

[SDale]

NICE!!!  You're gunna love it!

I tried a friend of mine's  Manta. REALLY nice boat! A little hard to steer but very stable. I was looking for one a while back too, but couldn't find one in my price range. I ended up getting a used Pelican Castaway sit on top from my neighbor when they had a garage sale. It was slightly physically challenged, but I got the bugs worked out!

Mines a little less stable than the Manta so I'm building a set of outriggers for it so I can stand up every now and then when I'm out on the lake. Maybe adding a rudder if I find all the parts.

[kirby999]

I appreciate the input . When I was shopping , I was looking for stability (that fit my budget)over everything else , as this will be used in slow moving rivers and lakes/ponds . I wanted something I could flyfish out of and maybe take the wife on a little float trip next summer . It has a 450 lb load limit so , it should ride dry with just me on it in a lake . I may try it out this afternoon. kirby

[kcurrie]

Kayaks are great! We have a couple of sit on top ocean models but a few years ago bought some $300 Coleman fastback inflatable kayaks-- as I don't have a truck being able to put these in the trunk and go is a big plus. They are very comfortable and looks like they sell for around $265 now which IMHO is a great deal. Since we got the inflatables the hard kayaks are only used when we take friends out-- the inflatables can carry more and are more comfortable as well.

See here for what I'm talking about:

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5995-475&categoryid=31008

That yak you got looks great though :-)

[Gene_SC]

David you never surprise me with your interest for so many sporting events. I wish I had the energy to go fishing one day and 20 mile bike riding and now this new sport.. Where are the peddles at David?......

[rr_shooter]

Great looking kayak!  Heard of the Manta, but have not seen one in person.  I have a sit-on-top Perception Prism (model no longer in production) that I got about four years ago.  Have a great time flyfishing from it on the local lakes and taking it down to the Gulf Coast for reds and trout (although there I use it more to get from place to place - I get out and wade to fish).

Good luck and good fishing!

[bodiej]

Wife and I went kayaking as a present for us both.  They launched my wife into the river, toward the weeds where she was supposed to paddle to to keep her stopped till everyone was in..  Well the current got her and it took 4 of us to rangle her up down stream.

[kirby999]

I took the new kayak out for a couple of hours this afternoon to try to get use to it . I managed to board the kayak without getting my feet or anything else wet. I spent the first 30 minutes or so trying to paddle and flyfish using the double paddle that came with the kayak . This wasn't the easiest thing to do . LOL also , using the double paddle I couldn't figure out how to switch sides without dripping water all over the place . I returned to shore , removed the backrest , I had mounted on the middle seat location and swapped the flyrod for an ultralight spinning rod . I also took the paddle apart and left half of it in my truck . This worked out a lot better IMO. used the single paddle and would swap sides with very little water dripping into the kayak . I also discovered I could go back and forth between the middle seat and rear seat position , this allowed me to raise the bow to slide it on and off the shore when I needed , to allow getting in and out without getting my feet wet . It seemed to paddle fairly easily . I discovered a steady fairly slow rhythm while paddling was best . After about an hour , I intentionally rocked the kayak to test it's stability . I'm not ready to stand up in it yet , but I feel more confident in it . I paddled around actually switching seat positions a couple of times . The rod holders worked great with the UL spinner . I need to get one of those Scotty holders for my flyrod . I tied on a fly , added a small float about 4 feet above it and did some casting , catching a couple of bluegills . I like it , it'll be great in rivers and small ponds . I do need to get a new PFD . The two I have got a little warm today and it was only 70 . I've seen one a BassProshops that has mesh at the top , that should be a lot cooler to wear while kayaking . kirby

[North Pack]

Congrats, - I have a 10" kayak, and it's enjoyable. I also have a 10" inflatable canoe - VERY comfortable & stable. - BTW Gene, - 20 mile bike rides are a great way to spend some time. I do a ten mile, weather permitting of course - almost every day, and I'm 69 ....  

[dk1677]

Looks great! Congrats!

[SDale]

I get the same problem with the paddles. Get some Rain-X and put it on the paddle blades before your next outting. They'll shed water allot easier.

You could also polish the blades with Novus Plastic Polish from Tap Plastics first. Then hit em with Rain-X after they're all slicked up.  Should make switching sides a little nicer!

Also, polish the underside of the boat and rain-x it too. It supposedly makes it slip through the water better. It's always worked for my surfboards, so I use it on my Yak too LoL.

[Bogey]

David,  hope you enjoy your 'plastic boat'.  I have been thinking about getting one myself, just something more traditional looking though. Can't decide to get a 'sit on type' or a ' sit in type'.  Leaning towards a sit in type.

I have  some large ponds to practice on if I do get one. I would like to make sure that I was physically able to do extended paddle time before taking to the rivers.   Would like to go and paddle the Ogeechee River in south Georgia.  At one time I canoed that river a lot.  Fairly easy to paddle, even easier if you paddle down stream and have someone to pick you up at a designated spot.  And the fishing is/was great.  But very ' snakey'.


Have Fun and get the best float vest you can.

[North Pack]

Bogey, - NO exaggeration, getting "in & out" is the toughest part, at least without getting too wet. I have, and would recommend the "in" type, ...

[TCups]

OK guys, here it is.

WARNING, WARNING WARNING!!!

Take the word of someone who came very near drowning in about 2 ft of slow moving water on his first kayak test drive, even without a spray skirt.  If you think you want to do any white water kayaking, take a course from a qualified instructor.  Learn what you are doing and be absolutely certain you can exit the kayak safely, and have a solid roll, right or left side, before you ever leave the swimming pool.  Then and only then are you ready to begin learning on moving water.  Don't ever think you can buy a white water kayak and learn on your own or with a buddy -- don't ever think you are stronger than even a weak current in a slow moving river, much less white water.  Never paddle without a helmet, shorty wet suit if the water is cold, and a properly fitted paddling jacket/life vest.  DEAD serious sport if you aren't very careful.  The "sit ons" are easier, but still dangerous in moving water and around rocks.  Be careful out there!

[TCups]

David:

Put the boat parallel to the bank.  While squatting down , holding the paddle behind you, lay the paddle half on the bank, half across the back of the kayak, just behind the seat.  Put one leg into the kayak.  Scoot your butt over the shaft of the paddle into the seat, then bring the other leg on board.  If you think it's tough in a pond, wait till you try it on the bank of a fast moving stream after a spill.