Kayaks!!! Finally!!! - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Turn Key · 02-13-2005, 08:08 PM

Well, we finally did it! We've been talking and thinking about a canoe or a couple of kayaks for a long time now. Bit the bullet Thursday and ordered two new kayaks from Wilderness Systems. The model we got is called "The Ride". It's 13.5 ft. "sit-on-top" model. These are the ones that we got a chance to use last year out at Cleburne SP so we know that we like them. Had to figure out how to carry them with the "5th wheel". Decided that the best way was to have a single cross bar over the cab of the truck about 1/2 the way back. Front will be supported with what's called a "Dry Dock". All carrier parts are by Yakima and the receiver for the front is a "bolt-on" unit I've ordered from Tonnocover.com. Should have the boats and everything up and running by the end of March at the latest. Looking forward to having them for our spring treck to the Hill Country! Will be at Inks Lake SP and should have a great time on the lake!

Want to thank "toejam", "hiwayman" and an unregistered user for their help last year. They pointed me in the direction of Mountain Sports of Arlington, Texas. Turned out to be very good advise. A young man by the name of Steve helped us make our decision about the boats and equipment for them. He proved to be a wealth of information and helped us to make selections that we are comfortable with.

Again, I want to thank all who helped us make this decision. Will keep you posted on how things go as we progress through the "learning curve" of this new adventure (barring I don't drown my first trip out

).

Happy Camping!

Shannon · 02-13-2005, 08:11 PM

Congratulations on the kayaks! Definitely let us know how their maiden voyage goes...and no drowning!! I'm the only one around here allowed to have accidents this year, 'k?

toejam · 02-13-2005, 09:16 PM

The Ride is a boat for having fun in the sun. They are so stable you can stand up in them easily. They only go so fast and can't be leaned, so there's not much of a learning curve. Good stroke technique will help you go farther and stay longer - that's what you should try to learn. But again, these aren't boats eskimos would use to feed their families, they are for having fun.

Lots of great lakes around here for paddling. Enjoy!

02-13-2005, 10:41 PM

Congrats on your new purchase. I purchased two kayaks from Mountain Sports last year for my son and myself and we have got a ton of enjoyment out of them.

I purchased the Daggar Blackwater 11.5 for me and the Perception Swifty 9.5 for my son, along with Yakima racks for my truck. I live on a small private lake, so I bought them to workout in and have a little fun. But, I enjoyed using them so much, I started hauling them around the state for different weekend getaways.

I have already used them for daytrips on 4 different lakes, along with river trips down the Brazos and Trinity. I’ve also taken them down some whitewater rides down the Guadalupe River and Mountain Fork (in Broken Bow, Oklahoma). I’ve also taken them out in the Gulf a couple of times around Aransas Pass. All in all, I’ve taken them out about 50-60 times in the past year.

I let my Dad borrow one and took him on a river trip and he loved it so much that he bought a Mainstream Patriot 12.0 that he has been using lately to go fishing in (He bought his from Bass Pro in Grapevine).

I hope you get the same enjoyment out of yours that I have got out of mine. Believe it or not, I’m thinking about buying a third one for my wife and daughter to use -- a sit-on-the top like you have bought (I might have to borrow it from time to time).

I can’t say enough good things about Mountain Sports in Arlington. I researched kayaks for 6 months before making my purchase, and they definitely steered me in the right direction.

Turn Key · 02-14-2005, 07:50 PM

"Somesuch",

Welcome aboard! Always glad to see new members. Maybe we'll run into each other on the water some day!

Happy Camping, errr...Boating

!

JasonL · 02-15-2005, 04:02 PM

Yaks are the best! I got one a little MainStream 9ft sit-on-top. Looking at the Ambush (Ocean Kayak) ..planning to do a little whaling in that monster.. hehe.

Turn Key · 03-25-2005, 05:17 PM

Got the 'yaks home yesterday

.

Got the front mount reciever put on about a week ago. That was a very smooth operation taking less then an hour, including clean-up. Took about 2 1/2 hrs over at Mountain Sports to get everything unpacked, inspected, assembled and mounted on the truck. Even though Yakima had been unwilling to put their "blessing" on the idea of "front mounting" the "Dry Dock"(They stated that it had never been tested. Nice way of saying, "It will probably work, but we aren't liable."), it works perfect and supports the boats just like you'd want them to. Got some pics of the rig and boats and would be pleased to e-mail them, if your interested.

Again, Steve over at Mountain Sports helped us get everything together and showed me how to use the Yakima "Q" Towers. He did a great job all the way around and you won't go wrong asking for his help.

Along that line, Mountain Sports is involved in a "Demo Day" coming up next Wednesday. It will be in Ft. Worth on the Trinity River. We will probably attend, if we aren't out at Cleburne SP with the boats and the "5th". Thought some might be interested and Steve said I could forward the site info to any one who may be interested. Who knows? We might see you there! At any rate, have a site:

Mountain Sports Demo Day, Ft. Worth, Texas

That's about it for now. Still have to finish the rigging to hang the boats in the garage but have all the parts and the job's about 1/2 done. Looking forward to getting out with the boats next week. Will let you know how it goes.

Until then and always, happy camping!

04-04-2005, 11:43 PM

Good to see you got your set up.

Last year, I rented a shelter at Cleburne S.P. and took my kayaks. I can't say I was crazy about the lake, but I also revisited the area a couple of times to float down the Brazos..that is a much better trip, if you can arrange the pick-ups.

You have to watch the water gauges if you want to truley enjoy the Brazos and avoid portage. but, it is beautiful country if you do it right.

This year, I'm taking my kayaks a little further east. I booked the "Bass Lodge" at Lake Daingerfiled for a weekend. And, I'm floating the Spring River in Arkansas.

Turn Key · 04-05-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

You have to watch the water gauges if you want to truley enjoy the Brazos and avoid portage. but, it is beautiful country if you do it right.

I know just what your talking about. Have fished that stretch of the Brazos from a jon boat a few times. Have had to get out and pull the boat over shallow spots on more them one occasion. Like to fish that river in early spring and that water can be mighty cold

!

Hoping to take the 'yaks out for the first time on Thursday. Will let every one know how it went.

Happy Camping!

Turn Key · 04-07-2005, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Hoping to take the 'yaks out for the first time on Thursday. Will let every one know how it went.

Didn't make it

. Wind was blowing about 90 MPH and temps were in the mid-60's at noon. Too much wind and a bit too cool for our liking. On top of that, SIL is in the hospital and we're all dealing with that. Heading for 8-days at Ink's Lake State Park next week. Sure to get a chance to try the 'yaks there. Nice place for them. Will post how it went, along with a trip review, on our return.

Happy Camping!