Thread: Beginner's canoe/kayak

Easter Sun arvo is softly chiselled in my custard.

I'd vote for either the Pat or West Lakes - water levels and tidal flow in the Onk can be a bit dodgy. Are there any events on near the Pat at that time (I don't keep up with such things)?

West Lakes is the better venue - more water, cleaner water, longer distances if you get keen/stupid.

The sunday afternoon works, though I'm actually available all Easter (no football, just boat stuff )

Richard

Originally Posted by Daddles

The sunday afternoon works,

I conclude from that comment that the custard has firmed up considerably .

Now all we need is a specific time and location around the lake - have been down there a few times but don't really know it well. What's the best spot to park/launch and sit around for a natter? Considering that the weather could do anything at this time of year I'll turn up in less than ideal conditions eg showers/cool but if it's blowing a gale I'll wimp out.

Firm proposal.

Easter Sunday.
Afternoon ... which usually means people start getting there around one, but let's face it, firm times aren't needed.

West Lakes - car park immediately south of the Rowing Club on Military Rd. There's a playground there, shade, boat ramp and a good beach. Top spot (where we always go )

The stupid thing is, Jan is working all Easter but at this point, I don't know what shift she has that day. At least I'll be able to work out what I want.

Richard

I'm in.

(Think I've been to that spot before.)

and as for : "The stupid thing is, Jan is working all Easter "

I can only say

Just to be a contrary git, I'll toss in the thought that the last few times I've
been to West Lakes, I've gone to the Dotterel Drv park at the Northern end of
the lake.

Doesn't have a playground, but does have shade, toilet block & good
beach. It gets deeper a bit quicker than the Aquatics park.
I like the fact that it gives access to a greater length of waterway, which is a
bit more interesting to sail and paddle than the big rectangle at the southern
end. It's also handy to the pub & bakery on Bartley Tce, which probably won't
be open on an Easter Sunday... And is less well-known to the Great
Unwashed.

Have nearly finished a PDR board for Teal. Haven't started on the case yet, so
unlikely to be any more competitive against PDRs.

Andrea has expressed interest.
Hopefully Jan's shifts will leave her room to attend too.

cheers
AJ

Originally Posted by b.o.a.t.

Just to be a contrary git, I'll toss in the thought that the last few times I've
been to West Lakes, I've gone to the Dotterel Drv park at the Northern end of
the lake.

Doesn't have a playground, but does have shade, toilet block & good
beach. It gets deeper a bit quicker than the Aquatics park.
I like the fact that it gives access to a greater length of waterway, which is a
bit more interesting to sail and paddle than the big rectangle at the southern
end. It's also handy to the pub & bakery on Bartley Tce, which probably won't
be open on an Easter Sunday... And is less well-known to the Great
Unwashed.

Have nearly finished a PDR board for Teal. Haven't started on the case yet, so
unlikely to be any more competitive against PDRs.

Andrea has expressed interest.
Hopefully Jan's shifts will leave her room to attend too.

cheers
AJ

That's a nice bit of water, though Mike and I usually come in almost directly opposite next to the Col. Light memorial - I wasn't aware of your car park. It's a good alternative if the rowing club is being used ... maybe a good option as a first choice. I'll have my wee daughter (which is why the playground is nice), but she also likes digging on the beach so that's not a biggie.

Richard

How about one of these:




Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply


Gavin Atkin's Cinderella canoe.

Richard

The Michalak Piraga would fit the bill of a quick and cheap build- its function over form, so no admiring glances, but would be light and stable

Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply

Better still, buy the book- the plans redced to A4, but its not rocket surgery.

You're right about that. Funny, I was looking at Jim's plan's list today and completely overlooked it

Two sheets of quarter inch ply eh?

Can be turned upside down on roof racks eh?

Works with the funny paddles eh?

Looks pretty quick to toss together eh?

Ticks a few boxes doesn't it

Thanks
Richard

I was surprised to see that Piragua weighs "70lb empty".

If you're thinking of a pirogue have another look at the Jem site - Matt has a few of these. The shortest is 14' by 29" and rated at 39lb. Even his largest - 15' 6" by 36" - is rated at only 55lb. Even allowing that these estimates may be optimistic and vary a lot with building skills and materials the 70 lb for a 13' by 30" seems a lot.

Have a look at this one for instance

Pirogue 14-29 Study Plans

In a previous post I think you mentioned days at the beach. As far as I can tell pirogues are made for flat skinny water - swamp and billabong country - so it may pay to have a review of intended use and suitability.

Originally Posted by labr@

In a previous post I think you mentioned days at the beach. .

The days at the beach were something extra for me - it'd be a deciding factor between two identical boats but irrelevant otherwise (you didn't answer btw, would you use your Laker off Brighton beach?).

I do like the simplicity and speed of Jim's Piragua, something that, considering my shed is cramped until I can get Sixpence out of the way, is worthy of consideration.

Richard

Originally Posted by Daddles

would you use your Laker off Brighton beach?

Only on a good day. Plan is to use it fishing down around Pt Noarlunga - but only when flat and not far out. Also only after I have perfected the self rescue technique which is decidedly wobbly at present. Will probably have a practice at the West Lakes meet. Have taken it out through the Onk mouth but that was a still day with only small surf (and with company).

What do you think about the weight factor - does it matter to you? It's important in my selection process but I know some people don't care about it at all.

The main criteria with this boat is getting Jan out and boating, giving her the skill and experience to decide on a 'real' build. That doesn't mean that cheap and nasty is the way to go, but neither is sitting down to build a full on ocean going, strip planked, uberlight wunderkayak. The boat might give many years of pleasure banging around in West Lakes, it might spawn that uberkayak. It needs to be good enough to enourage her, to teach her and to give her the experience to work out where to go next. On the other hand, a two year build would see her current enthusiasm evaporate.

I actually think the Piragua is getting close to the answer, despite other very worthy boats being on offer.

Richard