Any paddlers?

Summer incoming, time for some float trips.
Curious if anyone knows of a good paddling forum (similar to the quality of this one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )? I'm halfway thinking about purchasing a kayak for some multinight float trips and just starting to begin my research phase. Usually we rent canoes and pay for shuttles to launch us, not worrying about hauling our own gear to start points, but that stuff can be well over $100 a trip (per person)if I'm not careful. Might as well find a buddy and bring two cars with our own equipment!

Or if any kayakers can give me a little insight....I'm looking for kayak fit for 2-3night river floats, enough hatch space or area to strap on gear for that. Also I'm not too keen on materials, but something that I don't really need to worry about scraping rocks and doing harm to the vessel. No major whitewater yet, just rapids. Price wise, definately under $1k.

Thinking about just heading up to REI on a day off and spend the day chatting it up, but I like to do research online in my spare time. Would be nice if theres a good, populated forum such as this out there for paddlers (help!).

If you're looking for an S.O.T. (sit on top) design try this. Lots of good general kayaking info too.

If you want durable and under 1K you're probably looking at a polyethylene boat.

REI has a good selection and if you can pick up your boat at one of their stores shipping is free. Kayaks are big bulky items and shipping alone can add 10% or more to the cost.

Several of us here are paddlers. Your profile says nothing as far as where you are so I can't comment on any float trips.
www. paddling.net is a good forum to explore.
As far as boats go, I have a composite boat for lakes, slow rivers, touring/camping type stuff and a couple of poly boats for shallow water.
Both of the poly boats are Dagger Blackwater 10.5's (the old and new versions) and handle rocks and scrapes in stride. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat. What sounds like a serious scrape leaves little noticeable damage on the hulls.

I'm around Dallas and paddle year round.

Do yourself as big favor and learn good paddling techniques right off the bat. As soon as you learn to paddle with your torso and not just your arms life will be so much easier. There are some excellent DVD's out on this subject.

Guess I should have clarified that... Currently in Missouri. Plenty of beginner-intermediate rivers. Have canoe floated most of the main rivers in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, as well as a few others sporadically around MO. Class I and II almost all around, so nothing serious unless we get a lot of rain.

Don't really find myself with a sit-on-top type.


Will check out the sites linked thus far, thanks.

Yep. Been at it for about five years now. Here's the numero uno paddling forum, I guess. I don't frequent it much anymore. It's a lot more contentious than this forum. Paddling Net Forum

BTW, this is my boat [mine is yellow]. Perfect for multi-day trips:
Eddyline Merlin LT

I have a Tampico XL by Hurrican Aquasports. I absolutely love this kayak. It is just a bit over your price limit, but a different model might work.

I have a fibreglass kayak for the St.John and Kennebecasis River and Bay of Fundy. I do like the idea of a sit on top because it allows you to dress for the water without overheating. I don't think a sit-on-top or any kayak should be too wide however. The main drawback for being too wide I think is that it cramps you paddling style. It is not so bad for a canoe where you might sit up higher or use two paddles. My kayak is 23.5" wide and 16.5' long and it is very easy to paddle.

I haven't done too many floats but I would like to try that. There are many good rivers for that here such as St.Croix, Magaguadavic, Hammond, and I think the best way to go might be some kind of plastic, although my fibreglass kayak is beat up enough now I wouldn't mind scraping it up some more as it is repairable. If I was to do a float with it however I would pack as light as I always do which is pretty much just as ultralight as when I hike, except I bring some paddling clothes, and a few extra blue foam pads. I'm like the princess and the pea when I go paddling.

Here are some videos, not mine:

This shows some good technique in various different craft:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtxkS9G5y-g

This is more my style. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0eAmIHljcY

I've got the Tampico 13.5xl too. It's very similar to Mockturtles Eddyline.
I'd recommend it to any paddler up to 180 lbs. or so. Fit and finish is so good it's scary and tracks like it's got a rudder.

I was just looking at Hurricane Aquasports website, they have changed the models slightly for the Tampico line. I did notice that the weight of the boats has increased slightly. Mine is 38#, they are now listed as 43#. Still an awesome weight. I agree with you about how well it tracks and not with a loss of maneuverability either.