Hmm - I'll definitely take a hard look before trying the Hornbeck there. My friends just paddled out to an island campsite in Tomales Bay using kayaks and did an overnight; some of them were new to kayaks, and everyone had no trouble. But I'll ask them for more details, and ask around at the kayak shops here too. I certainly have no problem renting a kayak if the advice says "no way" on the Hornbeck....