r/Kayaking • • Mar 24 '21

Announcements Basic Questions (or Advice) About Boats or Racks? Click here first!

231 Upvotes

Got a basic question about which type of boat you should buy, or what type of rack your car might need? Before asking a question of the subreddit as a whole, please take a look at these two brief resources first. A lot of the commonly-asked questions on the subreddit can be answered by these two items:

These guides are a work in progress. If you still have additional questions, feel free to ask! When posing a question to the community, please be sure to be as specific as possible with your post title. That way you'll get the most helpful response from others browsing the sub.

​

A note for the broader /r/kayaking community:

Spring is on the way, and /r/kayaking has crossed the 80,000 member-mark. A big thanks to everyone who has and continues to contribute to the community here. As the weather warms up, and more people join us, we are likely to see an increasing influx of "beginner" questions about basic boat and gear purchases. A lot of these questions are very similar if not identical, and can be answered by a shared guide for the subreddit. Similar guides or FAQs are available for other subreddits specializing in gear-specific hobbies.

The mod team is in the process of developing a shared knowledge base on the subreddit wiki. The immediate goal is to be able to refer new users to a basic guide that concisely answers the most common questions. The longer-term goal is reducing the volume of low-effort posts with questions that could be answered by Google, and increasing the volume of valuable, specific questions and discussion on the subreddit.

​

Send us your suggestions!

If you have any suggestions about:

  • Good links with beginner information to share, such as how to pick out gear, or safety tips
  • Things you wish you knew when you started kayaking
  • Other tidbits of information that would be worth including in these intro guides

Please share them below so that we can consider including them in the guides.

Thanks!

The /r/kayaking mod team


r/Kayaking • • 8h ago

Pictures Big Mac approves of the new paddle. My wallet does not. Affordable wing blade paddles are hard to find.

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27 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 1d ago

Pictures Made it Out on the Yadkin River Yesterday

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81 Upvotes

Made it out in the Yadkin River in NC yesterday. Weather cooperated,which was nice. The river was certainly lower than normal, which made navigation a bit more difficult. All in all a nice day to get out on the water. Got some decent shots of Pilot Mountain.


r/Kayaking • • 9h ago

Question/Advice -- General Can anything be done here or is it done for?

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4 Upvotes

Its a cheap kayak but I'd rather not get another


r/Kayaking • • 20h ago

Question/Advice -- Gear Recommendations does anyone know of stabalizers that allow a sail attachment?

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8 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 10h ago

Question/Advice -- Transportation/Roof Racks Kayak Rack that connects to a roof rack

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0 Upvotes

My father already has a roof rack like the one in the picture and I need a kayak rack that connects to it so he can use it.


r/Kayaking • • 20h ago

Question/Advice -- General Cleaning (or preventing) algae

4 Upvotes

One of my kayaks (a Hobie Kona SOT) lives in the water all season long (saltwater, in the NE of the USA). By the end of the season, its bottom is completely covered in algae.

I've had it for two seasons, and at the end of each season, I've cleaned it off with a pressure washer. But, no exaggeration, it takes about 2 hours to clean it (maybe my washer sucks, but it requires having the jet about 2 inches above the hull, and I must move it very slowly to blast the algae off).

I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with something similar, and

  • if there is a better, easier, quicker, way to clean it
  • if I shouldn't clean it in the Fall, rather let it dry / freeze, and clean it in the spring instead
  • or if there was some sort of wax I could apply which would prevent the algae from growing, or make it much easier to wipe off

Thanks.


r/Kayaking • • 1d ago

Pictures Last day of the season for me 😎🥲

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244 Upvotes

Pure serenity. 'Til next year.


r/Kayaking • • 1d ago

Pictures Went playing in the Tupelos yesterday.

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55 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 15h ago

Blog/Self-Promo Love kayaking, but short on storage space? Quick U.S. paddler survey

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0 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 2d ago

Videos Lush west african waters

160 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 1d ago

Question/Advice -- Beginners Couch to kayak

45 Upvotes

Hi all, I'd like to get into ksyaking, having done a bioluminescent kayaking tour and loving it.

But I'm woefully weak, not surprising given my sedentary life (the tour was a tandem kayak and thank goodness my partner was amiable and strong!).

The beginner classes closest to me are all closed, and I'm guessing the season is over (what IS the season?). But that's ok, I'm quite willing to build up strength and endurance for now before getting back in a kayak.

My question is, what fitness routine would you recommend, or what resources do you recommend, for a 40 year old sedentary woman (who, I cringe to admit, also needs to lose 30lbs!)?

Anything to help me get started is greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

Edit: You guys! I'm so grateful for the advice and support! Thank you!


r/Kayaking • • 1d ago

Blog/Self-Promo COLUMBIA RIVER CANOE PROJECT - DOCUMENTARY FILM

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25 Upvotes

I wanted to make sure all you kayaking enthusiasts like you knew about the inspirational documentary film Columbia River Canoe Project Available NOW on VOD!

This project follows Robert Lester and Braxton Mitchell as they canoed 1300 miles over 45 days from the continental divide to the Pacific Ocean. The project follows their long and tough journey while focusing awareness and attention to the health of the river basin and how dramatically the use of the river has changed since the native peoples who lived with and on these waters.

https://youtu.be/lqPdheZMJ_I?si=jfjsWvInmQa18K3r


r/Kayaking • • 16h ago

Blog/Self-Promo Love kayaking, but short on storage space? Quick U.S. paddler survey

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m starting a small kayak business and researching how storage and transportation affect people’s ability to get on the water.

If you’re based in the U.S., I’d love your honest feedback—even if storage isn’t a problem for you. The survey takes about 1 minutes, with no sales pitch.

https://forms.gle/xQj2qgss9MPh1jbh7

Thanks for helping a new entrepreneur learn from real paddlers!


r/Kayaking • • 1d ago

Question/Advice -- Boat Recommendations Anyone know what this is?

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17 Upvotes

Yes...I know...it is kayak....but does anyone know any specifics? All the ad says is 12'and no paddle.

Thanks in advance!


r/Kayaking • • 2d ago

Pictures Some old pics

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47 Upvotes

Some old pics of kayaking in the Canadian Maritimes. I haven’t been out in a few years due to health but I’m really getting the itch. The last time I was out is the picture where I’m being pulled and have snacks. My wife pulled me around so I could still get out. ❤️I have hundreds of pictures from years and years of kayaking. Make sure you take lots when you are out. They may come in handy someday.


r/Kayaking • • 2d ago

Question/Advice -- Gear Recommendations Winterkayak, dry-suit or paddle jacket

11 Upvotes

Hello kayakers,

This year I started with this wonderful sport and at this moment I'am considering to do some trips in the Dutch 'winter'(more a extended autumn).

At this moment I don't have any wintergear, so any advise is welcome.

My opinion is (at this moment) that a dry suit cost some more monye, but a winter long-john and a winter jacket is also pricey. What do you think is the best solution?


r/Kayaking • • 2d ago

Question/Advice -- Transportation/Roof Racks $100 for both at the local thrift store!

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45 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 2d ago

Pictures Meditation

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110 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 1d ago

Videos Barrage Swim Time! 🫣💙🚣‍♂️

2 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 2d ago

Pictures I installed boat decking on my kayak

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7 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 2d ago

Pictures Night paddling the Amsterdam canals

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11 Upvotes

r/Kayaking • • 1d ago

Videos Trolling Motor Kayak

0 Upvotes

Just For Fun...


r/Kayaking • • 2d ago

Question/Advice -- General Kayaking on Maitland River near Goderich, Ontario?

1 Upvotes

Hey all, I am not from the area, but am curious what the Maitland River is like near Goderich, Ontario for leisure kayaking? Looking to go this weekend (Oct 24 or 25).

First of all, is it even possible? I've never seen it, just on google maps.

Is it calm enough to kayak in both directions, or is it a 'ride the current' sort of thing? Only one vehicle so we need to be able to get back to our launch point.

What are good launch spots?

Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks!


r/Kayaking • • 3d ago

Pictures LED Clear Kayak

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60 Upvotes

This was an awesome experience in the Mangroves off of Anna Maria Island!