I got myself into a little conundrum and looking for some advice. I’m somewhat of a novice kayaker, done some day trips and longer canoe camping trips. I’m an avid backpacker and wanted to get into extended camping trips with a kayak.
Recently found a great deal on a used touring kayak but it’s pretty narrow, with a 22” beam. After taking it on a few test runs, and even dumping today while trying to edge (probably running before I walk), I’m already starting to feel pretty defeated and just out of my league. The kayak feels so unstable and I’m constantly worrying about capsizing.
Anyone have similar difficulties getting adapted to a touring kayak? Is this something with some more practice I can conquer or am I in over my head with a touring kayak? The kayak itself is in great shape, and I don’t really want to sell it, but worried that maybe I should have went with something more suited for my skillset/experience.
Yes you are exactly where I was when I got my 1st (and so far best) touring kayak. It’s a Necky Chatham17 and when I 1st got it I also thought I’d bitten off more then I could chew. But inside about 2 weeks I was wondering why I| did so much swimming at 1st. Just keep it up and you’ll get a feel for controlling it pretty quickly.
It’s like riding a bike for the 1st time. If comes quickly and soon you’ll feel as comfortable in it as you do in a wide row boat. The thing most new kayaks do wrong if they find a tippy boat is to give up far too fast. Stick with it! Don’t be afraid to tip over and dop reentries and just let yourself develops a feel for it. I promise you, soon enough you’ll feel weird in remembering how it ever felt uncontrollable.
Think of it this way, if guys can get used to and master 17” wide Surfskis, you certainly can become serviceable in a 22” wide touring kayak. Just have to learn the technique, but it is there.
Try to relax. Let your hips and the boat wiggle around under you, while you keep your head steady. You are generally more stable underway than sitting still, so paddling can help stabilize you compared to sitting still.
Take some time to just play around in shallower water (watch your head though, if too shallow you can hit your head on the bottom) and let yourself capsize. Capsize on purpose. Sit in the kayak while it is standing still, close your eyes, and feel how the boat reacts. It is like bicycling, it takes some time and experience for your brain to learn how to keep you balanced without you thinking about it.
As you gain experience, you will relax and feel more comfortable.
There is a lot you can learn by getting some instruction. There are a lot of videos on youtube demonstrating various skills including bracing, maneuvering, rolling, etc that can help you. There is a lot to learn if you want to dig deeper.
Kayak is a Brooklyn BKC SK287. Growing up near Lake Michigan Im comfortable in water, and I don’t mind having to take a dunk if it means learning this kayak.
Just keep your center of gravity with head over hips. Do not lean to the side and you may find the boat to be stable. You would edge with your hips and knees not by leaning. Try just sitting in it and rock it side to side by swiveling your hips and keeping your head over your hips. Also, a moving boat is more stable.
Like others have said , keep your head over your umbilicus (belly button). Also keep an active paddle blade (moving) in the water. This blade helps with stability.
When you paddle you want to twist at your waist let the blade enter out at your feet rotate your body as you push the paddle side foot into the foot peg and bring your blade out of the water near your hip. this sets you up to do the same thing on the other side.
There is this concept of the paddle box where you keep the orientation of your arms, body, and paddle forming a mostly square box shape throughout the paddle stroke. If it is getting out of square you are most likely paddling with your arms instead of you core and legs.
Do you weigh over 2/3 of the kayak’s advertised capacity? If so that will make it feel less stable. But generally speaking you’ll start to feel more stable as you paddle it more. I would definitely recommend you take a sea kayaking class or two. Not only are they very fun, but learning correct posture and technique will enhance your feeling of stability, and some safety and rescue instruction is helpful. You’ll get it, it’s not too advanced.
As noted, “Loose Hips Float Ships”. At the begining, Upper Body vertical while Lower Body moves to control the hull angle. I.e. head and shoulders inside of the gunwales. Registration is open for the West Michigan Costal Kayakers Association (WMCKA) symposium Memorial weekend in western Michigan: https://wmcka.org/symposium/
This excellent event is very beginner & intermediate paddler focused.
Looking at the info on your kayak I find it interesting that a 14’9" X 21.5" kayak is being offered for off-shore fishing.
