Hi,
Rented kayaks a few times while traveling now I want to get my own, or maybe a canoe.
My car is a Ford F-150 Supercrew with short bed (5.5 ft) and hitch.
Plan is for something to go on the lakes near me (e.g. Round Valley Reservoir, NJ). I also like fishing (trout) but have done it all from streams and shore.
Would like something I can take someone else with (e.g two kayaks or one canoe). Storage is a consideration, so I would prefer not to get an overly long kayak.
Any advice about where to start would be greatly appreciated. I’ve started researching it, but would like to hear any opinions given my situation.
Thanks!
kayaks
I have the same truck as you with the same size bed. Mine is a 2014. I’ve carried two 10 foots and one 12 foot in the bed with the tailgate up and having them stick up over the tailgate.
They also make bed extenders that mounts to your hitch. Put it on, tailgate down and you have a good few more feet of length about 4 feet wide
you need 5 boats
and the truck bed extender. a sit on top fishing kayak,
a canoe, I’m thinking old town pennobscot 16, light enough to solo but made as a tandem, 2 10- 12 foot rec kayaks for you and a friend when you don’t want to get wet like with the SOT and a small jonboat with a trolling motor for fishing round valley at times other than spring when the trout are deep and deep trolling or drifting alewives is the way to go. start with the canoe or good rec kayak (sit in) with a big cockpit to allow for fishing
If I recall
– Last Updated: Aug-11-14 2:46 PM EST –
Round valley is restricted to 5HP?? If you want to do something with a trolling motor then a canoe would be the ticket. I would stay away from the squarebacks simply because if you want or need to paddle, they aren't very efficient.
2 people and gear means a canoe in my mind. You can build a 2x4 or iron pipe rig to set in the front bed pockets then you can run any lenght of canoe you want to over the cab and on the closed tailgate. I have had my 17' on my 98 F150 short bed over the cab. It wears a "western" rack which is a rails up both sides, screen covering the window and a rail on top.
Something like this would work http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Headache_racks/650.jpg After you get one you will wonder how you ever attached anything before.
If you are thinking 2 kayaks, to do what? Fish only? Fish and play? One to fish one to play?
Is the Sunnyside still open? I worked in your area for 9 years and I miss the deli pickles.
Starter boats
I stared with an inflatable which was a big waste of money. My second boat was a Sit on Top and I still use it for fishing. My touring boat is a Wilderness Systems Pungo 140. It’s fast and has fore and aft bulkheads so it is usable on the ocean (you want something at least 14 feet long with water-tight bulkheads so the boat floats when it flips).
Whatever you decide, try before you buy.