Well that is cheating. It is a Romany. Same boat that I use solo because as I once heard a coach say to a student, “You could capsize it but you should be embarrassed if you do.”
1 Like
There are two types of paddle float in general use. The one you describe requires inflation of two air chambers to provide the flotation. The other is foam enclosed in fabric, ready to go without inflation. Each style has its virtues.
2 chamber flotation:
pros: better flotation, folds up, out of the way when not in use
cons: the valves must be functioning properly,
must be inspected routinely,
it takes time to inflate the chamber (potential issue in cold water)
I heard of one case where the user was excited and hyperventilating,
and unable to inflate either chamber … in a practice session
foam:
pros: ready to go right away, simple i.e. no valves or other parts
cons: provides less flotation (to keep the size from becoming unwieldy),
harder to find storage room and be easy to reach
In my own case I use the foam style. I am small and don’t need much flotation and can store it within easy reach. Another plus … at lunch time on a rough beach, I can sit on it (and maybe forget it?).
Videos are useful, but practice (with the kayak you will use) is crucial.
If you don’t mind me asking, how old is your daughter in that pic, and at what age did you start taking her kayaking?
In that picture my Granddaughter is 3 , just about 4 years old. Last year she started to paddle herself {4 years old turning 5
}
1 Like
@Celia I’m just showing a very serviceable sea kayak, not a rec kayak. The Romany would work to cover both bases for carrying a small child and yet be good as a solo kayak for him or his wife. I have a picture somewhere {can’t find it right now} of my other daughter with another of my Granddaughters in a TRAK kayak. Which is also not a rec kayak just to show what can be done.
Um, household boats currently include an original year Necky Elaho, Valley Nordlow, P&H Vela, NDK Romany, NDK Explorer LV. Found a home for the Valley Aquanaut. Not counting my WW boats and l rehomed Jim’s.
I am aware of the Romany as a sea kayak.
It is also an obscenely forgiving boat to paddler error. Unlike the Nordlow which l can’t seriously take out until l have fully restored my roll since it is not nearly as forgiving. It didn’t occur to me that comment would not resonate.
Have any of you guys/gals ever used a White Wolf paddle? They are carbon fiber shaft, with poly/fiberglass blades. 1.8 lbs claimed weight. And between 70-75$ depending on the color.
The inlet is where they do winter Sea kayak " bump" training in waves. The inlet can be rough. The inlet is also a “sand bar”, read party place with jet skis, party boats, etc. The ICW can be full of boat wakes and paddling can be interesting.
1 Like
Usually we go to the inlet when the tide is lower. The kids swim in the area in between the sand bar and the shore. It’s pretty protected in that area. But yeah, I see all the boats speeding by on the other side of the sandbar.
And on a busy weekend it’s like the redneck yacht club out there with all the boats tied up together
Do you know the seller and where the manufacture is?
I bought a few of these as used rental paddles for guests. Durable and you can get them repaired.
I asked the seller a few questions about them.
What’s the difference if the blades are made out of a nylon/fiberglass mix (Aquabound) versus a polypropylene/fiberglass mix (White Wolf)? For durability and stiffness.
Ask where it is made…
For that price and weight I think we all know where it’s made…
Miscalculation? If the White Wolf paddle is 1.8 pounds then that is 28.8 ounces, quite light. I’ve not used this paddle by the way.
I can definitely get lighter, but not for 70$. I asked the seller and he verified they are in the 28.x ounce range. He also verified they are made overseas.
I might try one out for funsies.
My other hobby is road cycling. One of my bikes is a WW bike (weight weenie, not white water:)). I have some Chinese carbon parts on it that aren’t bad at all. The bike is 13.8 lbs and I have around 10k miles on it at this weight.
My point is, I might be worried about a bad blade design etc on the Chinese paddle, but I’m not necessary worried about the Chinese carbon.
Ok my kayak there are two holes drilled in the back, right in front of the rudder. Any idea what they were for? Pic shows one hole, the other one is hidden by the rudder.
This pic gives you a better idea where the hole is. If they aren’t for some missing accessory, I’m going to fill them with G-flex epoxy.
elitopus… rudders when stowed usually sit in a “vee” shaped cradle. That hole was probably the cradle or the eye with a bungee loop that secured the rudder blade when traveling. See the scratch about 3" foward at the tip of the rudder swinging back and forth? The vee and bungee are to stop that.
That’s a home made blade from the looks of it.
1 Like
Agree with above. Those holes are for a place that the rudder should sit in when at rest that is no longer there. In my plastic Squall there was something going on back there but it has been a long while and l forget how it looked.
And it has been a long while since l paddled a Seaward boat but that blade does not look quite right to me. I agree it looks home made.
Yes fill in the holes. You will not like the water they let in.
I noticed the scuffs where the rudder has been rubbing the deck. That makes sense it’s connected to the missing rudder catch.
The rudder has this sticker on the other side. So maybe not DIY, but probably not stock also.
I looked online and I can buy another rudder catch/rest. Maybe I’ll do that.
Also maybe I can better shape the rudder I have. Make it more rounded on the bottom. It wouldn’t take much since it’s just aluminum
1 Like