Kayak Camping - northern Tallapoosa River- May 8-10

**southmark** · 05-14-2009, 10:07

Check out this video for a demo of the Ultimate's stability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykVntsXdjF8

**Bankheadboy** · 05-14-2009, 11:35

That video sold me! Now only If I had some money! That seat looked comfortable!

**Shug** · 05-16-2009, 19:46

You guys have really been getting out there ... especially you AngrySparrow!!!
Need to do one of those yak river trips as it seems luxury is the deal of the day.
Pound Cake with strawberries and Brunswick stew. M-m-m-m-m-m-m (add salivating here).
Nice briefing...

Shug of the Slobber

**Greg Dunlap** · 05-16-2009, 20:40

I don't advise any of you to try mimicking that guy in the video by standing up in your boat and jumping up in the air to change directions unless you want to cool off by getting very wet.

If you notice he was taking very great care to be sure that his head stayed positioned in the center of the boat. That's the real secret to staying upright, keeping your head in the center of the boat relative to what your doing. If your in a canoe, or worse yet, a kayak and you move from that position, you generally end up in the drink.

Here is a link to hull design and how it affects stability CLICK HERE. Kayaks and Canoes have what is called primary and secondary stability to them. The primary stability is when you sitting in the boat upright and how wide of a surface area you have in relationship to the water. Secondary is when your leaning to effect a turn faster, and now how wide your hull is in relationship to the water. The hardest to control, and the most 'tippy" are the hulls that are called straight, tumblehome, or v hull. Although these are the fastest in the water and track straight as an arrow, they tip over with very little effort at slow speeds.

I personally like a hard chine because when you lean into a turn, your increasing the width of the boat in the water, making it more stable.

If you go with a sit on top model kayak, then don't worry about being tippy because these are basically barges that are very easy to use and master. The trade off between these and one that you sit inside is that the sit insides are easier to paddle, thus on long trips your not as weary at the end of the day. Both will work to get you from point A to point B on the water however. I use a sit on top for fishing and crabbing, and a sit inside for touring and rivers.

**BillyBob58** · 05-16-2009, 23:08

Man, this trip sure looks sweet! I'm going to have to take up this new hobby! And any way, I need to spend some money, lots of money!

What's up with climbing the trees and some really high hammock hanging in some of the 1st pictures? At least that's what it looks like.

**Mrprez** · 05-17-2009, 06:34

Originally Posted by DougTheElder

Would a "Thru-Paddle" of, say, the IntraCoastal Waterway carry the same prestige as an AT Thru Hike? To a man who's never been afraid to snuggle up right next to luxury and comfort, this paddling thing has a certain amount of appeal. 'Course, ruffin' it is the proper way, right?

There are people who kayak from Jacksonville, FL to say Pensacola or Mobile. Takes awhile to do, but looks like fun. Sure would be easier on the feet.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/03...3explorer.html

**Bamaman35** · 05-17-2009, 08:26

I got a new kayak from mule... when do you guys want to go?

**neo** · 05-17-2009, 11:19

i am going to have a summer hangout on pear island on percey priest lake in july

neo

**Bamaman35** · 05-17-2009, 11:51

That'd be awesome... where is that again?

**angrysparrow** · 05-17-2009, 20:10

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

Man, this trip sure looks sweet! I'm going to have to take up this new hobby!

It really is a lot of fun!

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

What's up with climbing the trees and some really high hammock hanging in some of the 1st pictures? At least that's what it looks like.

That campsite was multi-tiered. There was a 4 or 5 ft difference between the two plateaus, but some of the trees used for the hang were growing on the lower level - so some slight climbing was needed to get the suspensions high enough - a small and amusing price to pay for such a nice camp site.

Originally Posted by Shug

You guys have really been getting out there ... especially you AngrySparrow!!!

Shug the observant has a good memory! Yes sir, I've been lucky enough to get to do quite a few trips so far this year. I hope everyone else is as fortunate. The Trip Reports forum is one of my favorites.