Kayaks and Airstreams

[Road Geezer]

I REALLY like the idea of an AS/Kayak thread, maybe even a sub forum. One of the reasons we bought an AS was to "support" our kayaking habit. I don't have a lot of pic of our kayaks yet, we just bought them last summer and I'm finding it hard to risk taking a good DSLR out of its waterproof pouch when we're out on the water. I'm not known form my sense of balance ... and I've ruined one point-and-shoot already; it wasn't water proof either ...

We live in Sunnyvale, CA, and my wife, Bobbie, and I would jump at the chance to join in on a local AS/kayak group, so let's get that conversation and planning started...

Here are a couple pics of our AS+kayaks.

Paul[IMG]file:///Users/paulhastings/Desktop/P1010797%20lores.jpg[/IMG]

[Gringo]

We've got two kayaks....a Hobie i14t inflatable, and a new Hobie Tandem Island. The problem is that the kayaks are here on the island with us, and Silver Lining is in Dallas.

Oh well. Might have to ship the inflatable back to the USA.

[doorgunner]

Originally Posted by Road Geezer

I'm finding it hard to risk taking a good DSLR out of its waterproof pouch when we're out on the water.

Paul[IMG]file:///Users/paulhastings/Desktop/P1010797%20lores.jpg[/IMG]

Hi Paul;
Really enjoyed meeting you and Bobbie and your loveable pooch at Casini last month.
Here's the set up I use on the water, it's a little bigger than I'ld like, but I'll give that up for 10X optical zoom. Some of the guys I paddle with have Go-Pro video helmet cams and like them a lot, Me I like close up stills. anyway this is a buget system that gives really good results at a fair price. I've had the bag submerged a few times and NO water intrusion. So this works for me. Kodak Easeshare Z915,Dicapack WP-610. I had to fab up a foam insert to make the system more enjoyable to use, no biggie,

[Road Geezer]

Great pics of your pouch. Thank you for the info. I googled the product name and wound up at Amazon where there was a listing of another model, the DiCAPac WPH10. In the reviews, one guy mentioned that he had used it quite satisfactorily with the same Panasonic micro 4/3 camera I have, the GF1. I think I'll order one tonight and try to get it here by this weekend. We're taking Izzy--our AS--to Fort Bragg for the weekend with kayaks and have plans for a guided tour the sea caves near VanDamme SP. I want the pouch to protect my camera, even though I'm not planning on getting it wet. That said, I have been known to execute an occasional "1/2 roll" resulting in me, and whatever I'm holding ending up in the drink ...

Casini was great; Bobbie and I really enjoyed the fellow aluma-fanatics we got a chance to meet and talk with. We're looking forward to Jackson.

I can identify with your clamp comment... How many is enough clamps? No matter how many I have, usually just one more ...

Cheers,

Paul

[Gringo]

You Airstream Clampers are strange....

[doorgunner]

Got the Night Heron on the water finally. Put a Buddy Poppy on the foredeck out of respect for the Memorial Day Observance.
Linda Lu got the paint job and so far 5 coats of varnish.
Started the
Pax 20 this afternoon!

[FreshAir]

You do very nice work, Tim.
Neil

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by doorgunner

...Linda Lu got the paint job and so far 5 coats of varnish.

Started the Pax 20 this afternoon!

Way to go, Tim. Durn, you could put two of your boats inside this double Osprey! I just wanted to thank you for the router/coaming tip--I couldn't do it on the solos because the coamings are curved to allow for laying back during rolls, so I wouldn't have thought of it on the double. It worked great! I fussed with the glass for all of 15 minutes, wetted it out, and viola--Coaming on!



If you're a zealot, you can finish this boat in about 3 weeks, plus a few days for varnishing. I put in a mod to add storage compartments either side of the rear cockpit (you can see the access hatches forward of the rear coaming), about 80" long by 7"x10"--good for paddles, fishing rods, tents, sails--that took an extra couple of weeks. I'm just waiting for the HVLP guns to arrive so I can start varnishing.

BTW, the rope slings are an absolute must when building--you can roll the kayak to any attitude to get at the inside. I swear, once the hull and deck are together you think you're 85% done, but you're really more like 35%, so the ability to stand on the shop floor and still reach inside is a huge good deal.

Zep

[doorgunner]

Zep'

I'm liking your "torpedo tubes". Sealing the hatches could be the fun part.
seein as you're getting a hvlp gun--why don't you just spray the whole thing with automotive clear coat?? better uv protection, buffable to a gleam and do it once and forget about it!!
yup the roof slings are one of those secret building devices. puttin a ladder at each end of the yak works also, if you need a more stable platform.
Lookin good--
Is that the only sweater you own?

Thanks Neil- when you gonna stop by?

[warbler5]

Originally Posted by doorgunner

Got the Night Heron on the water finally. Put a Buddy Poppy on the foredeck out of respect for the Memorial Day Observance.
Linda Lu got the paint job and so far 5 coats of varnish.
Started the Pax 20 this afternoon!

You have been busy!!! The boats both look GREAT!

[Freeheel]

Well, it's been a cold start to our Airstreaming season up here in Alberta and last weekend we demonstrated that by doing our annual "Ski to Sea" weekend.

It started early in the morning with a drive on the recently ploughed Highwood Pass road in Kananaskis where we parked and donned our ski touring gear.


There's usually a bit of snow that hangs around in the high country this time of year, but this year there's well over 1m in spots. At this rate, we should see "spring" flowers sometime around mid July...


Higher up, summer is even further off!


We did manage to get a decent run in as the rain and sleet settled in.


After lunch we drove back down the road to Upper Kananaskis Lake to complete the "Sea" phase of the project. Combining two sports makes for a pretty gear intensive weekend, I must say:


If you don't own a set of WheelEze, btw, I highly recommend them as they give you a lot more options for launching (especially solo) than being confined to the usual busy boat dock areas:


It was great to get the tippy greenlander out again!


But with the ice only coming off the lakes in the last 2 weeks, I wasn't feeling brave enough for rolling practice just yet!


All-in-all, a pretty satisfying day on both snow and water!


Of course being able to dry off and warm up afterwards with a great bottle of wine was just the cherry on top!


...to be continued

[knunut]

What a Beautiful Day. We don't ski,but can snowshoe. And love to Kayak.
Kayaking with that View !!!!! Thank You for the Pictures. They will provide
many dreams.

[doorgunner]

Freeheel
What a day !!!!!

that Tahe isn't self righting?? lol

[Zeppelinium]

On Dillon Lake at 9,000' MSL -- flat water, great views, bald eagles in their nests, and most general aviation aircraft well below us, but not so much oxygen here.



Zep

[doorgunner]

In the spirit of posting snow covered peaks in summer--
Here's Linda Lu with Mt. Shasta in the background (10 July)
We gang paddled for 3 days- 45 to 50 paddlers. Whiskey Town, Burney Falls and Ahjumawi lave springs.
Zep, I was the Dockmaster at Lake Dillon Marina back in the 70's. Know Dillon like the back of my hand, then there's the Snake River Saloon in Keystone-- my favorite all time bar, or is it the Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West? TIE..

[Barry Parkof]

Truck mounts: I would like to bring my strip built kayaks with me when I travel, and my truck is a crew cab GMC with a hard tonneau cover. I have racks on the cab, but the cross bars are only 23" apart. If I use a rack that goes into the receiver, then I can't hook up the Stream.
I noticed on the web, a mount that goes on the rails of the truck and extends past the sides of the tonneau cover, and has two uprights and a cross bar. Not sure of the quality or construction. Does anyone have any other thoughts as to how I can carry two kayaks safely, and still have access to my truck bed?

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by Barry Parkof

Truck mounts: I would like to bring my strip built kayaks with me when I travel, and my truck is a crew cab GMC with a hard tonneau cover. I have racks on the cab, but the cross bars are only 23" apart. If I use a rack that goes into the receiver, then I can't hook up the Stream.
I noticed on the web, a mount that goes on the rails of the truck and extends past the sides of the tonneau cover, and has two uprights and a cross bar. Not sure of the quality or construction. Does anyone have any other thoughts as to how I can carry two kayaks safely, and still have access to my truck bed?

You'll be fine with the racks on a full size CC truck..any shorter and I would be concerned, or add some other means of support. We have traveled many miles with 2 tandem kayaks, and porta bote on Thule racks on top of the truck. One yak is 17' the other 16', the pbobte is 14'...and heavy! This leaves the bed free for other stuff as noted. How long are your yaks?

[Barry Parkof]

The kayaks are 17' long, built in cedar and fiberglass. They are lightweight at just under 40lbs each. I am not comfortable on using just the roof racks, because they seem too close together. Would really like to spread out the points of attachment, but am looking for a mount that would still allow me to use my receiver hitch for the Stream.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by BillTex

You'll be fine with the racks on a full size CC truck..any shorter and I would be concerned, or add some other means of support. We have traveled many miles with 2 tandem kayaks, and porta bote on Thule racks on top of the truck. One yak is 17' the other 16', the pbobte is 14'...and heavy! This leaves the bed free for other stuff as noted. How long are your yaks?

Bill,

I've seen Barry's roof rack, it is the GM factory rack, not after market, and like he says, the rails are only 23" apart (front to back), and that is why he is concerned with mounting 17' kayaks with only 2' of seperation in the bars, which leave 7 1/2 feet of unsuported overhang front and rear.

[BillTex]

I am loading up tonight, I can take a measurement and let you know how far apart the Thules are...I don't know off the top of my head, it was years ago when I set all this up...my guess is at least 36".

Our boats are quite a bit heavier (70#-75#) and we have never had an issue...the pbote is 100#!

B