Great thread!
I have a Struer Lancer:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1377865396.jpg

(the picture is actually not showing mine - mine is not in such a great condition)
I was into semiprofessional kayak racing in Sweden some 20 years ago. It was a great time, we had almost only Struer kayaks - Tiger, Lancer, X-Lancer, Makker!
I have a lot of "Wing"-paddles somewhere in the shed.

Here is the successor (X-Lancer) in action (not me!):
Paddlemeasure


Nice bike maler928! Caterpillar!:D
Do you know Maskinisten?

Has anyone owned a Folbot? I took one to Glacier National Park and put it in at Lake Mc Donald and my brother and I hiked it into a few mountain lakes where the grizzlys hang out. People thought we were nuts. We are.

White water kayaking isn't particularly dangerous if you know what you are doing. Like any outdoor sport you can get over your head fairly quickly and that is when people get hurt.

Even in the late 60's, early '70's when I learned to paddle, the rules were fairly simple: Never paddle alone, if at all possible on "first runs" paddle with someone who knows the river at the level of water the river is running at.

When in doubt, scout and know when to leave the kayak on the rack.

My worst day was on the Gauley River in West Virginia. I made a silly mistake and hurt my shoulder, which made it very difficult in certain stretches of the river. I was frankly very tired and afraid. This was my first run on the Gauley and we didn't latch up with anyone who had run it before until after I got hurt. Strike one.

We also didn't scout the rapid I got hurt on because it was overcast and cold and scouting was a PIA. Strike Two.

There was, thankfully, no strike three. A man's got to know his limitations:cool:

Give it a try. My big water days are in the rear view mirror. I probably kayak in ocean surf more than anything these days. Find your comfort zone and it is a hoot.

I built a 17' sea kayak from cedar strips & marine plywood which I still have. It is a very seaworthy craft. I've paddled in 6 foot seas, (and capsized). Maybe I'll take a pic and post.

As with any outdoor adventure it is as dangerous as you want it. I have a book which of course I can't find & don't remember the name of it about sea kayaking. Every story in the book is about losing life and or being lost at sea. Not being prepared for Mother Nature is a *****.

We went camping up in Acadia National Park at the beginning of this month. While I loved borrowing my brother in law's kayaks, I fell in love with the two one camp site over. These looked to be kit built plywood kayaks. The color and beauty of the wook was so nice. Now I'm in search of something for me and my boys to build ourselves. I really like a rudder system, so that is a must but the rest is open so far.

The kayak I built is from this website... Newfound Woodworks, Inc.| Cedar Strip Epoxy, Canoe, Kayak and Rowing Boats | Bristol, New Hampshire, NH

Mine is a hybrid, plywood hull with a cedar strip deck. They are right in New Hampshire. Back when I built mine the offered classes.

My wife hates you.

Byron, I know it's a kayak thread, but tell us ( + pics please) about that multi day Canadian canoe down river trip you did.

My wife got run over by a raft on the Ocoee. Broke her arm just below the shoulder. Simple water, but the rafts are dangerous. Of course, this happens after she's paddled all over the world, in big water.

From an earlier post on the thread.
Sea Kayaker Magazine has a book published called "Deep Trouble". Good read for new kayakers. I think of its content on occasion when I paddle. There are stories of much more experienced paddlers than me getting into some pretty horrible trouble. Most stories revolve around the inexperienced or under prepared.

LOL, I know what you mean. If she'd enjoy a little more I have a 15' that I started, hull & deck done but not married that I'd love to have someone finish. Have most if not all the rest of the kit. I don't have the time anymore. I'd let her go for very very little. :D

That's it Bill. Very good reading and compelling.

Need at least one pic of white water boats. I admit they are nearly as nice looking as the flat water boats.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1377987635.jpg

Of course, they don't look like this after one season either.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1377987689.jpg

Great thread, I've been considering a Kayak for months. I even purchased our latest veh with carrying one in mind. It's time to pull the trigger.

My Perception Carolina on the left.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86693060@N00/9527915544/" title="IMG_2303 by hootsmagoon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/9527915544_b7350827fa_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2303"></a>

Got captured by Google Earth last year going out for a casual paddle.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1378780158.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1378780173.jpg

I have two 14' sit-on-top Tarpons and a 12' with rudder. We're off to put in the local lake.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1383379107.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1383379129.jpg

The best I can do is a canoe, sorry no kayak :)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1383380400.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1383380581.jpg

My kayak likes me a little too much.

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps11c64577.jpg

No kayak but I do have a Hornbeck. Nice light boat for smooth water, uses double ended paddle.

Adirondack Carbon Fiber, Ultra Light and Double Paddle Canoe and Boat Builder are perfect for remote Adirondack Lakes and the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Wisconsin:: Hornbeck Boats

I've been charmed by these. How long did it take you to build?