Friday, April 25, 2014

A New Kayak

I've been looking for a kayak for some time and have been helped in my search by Bruce, a friend who recently retired.  Bruce has a fleet of boats which constantly call my name in violation of the 10th commandment.  When he took early retirement early this winter, his wife made him promise that he would buy no more boats.  Today, he surfs Craigslists for his friends and spotted this one kayak that he thought I might like.  I did and we drove up north (about an hour away) to look at it.  We came back with it on top of my truck.  The guy had two boats for sale and Bruce was tempted.  I told him there would be no problem throwing another boat on my racks, but he decided that he loved his wife more than another boat...

When I brought the kayak, the rivers were still blocked with ice and the lakes frozen.  Last week was the first time since the thaw that I could get the boat out on the water and I took it out Friday morning on a lake and then Sunday afternoon, after Easter worship and lunch, on the river.  I forgot just how nice fiberglass boats paddle.  This one is a jewel.  It is a Phoenix Isere that's 14 and a half feet long.  It has enough storage (using dry bags) that I could easily do a 2-3 day trip.  I think I'm going to love it.

Yesterday, I got an email with another Craigslist link from Bruce.  Mentioning it to my wife, she remarked, "Now that he can no longer bankrupt himself and his wife with more boats, I think he's going to try to bankrupt us."  I may have to let this one pass...

The last couple of years, I have taken to winter paddling, summer sailing.  However, this is the first winter in many that I didn't do any paddling.  My last river trip was in early December.  From the time I got home after my Christmas trip south to March, there was ice blocking parts of the Thornapple River that flows through our town.

When I learn how to get photos from my ipad to blogger, I will post photos...  I am traveling and only have an ipad with me.

13 comments:

  1. Jeff your eulogy far far in the future will have to contain among many other lines: "He never sat still for too long." Uh having been here for most of the winter I am sort of relieved that you didn't go out on the river this winter. As brutally cold as it was I think you'd be now known as MI's icicle man.

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  2. I solved the problem of 'buying' too many boats. I build them which is a more gradual process and not as hard on the pocket book since it too is gradual and the end result is you still get another boat. I built a woodstrip sea kayak and paddled the heck out of it back in the day. I eventually sold it when family life began and I wasn't using it but when the girls get a bit older, I plan on building a fleet of them again so we can all go. Here is the book I would recommend if you are interested in this method.

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  3. This makes me want to go kayaking!! I have only been in one once and it was at the beach which is no fun because I have heard that they're made for calm waters. Maybe this summer I'll do some river kayaking!

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  4. Your post took me back to childhood when I read a book of kayaking and intrigue called "North to Adventure". Have a great weekend!

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  5. Sounds like you've had a great time kayaking! I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures.

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  6. Great to hear from you and your travels. Looks like you're going to have a lovely late spring and summer kayaking.

    Greetings from London.

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  7. nice...my parents have kayaks...i need to get back down and borrow them again..i used to kayak all the time when i was in MD....

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  8. Is there a reason why you've changed to a Kayak from a Canoe. Best of luck with the new vessel and all sailing in her.

    I've lost the link to your other place in a massive clean-out I did on my system. Could you send another link please.

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  9. Nice. I imagine we'll be entertained with photos from your upcoming kayak trips. :) Good for Bruce for helping you out and even better for choosing his wife over another boat. ;)

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  10. Did you read this http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/6800/20140429/archaeologists-find-9-000-year-old-hunting-drive-lane-under.htm
    Wowza, is all I can say.

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  11. The new kayak sounds lovely! I look forward to more posts from your travels.

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  12. Looking forward to see the photos! Also, some from your current travels...
    Take care!

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  13. Funny, I tried posting from my iPhone and the whole pic was out of whack...words were fine, however. I've mentioned kayaking to my husband and would love to try it sometime but haven't pursued it. You've made me curious and I wonder how much they sell for, new and used. Anyway, it's one more activity we can get into and I think he'd go for it, since he's not up for art events or karaoke. Great post and I hope you can get that iPad app working so you can post pics and share more of your adventures with us. I'm not getting your posts on FB. I'll see if I'm "following" you; possibly not. There are so many changes on FB I can't keep up.

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