| Hunting and Fishing trips on the water require a | | | | three areas where the weight should be calculated |
| boat which is maneuverable, sufficiently | | | | to avoid overloading. The first is the deflated boat |
| comfortable for the necessary time to be spent | | | | and accessories, i.e. the paddles, seats, skeg etc. |
| on the water and large enough to store gear. The | | | | The next is the weights of the paddlers and lastly |
| same applies to anyone wanting to go touring on | | | | the weight of the gear. |
| a kayak. | | | | What choices do you have? |
| The gear could be fishing rods and tackle or | | | | The 420X Sea Eagle carries a maximum load of |
| hunting rifles and ammunition. One can assume | | | | 855 lbs (388kg). It weighs 53 lbs (24kg). After the |
| that the weight of a fishing rod would be minimal | | | | combined weight of the gear and food has been |
| as most of them today are made of light- weight | | | | deducted, a generous 691 lbs (313kg) is left over |
| material like fiberglass and graphite. The tackle | | | | to cover the weight of the paddlers, or you can |
| box might weigh more than the weights, flies and | | | | adapt your weight distribution the way you want |
| rods combined. A hunting gun would be a bit | | | | it. The boat specifications allow for 2 people with |
| heavier, but still light enough not to have a lot of | | | | lots of gear or 2 - 3 adults plus less gear. Sea |
| bearing on the load of the gear. | | | | Eagle say their boat has a 'crocodile hide' able to |
| If the trip includes a night or two, then sleeping | | | | withstand severe knocks. The boat is NMMA |
| arrangements would need to be catered for. | | | | certified. |
| Perhaps a tent and sleeping bags. These would | | | | Sevylor then offer the Inflatable Ocean, sold as a |
| probably include a thermal cover to help keep the | | | | two person but a seat for a third person can be |
| heat in if the weather turns very cold. Again, with | | | | added. It weighs 55lbs (30kg) and has a fully |
| modern materials, none of these weigh very | | | | loaded weight of 800 lbs. It is specially designed |
| much. Food would need to be carried and a | | | | for ocean travelling, and being longer - 17' - can go |
| means to prepare and cook the food but one | | | | at higher speeds. |
| thing you do not have to carry is fuel. Kayaking is | | | | Sea Eagle's 380X carries a maximum load of 750 |
| a bit like kinetic energy, your body in motion | | | | lbs (340kg) which would be suitable for two |
| produces the power needed to move the boat | | | | people plus their camping gear for the weekend. |
| forward. So far then, the estimated weights | | | | The next package Sea Eagle offer is the |
| would be 33 lbs (15kg) for the fishing or hunting | | | | Paddleski Deluxe. It weights 22lbs (10kg) and has |
| gear, a tent and sleeping bags, 44 lbs (20kg) and | | | | a maximum load limit of 650lbs (295kg). It is a 5 |
| the food area, say 22 lbs (10 kg). Of course here | | | | in 1 inflatable catamaran. It's two, widely spaced |
| there is always the delightful hope of being able to | | | | inflatable tubes give a very stable ride. |
| eat the bounty if you are fishing or hunting. | | | | Accessories like an outboard motor, a rowing |
| Then there are the miscellaneous items like a | | | | frame and sliding seat, a sailing rig and a fishing |
| compass, torch, radio, PFD jackets, oars, vacuum | | | | seat enable you to change your use of it, all at a |
| flasks etc. Do you agree that another 22 lbs | | | | very reasonable cost. It is not recommended for |
| (10kg) would cover these? If so, the total now | | | | more than two people. |
| reaches 110 lbs (50kgs). | | | | Sevylor have a river Kayak Xk2 with a loaded |
| Inflatable boats have come a very long way since | | | | limit of 650lbs (295kg) or 2 people. Weighing in at |
| their first inception. Just as an example we are | | | | 45.2lbs (21kg) and being suitable for any type of |
| told that the Sevylor Tahiti Classic has travelled | | | | whitewater that your skill may allow you to try. It |
| the Amazon from end to end twice. One has to | | | | comes with two seats and a carry bag and falls |
| believe it was the same boat that made the | | | | into the class of touring kayak. It is self-bailing. |
| whole of the first trip, a distance of more than | | | | These are the biggest for loaded weight. Very |
| 3093 miles. (though some say 4350 miles). It has | | | | few others reach the 650lbs (294kg) mark. |
| long stretches of class V rapids! But was it the | | | | Oddly, inflatable kayaks can carry more load than |
| same boat that made the whole of the second | | | | those of similar size but built of rigid material. Add |
| run too? Either way, that is some journey and a | | | | this to the ease with which they can be carried to |
| remarkable achievement. | | | | and from the water and you have a recreational |
| The weight inflatables are able to carry has | | | | opportunity of wide scope at a reasonable cost. It |
| increased with technology also. | | | | gives them a great market boost. |
| When considering what best to buy, there are | | | | |