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coastieyaker
Joined: 27 Jan 2013
Posts: 282
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 Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:13 pm Post subject: where should I take my yak on its maiden voyage? |
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I would like to get some suggestions...
I will be taking out the nucanoe on its first fishing trip in 2 weeks.
I would like to start it out on a river so lets have the suggestions flow!!!
Also, can you please tell me which rivers are easier paddles, thus allowing you to use just one truck (car) istead of 2. I dont want to hop on a river and not be able to make it back to my launch.
I am new to the yak world so I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks,
Coastie |
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kennethshaw
Joined: 16 Aug 2011
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:42 pm Post subject: great paddle |
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| Try bantam river. Gorgeous paddle and usually the flow is very gentle. Not sure how it is with all the melted snow. Good luck! |
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ladyfisher
Joined: 20 Apr 2009
Posts: 46
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| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Why 1st launch a river ? .......I just picked up my Nucanoe & plan on a nice pond to break it in on. |
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angry john
Joined: 30 Jun 2012
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| You are choosing the spring melt time for a first river trip? Flows are about 40-50% higher right now. The CT river is a large body of water and does not seem to be effected as much as the smaller rivers. You may want to hook up with someone like peco or the guys that get out a lot and know someone in the area in-case you need help. Also know that a PFD is required this time of year. With the cold weather this weekend it will be a challenge to stay warm which will limit your mobility. I am not saying dont go, but have a good plan with some help on hand. Paddle against the wind on your way out, as that boat glides so well i am often blown upriver and have to work my way back down to the launch. Please be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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coastieyaker
Joined: 27 Jan 2013
Posts: 282
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| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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On second thought maybe a pond would be better.
Angryjohn... i appreciate the words of caution...i never plan on being on the water without a pfd.
I am super eager to get the yak on the water.
Thanks for the advice everyone |
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angry john
Joined: 30 Jun 2012
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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| By the name costie yaker i take that your in the coast guard. Near by local ponds that may be a good idea Is gorton, or patagansett if your here in the south east. There both easy to navigate and small enough if your in trouble there is help. If the wind is not bad i may meet up with you for a few hours to give it a go. Pm me with your number and i will give you a call. I am very experienced with all the waterways here except the salt. |
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PECo
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 5203
Location: Avon, CT
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| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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Bantam River is closed to fishing until Opening Day. The lower Housy from the Sunnyside Boat Launch Facility on Shelton wouldn't be a bad first paddle. The current isn't bad and there are usually plenty of paddlers around.
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter! |
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coastieyaker
Joined: 27 Jan 2013
Posts: 282
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| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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Angryjohn...
I got out after 9 years active duty in the Coast Guard.
i had a fantastic time and met some awesone folks.
Ironically my last tour of duty was new haven.
Pm will be sent to you. I am looking forward to it |
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coastieyaker
Joined: 27 Jan 2013
Posts: 282
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| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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Peco..
Thanks for the tip.
I always assumed lower housy would be tough on yakers but now i am psyched to head over there.
I live about 10 minutes away from sunnyside so i will pm my number to you if you need a tsg a long or yak partner |
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mep21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
Posts: 65
Location: West Hartford, CT
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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| I've been over to the Housy with Peco a few times in his boat and I have to agree that its a great place to start. There are plenty of boats around so its a lot safer with the water still as cold as it is. Plus its probably your best bet for catching something this time of year. I plan on heading over there Sunday, this time with my yak for the first time this year. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you're interesting in meeting up or I'll just see you out there. I'll be in the camo colored Old Town Vapor 12XT. |
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pikePERSUADER1
Joined: 07 Dec 2010
Posts: 521
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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| angry john wrote: | | You are choosing the spring melt time for a first river trip? Flows are about 40-50% higher right now. The CT river is a large body of water and does not seem to be effected as much as the smaller rivers. You may want to hook up with someone like peco or the guys that get out a lot and know someone in the area in-case you need help. Also know that a PFD is required this time of year. With the cold weather this weekend it will be a challenge to stay warm which will limit your mobility. I am not saying dont go, but have a good plan with some help on hand. Paddle against the wind on your way out, as that boat glides so well i am often blown upriver and have to work my way back down to the launch. Please be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
The CT river gets moving pretty good this time of year, I do not suggest it for somebody new, especially in frigid water, the coves off the river would be a much safer option, or a small lake or pond -Dan  |
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Michael
Joined: 28 Jan 2012
Posts: 3823
Location: Bridgeport
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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| pikePERSUADER1 wrote: | | angry john wrote: | | You are choosing the spring melt time for a first river trip? Flows are about 40-50% higher right now. The CT river is a large body of water and does not seem to be effected as much as the smaller rivers. You may want to hook up with someone like peco or the guys that get out a lot and know someone in the area in-case you need help. Also know that a PFD is required this time of year. With the cold weather this weekend it will be a challenge to stay warm which will limit your mobility. I am not saying dont go, but have a good plan with some help on hand. Paddle against the wind on your way out, as that boat glides so well i am often blown upriver and have to work my way back down to the launch. Please be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
The CT river gets moving pretty good this time of year, I do not suggest it for somebody new, especially in frigid water, the coves off the river would be a much safer option, or a small lake or pond -Dan |
I second |
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Michael
Joined: 28 Jan 2012
Posts: 3823
Location: Bridgeport
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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| As Mep21 also said, the nice thing about the Housatonic is it doesn't have as strong of a flow as the CT and you have more boats out there to help you incase anything happens. |
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TheFishingPolice
Joined: 26 Nov 2012
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 6:24 am Post subject: |
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michael, why o why are you giving advice to this guy? you have no experience in a kayak! unless that 1 trip you took last year to penfield makes you an expert...
while the housy is very mellow and easy to kayak, things can go very wrong very fast when the water is 40 degrees. if it was the middle of the summer, i would just say f#ck it and go, if you take a dip it's no big deal.
i would suggest going out with an experience kayaker / or boater the first couple of times. you really dont know how that nucanoe handles, how it deals with the wind, etc etc...
every year people die in kayaks on the LIS, and its always inexperienced guys who think "oh its just a kayak, nothing can do wrong!" |
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mep21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
Posts: 65
Location: West Hartford, CT
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| Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 9:13 am Post subject: |
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Well so much for going today. The weathermen had initially predicted today to be less windy than yesterday, but now they're saying 10-15mph. That'll make 40 degrees feel a hell of a lot colder.
TheFishingPolice, I think Michael was simply trying to echo some of the advice offered earlier in the thread, no need to get upset.
I do strongly agree with the points you make though. Things can go wrong for anyone at any time, on any body of water, and during any time of year. Any time you go out you need to consider many factors (Flow, Wind Speed, Water Temperature, familiarity with the location, etc) No matter what though wear a PFD! ( its the law right now anyway) I don't know how many stories I hear a year of an experienced boater/kayaker out on their own who sadly dies and could have been saved from simply wearing their PFD.
To reiterate though. If you're set on going out on your own for the first time, its still probably wise to follow these steps
1. WEAR A PFD, can't stress this enough.
2.Find a location that is well traveled by other boats in the case something happened
3. Don't travel far from shore.
4. Have an emergency plan in place (Change of clothes, towel, in your car)
5. Let someone know where you'll be and when to expect you back
I still think the Housy is a good bet if the weather is a little better. Anyone have any other recommendations on places they paddle when the weather is not ideal? |
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