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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Sea Kayaks for Kids
Posted By: sing In Response To: Sea Kayaks for Kids (John Montgomery)
Date: Tuesday, 18 January 2005, at 6:14 a.m.
: I have a seven year-old nephew who is dying to go out kayaking with me this
: coming summer. In years past, I’ve put him in the front of an old double
: and taken him on short (less than a mile) day trips to places where he
: could get out and play on the beach. Although he tried, he couldn’t really
: paddle since the gunnels of the boat were higher than his armpits! (Even
: though he was sitting on a boat cushion or two.): Last summer, I put him in my WW boat and let him paddle along the beach in a
: couple feet of water while I walked along beside him. He liked this much
: better and it was fun to see how quickly he learned to control a
: planing-hulled boat. I also gave him a taste of what’s like to be on a
: river by tossing him for enders, tail stands, seal launches, etc. He liked
: this best of all!: This coming summer, I plan to take him on a short overnighter or two, again
: in the double sea kayak. I imagine we’ll also spend a number of days
: playing around in WW boats near the shore. In the long term, however, I’d
: really like to get him a real touring sea kayak that fits him, something
: he could use between the ages of ages of 8 and 12. What are my options?: I’ve seen photos of custom-built sea kayaks for kids, but I don’t have the
: space or tools to tackle a project like that. Are there any kid-sized
: plastic sea kayaks on the market that are not absolute tubs (i.e., rec
: boats)? Is a kayak designed for a petite woman the best I can do? Or has
: anyone seen a custom-built kid’s kayak for sale in PNW recently?: Also, what about paddles? I see that Werner makes one for kids. Are there
: other options? (Again, making a GP would be problematic.): (And just so you know, he already has a wet suit and a PFD that fits him.)
: Thanks, John
My youngest son paddled a Umiak which is now called the Perception Carolina 12. Now, 12 years old, he currently uses a plastic Impex Mystic now called the Pyranha Pilot. The Piccolo is also good if you can find it used. The mentioned Episea is probably the more challenging model compared to the Piccolo and the Carolina 12. The Episea has Greenland lines and is 14'x20.5". At 5'3" and 140 lbs, I can fit into this boat and had considered getting it as an ocean playboat to share with my son. (As a playboat, it would need thigh braces or a foam masik added.) Carolina 12 and the Piccolo are 12' and 14' long respectively, with a beam between 21" and 22" with more rounded chines and flatter hull bottom shapes.
sing
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