Kayak Outing 7/15/25

I actually went out on the kayak on Tuesday!

Robin bought the kayak for me years ago. I've only paddled it maybe twice! Some of the guys on the TSBB kayak as well as sail. Ric and Luke have kayaked some. This has spurred me to thinking about doing some and maybe getting a better kayak. So... since Robin was away, I decided to go out for a short paddle. 

The weather has been hot with little wind, so sailing has been sidelined the last couple weeks. I was hoping to get out while Robin was away. Tuesday night was the last opportunity. I didn't get home until 6:30. I'd been thinking about going all day. Almost canned the idea but I gave myself a push and went. I hooked up the trailer, dug out the kayak from under the house, grabbed a vest PFD and paddle, and took off. It was 7:30 before I left the house, but that would give me an hour to paddle before dark. 

I arrived at the ramp and it was pretty busy. Lots of jet skis and other watercraft. I only saw one sailboat on the water. I really didn't have to back down the ramp and wait for anyone; so I pulled around to it, off-loaded the kayak and parked my vehicle. When I walked back to the kayak, the first thing I did was wipe it off with a rag I had grabbed. It was terribly dusty from sitting under the house for so long (including my shopvac disaster).

I was a little apprehensive about getting started. Kayaks can be tippy and I sure didn't want to make a fool of myself with all the folks that were around. I positioned the kayak just barely into the water, gingerly stepped in, sat down, and gave myself a little shove into the water. I was off.

My short little kayak (an 8' Aruba - Walmart special) is probably just enough to get on the water and not much else. It doesn't track well at all and seems quite tender. That may just be me, since I've never been in any other kayak, but they tell me I need a longer one - 12-14' or more. I've actually been browsing them on Market Place.

I paddled down to the Coast Guard inlet and back, a distance of about 1.3 miles. The water was warm. I mentioned that to a guy on a boat at the dock and he said the water was 90 degrees and that earlier that day it had been 105! Wow! The kayak swung back and forth with each stroke but with a little practice I was able to keep that at a minimum. I crossed paths with a girl in an inflatable kayak. We paused and spoke to each other. She had just bought it and was trying it out for the first time.

The sun was low and right in my eyes as I headed back to the ramp. Landed and got out with no serious mishaps. Was a little tricky standing up after lifting my legs out of the cockpit and into the water. I'm not as strong as I used to be. I picked up the kayak, hauled it to the top of the ramp, got my vehicle, loaded, and returned home just about dark. 

Oh, before I left the park, I drove through the swimming area, got out and walked down to the water's edge. I was hoping to get a colorful sunset but it was rather muted. Still nice. And I was treated to a beautiful view of a half-dozen deer grazing at the park's edge as I was leaving. 

All in all a pleasant evening. (am I'm still going to ponder getting a longer kayak).

Edit: I got to wear my new water shoes that the girls gave me for Fathers Day. Love 'em!

New Tent Update

I set my tent up again yesterday hoping to see how it would perform in the rain. It rained twice. I wasn't able to get in it during those rains but afterwards it seemed ok. There was one very small puddle (maybe 1"x3") but that may have been from a very light shower that caught me off guard and the tent was all open. 

I took the time to figure out my tie-down/strap-down plan. I added four eye straps for points to attach the stern guy lines. All total I have 9 attachment points: 5 forward and 4 aft. Here are a few more pics. They will look very similar to the first ones posted but those had the temporary tie-downs.

From the side you can see the tent is fairly taught.

I did get in it and it is very roomy. This view may give you an idea of the space inside. The tent is 8-1/2' front to back and 42" tall at the tallest point. I guess I have 4-1/2' width. The side windows open from the inside. A big plus!

Here are my attachment points forward. I bought small carabiners. It may make it a little simpler and quicker to set up. The forward lines are attached to a line that I ran under my inwale. The bottom is attached with a piece of 3/4" velcro run through little blocks that I included in my build for just such purposes. A little later I stretched a loop on the leading edge of the tent over the daggerboard blank. Worked nicely.

I added the eye straps in the stern. Two on the edge of my seat and two on the transom. They're all out of the way and small. I added a little 4200 to each one. I'll be able to attach these from inside the tent since it has a door at both ends. Very convenient.

With the two showers we had today, I saw just how much water the boat is going to collect with any substantial rain. I have a decent hand pump but it will take some doing even with that. Makes you appreciate self-draining cockpits!

The setup and takedown is going to be fairly straightforward and easy. I got in the boat to put the tent away. No issues.

Can't wait to "field" test it.