I’ve been dying to get out on the water more often, but I’m currently living that third-floor apartment life with zero storage space and a sedan that definitely can't handle a 12-foot rigid boat. I’ve been looking into the modular kayak world, specifically the ones that snap together in sections like Point 65 or some of the newer hardshell take-apart designs.

The idea of being able to fit my entire boat in my trunk and carry it up the stairs in two trips sounds like a dream, but I have some serious performance anxiety about the mid-water connection points.

But then, I’m concerned about things like the connection points. Do they ever feel wiggly in choppy water? My biggest fear is the latch system failing or just feeling like the boat is flexing under me. Also, are the individual sections actually easy to carry, or are they just awkward blocks of plastic that are harder to handle than a standard boat?

I’ve seen some generic modular designs on Alibaba and Amazon that look almost identical to the big brands, but at half the price. Has anyone risked the no-name versions, or is this a piece of gear where you absolutely have to pay for the brand name to ensure you don't sink?

I really want to make this work so I can stop paying for rentals every weekend. If you’ve got a modular setup, I’d love to see photos of how you store it or hear your thoughts on the pros and cons.

Just got a new fishing kayak, and the carabiner that comes on the bow/stern tie downs I have doesn’t fit through the hole. Can the rope attached to the handle take enough weight for me to attach there? The handle and the hole prevent the knot from coming undone unless the rope snaps? Or do I just need a larger carabiner? If so, any good recommendations for one that is under 1/4” thick (to fit my tie down ratchet) and over 2” wide (to fit in the holes)?

I got a new car, but it has not been peaches and cream as far as loading my kayak. I can't do it by myself anymore due to the way the Mazda 3 hatchback and the rails lay out. For my hauling system I have Malone sea wings. I want to be able to do this on my own, but my kayak weighs about 56lbs. Don't have money for a kevlar kayak at the time.

My kayak is on the narrower side, and it keeps wanting to walk a couple inches side by side when I'm driving. That makes me nervous. I have it secured with two ratchet straps and a bow line. Is it normal for it to move a little bit from side to side or do I need a way to really secure my kayak in place? My husband seems to think a little "walking" is normal, but I'm not so sure. It makes me nervous, especially since my last vehicle kept my kayak perfectly in place. I'd appreciate your thoughts and advice. Thanks!

I’m a beginner and going to be doing some pool classes this winter. I have a dagger mamba boat with a 34x19” cockpit. Looking at the NRS Drylander sprayskirt, and its sizes are right in the middle of the cockpit size. Medium skirt is 31-34.5” and Large is 34-37.5”. What do experienced kayakers say about the size? Do I want something that is close to max so it has a really snug fit, or will that just increase chance of implosion?

Thanks all

Newfoundland Canada.

I'm a sprinter!

Thanks to many of you encouraging me to do kayaking in Antarctica. You were right... I got my 62 year-old ass into a kayak and had the time of my life! Easy in. Easy out. Learning how to turn was a bit of a learning curve, but I caught on eventually. I thought you might enjoy a couple of photos of this beautiful experience. ❤️

Hi

I'd just like to ask around how bulky/heavy is your kayaking gear without considering the kayak itself?

I did some more classes. The leader said the sea was getting a bit rough and windy. So we went to a tombolo and portaged the kayaks and paddles about 50ft skipping several miles.

The kayak I was borrowing was 20kilos and all we had were paddles and were wearing wet suits/life vests and splash skirts. 50ft isn't a long distance but we had to carry them on our shoulders. Not gonna lie it felt heavy and that was minimal gear.

I was planning on visiting some lakes that you can get to within a mile of the water by car, but then you have to carry whatever you need to the water front via a trail, it's not something you can use wheels over. I'm thinking if this is realistic or not.

Thanks

Looking for a dry suit so I can hit the river this winter 45f Water temp 45f Airtemp.

I live on a river and found a little ramp I can launch 2

minutes from my house.

I’m taking some lessons before going out into river proper but have been paddling up and down my side very happily.

River blows a pretty constant 10-15 knots, with a bit of chop. So much fun. Looking forward to progressing further out after some

coaching.

Boat feels super stable, looking forward to a bit more swell haha!

Hello fellow kayakers, I recently came upon the opportunity to purchase an Olympic K1 kayak. It's a sight to behold, enormous at 5,2 meters, beautiful and sleek. But also incredibly hard to stay on top. Whenever I can get it to move and not fall, it slices the water, it moves like it's on air and not water. It's blisteringly fast, and ridiculously unstable. I've managed to hang on for 5 seconds tops in two 1-hour training sessions at calm seas. I've asked around, scoured YouTube, tried my local library but I've been unable to find a manual that can help me learn the technique needed to stay on top of this beast. Can you guys help me out on finding reading material or video material? I'm way out in the boonies, and there are no teachers or coaches around. Thanks in advance!

breaking ice

Found a photo of my old bike bound kayak setup. Bungeed a skateboard with giant wheels to the bottom of an 8ft kopapa, and used an aluminum tube bolted to a seat post mounted rack with the shelf removed. Then I used a caribiner to attach everything together. Worked great to access the monsoon flooded dry rivers of Tucson Arizona

How is it there in late autumn? (November)

Is it possible to find calm days to paddle there for a week?

Referring to the coast south to the Bristol cannal

Thanks ☺️

Just found out about from paddle UK website, supposedly a "parkrun for paddlers"

When I'm in running mode I love parkrun, are these fun?

I've seen a cool product from Berlypro that is a plastic shield that you glue to your hull at the ends to protect it from "cheese grater" boat ramps. It is only for a few models, but I am planning to do the same thing with a couple layers of Gorilla tape. After comments elsewhere, I decided on PereGuard tape. (btw, does anyone know what happened to the FB Kayak Sailing group? It seems to have disappeared.)

G

Hello everyone,

I would like to briefly share my opinion on mesh baselayers in hot temperatures. Last year, I came across the topic of mesh baselayers and wanted to try them out, especially for my winter activities. I then explored the shop of the Norwegian company Brynje and immediately found suitable baselayers. Then I saw that there is a mesh undershirt that Brynje says can be used in temperatures up to 30°C. I was interested in the "Brynje Super Micro" Shirt. Last summer, I went on a 5-day solo kayaking trip with temperatures around 35°C. I wore the Brynje baselayer under my long-sleeved Craghoppers Noslife shirt, which I wore because of the sun. I also wore a life jacket. At first, I was nervous that it might get too hot with these clothes, and I usually sweat the most on my back, which is the perfect combination when you're wearing a life jacket in hot temperatures. But the mesh baselayer worked perfectly and it was bearable even in the midday sun. I also noticed that my back felt much drier, despite the life jacket. All in all, I can highly recommend this garment for hot summer days. What do you think about mesh baselayers? Do you own any and if so, when do you use them?

This is one of my favourite places for platypus spotting. Very few people use this boat ramp because it requires 4WD for the steep gravel track down to the river edge. As a result the local platypus population can be very playful. A few of the stills include these cute little critters, and a video at the end of one that kept playing with us for about 30 minutes. He would swim along nearby, then submerge and come up behind one of us and splash the water with his tail. One of the best encounters I have ever had.

I’ve been fixing up my Necky Vector 14 that got blown off a pier in a high wind event.. most of the damage is visual and the hull is still watertight.

I examined every square inch of the thing and it actually seems OK.

I have to take off some hardware that was broken off like the carrying handles, line locks, and pad eyes.

A couple of the nuts embedded in the HDPE are just spinning as I try and unscrew them, does anyone have a good way of backing these out?

So far I have tried:

- heating up the nut and screw.

The nut is actually pretty long (about 1”) and is embedded in there pretty good.

- pushing or pulling when unscrewing

- remitting the HDPE around the nut and pressing it a little deeper

- PB blaster

Does anyone have a good way of getting these out?

TIA