I've been paddling open canoes for nearly five years now, something I should have started at least 30 years ago but never got the opportunity or simply couldn't afford.
Anyhow, I love my open canoe but I've been fancying doing some coastal paddling and fishing and while the Prospector is a really good all round boat, I don't think its the tool for what I have in mind.
So; I've been looking at fishing "sit on top" kayaks. These are the sort of thing you hire on the beach in Spain or wherever but with a bit more attention to detail and some extra fitting out, like rod holders or storage hatches etc.
I've settled on sot's, not because they are becoming more popular but because of my back problems. I can't easily get in or out of a "proper" kayak, so a sea or touring type kayak is not suitable for my needs.
As luck would have it, a pal of mine, who I met through canoeing has just started up his own paddle craft hire business in North Shields, about 20 miles down river from me. He's paddled kayaks for years but only more recently got into open boats.
Ian was made redundant at the turn of the year and after failing to find suitable employment, decided to give this a try.
So; myself and a few other paddling acquaintances, were invited down on Saturday, to test paddle a few of his brand new boats.
This is me checking out the seat on a Shakespeare 145 "angler", the biggest of the 4 boats we had out for the day at 14 feet 6 inches long.
also in the photo; from left to right: a shakespeare 120 ( 12 feet long) "angler" in "sand" ? but I'd call it grey, sea grey at that! and when on the water, a bit too well camouflaged
Then the "mustard yellow" (sand?!?) Emotion "Stealth" angler, at just 10 feet long, the smallest boat we had out and then on the far right; an Emotion "Mojo" which is in fact, more or less the same boat as the shakespeare 120, without the fishing bit and bobs fitted.
I've never paddled anything other than an open canoe before this and I'd never used a double bladed paddle either! so it was going to be interesting.
going;
going;
nearly there, where's the water going??
And away!
The 145 was particularly quick in a straight line, though pants for turning. This being due to the fact that they are actually designed for straight line paddling or "tracking". It turned easily enough if you put some forethought into what you were doing and planned where you were going.
As with all the boats on the day, it coped very impressively with the choppy water, cutting through the odd breaker and riding the swell smoothly, even the almost 3 foot wake from a massive car transporter, sailing out from the Tyne.
The 145 was probably the best sea boat but it's too heavy for me to get on and off the car easily and safely. I know you can get all sorts of gadgets for roof racks etc but I want a boat I can just pick up and strap to the car and get away.
The next boat I paddled was the "Mojo"
which was okay and at 12 feet long, definitely turned more easily than the 145, while still being capable of decent speed. It was still a bit heavy to lug about but manageable none the less.
I then took the smallest boat out, the "stealth" angler, at 10 feet long it was never going to be as fast as the other boats but it rode the water like a cork and was really good fun, as well as being more than suited to the choppy water
this was definitely my favourite boat of the day, it was a bit lacking in storage compared to the other three boats, though it comes with two flush fitted rod holders behind the simple folding plastic seat and the option of fitting a third, swivelling rod holder in the centre, in front of the paddler. Unlike the other boats, it also had simple moulded footrests, so nothing to break or jam with sand but most importantly-comfortable.
The shakespeare 120, paddled exactly the same as the "mojo" as its the same basic boat, with rod holders etc. It didn't happen to have a cloth seat fitted like the 145 did ( though they do actually come supplied with one)and we simply sat on the boat itself, where the seat fits in which for me, proved the most comfortable of all the boats!
Of the boats I tried, I liked the "Stealth" the most but it's too slow and short, with not enough space for kit for what I have in mind, so I'd have to go with either a "mojo" and fit rod holders or the 120 in a suitable "safety" colour.
It's worth noting that we all went for a "swim" too! not intentionally but due to lack of experience in launching and landing, though I think it's fair to say we all learned a great deal too
The slightest bit, off straight on to the waves and you ended up in a washing machine!!
This was Ian, the lad who's just set up the business, falling foul of a miss timed wave while trying to launch the 145
As I say; we all came a cropper at one or other point!
This was me coming back in with the little "stealth" and finding nice smooth water, riding it in to the beach, only to have a much bigger wave sneak up behind me!
Now this really was all good fun but the swell was never more than a couple of feet and the beach is sheltered and mostly sand and gravel.
Try this on a rocky shore or in a lumpy sea and I think you'd get a battering.
I had intended to wear my Typhoon dry suit but it was far too hot and we were in and out all afternoon, so the issue coolmax t shirt was fine for the top, drying very quickly when ever It got soaked but the heavy cotton shorts were a mistake!
I think either a shorty wetsuit, or board shorts/trunks would be a good idea because you do get a wet arxe, regardless! Avoid anything cotton, go with man made, quick drying fabrics.
Ian is also hiring out open canoes, stand up paddle boards and some standard kayaks like the Robson Waikiki. He'll also supply paddles and you can hire BA's if required and even inflatable roof racks, to allow you to transport the boats if you dont have roof bars fitted.
I hope it works for him, as he's a nice lad and I think he's offering a really good service at reasonable cost.
Whether you are an angler wanting to give sot fishing a go or a bushcrafter who fancies a canoe but wants to try one first, etc etc.
If you live within 50 miles of Newcastle, I think he's the only one offering these craft for hire
Even if you don't live in range but are travelling up this way then you could always call in to pick up a boat and travel on to Scotland or where ever
Oh and I didn't get a freebie by the way, I paid for the privilege of getting to try out these boats, as I'd have had to fork out if I'd gone to Brookbank at Carlisle for example.
I'm seriously looking for a sot to buy, so trying out as many as possible will be my goal for the next few weeks or even months.
I'll be popping back down, to hire a boat for some fishing/exploration over the next couple of weeks and I'll keep you informed of how I get on
I hope someone finds this both interesting and maybe helpful too, it might not seem "bushcrafty" but I can certainly see the possibilities not just for coastal exploration trips and fishing expeditions etc. but also for fresh water fishing/paddling and even light weight paddle/camp trips.
cheers
Steve
Anyhow, I love my open canoe but I've been fancying doing some coastal paddling and fishing and while the Prospector is a really good all round boat, I don't think its the tool for what I have in mind.
So; I've been looking at fishing "sit on top" kayaks. These are the sort of thing you hire on the beach in Spain or wherever but with a bit more attention to detail and some extra fitting out, like rod holders or storage hatches etc.
I've settled on sot's, not because they are becoming more popular but because of my back problems. I can't easily get in or out of a "proper" kayak, so a sea or touring type kayak is not suitable for my needs.
As luck would have it, a pal of mine, who I met through canoeing has just started up his own paddle craft hire business in North Shields, about 20 miles down river from me. He's paddled kayaks for years but only more recently got into open boats.
Ian was made redundant at the turn of the year and after failing to find suitable employment, decided to give this a try.
So; myself and a few other paddling acquaintances, were invited down on Saturday, to test paddle a few of his brand new boats.
This is me checking out the seat on a Shakespeare 145 "angler", the biggest of the 4 boats we had out for the day at 14 feet 6 inches long.
also in the photo; from left to right: a shakespeare 120 ( 12 feet long) "angler" in "sand" ? but I'd call it grey, sea grey at that! and when on the water, a bit too well camouflaged
Then the "mustard yellow" (sand?!?) Emotion "Stealth" angler, at just 10 feet long, the smallest boat we had out and then on the far right; an Emotion "Mojo" which is in fact, more or less the same boat as the shakespeare 120, without the fishing bit and bobs fitted.
I've never paddled anything other than an open canoe before this and I'd never used a double bladed paddle either! so it was going to be interesting.
going;
going;
nearly there, where's the water going??
And away!
The 145 was particularly quick in a straight line, though pants for turning. This being due to the fact that they are actually designed for straight line paddling or "tracking". It turned easily enough if you put some forethought into what you were doing and planned where you were going.
As with all the boats on the day, it coped very impressively with the choppy water, cutting through the odd breaker and riding the swell smoothly, even the almost 3 foot wake from a massive car transporter, sailing out from the Tyne.
The 145 was probably the best sea boat but it's too heavy for me to get on and off the car easily and safely. I know you can get all sorts of gadgets for roof racks etc but I want a boat I can just pick up and strap to the car and get away.
The next boat I paddled was the "Mojo"
which was okay and at 12 feet long, definitely turned more easily than the 145, while still being capable of decent speed. It was still a bit heavy to lug about but manageable none the less.
I then took the smallest boat out, the "stealth" angler, at 10 feet long it was never going to be as fast as the other boats but it rode the water like a cork and was really good fun, as well as being more than suited to the choppy water
this was definitely my favourite boat of the day, it was a bit lacking in storage compared to the other three boats, though it comes with two flush fitted rod holders behind the simple folding plastic seat and the option of fitting a third, swivelling rod holder in the centre, in front of the paddler. Unlike the other boats, it also had simple moulded footrests, so nothing to break or jam with sand but most importantly-comfortable.
The shakespeare 120, paddled exactly the same as the "mojo" as its the same basic boat, with rod holders etc. It didn't happen to have a cloth seat fitted like the 145 did ( though they do actually come supplied with one)and we simply sat on the boat itself, where the seat fits in which for me, proved the most comfortable of all the boats!
Of the boats I tried, I liked the "Stealth" the most but it's too slow and short, with not enough space for kit for what I have in mind, so I'd have to go with either a "mojo" and fit rod holders or the 120 in a suitable "safety" colour.
It's worth noting that we all went for a "swim" too! not intentionally but due to lack of experience in launching and landing, though I think it's fair to say we all learned a great deal too
The slightest bit, off straight on to the waves and you ended up in a washing machine!!
This was Ian, the lad who's just set up the business, falling foul of a miss timed wave while trying to launch the 145
As I say; we all came a cropper at one or other point!
This was me coming back in with the little "stealth" and finding nice smooth water, riding it in to the beach, only to have a much bigger wave sneak up behind me!
Now this really was all good fun but the swell was never more than a couple of feet and the beach is sheltered and mostly sand and gravel.
Try this on a rocky shore or in a lumpy sea and I think you'd get a battering.
I had intended to wear my Typhoon dry suit but it was far too hot and we were in and out all afternoon, so the issue coolmax t shirt was fine for the top, drying very quickly when ever It got soaked but the heavy cotton shorts were a mistake!
I think either a shorty wetsuit, or board shorts/trunks would be a good idea because you do get a wet arxe, regardless! Avoid anything cotton, go with man made, quick drying fabrics.
Ian is also hiring out open canoes, stand up paddle boards and some standard kayaks like the Robson Waikiki. He'll also supply paddles and you can hire BA's if required and even inflatable roof racks, to allow you to transport the boats if you dont have roof bars fitted.
I hope it works for him, as he's a nice lad and I think he's offering a really good service at reasonable cost.
Whether you are an angler wanting to give sot fishing a go or a bushcrafter who fancies a canoe but wants to try one first, etc etc.
If you live within 50 miles of Newcastle, I think he's the only one offering these craft for hire
Even if you don't live in range but are travelling up this way then you could always call in to pick up a boat and travel on to Scotland or where ever
Oh and I didn't get a freebie by the way, I paid for the privilege of getting to try out these boats, as I'd have had to fork out if I'd gone to Brookbank at Carlisle for example.
I'm seriously looking for a sot to buy, so trying out as many as possible will be my goal for the next few weeks or even months.
I'll be popping back down, to hire a boat for some fishing/exploration over the next couple of weeks and I'll keep you informed of how I get on
I hope someone finds this both interesting and maybe helpful too, it might not seem "bushcrafty" but I can certainly see the possibilities not just for coastal exploration trips and fishing expeditions etc. but also for fresh water fishing/paddling and even light weight paddle/camp trips.
cheers
Steve
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