How will I transport the kayak on the car if it is longer than the car?
How fast can I drive with a kayak or canoe on the car?
Won’t the carbon paddle attract lightning in the water?
Can I get down and into the kayak from the water?
What kind of roof rack do I need for a sit-on-top kayak?
Are there sit-in kayaks for fishing?
Can I test the kayak/canoe before purchase?
What are the advantages of composite and polyethylene kayaks?
Won’t the fiberglass kayak break on impact?
Is there a paddle to the kayak?
What is the main advantage of your sit-on-top kayaks?
How do I choose the right kayak or canoe for me?
How to store the kayak? How do I extend its life?
Can I use a transport trolley with pipes going through the scupper holes?
Are the kayak hatch covers watertight?
Can I put a heavy kayak on the roof rack by myself?
How will I transport the kayak on the car if it is longer than the car?
This is generally not a problem. You are allowed to transport oversized cargo by tying a red rag. Regardless of the car model and kayak length, the kayak does not stick out in front, but only behind the car. Every kayak will stick out behind the car! Whether it sticks out 1 m. or 1.40 m., it doesn’t matter! You have to remember that you have an oversized load especially when parking, especially if you are reverse parking against a wall. In everything else, you drive as you always have, as if you had nothing on the car, if the kayak is secured well.
How fast can I drive with a kayak or canoe on the car?
If you have crossbars and a dedicated kayak carrier, the answer is: as much as you drive with and without anything on the roof, if you obey the speed limits. With our sit-on-top kayaks or canoes, a dedicated carrier isn’t even necessary. They can be carried directly on the crossbars with the bottom up.
If there is a strong crosswind and the car feels unstable, reduce speed. The kayak or canoe on the roof is an additional area for the wind. By the same token, at higher speeds you will also have significantly increased fuel consumption.
Won’t the carbon paddle attract lightning in the water?
There is a lot written in the forums on this topic and it invariably gets watered down because the proponents of both theses are right. Theoretically carbon threads increase the likelihood of attracting lightning, but in practice this likelihood has not been calculated by anyone yet. Statistics don’t help either, because in a century there have been only a few documented cases of kayakers (or surfers, or fishermen) being struck by lightning, with whatever paddles. The reason is that most sensible people get out of the water or don’t get in it at all in a summer storm. Besides, we’re talking about probabilities, i.e. being in the water doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll get struck by lightning, or that if the paddle isn’t carbon, it can’t happen to us. And if we’re on shore, well.. the lightning will still either hit us or it won’t 🙂
Can I get down and into the kayak from the water?
With sit-on-top kayaking, it’s a “must have” pleasure. When you jump out of the kayak, especially if it’s a single one it’s likely to tip over. As you climb in, flip it over again first. These kayaks cannot sink or fill with water. It’s important to board properly:
- stand horizontally, clapping your feet
- grasp with both hands the near and opposite side of the kayak
- pull the kayak under you by pushing on the opposite side
- when you have pulled yourself onto the kayak and are in a balanced position, turn around and sit down.
Don’t try to board by just grabbing the near side with both hands. It is possible that the kayak will spin and the opposite board will hit you!
In sit-in kayaking things are more complicated. There are different techniques for boarding: cowboy boarding through the stern; with the help of another kayak; with aids like paddle float and others. All of these techniques require practice to master and apply them in different (all) conditions. As the subject is vast, we will tell you and show you more if you visit us or join one of our kayak-trainings.
What kind of roof rack do I need for a sit-on-top kayak?
No special kayak carrier is needed. It is enough to have crossbars on the car. Sit-on-top kayaks are placed directly on the crossbars with the bottom up. If you wish, you can put soft pads on the beams if they are made of pure metal.
Are there sit-in kayaks for fishing?
Yes, we offer factory equipped for fishing sit-in kayaks. See kayak for fishing! In addition, we can retrofit almost any kayak with fishing accessories such as rod holders and an anchor system.
Can I test the kayak/canoe before purchase?
Yes, see more about the conditions on the “Kayak Testing” page!
What are the advantages of composite and polyethylene kayaks?
The polyethylene kayak has the following advantages:
- More durable under strong impact
- Lower price
The composite kayak has the following advantages:
- It is stiffer, so the energy put into paddling is more efficiently converted into movement
- It’s harder, so the hull is harder to scratch and less visible. The scratches are shallow – usually only the gel coat is scratched
- Repairs are easier and cosmetic defects can be removed completely – similar to repairing a car bumper or car paint
- And after 20 years the shape of the kayak will be the same as the day of purchase. It is not susceptible to thermal deformation, can be tighten more firmly on the roof rack of the car, lie on a protrusion for a long time and at high temperatures without the material changing its memory and deforming permanently
- Lower weight
- It is very smooth, which reduces resistance
- Aside from the expensive polyethylene kayaks, the technology in making composite kayaks allows for sharper transitions in kayak shape and more precise detail and finish.
These advantages are principled, but there is a difference from technology to technology and from manufacturer to manufacturer. For example, P&H’s polyethylene kayaks approach the stiffness of their composite counterparts, Tahe (formerly BIC) have the stiffness of ABS material. Perception kayaks have the smoothness of a composite kayak.
Won’t the fiberglass kayak break on impact?
It depends on how strong the blow is. Yachts are made of fiberglass. Car bumpers are made of fiberglass. You’ve probably hit a car lightly from behind or a peg, then come out and wonder how the bumper is still strong. You felt the impact and you know the car has a lot of mass. Yours, along with the kayak’s mass is considerably less. In the water you weigh even less, and your speed is limited. To break the material, you have to deliberately look for the strong adrenaline rush, like playing in the surf in rough seas next to rocks, so that the force of the wave sending you onto the rocks is added to the mass and speed of the kayak.
Don’t be surprised if you see most adrenaline seekers in YouTube videos in similar situations with composite kayaks! And no, that they don’t damage them. They fix them, and that’s easy – like car bumpers, and then again… Whoever got on the right composite kayak for them doesn’t get back on a polyethylene one!
In conclusion: the composite material of the kayak can be broken, but it is very difficult to puncture!
We’ve seen the kayak Freya Hoffmeister used to circumnavigate Australia – bitten by a shark. Although damaged, the material had held up without being punctured. And our personal kayaks are made of fiberglass, come and see them!
This video is also interesting.
Is there a paddle to the kayak?
We stock a wide variety and different models of paddles. Sometimes we do promotions by offering kayak with paddle packages. As a rule, however, we prefer to advise you and offer you the right paddle for you, your paddling style and kayak. Packages often limit choice, not to mention the common practice of offering cheap and uncomfortable paddles in a kayak package. Many people come to us after such a purchase to choose a paddle because the paddle is no less important than the kayak! See Choosing a kayak paddle.
What is the main advantage of your sit-on-top kayaks?
Most sit-on-top or SOT kayaks are generally not very long (under 4.5 m). With a short and wide kayak to achieve a straight line course is technically and technologically challenging. To not have good tracking means that the kayak turns left and right with every stroke, and when you stop paddling, it turns. That is, after every break you have to apply extra and redundant effort to get back on course.
The kayaks we offer have a pronounced and complex keel that stabilizes the tracking. And this is our most important competitive advantage!
In longer models of e.g. fishing kayaks, the hull is often similar to that of sit-in kayaks and gives an uncompromising tracking. That, plus a wealth of equipment.
It should not be forgotten that the materials, technology and quality control in the manufacture of the kayaks we offer is at the highest level!
How do I choose the right kayak or canoe for me?
All sections in the Help are aimed at making your choice easier. You can also ask us by filling out the following consultation request and we will recommend the best kayak or canoe for you.
How to store the kayak? How do I extend its life?
The most important for the long life of the kayak is its proper storage and transportation. Polyethylene kayaks can warp if clamped too tightly on the rack for a long time, especially in summer. The material has a “memory” and if deformed a little, regains its shape on its own. To keep it from deforming too much, don’t use ratchet straps, only straps with buckles. If the kayak stays in the parking lot for a long time, loosen the straps.
For storage it is best to use a harness, with the kayak hanging on a rib and the harness running close to the cockpit where the kayak is strongest. Another option is to buy a factory kayak rack. See more in“Kayak Storage.” While all of the polyethylene kayaks we offer are premium quality and have UV inhibitors, it is recommended that the kayak be kept in the shade or covered if stored outdoors for long periods of time. This will also prevent or at least slow down the fading of colours over the years.
Can I use a transport trolley with pipes going through the scuper holes?
At your own risk! The openings running from the deck to the bottom can be a weak point of the kayak. If you are not careful when “targeting” the holes when placing the kayak on the cart, you can puncture the material. When towing alone over very rough terrain, vibrations can break the holes. We recommend an ECO S type transport cart that is suitable for all kayak and canoe models.
Are the kayak hatch covers watertight?
Not absolutely! Most paddlers don’t get it because under normal conditions the covers don’t let water through. But when surfing big waves, repeatedly capsizing, and in fast-flowing rivers, a negligible amount of water can get through. We recommend that luggage be placed in dry bags if the kayak will be used in these conditions. With composite touring and sea kayaks, water ingress is also less likely in severe conditions.
Can I put a heavy kayak on the trunk of the car by myself?
Yes, this is not difficult. Otherwise we would hardly be selling single fishing kayaks successfully especially. There are different ways. We’d be happy to demonstrate how it’s done, as long as when we get it up, the kayak stays on your car 🙂 See for example the factory system with an Extension arm to put the kayak on the car from Eckla. There are other options in the category “Transportation” .
Petar Doychinov
