river touring

[landcruiser]

Interested in making a mulitday trip down the Buffaloe and carrying a little gear. Thinking about using my Habitat 74 but I wonder if it'll wear me out. Anyone have some thoughts on a good long kayak I could slip down the river in? Anyone have one they are tired of?

[Lupe]

Hey -

Don't know if you could make it down to Little Rock tomorrow night (Tuesday night) for the Central Chapter meeting at the Oyster Bar, but Jeremy Mackey will be sharing video/slides of his self supported kayak trip in the Grand Canyon...if he did it there, surely you could do a couple days on the Buffalo! They all used Liquid Logic XP's.

Of course the other answer is: a CANOE! I'm a kayak whitewater junkie, but I have a couple solo canoes that I just love to take on rivers like the Buffalo...great for camping out of. Of course...probably not what you wanted to hear!

Cheers,
Heather

[Richard]

While the Habitat 74 is definitely not the boat of choice for a multiday float on the Buffalo, anything is possible. If you are concerned about it wearing you out, it depends on whether you are a marathon runner or not. A temporary solution may be to go with a group and let a canoeist take some of your gear. Maybe swap boats to allow you a breather. Better yet, as Heather mentioned, the best solution is to add a canoe to your boat collection. There simply is no substitute if you plan to do a lot of multiday trips.

[okieboater]

I do not own one, but from what I read and hear

a XP10 may be the boat you are looking for

right now they are a hot boat and finding one to borrow might be next to impossible

However, I have paddled a lot of flat water in creek boats. True you are not going to be in the front of the pack, just paddle at your own pace.

Every kayak seems to have it's most efficient speed. Find yours and just back off a little and enjoy the scenery.

To find the best speed for energy required. Start paddling as hard as you can, then start backing off the paddle strokes till you find the place the boat goes forward close to the best speed with the least amount of paddle strokes.

Most kayaks I have paddled reach a point where no matter how hard I paddle the boat just does not go any faster. No need to wear yourself out just coast along. another thing I see is not taking into account a boat's "glide". Some glide further between paddle strokes than others. Find out your boats best glide and you can relax a bit between paddle strokes.

[Mike_P]

I've been considering the same issues. I have a tandem canoe but I don't like lugging it around if it's just me. Have considered a LL XP10 or Jackson All-Water 10. Probably be a while before I can pick up a used on.

[Regud]

I just sold my Dagger Approach 10 today and picked up a 14' canoe.

[Owl]

I've tried two kayaks for river touring and am now of the mind that a lightweight solo canoe is the way to go for rivers like the Buffalo.

IMO, a canoe offers a lot more flexibility in what you can take plus it's easier to get in and out of for swimming, exploration, etc.

[Mike_P]

Ryan & Brad are you guys talking about solo "whitewater" canoe or something with less rocker designed for more class I streams & flatwater. Something like a solo Buffalo? Thanks.

[Owl]

MP:

I'm talking about something like a Mad River Freedom Solo or a Bell Yellowstone Solo. Not whitewater boats but something with a little bit of rocker for maneuverability in Class II water.

[Richard]

Now you are talking my language. . . Canoe.
I have a Wenonah Argosy solo, Prospector tandem and Discover 169 tandem. These tandems, because they are symetrical can be paddled solo. The solo can not be paddled tandem. Consequently, to me the logical choice would be a tandem. If I had to choose just one, I really like the Wenonah Prospector.

[Stan]

I really like my Wenonah Vagabond. This solo canoe tracks well and can handle Class I-II water although it tends to be wet in the bigger waves. It easily holds the gear needed for a week long trip on the Buffalo. The Vagabond is my preferred boat when paddling the Buffalo from Kyles on down.

"Stan" AKA Margaret Bartelt

[Mike_P]

How does my Buffalo tandem canoe & the solo Buffalo canoe compare to those?

[gnick4]

Look at the two brother's canoes. I just got the 16' that has 4" rocker and it was great on the water yesterday. I loaded it down yesterday just to see how it handles and had no problems. Once I learn how to paddle, it seems like it will be a lot of fun.