American Survival Guide – October 2019

36 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [OCTOBER 2019]

SOURCES

Hobie

(760) 758-9100

Hobie.com

Old Town Canoe

(800) 343-1555

OldTownCanoe.com

Oru Kayak

(415) 630-3717

OruKayak.com

Wenonah Canoe, Inc.

(507) 454-5430

Wenonah.com

Their drawback is that they are not designed

for carrying large loads, like a canoe can.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE

As with canoes, there are many different

styles of kayaks, with each having a specialty

and as with canoes, you have to ask yourself

all of the questions to find out which one is

going to work best for you.

As this article is not covering whitewater

or racing, I will stick with those kayaks that

work best in flat water. There are basically

four types of kayaks that fall into this group:

sit-on-top, recreational, touring and inflatable.

Of those four we will concentrate on the sit-

on-top, recreational and inflatable. I will also

mention folding kayaks.

SIT-ON-TOP

Sit-on-top kayaks are the ones that I like the best. They are easy to get in and out of, and they

generally are wider and more stable, which is why they are the ones used for fishing. Due to their

design, the deck is mainly exposed, allowing you the ability to carry gear, or that deer you were

able to harvest. There are drawbacks to these kayaks. First, due to the width and relative short

length of about 12 feet, they do not move as fast or handle as well as longer kayaks. Another

drawback is that because of the exposed deck, items you are carrying will tend to get wet. The

answer to that problem is the use of dry bags.

Two very good examples of the sit-on-top kayak are the Hobie Quest 11 and the Hobie Mirage

Compass. The Quest measures 11 feet and is 29 inches wide with a total carrying capacity of 300

pounds. The Mirage Compass measures 12 feet long by 34 inches wide and has a carrying capaci-

ty of 400 pounds. The Compass also has foot pedals that allow hands-free propulsion.

RECREATIONAL

Recreational kayaks are generally sit-in, meaning that they have a cockpit. They fall some-

where in size between the average sit-on-top and the much longer touring kayaks. Storage is

provided in enclosed compartments. This can be an advantage or a drawback. The compart-

‹ Left: The Hobie Quest

11 is a mid-size kayak

that is stable on bays,

lakes and flat water. It

has three storage com-

partments protected

by hatches and bungee

cords that allow you to

secure additional gear

on the deck behind the

seat. Photo courtesy

of Hobie

‹ Below: When

canoeing or kayaking,

it’s always a good idea

to cover up to prevent

sunburn.

› Near right:

The Wenonah

Minnesota II

canoe is fast and

seaworthy, has

seating for two and

can carry heavy

gear. It’s available

in four styles with

weights as low

as 42 pounds.

Photo courtesy of

Wenonah Canoe