canoes/kayaks

Hi Chas,

Congratulations on your decision to invest in a Canoe or Kayak!

You'll have many many hours of pure pleasure in one of thease boats - they are great.

My wife and I bought a Dagger Drifter Kayak each last year, and we just love them! I've outfitted mine for fishing, which I do a fair bit, and we also go paddling together, and with friends who bought Kayaks also. We go everywhere from the Campaspe, and the Yarra - to Western Port, and Port Phillip Bay. And that's just for starters :-)

Without a doubt, the best place to go for any canoeing or kayaking equipment, training or advice is Canoes Plus.

They are located at 140 Cotham Rd, Kew Victoria 3101. Phone, 9816 9411. Email, canoes@canoesplus.com.au , and website: www.canoesplus.com.au

They are they Australian dealers or Dagger boats - that's what we bought, and they are remarkable craft.

Even if you aren't in Melbourne, give them a buzz - you won't find a group more knowledgable about canoes and kayaks, and I'm sure they will point you in the right direction.

Cheers,

Luke.

Chas, Also consider the inflatable ones if space is an issue. The Sevylor SVX range are resonably priced and made of the same material as Zodiac inflatables (Parent company) so pretty tough. I have recently bought an SVX200 but have not yet tried it out, plenty big enough for 1 adult & 2 kids. You can see them here http://www.pacificsportsmarine.com.au/Sevylor/default.htm
Cheers

Chas, you can have a lot of fun in canoe's and Kayaks. I also have a Dagger but mine is an Edisto. Most clubs or organisations will be able to help you and provide different models to try or hire. I would recommend a plastic one as they are lighter, more stable and stronger (almost indestructable) From memory there is one called a Loon that is an open cockpit and the kids could stand on the side and jump in the water and it still would not tip over. With girls that age, you will have to do most of the paddling.
If you need more info, click on my photo and my E-mail address is there.
Enjoy it.Nil Taurus Excretus

Good for you Post. I think the girls are a bit young to be in kayaks on their own so I would feel happier to see you all in a plastic canoe making sure of good buoyancy vests. Kayaks make them too insdependent for their age just yet.

The skills they will learn will stand them in good stead for many times and the bonding will be teriffic too. They will ultimately learn the independence you want and good decision practices. Can help them learn risk too

I have bought quite a bit of gear from Canoes Plus as Luke suggests. There used to be a Board of Canoe Education too for schooling in canoe and kayak practises but they would not have kids under 14 if I remeber right, but made exceptions if the kids had experience, like my 12 year old at the time. Now he is 29 o was a while ago! if you are in Victoria the canoeing Victoria site may be of interest http://www.canoevic.org.au/

Have canoe will travel too Post, really good reliable transport when they gain confidence. I have seen inflatables Post. Seen them fold in embarrasing circumstances and potential to get into trouble if a wind catches them on a lake too. Can happen on the bays too. They may have changed but the principle is the same, light and portable.

The calm water you suggest is great gorunding but watch the offshore winds with small people.

A Canoe would probably be a better choice at present.

The added feature of being able to whack an elecky motor on it if need be.

Coleman make a damn fine canoe. My parents have had a Coleman for just over 20 years.

We have a Coleman Scanoe which hubby and I and daughter go camping on the Murray River
We have a small Honda outboard on the back which we also use. We do paddle a lot but if the current is strong and you get tired getting back home the motor is a blessing
Hubby left it to me to buy the outfit as he is to busy to look at little things like that so I had to do a lot of research as I knew nothing about canoes but fancied one for camping
The Coleman Scanoe has proven the ideal unit and some of our friends have now changed over to the Scanoe

I don't know where you are based but have a look at spiritpaddle.com.au, they are Perth based. I just bought 2xCTR's on special (under $700 though I think the price has just gone up).

Howdy all!

Theres no doubt that Canoes Plus have some great gear & well educated 'paddlers' to tell you about it. They are the specailists.
..... but if price tag becomes a factor & you have a fair idea what your looking for, check out Capacity Sports ( Bay Rd, Cheltenham, Vic - i think ). They have a wide range of goodies, some expertise & been around a long time.

Also, secondhand places 2 look: www.adventurepro.com.au (message boards), www.otms.com.au (4 sale) & of course the Trad Post.

Hit the H20!