Kayak's

burgess caravans in bathurst have a range of kayaks including fishing ones. I do prefer canadians but I know they are too heavyfor one person to get on a roof. And yes I have a vested interest my son works their, but he is an avid kayaker and fishes as well
Cheers Pete

Dunc,

If you don't need to paddle far, one of those sit-on-top plastic jobs are very stable so you can quite easily tackle-up without having to worry about balance. Being plastic, they stand a bit of knocking around and are light enough for one bloke to handle (ie put on roof rack) I do a lot of sea kayaking with a Mirage which are built to paddle distance and speed. But those smaller ones (I go one for the kids) are great fun in small surf too.

Actually, just Googled the Swing and it looks a pretty good compromise. I'd say you're pretty much spot on for a fishing vessel. I reckon it'd be better for paddling a bit of distance and looks pretty stable too. The one I mentioned is like a shorter version of the Swing. Lighter, cheaper but hard work to paddle distance.

Yep I agree with Dunc, one one of those sit-on-top kayaks are great IF you don't have to travel far. I have a Australis Platypus ( 4.3m long x 60cm wide ) with a rudder, nice and stable and good as an all rounder. In my short experiences of kayaking, shorter and wider for fishing,white water and short distances, longer and narrower for long distances.
Some manufacturers/retailers offer a try before you buy ( Ausralis do ) of a variety of kayaks. This way you can try it and also see how it fits your racks.
PS I have no affiliation with Australis as I bought mine second hand.

Russell.

Dunco ,

I have an old dunga glass job I made for whitewater touring many years ago . I bolted a taclebox and a rod holder to the deck . It works well , but I think the wide tupperware ones are the go if your buying a new one ( although they are much heavier than my
dunga ).

Kayaks are great for roaming around Oz - weigh bugger all and you just leave them on the roof until you need them . Last time I was at Running Waters and Carrawine Gorge , I paddled around for hours and had a great time .

I think there is a big canoe shop near Narrabeen , one at Drumoyne and one at Taren Point . There are probably others too .

Willie

We have used two Australis Bass kayaks for years, great for casting lures out of in small streams, not much good for large dams etc. Only weighs around 15kgs, and tough enough to bounces down the rapids

G'day,

Have you considered an inflatable kayak, I have been using a Stearns inflatable kayak for about 5 years, only takes a few minutes to inflate and just folds away. They are very durable. I use the kayak to fish for trout. I usually walk up stream sometimes dragging the kayak and then paddle back. Elliminates the need to have it on the roof.

What about a Porta Bote

Previous thread on them

Cheers Kev

Dunco I can vouch for the swings ability as a solid fishing platform. Quite good through the water as well.

If you need some more info on kayak fishing head over and chat to the lads and lasses at Kayak Fishing Down Under .

Have a look at the Hobie Kayaks. They use a pedal drive that is absolutely brilliant and leaves the hands free for fishing. You will find you can go further and faster using your legs than you can paddling. We have two of them and have easily outpaced two or even three scouts in a canadian. A few of them were the older ones who actually know how to paddle too.

Tim.