We finally got to try out our "new" inflatable kayak on Saturday. Several months ago, we came across a used Innova Helios inflatable tandem kayak at a marine consignment shop. It was a bargain we couldn't pass up. Each time we've gone off on a trip in Speedy, we have stayed where we wished we'd brought our kayaks along, but we could see no way to carry them efficiently.
The inflatable solved the problem. It stores in a bag the size of a large backpack. The bag even has backpack shoulder straps, so you can carry it although its a bit of a load at 35 pounds. It can be stored in Speedy, but we are keeping in our trailer, Son of Speedy. It is our toy hauler for this trip with both motorcycles, both mountain bikes and the kayak, along with all their accessories, hiking gear and other bits and pieces tucked inside.
The campground on Davis Bayou, MS, seemed like a good place to give the boat its initial launching. The park even has a nice boat launching area with docks and ramps. Unfortunately, the launching ramp isn't very near the campground. It is not far away, but a bit too far to walk with the boat, paddles and life vests. It seemed overkill to disconnect Speedy from the trailer or to offload the motorcycles, so we decided to bicycle over to the ramp. We bungeed the paddles to Ellen's tail rack and she wore her life vest. I stuffed my vest into one of my tail bag panniers and wore the kayak as a backpack. Off we went to the ramp...without falling over.
It took a while to get it all together as we'd only inflated the kayak inside the house to see if it was okay. We also had an audience. The campground hosts were very interested in an inflatable kayak and watched intently as I pumped it up. We also needed to build some footrests. The original ones, inflatable tubes which go into the kayak, were missing from the boat when we got it.
Using swimming "noodles" (those long foam tubes) were suggested and we picked a couple up while shopping in Pensacola. They needed to be cut to the width of the boat and, since they we not very wide and rather flexible, I decided to bundle a trio of pieces into a larger triangular footrest. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten to bring tape to hold the bundle together. Our camp host to the rescue—out of his car came a couple of rolls of duct tape, one in the same shade of blue as the noodles.
With kayak inflated, footrests installed and paddles assembled, and accompanied by a bit of wobbling, we got ourselves into the kayak for the first time in the the water. Off we went, rompin' in the swamp, Ellen in the front seat with me in the stern. Our paddling synchronization left a lot to be desired, but we didn't tip over.
Our first impression was that it was not quite as initially stable as our hard solo kayaks and it was a bit harder to get it to track straight, although how much of that was due to the kayak as due to our lack of skill is unclear. A rear skeg or rudder is available for the kayak and it looks like one could be pretty easily fabricated. It is on our update list when we get home. The noodles didn't seem to work well as footrest and the inflatable ones, which also act to stiffen the kayak, are available, so we may order them when we get back.
We paddled into the various small arms of the bayou near the boat ramp and over to the visitor center boat house. There was a pretty interesting selection of birdlife on the water that we were able to pass close to including great blue herons, horned grebes, pelicans and a loon. We paddled out towards the bay as well, almost up to a marina next to the park, where we spotted a large hawk in a dead tree along the waters edge. It was most likely a red tailed hawk, but lacking binoculars, we couldn't get a close look. The wind came up as we went out, so we decided to head back to the ramp. We didn't go up into the main channel of the bayou...something about a resident alligator.
When we got back in, Ellen peddled off to see if Harry and Sally wanted to give it a go. Harry came back with Ellen and they took it for a quick circuit in the area off the ramp. Out of the water, it deflated much more quickly than it inflated with Harry's help. It folded quite easily and fit back into its pack. We strapped the paddles back on to Ellen's bike, I hefted the kayak onto my back and it was back to Speedy for snacks and recuperation.
Photos
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