So the girl got me a kayak for Christmas. It is just one of the cheap 8 ft ones that they sell at walmart. It is what I wanted due to the small size. I am a surfer, commercial diver and have decades of experience on the water. I am aware that with a kayak this size that there will be distinct advantages and disadvantages. Believe me that I know not to take this thing on some expedition. Just mainly want to the hit the flats and creeks. The main advantage that I see is that I can put it in the truck without the need for strapping it down and due to the size is very portable. A distinct disadvantage would obviously be the weather conditions, sea state, and range on something this small. I took it out last Sunday when it was mirrored glass. Put in on the Cooper at Riverfront Park and paddled for about a mile then took it to Cosgrove on the Ashley and paddled for about 2 miles. I timed the deployment from truck to water (with fishing gear) at about 4 minutes. So I consider this another advantage.
First thing that I did before I took it out was install 2 inch cleats in the event I need to tie to something. I went to Berlins and got some cutting board material and installed it horizontally in the front of the cockpit for a little bait bench, and drilled holes in it for net and rods. Behind the seat there is a hollow space with no access, so I cut a hole in it and installed a 4 inch pvc sleeve and a screw cap for access. My folding grappling anchor will fit in there. All the work that I did was using pvc, stainless and 5200 so I think that the craftsmanship that I did was pretty good.
What the hell else am I missing or what do I need to be aware of or look for? I grew up around canoes and the first thing that I would do was sink the (**() thing so I knew how it would handle if that ever happened. You can still get in and paddle a sunk canoe if you can’t right it for some reason. Do you guys think that I should try this in a pond or something with the yak? I would really like to be prepared for
