Getting Started

So you have the urge to go paddling, eh? What do you need to get started you ask? Well, hopefully I can be of some help. Keep in mind, I don't make any claims to be an expert, either in paddling or the outdoors but I have some practical advice based upon my own experience that may be helpful. First, let me ask a few questions about what you paddling plans may be that may help you decide what kind of equipment you will need.

Where Do You Plan On Paddling?
Are you like me and prefer the solitude of the endless maze of streams of the salt marsh? Or do you prefer the wide-open spaces of the river and ocean. This is an important question as you make the most important decision before you open up your checkbook and purchase an expensive boat. If you are planning to spend most of your time in the inner waterways of the marsh, you may want to think about purchasing a smaller boat, 12 -14 feet.. All of my boats are about 12 feet long and I find that it is the perfect length for the areas where I primarily paddle. It is stable enough to go out in the river or into open areas like the Nassau Sound, or the Gulf of Mexico and yet it maneuvers easily in the tight turns back in the marsh. If you are planning to spend most of your time in more open waters such as the ocean, then you want to get a much bigger boat - 17 feet or longer. Most of the boats classified as "Sea Kayaks" are at least this long.

What Are Your Physical Limitations?
Another important question. I speak from experience as someone who has gone under the knife twice for problems with my back and up until the last five years have spent most of my adult life in considerable discomfort. When I decided to get back out on the water, an open, roomy cockpit was a huge consideration. I need to be able to move my legs around and get circulation in them and you can't always find a place to get out. You sacrifice some things, like power and maneuverability but it is well worth it. Another thing to consider is your size and weight. I'm a fairly large person (6-3, 220) and that was another reason for choosing the boats that I purchased. If at all possible you should always try before you buy.

What Can You Afford to Spend?
You can get started paddling relatively cheaply or spend an awful lot of money - it's up to you. Plastic kayaks start at under $500 and the big fiberglass models can cost as much as $5000. As popular as paddling is getting in this area, you should also be able to find some bargains if you check the classifieds or trader magazines. The important thing to remember is that you don't have to go into major debt to get started. One of the reasons that we, as a family, got into kayaking was because in 1999 we sent our first of three kids to college and needed an inexpensive form of entertainment.

Ok, hopefully the above questions have got you thinking about the things you need to consider before you jump in the water. Now let's get down to the specifics.

The Boat

The McCharen fleet as of fall 2005 - from left to right: Poke Boat, Poke Boat, Perception Montour, Ocean Kayak and Grumman Canoe

Canoes
Canoes are the basic "old fashioned way to paddle". They can be plastic, fiberglass, aluminum or wood. Grumman used to make a pretty nice aluminum boat but, unfortunately, you will only be able to find one used these days. Mad River seems to be a very popular boat. To be honest, I'm not all that up on canoes these days but they are probably the least expensive way to hit the water. The disadvantages are that they can be pretty unstable and hard to handle solo. The advantages are that they are roomy and if you are planning a long camping trip - such as down the Suwannee River - you can't beat the storage space.

The Poke Boat
I'll admit it, I'm prejudiced. The Poke Boat by Phoenix Boats is, to me, the ideal boat for paddling around in the marshes of the Timucuan Preserve. It's small, lightweight, and nearly *indestructible, which is something to consider when you begin ramming unseen oyster beds. It comes in several different models that range from 10' to 16' and can carry two people. They also come with a wide variety of accessories including paddles, outriggers etc.
* While I still think Phoenix Poke Boats make one of the best boats around for this area, I have proven their claim of indestructibility to be somewhat false. After six years and over 300 trips I finally wore a hole in the bow of my Poke Boat. I have patched it and the boat is still very usable but I have moved on to a more standard kayak with a smaller cockpit. I still love my Poke Boat and my wife, Hope, is still going strong with hers.

Kayaks
This is the most popular boat being purchased right now and they offer a wide variety of features and prices. They vary in size and can seat  more than one person and exceed 17 feet in length. They are basically pretty stable and maneuverable but their size means that you may have some problems getting into some of the tighter areas. The cockpits of the true "sea kayaks" are very tight but they make some that are in-between the openness of the Poke Boat and the Sea Kayak.

As I mentioned above - after wearing out my Poke Boats, I bought a Perception Montour 12 footer. It has a cockpit that is much smaller than a Poke Boat but more open than a Sea Kayak and it still allows me the freedom to move my legs around a bit. I love having the front deck closer to me so that I can store things within easy reach but all-in-all I think it is one of the worst boats ever made and would never recommend it to anyone. It has a retractable skeg that should make it track even truer than my Poke Boat but they mounted the seat too far forward and the skeg is useless. As soon as I stop paddling my boat turns 180 degrees and that makes it tough to shoot pictures from. I don't believe this a problem common among kayaks but I will for sure try out my next boat before I keep it.

Sit-On-Tops
Actually these are another type of kayak but instead of sitting inside of the hull as in a regular kayak or canoe, you actually sit on top of the boat. These are great for playing in the surf and getting out on the ocean because they are impossible to swamp. They come in a wide variety from units that resemble a surf board to large two man units that are very stable. They are fun to paddle in and after their initial introduction there are a lot more models available. I personally find the back support very lacking and don't use mine much. They also expose you to the elements so in colder climates or in the winter around here you would really have to bundle up.

The Paddles
Obviously, canoe and kayak paddles differ greatly so you first have to decide which type of boat you are going to purchase.  The biggest difference, other than that, is the materials the paddles are made of. They can be wood, aluminum or some kind of graphite, composite material. The lighter the better and more expensive. The composite models will weigh as little as 20 oz. but can cost $200-$300 or more. It's money well spent if you are planning to spend the whole day out there with a paddle in your hand. Most models will come apart in the middle and the kayak paddles can be adjusted from straight line to various "feathered" positions. If you take them apart, make sure you keep the connection very clean or else they will get stuck in a permanent position. I know this from experience.

Personal Flotation Devices
I found out the hard way that the regulations concerning canoes and kayaks have changed since I first started paddling. Aside from requiring that you have a personal floatation device in the boat with you you are also required to carry a light and a noise making device such as a air horn or a whistle with you. It's a $68 fine - and believe me - they will write you up on a slow day!

It's always a good idea to have a PFD with you regardless of what you think of the rules and I almost always carry one with me although I only wear it when I am in unfamiliar waters or in situations where the conditions dictate it. They make a variety of PFD's that are designed for use in a kayak and are cut so that the bottom of the device will be above the kayak cockpit.

Clothing
Wet and light are the general rule of thumb for clothing. Since here in NE Florida we can expect relatively warm weather for at least 8 months out of the year the best idea is to have lots of layers of light, quick drying clothing that you can add as it gets cooler. If I am going to an area where I know I will be swimming - I wear a swimsuit and a tee shirt. If I know that I am going to be relatively dry I wear "paddling shorts" made of a breathable, quick drying material. A couple of pairs of "convertible" pants made of the same material with removable legs are also handy.

As the weather cools of I begin to add layers of clothing - convertible paddling pants, sweats and even long underwear or fleece tights on the bottom and layers of short sleeve and long sleeve tees topped with a fleece pullover. It's not uncommon for winter days in NE Florida to start out in the 20's and end up in the 60's so it is a good idea to layer your clothing.

Hats are essential in the Florida sun but be sure to wear one with a chin strap. The hat I wear is a "Tilley" and I love it but anything with a wide brim will do.

Footwear is an important consideration. You have to think about getting to you put-in and getting out as well as the journey itself. You'll want something that you can get wet too. I've used a variety of options from "Tevas" sandals to surf socks. If you are planning to do any hiking at your destination you will want to bring along a pair of walking shoes or buy some aqua shoes with good soles. Teva makes a line of water shoes that look like tennis shoes but are made to get wet.

I used to wear gloves only when the weather was so bitterly cold that my fingers would get numb if I didn't. Of course, this made it impossible to take pictures with my gloves on so I began looking around for some fingerless gloves. NRS makes several pairs of fingerless gloves and I prefer the ?? line. I find that they keep my palm warm enough so that I can keep the circulation to my fingers when it is bitterly cold and still be able to operate my camera. I have become so used to them now that I wear them year round and won't be caught without them.

Maps
I generally go out without any kind of map unless I am going to a new and unfamiliar place. I really prefer stumbling around out there blindly and then coming home and figuring out where I was - but that is just me.

Over the years since I began paddling, the information available on the Internet has exploded. There are two sources that I use almost exclusively that I couldn't do without - Terraserver and Google Earth. Both provide access to high resolution satellite photos that are far more accurate than any USGS topo map as far as paddlers are concerned. Google Earth has a very slick navigation and there photos are more up to date than Terraserver's but the latter also gives you access to the topo map of the same area that you can switch to to see the geographic names of the area and roadways. Both programs allow you to measure your routes and it is how I determine how far I travel in my journal.

I highly recommend that you download a shareware program called USAPhotomaps. This program is an interface that download the photos from Terraserver and then stores them on your computer. If you are like me and work in a place that doesn't allow you to browse the internet - you can then call the photos up offline and study them. Both programs allow you to print the photos and both allow access with your GPS.

A laminated map pouch is also a nice thing to have so that you can put your photos or maps in and keep them dry.

Misc.
Dry Bags - These are a great way to keep your stuff dry and they come in all sizes.
Sunscreen - At least SPF 15. I highly recommend Bullfrog - it goes on easier and is less greasy. They make a version now that also has bug repellent.
Bug Repellent - Repel seems to work best. Also try the Thermocells - especially if you are camping or picnicking
Hammocks - This is an essential item! I am lobbying the powers that be to make the term "hammocking" a verb in the English language. They make a variety of lightweight string hammocks but my favorite is a breathable cloth variety called "Send me to the Moon". The name says it all. There is nothing better to do in Florida than to paddle out to a place where you can swim, drink beer, read a book and doze your life away in the warm ocean breezes.
Chairs - The recent invention of the lightweight cloth and aluminum folding chair that comes with its own carrying case is great for paddlers. The basic ones cost less than $10 which is nice since they only last about 1 year in the salt water. They will easily fit inside a kayak or under the deck rigging. Crazy Creek also makes a type of seat that gives you back support while sitting on the ground.
Binoculars - A pair of waterproof ones are essential. I have ?? ??x??
GPS - Not essential and I am holding out on getting one. I think getting lost is part of the fun but it would be nice to have a waterproof one that records where and how far I go.
Cameras - Well, this is what I primarily do. I'll probably eventually create a page that goes into this in more detail but don't take something out on the water that you can't afford to ruin. There are tips and advice I could give on how to keep them dry but - let's face it - since 2000 I have gone through five cameras. Four of those are still somewhat operational (only the 35mm film camera is truly dead) but most have seen the factory at least once for repair.

In Conclusion
Keep it simple!
Be Safe!
Get a Boat! Grab a Paddle! Have fun getting wet!

I can't think of any better advice than that. Kayaking is a fun, inexpensive way to enjoy the incredible natural beauty we are blessed to have in NE Florida. How much you spend is up to you. How much fun you have is also up to you!
 

 

DISCLAIMER :  This web site is my own personal web site and does not express the opinions or views of any other person or organization. Use the information contained herein at your own risk. I do not attempt to represent myself as an expert in the matters of paddling or the outdoors. Note : There are many references to areas where I have noted as pleasant and inviting places to either picnic, camp or otherwise enjoy. Be aware that you do so at your own risk and any violation of trespass laws you do so at your own discretion. Please be respectful of both the environment and other people's property. Note : I find it really sad that I have to even include a statement like this!