What are some good sea kayaks to complete a solo thru run?

[Jason Jones]

Dear paddlers,

I want to do a paddle from Everglades City to Flamingo sometime this coming winter, and I currently don’t have a kayak large enough for such a trip. Right now I am using a recreational 13’ kayak and it works great for day paddles or just camping out a night or so, but it won’t be able to hold myself, my gear, food, and the ton of WATER required for a longer trip.

Therefore, I am researching touring kayaks so I can add one to my collection and I want to make sure it will be a good fit for week long paddles through the Everglades.

I am 6’3’’, 30 years old and weigh 205 pounds.  I guess I would be considered a large guy, but not fat… so I’m going to need a boat better suited for tall/broad guys.

Kayak Fari, what kayak do you use? I see a yellow one in a lot of your photos, but can’t tell what it is and I couldn’t find the info on your website.

Anyone else who has done a solo thru trip in a sea kayak have suggestions or care to share what kayak they used or wished they had used?

Right now I am leaning towards an Epic 18x http://www.epickayaks.com/product/product/epic-18x

[Jay]

Sounds like a good plan.  The rest of my fleet.  The one on the left is for sale.  Does not have enough volume for what you want to do.  The one on the right is what my wife currently takes on everglades trips.

[Jason Jones]

Those are beautiful! Did you build them?

[yakmaster]

Jason

They're beautiful, well crafted and FAST.

And pretty as they are, they can take a beating!

[yakmaster]

If you're looking at the squall, go a foot longer & get the Storm. Reach out to Florida Bay Outfitters, they were selling a bunch of used ones, but they might all be gone.

[Terry]

Vintage Grummans !!!

Flamingo-Collier Seminole SP through trips, down Shark Slough, too many times to count down

Taylor Slough, a number of times through the Lost Portage, Pahayokee, you name it, my

ancient Grummans (one was bought used in 1967) have carried me,

and continue to carry me, to the back of the backcountry.

The 2016-17 paddling season starts mid-October !  

[Flex Kayakfari.com]

Terry ambles on, seemingly effortlessly, yet deceptively quickly in his canoe! :)

Paddling the Shark River slough

What's in store for 2016/17 ??

Terry said:

Vintage Grummans !!!

Flamingo-Collier Seminole SP through trips, down Shark Slough, too many times to count down

Taylor Slough, a number of times through the Lost Portage, Pahayokee, you name it, my

ancient Grummans (one was bought used in 1967) have carried me,

and continue to carry me, to the back of the backcountry.

The 2016-17 paddling season starts mid-October !  

[Amazon Bill]

I was walking to my car just now, Friday after work and I swear I heard the words "October 2017 Paddle". Then I opened up EEN and sure enough, the words were spoken by Flex. Lets do it! "Gentlemen start your paddles".

[Jay]

Yes I did.

Jason Jones said:

Those are beautiful! Did you build them?

[vivian]

Jay is an artist and Everglades explorer, he knows boats. I have paddled the coast with touring kayaks and also sit on tops starting in the mid 90's. I currently have a sit on top for quick fishing trips but my touring is from a solo canoe. I find that with a cookes custom cover, I can manage big water which is typical of crossing large interior bays with a full load.

http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/solocover.htm

Packing and loading a canoe from backcountry sites is very easy and with no where to really get out and stretch or go to the bathroom, the solo canoe wins IMHO for backcountry touring. I have also done the coast from flamingo to Everglades city and there, the kayak wins. Although, with planning some alternative routes to give you wind protection, it can be done with a solo canoe with cover.

The canoe requires more experience with technique and the ability to sit and kneel (tuck legs under seat) using a comfy pad gives you so much comfort on long days when you can't get out of your boat. So, it all has to do with these issues and how much your body can stand sitting all day in a boat.

[Kim Gass]

I've paddled several craft over the years. From a 15 foot Colden Nomad to a Hemlock Peregrine canoe, a RapidFire pack canoe to my current Mad River Monarch, My husband generally likes his kayak except when unloading from a chickee. The canoes are no problem and yes moving around changing positions is a plus.  we have gotten better at getting out of our boats and knowing where we can do that without sinking.

We don't do through trips but loops from either end. Frankly the WW bores me. We can carry water for ten days. Sometimes the two liter bottles get stuck in  the bow of the kayak.

I too have CCS covers but frankly seldom use them even on the Gulf.. 

[Dave Briggs]

Jason, entering this discussion late but I am in Sarasota. I have a P&H Cetus and a couple of Old Town canoes if you want to try them out some time. Check out Sweetwater Kayaks in St Pete too.

[Jason Jones]

Hey Guys, 

I tried out some boats, took some classes, and finally found the one that will work best for me. She is a 19'1" sea kayak. Made in Finland in 2003 and used once. Then it sat in a garage until I bought it used a week ago for $2k less than he paid-- YAY for Craigslist. There was a small chip in the gelcoat at the tip of the nose, which I have repaired. I also replaced the deck lines and bungees because they were old and the elastic was aging. I don't know exactly how much weight she can hold, but it's a lot. Definitely more storage and accessibility than the Epic 18x I was originally looking at.

I brought it out to Cape Romano (YouTube Video Here) this last week and spent a night on the sandbar. I have named her "The Baltic Beast" because of her Finnish heritage and large size. I can't believe the amount of crap I fit in this thing! In addition to my 3-person tent, inflatable sleeping pad, two pillow, and two insulated lunch box coolers-- I also had 4 duraflame logs and a full size coleman camping chair. Fully loaded and with the skeg down that thing was like a tank. 

Thank you again for all the input! 

Here are some photos!