LIP GRIPPER
AND ACROSS SOFT SAND. PHOTO: DUSTIN DOSKOCIL
LARGE PNEUMATIC TIRES ROLL OVER OBSTACLES
Green Camo
Desert Tan Camo
[R IGG ING]
HOT WHEELS T
2014 H2O KAYAK FISH
• Poly Pro/Glass Filled Blades • Fiberglass Shaft integrated tape measure
• Lightweight 34 oz • Lengths up to 250cm • MSRP $159
www.h2opaddles.com
TAKE EASY STREET TO THE LAUNCH WITH A KAYAK CART
he evolution of the kayak from a feather-light sealing baidarka to a Mad Max fishing chariot begged a means of getting it around. Our boats are beamy and heavy and a bitch to schlep from
rack to water. To this end, a number of different cart styles have evolved and vie for our attention. I prefer a cradle style, center-mount cart. No scupper carts for me. The bias reflects my concern with damaging a scupper. I once paddled off the remote tip of Cape Scott with a boat gradually filling with water because of a structural leak. Use a scupper cart with care and you should be fine, but who treats his fishing kayak with care? A kayak cart can weigh anywhere from seven to 17 pounds. A lighter unit will pull easier over
obstacles, and many smaller units can even be stowed aboard, but there is something to be said for full size, heavy-duty models. Look for a cart built out of lightweight aluminum or hard plastic with quality hardware and fewer moving parts. Just because a manufacturer’s specs say the cart can handle 100 pounds doesn’t mean it will carry the kitchen sink. Use this rule of thumb: the greater the capacity, the tougher the cart. Wheels and tires get a lot of buzz. When it comes to looking for performance wheels—for a fluid roll over the roughest and softest ground—pneumatic wheels are the benchmark. Wider tires will make easy work of sand while narrower tires will pull easier and take up less room in the car trunk. At the other end of the spectrum is protection—hard plastic or foam-filled tires will last for generations. For anglers exploring distant waters, the thought of a disabling puncture is enough to make their decision. If you regularly traverse narrow trails, woods or dense brush, consider the overall width of the cart. A wide base creates a more stable platform but is more difficult to negotiate narrow passages. No matter the style of cart, it should roll easily and hold your load securely. Today’s fishing
kayaks are too big and heavy to drag around. Load your kayak on a high-quality cart and you’ll never look back. Rob Lyon is an adventure journalist and author from San Juan Islands, Washington. He is never ashamed to take easy street.
DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to learn how to get the most from your kayak cart. 34…KAYAK ANGLER
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80