WANTED 2 man inflatable kayak

[DAVEY]

I remember reading that about drying them out being an issue. Ive not noticed the problem though with mine. I tend to if I can just leave it out in the sun deflated and keep turning it over but not always possible and you can never get all the water out. Mine just gets left in the van over winter but so far (touch wood) its not emerged all mouldy or smelly. I wonder if they are treated or something now. Last time it was used would be last Autumn in the North Sea. It might if the weather is right get an outing on Ullswater shortly. It will prove me wrong this time I bet and turn out to be minging!

Would be great to get a few days away with it though. By the way, if you are using yours on rivers, canals etc do you have to have a licence? Ive never used mine on the rivers etc. Least not in the UK.

Only if You get caught!
Seriously though You do need a licence for most inland waterways, rivers and canals, also third party insurance.
British Canoeing membership entitles you to use nearly all of these and also includes third party insurance.

On The Water Membership

Paddle UK’s On the Water membership is your gateway to the waterways. Giving paddlers instant access to the most comprehensive and best-value waterway licence available. Plus insurance, top tips and a…

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

I have been asked by Lock Keepers on the Thames if I have a licence for My boat, and showing My BC membership card kept them happy.
As it's personal membership rather than a boat specific licence I'm also covered in My kayak and rigid canoe.
I don't know about lakes and reservoirs I think that depends on who is responsible for looking after these.
Some places, Rutland Water for example, didn't allow inflatables at all when I was last there.

 

[barryd]

Only if You get caught!
Seriously though You do need a licence for most inland waterways, rivers and canals, also third party insurance.
British Canoeing membership entitles you to use nearly all of these and also includes third party insurance.

On The Water Membership

Paddle UK’s On the Water membership is your gateway to the waterways. Giving paddlers instant access to the most comprehensive and best-value waterway licence available. Plus insurance, top tips and a…

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

I have been asked by Lock Keepers on the Thames if I have a licence for My boat, and showing My BC membership card kept them happy.
As it's personal membership rather than a boat specific licence I'm also covered in My kayak and rigid canoe.
I don't know about lakes and reservoirs I think that depends on who is responsible for looking after these.
Some places, Rutland Water for example, didn't allow inflatables at all when I was last there.

£45 seems a no brainer for all that. I never bothered as Im either in the sea, the Lake district (no licence required) or on mainland Europe but Im wondering now if we dont get away in the van if it would be worth having some days out on some of the rivers. There are stretches of the lower Tees around Yarm and the Ouse around York. The Tees up here is more white water and popular with Rigid Kayaks but there is a big stretch of quiet deeper water over towards Teesside. I think Kielder water which is about an hour and a half north of here doesnt allow inflatables either. Its a shame here also as we have about half a dozen large reservoirs within half an hour of here and none of them allow Kayaking.

 

[barryd]

I hope its not mouldy!
Apparently I do need a license but it's quite expensive, so I thought I'd see where we like to paddle best.
Do I not need a license for the ullswater and the like? We aren't too far from the lakes.

Nah you dont need anything for Ullswater. Just go and launch although some of the launch sites might be restricted right now. I know the car park at Glenridding is open and that is perfect. Its the car park for the steamers right down the bottom end of the lake. You are literally right next to the lake. You used to be able to launch at Park Foot campsite at the Pooley Bridge end as the road that goes through the bottom half of the site down to the lake where there is some parking has public access but my guess is it will be closed. There is Howtown half way down the lake the same side as Park foot and you can pull into the side of the road and launch there but its tight for parking. Get there early.

I know every inch of Ullswater like the back of my hand. Had boats there for years, its 45 min from here with a good wind. Hopefully we will get over there this week so will report back.

 

[Deleted member 75250]

I will await your report.
Look for good places for novices!

 

[barryd]

I will await your report.
Look for good places for novices!

The bottom end of Ullswater, Glenridding would be my choice if you are new to the game. Try and watch the forecast and pick a day where there isnt much wind forecast. Ullswater can be really flukey when it comes to the wind. Howtown Bay is the widest point and its also where the biggest dog leg is and its prone to some really flukey wind patterns. I forgot there is another car park about a mile before you get to Glenridding just the other side of the road from the lake and opposite Norfolk Island. You can easily paddle out to Norfolk Island from there or Glenridding, there are a couple of small islands and coves down that end as well. On a calm day its perfect.

 

[Deleted member 75250]

Sounds good. Now for corona to do one and leave everybody alone!

 

[caledonia]

£45 seems a no brainer for all that. I never bothered as Im either in the sea, the Lake district (no licence required) or on mainland Europe but Im wondering now if we dont get away in the van if it would be worth having some days out on some of the rivers. There are stretches of the lower Tees around Yarm and the Ouse around York. The Tees up here is more white water and popular with Rigid Kayaks but there is a big stretch of quiet deeper water over towards Teesside. I think Kielder water which is about an hour and a half north of here doesnt allow inflatables either. Its a shame here also as we have about half a dozen large reservoirs within half an hour of here and none of them allow Kayaking.

No license required for any Scottish rivers and you can paddle on any open water and we’ve got loads of it. What is it with English restrictions? Rod license, kayak license, not allowed to ride bikes on footpaths no paddling on reservoirs.

 

[Deleted member 75250]

Scotland is on the list!
Any recommendations for novice paddlers?

 

[barryd]

No license required for any Scottish rivers and you can paddle on any open water and we’ve got loads of it. What is it with English restrictions? Rod license, kayak license, not allowed to ride bikes on footpaths no paddling on reservoirs.

Its the "Fun Police" innit. The reservoirs are annoying though as there are a fair few I could ride up to on the Scooter from here. Lovely settings. Fishing on all of them is ok and even sailing is allowed on one of them but not Kayaking.

 

[caledonia]

Scotland is on the list!
Any recommendations for novice paddlers?

Loch Morlich near Aviemore is stunning as is Loch An Eileen.

 

[Robmac]

Loch Morlich near Aviemore is stunning as is Loch An Eileen.

Certainly can't argue with that in either case.

 

[wildebus]

No license required for any Scottish rivers and you can paddle on any open water and we’ve got loads of it. What is it with English restrictions? Rod license, kayak license, not allowed to ride bikes on footpaths no paddling on reservoirs.

interesting. I didn't realise that
I have wondered about that occasionally when I see mad people standing in the middle of the Tweed playing with their rods and wonder if they came in on the English side or the Scottish side

'open water' ... would that include St Marys Loch?

(I could nip down to the Tweed but that blooming river is so shallow (hence people standing in the middle!) I would be too concerned about ripping the bottom out the Kayak)

 

[trevskoda]

So if it is supposedly illegal to carry a motorcycle in the garage of a motorcaravans as they are classed as goods are these also classed as goods as they are not essential for living.

Only items asso with camping,ie awning chairs table etc,me i think it a very thin line,but powered vh are a no no inside van.

 

[caledonia]

interesting. I didn't realise that
I have wondered about that occasionally when I see mad people standing in the middle of the Tweed playing with their rods and wonder if they came in on the English side or the Scottish side

'open water' ... would that include St Marys Loch?

(I could nip down to the Tweed but that blooming river is so shallow (hence people standing in the middle!) I would be too concerned about ripping the bottom out the Kayak)

Paddled St Marys loch.

 

[Farman]

interesting. I didn't realise that
I have wondered about that occasionally when I see mad people standing in the middle of the Tweed playing with their rods and wonder if they came in on the English side or the Scottish side

'open water' ... would that include St Marys Loch?

(I could nip down to the Tweed but that blooming river is so shallow (hence people standing in the middle!) I would be too concerned about ripping the bottom out the Kayak)

I have kayaked the Tweed from Coldstream to Berwick a few times. You are correct about a few shallow sections. Definitely not suitable for an inflatable..

 

[caledonia]

I have kayaked the Tweed from Coldstream to Berwick a few times. You are correct about a few shallow sections. Definitely not suitable for an inflatable..

I’ve paddled from Peebles to Walkerburn a few times but always when there was plenty water in the Tweed and in a rigid.

 

[wildebus]

I’ve paddled from Peebles to Walkerburn a few times but always when there was plenty water in the Tweed and in a rigid.

There looks to be quite a few White Water sections on the Tweed if you go in the Winter (and with a reinforced canoe)
It isn't too bad depth wise around Kelso and where the Tweed and the Teviot join, but don't know where you could launch and exit from?

 

[Farman]

There looks to be quite a few White Water sections on the Tweed if you go in the Winter (and with a reinforced canoe)
It isn't too bad depth wise around Kelso and where the Tweed and the Teviot join, but don't know where you could launch and exit from?

Plenty deep sections on the Tweed. Just be prepared to walk the few shallows. Obviously high water makes it a much more viable experience.
Launch from Coldstream bridge. Exit from Horncliffe bridge if you don't fancy the trip to Berwick.
The Till at Ford is a good section for a bit practice.

 

[barryd]

I once rowed the entire length of the Caledonian Canal from Fort William to Inverness for charity on my own in an 11ft 1955 Norwegian clinker built Dinghy including Loch Ness. Now thats a paddle and a half (unofficial world record, 18 hours). I would love to go back up and do "bits" of it again with the Kayak. Trouble is from memory there are not that many places to stop with the van.

 

[hala]

I'm after a 2 man inflatable kayak please
Not mega expensive though

I use the czech gumotex helios kayak.