Sites or wild spots by waters edge?

[Vanterrier]

Norfolk Broads ?

Kielder?

 

[Canalsman]

PH Lowsonford. You can probably launch into the canal from the pub garden. I can't remember but @Canalsman can probably tell you. Good beer and good food as well.

Sorry, no idea!

 

[QFour]

 

[wildebus]

I'm thinking inland rather than by the sea. So lakes or reservoirs really. Not sure where our tour will take us this year but I'm hoping to do a bit more kayaking than last year. I'm talking UK really. Chances are we will head to either the South West or up to the Scottish Western isles. Looking for a few days enroute to stay either by a lake or reservoir where I can literally drop the kayak into the water from where the vans parked. I know a couple in the Lakes but I can drive there in 45 min from home so further afield really.

Can't walk far with the kayak now due to knee issues

saying lakes or reservoirs, but what about rivers?

funny you should post this question as I was thinking the same thing, to use my Kayak maybe on the Tweed, which is around 1/2 mile from me and there are a few places where people park up their car to go fishing, but could possibly be an easy walk to the river bank?
there was a POI in Kelso which was on the river side (so much so it has been flooded a few times since I've been here) but there is a sign saying no overnighting - but you could overnight elsewhere and "drive and drop" in the morning?
PS. The bit of the tweed I am talking about is fairly wide and shallow and is basically the English-Scottish border, rather than the higher bit of the tweed which is narrow, rocky and likely not kayaking water

 

[wildebus]

Lochore country park campsite Wildebus took his Kyakak on the loch most days

definately recommend that (and will return within a few weeks I am sure).
less than a 5 minute walk to the water from the reserved Motorhome section and very easy launch.

 

[barryd]

saying lakes or reservoirs, but what about rivers?

funny you should post this question as I was thinking the same thing, to use my Kayak maybe on the Tweed, which is around 1/2 mile from me and there are a few places where people park up their car to go fishing, but could possibly be an easy walk to the river bank?
there was a POI in Kelso which was on the river side (so much so it has been flooded a few times since I've been here) but there is a sign saying no overnighting - but you could overnight elsewhere and "drive and drop" in the morning?
PS. The bit of the tweed I am talking about is fairly wide and shallow and is basically the English-Scottish border, rather than the higher bit of the tweed which is narrow, rocky and likely not kayaking water

Rivers are great but finding a slow enough stretch is not always easy. Done a few rivers in France but always on a hired kayak where you get picked up down river. The Sevylor I have is a great Kayak but it's not much cop at battling against a current upstream.

 

[wildebus]

Rivers are great but finding a slow enough stretch is not always easy. Done a few rivers in France but always on a hired kayak where you get picked up down river. The Sevylor I have is a great Kayak but it's not much cop at battling against a current upstream.

This is why I have been put off trying the Tweed so far. However ... In the stretch I am by, you see fisherman sitting in rowing boats in the middle, not moving, and some just standing in the water a fair bit out and not looking like they are being pulled at all.
Some parts are a bit more flowing of course and not so long ago in Kelso a girl drowned after, I think, falling out her boat/canoe. being shallow, I guess a hard helmet would be advised in case of tipping over and hitting head on the river floor.

 

[barryd]

This is why I have been put off trying the Tweed so far. However ... In the stretch I am by, you see fisherman sitting in rowing boats in the middle, not moving, and some just standing in the water a fair bit out and not looking like they are being pulled at all.
Some parts are a bit more flowing of course and not so long ago in Kelso a girl drowned after, I think, falling out her boat/canoe. being shallow, I guess a hard helmet would be advised in case of tipping over and hitting head on the river floor.

I guess slow deep stretches can be found. However the chances of finding some where you can park a motorhome overnight are pretty slim. As said though there is always the option of taking the kayak to any spot of water on the scooter. I'm just more and more reluctant to do that as blowing it up then putting it all away again is becoming a bit much so I tend not to bother unless it's somewhere special.

I'm at Flamborough head right now. Would love to take it out there but it's just off limits as I can't get it down to any of the beaches. I'll probably take it into Bridlington though at some point.

 

[wildebus]

I guess slow deep stretches can be found. However the chances of finding some where you can park a motorhome overnight are pretty slim. As said though there is always the option of taking the kayak to any spot of water on the scooter. I'm just more and more reluctant to do that as blowing it up then putting it all away again is becoming a bit much so I tend not to bother unless it's somewhere special.

I'm at Flamborough head right now. Would love to take it out there but it's just off limits as I can't get it down to any of the beaches. I'll probably take it into Bridlington though at some point.

100% understand not wanting to have to inflate/deflate when using the scooter. I would not do that either.
personally speaking, I would not go on the sea or a tidal water. Memories of getting stuck on a windsurfer in Wakefield and having to get towed back and getting futher and further out to sea off the coast of Barbados in a sailing dingy (next stop Africa!) has made me wary!

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Why not take a pump which blows and sucks.

Que smutty comments.

 

[wildebus]

Why not take a pump which blows and sucks.

Que smutty comments.

it isn't just the inflating and deflating but packing up and unpacking. An inflatable kayak is not a small thing that fits in a backpack - and then you have the paddles, the seat, life preserver, etc. I unpack mine and inflate it and then leave it setup for the duration (in fact, I didn't even pack it away last time - I just partly deflated enough to put in the shower for the drive home).

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I see, I can't swim so the concept is not for me, I'd be well fooked if it went down on me.

 

[wildebus]

I see, I can't swim so the concept is not for me, I'd be well fooked if it went down on me.

You know, Puds, not being able to swim would not stop you (assuming it is not a fear of water that stops you swimming). I can't remember the last time time I went swimming (well, actually I do thinking about it .... Verdant Leisure Holiday Park, Dunbar in November 2021).

However, if you take Lochore in Fife as an example, there is a fair amount of the water that if you went out in a Kayak and IF you went in the water you could stand up and walk back to shore it is that shallow. The draft needed for a kayak is literally just a few inches.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Nah, not afraid of water, I drink loads, and am known to have a shower or a bath if forced, it's drowning I am afraid of.

 

[barryd]

I've had the Sevylor on the sea a fair bit from the Scottish isles to the Mediterranean. You need to watch the tides and weather forecast though. Especially up In Scotland or here on the North sea. An outgoing tide with a strong offshore wind is not a good combination. I was amazed how stable the Sevylor Madison is. I would go as far to say it's more stable than a rigid kayak and less likely to roll over. But it's slow in comparison and hard to paddle against a strong current or a really strong wind.

It's nice to find a spot you can leave it blown up though and they seem few and far between. Especially if your a campsite dodger like me .

Arran is pretty good for that though. One or two good spots. If im up Lochranza way I just leave it on the jetty overnight tied to a post. Not many places you would dare do that though. They are £400 new.

 

[Robmac]

I've had the Sevylor on the sea a fair bit from the Scottish isles to the Mediterranean. You need to watch the tides and weather forecast though. Especially up In Scotland or here on the North sea. An outgoing tide with a strong offshore wind is not a good combination. I was amazed how stable the Sevylor Madison is. I would go as far to say it's more stable than a rigid kayak and less likely to roll over. But it's slow in comparison and hard to paddle against a strong current or a really strong wind.

It's nice to find a spot you can leave it blown up though and they seem few and far between. Especially if your a campsite dodger like me .

Arran is pretty good for that though. One or two good spots. If im up Lochranza way I just leave it on the jetty overnight tied to a post. Not many places you would dare do that though. They are £400 new.

I really must get out on my Sevylor Colorado this year Barry. I can even stick my electric outboard on the back of it if I'm feeling lazy.

 

[Fazerloz]

I see, I can't swim so the concept is not for me, I'd be well fooked if it went down on me.

I really don't want to think about owt going down on you.

 

[runnach]

I store my two person Sevylor inflatable canoe in one of these boxes. Carefully deflated and folded, all inflatable parts fit inside. Even if still wet, no issues.
Paddles break down and fit into one of those long plumber type canvas bag. Suits and buoyancy jackets, boots, fit into my waterproof diver dry bag.
Storage box is brilliant though, double as a seat if required.

 

[wildebus]

I've had the Sevylor on the sea a fair bit from the Scottish isles to the Mediterranean. You need to watch the tides and weather forecast though. Especially up In Scotland or here on the North sea. An outgoing tide with a strong offshore wind is not a good combination. I was amazed how stable the Sevylor Madison is. I would go as far to say it's more stable than a rigid kayak and less likely to roll over. But it's slow in comparison and hard to paddle against a strong current or a really strong wind.

It's nice to find a spot you can leave it blown up though and they seem few and far between. Especially if your a campsite dodger like me .

Arran is pretty good for that though. One or two good spots. If im up Lochranza way I just leave it on the jetty overnight tied to a post. Not many places you would dare do that though. They are £400 new.

I have been looking for an lock/alarm to provide some security but not found anything that is not setoff by simple motion, so not a lot of use on a motorhome. I tend to put the still-inflated Kayak on the cycle rack and then use a bike chain to go around it. It would make it awkward for anyone to remove it compared to just a couple of straps.

 

[QFour]

Rivers are great but finding a slow enough stretch is not always easy. Done a few rivers in France but always on a hired kayak where you get picked up down river. The Sevylor I have is a great Kayak but it's not much cop at battling against a current upstream.

You need tidal rivers. You go up or down with the tide. Wait for it to turn and then head back. We took our yacht up the Thames. The engine would chug along nicely at 5 knots but with a 4 to 5 knot tide you just stood still. So you go up with the tide. Stop and wait for the next tide to take you the rest of the way.