Hi Peter, this video brings back old memories as i must have gone down the same stretch of canal hundreds of times in a canoe/rowing boat during the fifties, when i was a teenager working for the Obray family who owned the boating lake at the time. I have not been on the canal since those days. Graham
Hi Graham. Thanks for the comment - As it was the first time in my kayak I felt this was the best option and its nice to know you did the same thing - what did you do for the Obray family to end up using the canal! Intrigued. Flying Spectacular on 12th / 13th so not far away perhaps we can meet there?
Hi Tom. If you look at the videos I have on my channel I always try to reply as I think it’s not only help I can give in the reply but it’s really common curtesy to reply. The video you viewed was made some time ago and I’ve made many since and even I’ve lost count of how many I have made now and I have tended recently to do more with pictures than video but I still have lots who look a it’s great to get the replies from people - such as you - taking the time not only to view the video but to say you enjoyed it. Regards to you sir and have a good Christmas. Peter
@@brucepeter2007 good one .. Peter a question if i may pal...im doing inverness to fort william in april .. with my daughter 16 year old .. do you think this kayak is suitable ... iv taken the paddle info on board too cheers
@@tomhughes5123 Hi again Tom. As you’ve seen on my first video the kayak is great for any general paddling as long as you just potter along it slides through the water nice so it will be fine for your daughter as long as you just don’t try to push it as when you do that’s when you realise it’s not a speedboat. Nice and steady and it’s a great kayak so ideal for you. I now have a motorhome and can’t get mine on the top so looks like mine will have to be sold on unfortunately. If you get the chance try to get your daughter to do the one star 🌟 kayak course as it will help her know what to expect and how to cope if things go wrong so she won’t panic - best to be prepared. Don’t go for a blow up type kayak for touring as they are ridiculously bad at staying in a straight line and don’t slip along in the water well. I do hope you will enjoy you paddle together. Hope this helps you. Regards Peter
@@brucepeter2007 thanks peter , we wont be racing .. she lives in the water .. im sure shes half fish , shes done diving courses so shes relaxed but i will look into a few lessons for her ..thanks again .. i lived in a motorhome for months up the highlands ... brilliant hope it goes well bud
Hi Trev. It would be great to tie up. I am hoping to get out on the Royal Military Canal tomorrow to explore and see what that's all about. I hope my information about the parking / launch point are valid - fingers crossed it works out. Regards Peter
a real fun video Peter .What a great time you had and clearly it was mega relaxing no matter what the weather ....I enjoyed your 'babble' as you call it .Sort of felt like there lol Oddly enough I am looking into buying a narrow boat for in UK wit a view to eventually living on ! Love boats and it is one more thing Germany doesn't allow ie ) living on and heaven forbid ,travelling on a narrow boat ! Great stuff. Will write to your in box later re a thing for your camera .May or may not help ... Greetings , Helena
Hi Helena. I have a friend who until recently lived on a large barge and still brings over barges from the continent to convert into houseboats. Its a good way to live but not so good getting on / off when you get older! If you want to get about its a great way to do it in the UK as our canal systems were developed to a high degree and are so under used now... Glad you liked my babble. Regards Peter
Peter Bruce fascinating re your friend . Well as you know I broke 2 vertebrae, and smashed my knees 2013 but still did a boat holiday in Manchester .. Not brilliant but am getting there ..Want to relocate you see .So many houses have stairs but take your point . Love canals and always have .Must be the gypsy in me ..Look forward to more of your canoe stuff
Hi. I'm thinking of having a go at using a kayak ( canal use only) I've found the exact same model as this for sale local and want to view it but have reservations !!If I may ask how did you gain your 1st experience ? Like you I'm a complete novice ( never tried it) and I'm wanting to sail the Kennet & Avon canal and maybe wild camp. I can't find anywhere local for a couple of lessons . Regards Alan
Hi again Alan. I did a one star kayak course first before I got in my kayak so I knew what to do and how to stay out of trouble - one of the best things about the course is that they tell you what you need to do if you capsize the they make you capsize and get out safely. All the time there is help on hand so you feel secure. Best to do this as most clubs run the course. Regards Peter
GREAT VIDEO!! You need to get your okole over here some day and we can go and chase some whales, or visa versa............. What's the water temp in the canal just in case you huli? (roll) I was out on the water at 530 this morning, watched the sun coming up over Haleakala as I headed down to Polo Beach and back. Bit different over here, but just being on a kayak, (20 foot long, 17 inch wide surfski in my case) and out on the water does lift the spirits, And it's cheaper than Guiness!!! Aloha from Maui Thomas
Hi again Thomas. This is a new venture for me and I went for a sit in type because the water over here is COLD - sea around 11c at this time of year so a sit on top would also put you in our cold winds. Hope to venture on the sea shortly but have a lot of respect so staying very close to shore. Cant seem to tie up yet with any one else as its safer in numbers... Thanks for the comment. Regards Peter. - your lucky its sooo warm where you are - like bath water I recon...
I liked the Flex 11, but at 190lbs it had too little volume for me. It's okay for relaxed paddling, but when you want to push it to go faster, the nose digs in (as you reach further forward for the more powerful stroke) and slows the boat down. Just thought this was a point overlooked in the video (unless I missed it). I'd say 170lbs is the limit for paddler weight, or just accept that it's never going to be a particularly fast boat (too short and wide for speed anyway) - rather, it's compact, stable, forgiving and beginner-friendly, with a big cockpit for easy entry/exit. Hope that helps someone.
Hi there.The Flex was my first kayak and the paddle on the canal was my first try after having kayak training. The comment I made in the video that to go twice as fast needs 4 times the effort (if I remember the words right) would explain the digging in you refer to. As it stands I am only a recreational paddler as you can see from the videos I posted on my site so I just tend to pace myself so I dont ache the next day. The other factor for getting the Flex was its reduced length as stroge is an issue where I live. Thanks for your comment. Happy paddling to you.egards Peter
Hi Peter, this video brings back old memories as i must have gone down the same stretch of canal hundreds of times in a canoe/rowing boat during the fifties, when i was a teenager working for the Obray family who owned the boating lake at the time. I have not been on the canal since those days. Graham
Hi Graham. Thanks for the comment - As it was the first time in my kayak I felt this was the best option and its nice to know you did the same thing - what did you do for the Obray family to end up using the canal! Intrigued.
Flying Spectacular on 12th / 13th so not far away perhaps we can meet there?
nice one Pete .. good to hear someone answering peoplesquestions ..for that alone i enjoyed your video
Hi Tom. If you look at the videos I have on my channel I always try to reply as I think it’s not only help I can give in the reply but it’s really common curtesy to reply. The video you viewed was made some time ago and I’ve made many since and even I’ve lost count of how many I have made now and I have tended recently to do more with pictures than video but I still have lots who look a it’s great to get the replies from people - such as you - taking the time not only to view the video but to say you enjoyed it. Regards to you sir and have a good Christmas. Peter
@@brucepeter2007 good one .. Peter a question if i may pal...im doing inverness to fort william in april .. with my daughter 16 year old .. do you think this kayak is suitable ... iv taken the paddle info on board too cheers
@@tomhughes5123 Hi again Tom. As you’ve seen on my first video the kayak is great for any general paddling as long as you just potter along it slides through the water nice so it will be fine for your daughter as long as you just don’t try to push it as when you do that’s when you realise it’s not a speedboat. Nice and steady and it’s a great kayak so ideal for you.
I now have a motorhome and can’t get mine on the top so looks like mine will have to be sold on unfortunately.
If you get the chance try to get your daughter to do the one star 🌟 kayak course as it will help her know what to expect and how to cope if things go wrong so she won’t panic - best to be prepared.
Don’t go for a blow up type kayak for touring as they are ridiculously bad at staying in a straight line and don’t slip along in the water well. I do hope you will enjoy you paddle together.
Hope this helps you. Regards Peter
@@brucepeter2007 thanks peter , we wont be racing .. she lives in the water .. im sure shes half fish , shes done diving courses so shes relaxed but i will look into a few lessons for her ..thanks again .. i lived in a motorhome for months up the highlands ... brilliant hope it goes well bud
@@tomhughes5123 Enjoy your trip Tom.
I just got a Flex 11 today!!! Great video. Thanks
Thanks for making a comment.
It’s a good size - not too big or small with storage and comfort.
Regards and stay safe. Peter
Great video Pete. Hopefully you will have me as a kayaking buddy soon! PS I have never seen that bridge before! Can't wait to explore.
Hi Trev. It would be great to tie up. I am hoping to get out on the Royal Military Canal tomorrow to explore and see what that's all about. I hope my information about the parking / launch point are valid - fingers crossed it works out.
Regards Peter
a real fun video Peter .What a great time you had and clearly it was mega relaxing no matter what the weather ....I enjoyed your 'babble' as you call it .Sort of felt like there lol Oddly enough I am looking into buying a narrow boat for in UK wit a view to eventually living on ! Love boats and it is one more thing Germany doesn't allow ie ) living on and heaven forbid ,travelling on a narrow boat ! Great stuff. Will write to your in box later re a thing for your camera .May or may not help ... Greetings , Helena
Hi Helena. I have a friend who until recently lived on a large barge and still brings over barges from the continent to convert into houseboats. Its a good way to live but not so good getting on / off when you get older! If you want to get about its a great way to do it in the UK as our canal systems were developed to a high degree and are so under used now... Glad you liked my babble. Regards Peter
Peter Bruce fascinating re your friend . Well as you know I broke 2 vertebrae, and smashed my knees 2013 but still did a boat holiday in Manchester .. Not brilliant but am getting there ..Want to relocate you see .So many houses have stairs but take your point . Love canals and always have .Must be the gypsy in me ..Look forward to more of your canoe stuff
Hi. I'm thinking of having a go at using a kayak ( canal use only) I've found the exact same model as this for sale local and want to view it but have reservations !!If I may ask how did you gain your 1st experience ? Like you I'm a complete novice ( never tried it) and I'm wanting to sail the Kennet & Avon canal and maybe wild camp. I can't find anywhere local for a couple of lessons . Regards Alan
Hi again Alan. I did a one star kayak course first before I got in my kayak so I knew what to do and how to stay out of trouble - one of the best things about the course is that they tell you what you need to do if you capsize the they make you capsize and get out safely. All the time there is help on hand so you feel secure. Best to do this as most clubs run the course. Regards Peter
GREAT VIDEO!! You need to get your okole over here some day and we can go and chase some whales, or visa versa............. What's the water temp in the canal just in case you huli? (roll) I was out on the water at 530 this morning, watched the sun coming up over Haleakala as I headed down to Polo Beach and back. Bit different over here, but just being on a kayak, (20 foot long, 17 inch wide surfski in my case) and out on the water does lift the spirits, And it's cheaper than Guiness!!!
Aloha from Maui
Thomas
Hi again Thomas. This is a new venture for me and I went for a sit in type because the water over here is COLD - sea around 11c at this time of year so a sit on top would also put you in our cold winds. Hope to venture on the sea shortly but have a lot of respect so staying very close to shore. Cant seem to tie up yet with any one else as its safer in numbers... Thanks for the comment. Regards Peter. - your lucky its sooo warm where you are - like bath water I recon...
Hello Peter - How do you do :-) are you in / around Kent? Jonathan (Ashford)
ah you are on the Isle of Sheppey!
Roger - Eastchurch...
I liked the Flex 11, but at 190lbs it had too little volume for me. It's okay for relaxed paddling, but when you want to push it to go faster, the nose digs in (as you reach further forward for the more powerful stroke) and slows the boat down. Just thought this was a point overlooked in the video (unless I missed it). I'd say 170lbs is the limit for paddler weight, or just accept that it's never going to be a particularly fast boat (too short and wide for speed anyway) - rather, it's compact, stable, forgiving and beginner-friendly, with a big cockpit for easy entry/exit. Hope that helps someone.
Hi there.The Flex was my first kayak and the paddle on the canal was my first try after having kayak training. The comment I made in the video that to go twice as fast needs 4 times the effort (if I remember the words right) would explain the digging in you refer to. As it stands I am only a recreational paddler as you can see from the videos I posted on my site so I just tend to pace myself so I dont ache the next day.
The other factor for getting the Flex was its reduced length as stroge is an issue where I live. Thanks for your comment. Happy paddling to you.egards Peter
The capacity is 264lbs not 190lbs...not sure where you got that figure from
Yes it does. Thank you
What kayak would you recommend for a beginner that hasn't that kind of problem?
Nice one mate.
+Richard Wells Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your comment.
Regards Peter