Monday, April 20, 2009

Fun with Old Town Kayaks

By Toby Johns

People have been forging their way across the waters as a means of travel for literally thousands of years. Old Town Kayaks has been fashioning their means to do so with kayaks since 1940. Inspired by the design of canoes fashioned by Native Americans, Old Towne began creating kayaks using sealskin design, wood and canvas to develop their kayaks.

Beginning in the 1950s, the manufacturing moved onward to the use of lightweight fiberglass. Now, in the new century the kayaks are produced with durable PolyLink3 and SuperLink3. With all these different styles, how do you determine what is best for you?

Kayaks are different than canoes, as they allow you to easily maneuver yourself in the water with double bladed paddles. You can travel faster and closer to the water for better stability. When you are thinking of your purchase, have in mind what you are to use the kayak for. The size, weight, cockpit, capacity and materials will all be important to your final decision as well.

If you're solely interested in recreational kayak use, there are a plethora of models that provide user-friendliness and are ready to plunk down into the water. Also, day-touring kayaks have great tracking ability; they're stable and highly efficient. Kayaks with open cockpits are built for quick and easy entry and exit. Families and sportsmen will enjoy the day tour models.

You may want to consider getting a tandem kayak if there are two of you ready to traverse the waters. These types of kayaks are terrific for all kinds of bodies of water. Lightweight and stable fishing kayaks come with features that work well for those who enjoy fishing and kayaking together. These kayak models have the same anatomy: Shock cord deck riggings, cockpits, deck hatches, and even carrying handles.

Constructed in Maine, Old Town kayaks are manufactured by a company that fully cares about producing kayaks that fit everyone's taste and style. While shorter kayaks tend to be lighter and have greater maneuverability, longer kayaks provide a pleasurable experience in cruising and travel in open water. Longer kayaks are also preferred over shorter kayaks for overnighters and day trips. Wider boats are ideal for photographers and fishermen becuase they provide a more stable experience. Narrow boats are preferable for those planning on farther excursions. When considering the purchase of Old Town kayaks for sale, also be sure to check out the bottom layer of the boat, which is also an important component to consider.

Flat bottom kayaks will add comfort to your journey through calm waters. Shallow arch bottoms will work well in choppy waters. When you need to improve tracking over the waters, the V-bottom may be the choice for you. Kayaks will vary with the sides that are built, as well. When the sides have curved inward, you have found yourself a tumblehome design. This design forms a narrow kayak. Flared sides will allow the kayak to withstand sitting deeper in the water. Materials for Old Town kayaks include 100% recycled plastic, polyethylene and a variable layer boat.

One of Old Town's popular kayak models is the Digio 106 Angler. This kayak lies low to the water, making it easy for fishermen to silently navigate through the water. As you'd expect in a fishing model, this kayak includes handy rod holders. The Vapor 12xt angler model comes with day well, and includes storage for such items as iPods and your GPS. You can go just about anywhere you want in the Vapor 12xt! Meanwhile, the Adventure and Cayuga kayaks series are great for those looking to embark on day tours. These models provide the kayaker with features that are ideal for adventurers setting out on overnight excursions.

Old Town kayaks have made strong headway into the kayak market over numerous past decades, and they'll certainly be around for many more. The company prides itself on Native American craftsmanship on which their earliest models were patterned. They will certainly have little problem competing in the future as they build upon their reputation for high-quality, easily affordable kayaks for the entire family. - 16887

About the Author:

No comments: