I want to start to kayak or canoe with my dogs this summer... which is safest or more suitable?
Any tips or ideas?
Answers:
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How about telling us how big the dogs are?I go flatwater kayaking with my 18 pound terrier (very well trained!) in a 12' Wilderness Systems Pungo. It's very stable, with a big cockpit and plenty of room for a small dog. If you have very quiet, well trained dogs, you could use a canoe - but in my experience they're a lot more tippy when the dog gets up on the gunwhales to bark at the seagulls. Better to go with a tandem kayak and let the dog have his own seat.
Whitewater canoeing would be unsafe and kayaking would be impossible - the dog wouldn't be very happy sealed inside under your spray skirt.
I hope you're really good at wet exits and self-rescue techniques. If you have to worry about righting and bailing your boat, saving yourself AND your dogs if you dump - well, good luck! I wouldn't paddle alone if I had my dog with me and I'd make sure he had a good doggie life vest. Practice a lot in shallow water and paddle near shore so that if the dog has to swim for it, he'll have a chance.
Can you explain 'apparent wind' in sailing terms?
Pick a large dog. Sometimes setting on top of a small pooch can be very dangerous in the rapids. It's best to have a two large dogs because if one gets tired you can jump to the next one, just like the pony express riders.How do I remove barnacles from my boat hull? I need to paint the hull.?
I would try the canoe first, a kayak is shallower and may not have room for a dog or dogs.What is the most economical method of shipping a surfboard?
IN experience i would say canoeing is more safe because you can keep your self stable in a canoe by shifting your weight from side to side and in a kayak you just tip and then you have to unbuckle your self so you are held under the water mfor longer.What are the differences between a 420 and a 470?
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If you take yor dogs, definatly try a canoe first. They are wider and largley more stable. If your dogs are small, you can try a kayak. I take my chihuaua with me all the timeMore Questions & Answers...