Do you kayak?

[Hokie LX]

My girlfriend and I have gotten into kayaking this summer. I originally had a Wilderness systems Tarpon 120 and bought her a Perception Pescador 10 but it didn't track well and was uncomfortable so I picked up a Tarpon 140 for myself and gave her my Tarpon 120. All for screaming deals on Craigslist. Taken them out a few times on the rivers around Falls Lake. We don't fish in them, more just cruise around and hang out. The sit on tops are nice because we can hop on and off of them into the water and use them in the ocean with no worries. I'm probably going to bring them to Portsmouth Island this year as well.

 

[stevezero]

Love my tarpon 140. Owned it since 2009 or so. Keep an eye on the National Park Service website and Facebook groups for Portsmouth and Cape Lookout Natl Seashore, as well as Morris Marina. As of today, they are still assessing the damage to the ferry docks and if they will have to dredge. Also are determining the level of damage to the cabins.

 

[Hokie LX]

Love my tarpon 140. Owned it since 2009 or so. Keep an eye on the National Park Service website and Facebook groups for Portsmouth and Cape Lookout Natl Seashore, as well as Morris Marina. As of today, they are still assessing the damage to the ferry docks and if they will have to dredge. Also are determining the level of damage to the cabins.

Yeah I'm keeping an eye out from afar. Hoping for an update sometime in October as to whether the trip is still happening or not. Luckily I was planning to camp so it wouldn't deter me if they were damaged during the storms.

 

[JohnVee]

A word of advice about kayaks at PI...if the wind and waves are mild, don’t waste any time. It won’t be that way for long. You’ll probably want to put in near where the ferry docks on the sound side and explore there since it’s mostly wilderness that you can’t access any other way. I’ve always missed my calm weather opportunities there. Put in at Cedar Point ferry dock last year when we got there a day early. Lots of canals, easier exploring.

 

[Hokie LX]

A word of advice about kayaks at PI...if the wind and waves are mild, don’t waste any time. It won’t be that way for long. You’ll probably want to put in near where the ferry docks on the sound side and explore there since it’s mostly wilderness that you can’t access any other way. I’ve always missed my calm weather opportunities there. Put in at Cedar Point ferry dock last year when we got there a day early. Lots of canals, easier exploring.

Yeah, my plan was to only use them in the sound side if at all and just putz around. Not planning on heading into the surf.

 

[stevezero]

Depending on if they have to dredge, and if they have working septic systems for the bathhouse areas and cabins, they may or may not be able to open the islands up to people. they are also surveying debris along the shoreline and dunes.

If you do take the yaks, be prepared to watch the tidal charts and current. 2 hours of fighting an incoming or outgoing tide gets old in a hurry. Throw in 10 to 15 kt headwind, and youd rather be at the dentist getting a proctology exam, or at the proctologist getting a dental exam.

Our 3rd trip over to Cape Lookout, we tried to put up our tent at the south point. it was honkin at 20 to 25 kts sustained, gusting over 30. even shielding the tent with the truck wasnt working. we had to drive back up to the cabins, and reserve one for a few nights

 

[amay3]

Thought I would revive this thread.
It is very annoying to have the State Parks shut down right now, especially with two teenage boys at home. Last week my Office Manager mentioned that she drives by Jordan Lake every day, and a ramp on Fearrington Road is still open. Hmm.... By chance I found a guy selling a 2nd gen Tarpon 160i. The 160i still had the "tupperware" hatch cover and this one came with a pedal actuated rudder. The 160 was originally based upon a racing hull, and the early models weigh in a 65 lbs - about 15 less than the current 160 which has been larded with new features (reminds me of the evolution of the 64.5 Mustang). Anyway, boat has been living under a deck for 10 years. Cleaned her up yesterday. Inaugural cruise this morning at dawn.

 

[uzj100]

I found a kayak. It is in hickory. Picking up soon.