Your Questions About Pelican Kayaks

Jenny asks…
sit-in kayak question?
I have been searching for a highback seat for my pelican sit-in kayak. Im starting to believe they dont exist. I can only find seats for sit-on-top kayaks. Need help to know if what im looking for exist or where to find it? It does not need to be for a pelican exactly, just some standard sit-in kayak high back seat.
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Brad Selers answers:
I'd suggest reconsidering the need for a high back seat. Most high backs (such as the ones in sit-on-tops) put you in a reclined position that's terrible for paddling. Besides preventing you from having an effective forward stroke, the reclined position is less stable than sitting up.
First make sure that you're well-fitted into the kayak. The balls of your feet should be resting comfortably in the foot rests while your back is in contact with the back rest. If you press your feet into the foot rests, you should feel pressure on the back rest.
Ideally when paddling, you'll be sitting up tall, maybe leaning slightly forward. If you're not used to this, it can be tiring, so try it for short periods of time. Difficulty in sitting up or leaning forward can often be due to tight hamstrings, so make sure to warm up and stretch your legs well before paddling.
If the back rest in your kayak is flimsy, then you need a sturdier one, not necessarily a higher one. Here are links for a couple sturdy backbands:
http://www.immersionresearch.com/products/accessories/reggie/
http://snapdragondesign.com/products-page/?category=10
Or, as suggested, you could carve your own out of solid foam. I have a foam backrest in one of my kayaks, it's only about 4 inches high, and it's one of the most comfortable ones I've used.
If you do really want a high back, you may need to see if one made for a sit-on-top can fit in your kayak. Some come with both the seat and back rest, but you should be able to find some that consist of just the back rest. You'd probably need attachment points at the back of your kayak's seat as well as somewhere on the sides of the seat near the hips.

Helen asks…
Will the hole in the top of this kayak affect it's performance???
http://cgi.ebay.com/KAYAK-pelican-ramx-ecllpse-116-dly_W0QQitemZ120250513478QQihZ002QQcategoryZ36122QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If i can get it pretty cheap and the hole won't affect it then I think it would be a great deal for my first kayak and something to take out into the Bay here in St. Pete, FL...........please tell me what you think.........
thanks,
Keith
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Brad Selers answers:
Keith,
If you were planning on paddling protected water only (water that is protected from wind and chop), I would say the hole would not be a problem.
But you said you wanted to take it out into the Bay. Bays and Sounds can, at times, can go from calm to a rough chop in a very short time. Storms and strong winds can develop and move in quickly during the Spring and Summer months taking your paddling experience from easy to very challenging.
You would not want to be in that kayak when the chop on the water is lapping over your boat and into that hole.
That kayak is not designed for open water anyway.
Just remember, the extra money you spend on good gear may save your life.

Betty asks…
How to plan for an overnight Kayak/Camping Trip?
My two friends and I are starting to plan for a 2 day one night kayaking/camping trip. As far as kayaks go we are looking at buying some entry level Pelican Potomac 100 Kayaks. Will these be big enough to hold the supplies needed (food, small backpacking tent, water, small sleeping bag)? We haven't bought anything yet but are prepared to shell out quite a bit for this. Are their any suggestions as far as specific supplies go or any general advice?
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Brad Selers answers:
Rather than buy cheap flimsy kayaks, why don't you rent a couple of good touring kayaks instead? You don't say where you are planning to paddle so it's hard to give you more advice than that. The Potomacs have no flotation or bulkheads and one small storage hatch that is not immersion watertight. Also, the load rating is only 250 lbs. Depending on how much you weigh you and your gear, food and water may exceed that and the boat will handle poorly. At 10' long these are really not touring kayaks, but more for day tripping, light fishing and short distances or lake floats. You will work your butts off trying to cover any distance in these, especially if there is strong current and/or wind. The seats aren't particularly comfortable either, which can make for a long day. A 14' or longer touring or sea kayak will be much faster, track straighter and give you loads of watertight storage.
Also consider renting a canoe for two of you and the gear and a kayak for the third.
Just my (admittedly biases) opinion, but using one of these small rec boats for overnight touring is kind of like using a Vespa scooter for highway travel instead of a full sized motorcycle. If you are planning to do a lot more kayaking in the future, it would be worth your while to spend a little more on the boats. The Pelicans have poor resale value as well -- you would be lucky to get $75 or $100 for them if you decide they are not what you want. If there is an independent kayak outfitter/dealer (NOT a "big box" general sporting store like D1cks) in your area another option could be to ask if they have demos you could borrow or rent for the trip. The dealers in my town offer that -- it is a good way for people to test drive an expensive kayak before they buy.
If you are determined to get the Pelican -- why not just buy one (not 3) and test paddle it for a day in advance of the trip? See what you can pack in it and whether it feels comfortable. You can always return it and look for another option if you aren't satisfied.
I

Mandy asks…
Can you recommend a kayak paddle?
I just purchased an 8 foot Pelican Pursuit to use on the small lake I live on. Very calm water. I'm looking for a decent paddle to purchase, not top of the line but not a cheap-o either. Any recommendation?
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Brad Selers answers:
Inquire at Mohawk Paddles. Have someone help you size the paddle. You can buy left or right hand paddles. Wood paddles are more comfortable to use than plastic ones. Really light weight paddles are most expensive. The Mohawk paddles are a sensible choice for your use.

Daniel asks…
right size/type kayak?
ok well im moving to florida soon and want to get a kayak and im unsure about it.
heres what i want to do with kayaking
-go on long trips (like a week or two) camping along the missouri/mississippi
-kayaking in the ocean
-kayak in the everglades
i dont want to whitewater and i dont have a big budget so i can only afford one.
this is what ive picked out so far http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Pelican_Pursuit_140_Kayak&i=420290&merchID=4008&r=view
i think it would be ok on a calm river like the missori or mississippi but would it be ok for the ocean and the everglades? tell me what you think or if you have any other suggestions
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Brad Selers answers:
Stop! Wait until you get to Florida. Locate local boaters and get their recommendations. Just for fun, make a list of the gear and supplies you will need for a 'week or two' of camping. Ocean kayaking involves whitewater skills. Think about breaking out of the surf. In the mean time read books about kayaking and camping. Do you have kayak skills? Do you need to learn? Search the NOC website for school and tour information.
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US $550.00