re: I’m planning on Kayaking the entire Texas coast - Update 2.0 bot. Pg. 6 - Hoist the sail!

Air horn
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flair gun
portable desalination pump filter they do make them.
pvc dry bag

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What boat you thinking about

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Im looking at three options in my area on CL (These aren’t the actual ones just quick images I found online)

A Wilderness Systems Tempest 16.5



or a Necky Tesla 17



or a Perception Shadow Sealion 17

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How far have you ever been?

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Like, 8 miles in a regular recreational kayak.

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Ever done any extended self support of any type?

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I’ve been camping with my dad and buddies before but I’m not sure if that is what you actually mean. But that’s 4 day weekend type stuff not 14 days.

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What paddle? what angle? what length? what material?

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No idea, I really don’t know all too much about paddles, but I figured low angle, carbon fiber and then a similar backup.

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You doing both miles and fishing?

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I’m planning on focusing on making good time and distance, fishing gear storage is kind of an issue on a touring kayak with everything else I’ll need. but I’ll probably try and find a way to take at least one rod if I can.

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How much weight you figuring on?

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I’m 190. Don’t think I’ll need more than 60-70 lbs of gear, maybe I’m wrong. My big fear is drinking water weight.

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Can you combat roll?

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I’ve never had to or practiced before but I’m confident I could. I’m reasonably fit and grew up on the water my whole life so I’m not too worried / scared. My big issue is I’ve never been in a touring specific kayak before so I’m sure it’s different / more difficult, especially in a bay. I figure once I get the kayak I just need to practice practice practice and get the confidence.

So yeah in summary, I don’t really know shite about anything. But the challenge / learning / experience is what makes this seem worth doing. I’m not getting younger and I probably won’t have time for something like this further down the road.

How does the OB feel about adding a sail to my future Kayak? I’m torn on it. I kind of want one due to my inexperience with such distances but I also don’t want it to cheapen the feel of the experience by doing some of the work for me. I wouldn’t have it up all the time but it could be useful in helping make sure I adhere to a specific distance schedule.

I’ve done hundreds of miles backpacking with 10# of gear. Good lightweight tent(maybe hammock) sleeping pad, sleeping bad,

Just got a new stove from Amazon for $15. BSR and weighs maybe 1oz. Small pot to make ramen or freeze dried meals is less than $10.

I normally need less than 2# of food per day backpacking with freeze dried meals and bars. You will be hitting towns here and there where you can eat a ton and fill up.

Most people need 1 gallon of water a day. Also remember you may be using it to add to meals when cooking.

Inreach or spot device would be a good idea.

Sounds like a great adventure.

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But we were on a big boat with beer, water, and plenty of food.

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f this is a bad idea let me know,

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This is a bad idea.

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if there’s something I’m missing please tell me

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A motor for starters.

Probably a good idea to get you a lifestraw in case you get stuck by weather for a few days away from civilization.

Them nasty arse rain puddles could be turned into a huge saver.

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Day 1 - Rio Grande to just north of SPI (where the town is) Edwin King Atwood park area - 20 miles
2 - to Port Mansfield area - 25miles
3 - to north side of Laguna Madre - 20 Miles
4 - to just south of Baffin Bay - 25 miles
5 - to Mustang Island right off SPID (I have a place to stay/ restock) - 30 miles
6 - to Port A area - 20 miles
7 - to Rockport (hang out with TxWadingFool??) - 10 miles
8 - to San Antonio Bay - 20 miles
9 - to Port O’Connor (cgrand’s camp area?) - 20 miles
10 - to beach on Matagorda Bay - 15 miles
11 - to Matagorda - 15 miles
12 - to eastern edge of Matagorda bay - 20 miles
13 - to Freeport - 25 miles
14 - to Jaimaica Beach - 25 miles
15 - to Galveston - 15 miles

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This is way WAY too much for a first timer. Can it be done? Absolutely. But you need to plan for things like weather, rest days, etc. don’t plan only straight miles. Don’t cross bays directly if weather/ wind is bad. A lot of bays are very shallow so it’s not a big deal if weather is bad you can stand up worse case. I wouldn’t go outriggers for that reason. You don’t need to cross deep stretches in bad weather. Take your time and go around.

You need to but a kayak and put at least 2-3 days of 20+ miles in before you do any of this planning. This is insanity to plan any of this before you even have a kayak, know it a little, and travel with it weighted with gear.

ETA: I think you will be lucky to avg 3 miles per hour paddling. Probably closer to 1.8. So those 25 mile stretches are going to take you 10-15 hours of paddling not including stops for lunch and water and what not. In the winter those are long days.

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A lot of bays are very shallow so it’s not a big deal if weather is bad you can stand up worse case. I wouldn’t go outriggers for that reason

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Many of the setups are both telescopic and can be tipped up out of water in a locked position. IMO, he really needs a set but that's just me.

You need to start training now and not on a row machine. Do a paddle of around 15 miles and do a recovery day. Then repeat. Then start increasing v your miles. Also I’d highly recommend buying a quality paddle. Werner and bending branches make carbon paddles that are strong and super light weight. Go to a good kayak store. The length of the paddle is just as important.