mounts for kayak

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

Not much familiar with kayaks. Just considering one as an alternative to the dingy. Do you have a source for info on folding kayaks ?

[Johnrb]

From what I have seen, and various users I have talked to, Feathercraft is the best. They also make the widest selection including smaller kayaks suitable for extended day use. Folding kayaks are an expensive alternative though in comparison with various plastic models. The smaller Feathercraft kayaks fold up into a backpack type case weighing around 35-40 lbs. Here is their website:
http://www.feathercraft.com/home/index.php

I don't think of a kayak as a dinghy alternative though. Most only seat one person and entering and exiting from a boat would be exciting to watch

[Johnrb]

I've just checked Feathercraft's website again and I see they have now extended their product line to include "sit-on-top" folding kayaks which seat two people. This may be more suitable to your needs but I haven't seen one or talked with a user.

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

I looked at two folding kayak websites, these are way to complex and expensive for me. I am looking for the cheap and indestructible type, that we used on Vieques to tour the bioluminescent bay. Isn't there a Walmart alternative to these ? I just want a low performance board I can quickly throw off the boat and sit on top of. I don't mind wetness. Just want an easy way to get off the boat and quickly be able to paddle to shore. Something that beats unstrapping the dingy and raising it on the spinnaker halyard from the deck and dropping it in the water. Mounting the board should be easy off the sugar scoup on my boat. I just want something slightly drier than swimming to shore. Low cost /low performance and wet is fine. Right now the dingy is my only alternative. and God forbid if the dingy every got away from the boat, what would I do to retreive it and for wheels (or oars) ?

[ianhlnd]

How about blow up kayaks, I've seen them, they're affordable, and they're very stable.

A dock neighbor has two sets of the stanchion mounts, I don't know anything about shear force or the equation for figuring water force on them, they just don't look sturdy. I'll bet the first time the bow gets buried, the kayaks are gone. The ones here are pretty pricey about $125 a set.

[camaraderie]

Check this out. Not real rugged but would seem to be exactly what you are looking for in the same price range as the wal-mart kayaks.
http://www.seaeagle.com/SeaEagle330.aspx

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

The Sea Eagle package certainly seems to have some key attributes but I am hesitant about any inflatable, first from an effort perspective. 6 minutes to inflate seems optimistic and also concerns about its surviving in the tropics. The warranty and three month risk-free return policy look good at the outset however. Avoiding the permanent mounting on deck or outside the life line is great, being about to deflate and stuff into a suitcase for returning home is nice bonus so long as the paddles can be disassembled as well as for stowage on board. Probably worthy of a tryout.

[camaraderie]

Escape...on the same site they have their $1000 indestructible model. That is worth a look as well but I was trying to get you into the Wal-mart version! A cigarette lighter plug inflator will eliminate the foot pumping for 10 minutes!

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

Cam - sorry if my post sounded a bit skeptical...its probably reflects that I've had bad experiences with inflatables before. The Sea Eagle is definitely priced within the window of production SOT's and it definitely resolves storage issues. I'll probably warm up to the idea when I have to reach for my wallet...I really appreciate yours and all of the other inputs regarding kayak racks and kayaks. These are things I'm just not too familiar with.

[soul searcher]

We are in Fort Walton Beach.
I don't think your picturing it right, the center of the kayac is at the cap shroud. the bow of the kayac dosnt extend past the front of the cabin.
Its on edge in between the cabin and the shroud were you never walk anyway.There is enough rocker in the boat that it fits snug to the cabin. We are trying to figure it out also. I'd really like to have a Hobbie. but they are heavy and very expensive.

Matt