NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/809310
the vessel's bow that features a molded rear-facing seat for children – perfect for the primary paddler to help young anglers remove fish and remedy tangled line. Couple that with one of their larger models, and a paddler can carry two children – one at the bow and one in the area behind the driver. These kayaks not only work well with children aboard but also navigate easily for the solo floater. Once children get larger, however, one will be forced to either expand the fleet or take turns. By equipping each paddler with his or her own watercraft, family and friends are able to both enjoy the freedom of setting their own course and the satisfaction of spending time together. Transportation and Storage Depending on the number of kayaks one must transport and the type of vehicle, a variety of methods exist for transportation. One or two kayaks fit well within the bed of a regular full-sized pick-up truck, and a bed extender that mounts in a standard hitch receiver helps secure longer vessels. It is common to see kayaks tied to the top of cars, vans and truck toppers, either with specially designed racks or just foam blocks and rope. As the plastic fleet grows, transportation pull-type utility trailers modified with racks for two-to-eight kayaks are becoming increasingly common, and manufacturers have begun producing trailers to suit a variety of situations. While kayak users are often able to drive close to the water for launching, there will be times when a trek is necessary. Despite some kayaks being small and light enough to carry short distances, long hauls are a chore. Two-wheeled carts which strap to the kayak's rear help a single user pull a kayak to the water. With the right tires, it can handle various terrain. Once at home, wall racks or specially designed hoists provide a way of efficiently storing kayaks in the garage or shed. Other Modifications Do not be fooled by the kayak's small package. Many paddlers have found ways to bring the advantages of big boats to the smaller variety. Perhaps the area that has advanced the most for kayaks is fishing. Even the most basic of fishing kayaks now come from the store with both flush mount and removable rod holders – pretty much a necessity, especially for kayaks that require paddling. One must keep in mind that whatever is not tied down and does not float could end up at the bottom of the lake. One can opt for commercial leashes or build their own, but it is always a good idea to keep valuables tied to the kayak in one way or another. The well-designed kayak has a variety of hatches available for storage below the deck and strategically placed bungee straps allow users to secure a wide variety of items atop it. With an array of accessories available, kayak users who are handy with a hand drill and rivet gun are limited only by their imagination. Fishing kayak users are an especially innovative bunch, and countless hacks have made their way to Internet message boards. Such sites are ripe with homemade designs for items created with inexpensive materials such as PVC pipe and plastic cutting boards. Long before the popularity of mobile 38 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2017 Jenny Feeken of Gretna kayaks on Lake No. 4 at Two Rivers State Recreation Area near Yutan. PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS