"Michael Daly" wrote in
:

On 1-May-2004, "Rick" wrote:

For most conditions, the following procedures
can be applied with only minor modifications.

Put the bow of the boat into the water with the rear still on shore.
1) Straddle the rear of the boat and sit on the back deck

After years of paddling, I've come to the conclusion that this paddle
bracing technique is a waste of time and leads to damage to the paddle
with no gain. If you've got a keyhole cockpit and no particular leg
problems, just straddle the kayak, drop your butt in and then lift your
legs in - cowboy entry. Unlike John, I consider _this_ to be the
better way.

Actually, that is how I usually enter my boats if I don't mind getting my
feet/legs wet. I also have an ocean cockpit in my Skerray. In fact, the
Skerray was my first kayak so I learned to enter/exit in a boat where it was
physically impossible to sit down in the seat before putting my legs in.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. Today I took the yak out for
a rather short spin, just to test everything from the Yak Rack to the
life jacket. Today I used the "straddle the yak in about a foot of
water and just sit down into it method." I do hope to learn the other
methods also.

(William R. Watt) wrote in message ...
like the other fellow said, to get in dry, put the kayak floating parallel
to the shore and step in which should ground the kayak in hsallow water.
Once you're in wiggle the boat to get it floating again. I haven't used
the paddle as a prop on a kayak, just crouched down and grabbed the sides
of the cockpit, but I do use the paddle in a very small home made boat. If
the water is too deep to ground the kayak when you step in the paddle prop
would be the way to do.

to get out I paddle the kayak in parallel to the shore leaning away from
the shore a bit until it grounds, then lean toward shore to ground it
solidly and step out if I can, being stiff and sore after sitting on my
butt for so long.

another technique people use to get in which isn't good for the kayak is
to sit in it on shore and work it into the water by pushing down on the
ground with your hands while sliding the kayak forward, called the
"gorilla walk"

I've tried walking the kayak out to knee deep water but that just makes it
harder to get in. The only time I've tipped over getting in was in knee
deep water.

Guys; Despite the inevitable discussion about the right and best way to get
in and out, as another newbie, I appreciate all the posts. While some will
work for me now, others are great for me to see conditions that I will
eventually get to. So thanks to you all. This is the way to get people
hooked lots of advice .

Note that I haven't had my first lesson yet but been out with experienced
paddlers in the Thousand islands for the past few weeks and learning On the
Job is definately the way to go. Every casual statement is filed away and
pays off later in the day or on the next paddle. Thanks to you who are
helping with this learning!


"jeffh129" wrote in message
om...
Ok, here is probably the dumbest "newbie" question of the year.
Yesterday I purchased a new Sundance 120 after three test paddles.
However each time I test paddled the yak, there was an employee there
to help me enter and exit the yak next to a pier.

So....now I have it home and am anxious to take it out soon. I assume
I won't be doing the pier entry and exit as I will be alone. How do I
get in and out of the darn thing? Do I float it out into a foot or so
of water? Then what? Same thing on exiting. How do I actually get in
and out? ( I TOLD you this would be dumb)

Trust me, I am signed up for a three hour lesson in early June on
basic kayak techniques. Still, I'd love to flounder around in it
sooner, assuming I can figure out how to get in and out of it.

Thanks in advance.