Oh god, kayaking

Hmm, I assume the K1s will be K1 marathon racers, so fast but not particularly stable (ask the submersible Jamie :D). The tourer will be sit in, but probably have a huge cockpit so won't feel constricting, will go quite fast and may have a rudder or skeg to help you go in a straight line.
The GP kayaks are likely to be dancers or falchions or similar. Personally I would go for that. It would do 90% of what a tourer will do, but you can take it out on the sea or river or anything else you fancy (hence the name). The cockpits tend to be smaller so worth practicing getting in and out til you're confident.

Just got back from Lakes. Canoe was mint (sorry I have caught that word off my son). Kids loved it. Thanks for all the advice!

(Oh did a litte bit of walking too).

(And got a bit of running in). :D

Hey Grouse,

Which lake did you test the canoe on and how far did you go. I have not forgot our canoe date just got a few Canoe races coming up in the coming weekends.

Jamie

Hi Jamie. Went on Ullswater from bank opposite Hallin Fell, Then went over to Derwent water and paddled round Friars Crag, from Park Foot Campsite at Pooley Bridge - nearly went on the rocks there an had to bit of rapid paddling to get back out into the lake (oops) and went on Windermere from Bowness round the marina near the ferry. Felt quite confident and the kids loved it. 'Combi' paddles worked well, as I coud use single paddles with older child and double blade with younger child who was content to sit at the front and play pirates. I am working on my 'J' stroke. ;) Really enjoyed it.

Did you fall in?

No. But we did have a swim in Windermere. It was cold.

Sounds wicked Marg, when I'm done with baggging wainwrights I plan to paddle each lake.

Do you fancy the race in Chester this Sunday

Can't even do Padfield Plum Fair this Sunday Jamie. Family do I have to go to.

I like the idea of a bit of a tour, I want to take my son up and down Windermere over two days and camp one ned. I think the sevy is up to it but there won't be a lot of luggage space, there again I'm use to travelling light. Don't know if it is best to go north - south or south to north, I suppose I would need to have a look at the prevailing currents and winds as well as campsites.

Glad you got fixed up - a good camping trip would be Ullswater from Pooley Bridge to the Glenridding end, there is a campsite opposite Glenridding steamer pier (plus one in the village, but thats a short walk/carry) or for wild camping the bay about a mile before the first campsite has always looked tempting to me. Or you could start at Glenridding and there are several campsites close to or by the water near the Pooley Bridge end. My wife and me paddled Windermere earlier this year - there is a surprising shortage of places to land (a lot of the shoreline is 'private') and/or likely camping sites. Just got back from a few weeks sea kayaking near Arisaig (on the way to the Ben) - Basking sharks, seals, an otter, fresh mackerel - thoroughly recommended! Lots of rain though. We paddled our sevylor here last year and it did very well but our new boat (nautiraid 500 folding kayak) let us extend our horizons a bit.