Kayak Rating for Damariscotta State Park

A very pleasant, picturesque, and enjoyable lake with facilities, swimming, and very vocal loons.


 

Damariscotta Lake State Park is a protected area in Jefferson, Lincoln County in Maine's Mid-coast region. The park encompasses Damariscotta Lake, which is 12 miles long.

KAYAK RATING: 5 KAYAKS                

The park has a clean swimming area, well-maintained "facilities", and lots of picnic tables and grills, making it a great place for a family outing. While there is no actual boat launch in the park, they do allow kayaks to be launched just to the side of the roped-off swimming area. There are public boat ramps on the southern end of the lake, and residents do have their share of motor boats but, overall, the traffic is not too heavy.

 Entrance. Folks 65 and over get in free. Adults $4

 Parking

 Beach. Launch area just past the trees.

 The swim area is roped off.

 Part of the beach

 Loons abound on the lake

We'll be on this lake a number of times this summer. It's only seven miles away and much more to explore.

SeaEagle 330 Review

Love this ... kayak ... canoe ...canak? Kayoe?
(Note:  One of us "loves" it; the other does not care for it.)

4 to maybe 4.5 KAYAK RATING:

PROS: The SE 330 is a wonderful boat. It's stable, well made, and fun. It tracks well and is fairly lightweight. The seat can be positioned wherever you choose and is not limited by Velcro strips.  Fully inflated, it tucks in nice and tight. The deluxe seat is very comfortable and affords great back support (seat with blue straps). The standard seat is also comfortable and back support is good. The paddle that comes with it is solid, curved blade, and holds together.  The skegs (2) are firmly affixed and there appears to be little likelihood they could ever fall off. The foot pump is quite effective and blows the whole show up in minutes. With all of the valves at one end, deflation is quick and sure, making re-packing easy. There is also a rear drain hole which makes it easier to clear any water as the kayak is folded for storage.

Canoe or kayak? It's a little of both. You sit lower than you would in a canoe, but higher than in a kayak. I personally prefer the open cockpit area as it affords a more spacious feeling and provides room to easily access any items carried on board. Overall, safe, well built, comfortable, and roomy.

There is a picture of a carry bag below. It is not expensive and it does hold the boat, paddle, seat, etc. It's a good buy; just remember when everything is in it, it does get a little hefty.

Given this is it's first season of use, I cannot attest to its durability over the long haul. Will add updates as appropriate.

CONS: Initially I wanted the Deluxe Seat for back support. No problem there. However, the thickness of the seat does throw off your center of gravity. You get used to it, but it does also slightly affect stability. I ordered the Standard Seat to see if that would help. It did. the seat is thinner and you sit somewhat lower in the boat. Back support is good.

While all of the major inflation valves are in the back, which is a plus, they are also very close together, creating a tight situation that could be easily avoided. You can also see from the image that there are no lines running front to back and no D-rings on the side. To me, that makes no sense. I had to run a line so I could clip my water bottle, camera, etc. near me rather than way in back or way in front. The company does not sell D-rings to put on the 330, but there's no explanation of the reason. The pump is good and works fine, but I don't know how long the bellows will hold up.

As far as the company goes, you do get a live, English speaking person when you call. They were very helpful when the order was placed. However, we did have an issue over the QuikSail purchase which is discussed in a specific review of that item (we called 7 days after the customer satisfaction guarantee period had expired and got absolutely no customer consideration at all from the representative).

Review on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/review/R3JORXNRHW3RI5

Standard Features:

• NMMA Certified
• Self bailing drain valve
• Five deluxe one-way valves
• Sun & saltwater resistant hull material
• Lashed down inflatable spray skirts
• I-beam construction floor
• 2 skegs on the bottom for better tracking & speed
• Pressure Gauge, Repair kit & printed instructions
• Bow & Stern Grab Line

Specifications: Exterior: 11' 2" x 2' 10" Weight: 26 lbs. Capacity: 2 Adults or 500 lbs. Interior: 9' 6" x 1' 1" Tube Diameter: 10" Deflated: 24" x 16" x 7" Chambers: Three (port, starboard & floor) Material: 33 mil Polykrylar Seam: High Frequency Welded Floor: Inflatable I-beam construction Air Valves: 5 Deluxe One Way  Inflation & Assembly time: 6 min. Whitewater Rating: Up to Class III

Sevylor K5 Kayak Review

KAYAK RATING:  4 (Maybe higher; will update at the end of the season.)

This is my second inflatable kayak, purchased as an upgrade from a Challenger K1.  It's still in its first season, so I can't address how it will hold up over time.  There are definite pros, and a couple of cons, some of which I consider serious.

The pros:
Perfect size.  I'm 5'7", and this kayak gives me more than enough leg room.  I haven't used the spray skirt, since I'm a bit uncomfortable with being closed in, so can't speak to that.  The seat is surprisingly comfortable, given that it's actually the backpack.  The width of the kayak seems perfect; not too wide, but not too narrow.  Stability seems very, very good, at least on rough lake water and with significant motor boat wakes.  Inflates quickly, deflates reasonable well.  I love the fact that there's canvas on the outside.  The skeg is permanently affixed, which is, overall, a pro.  Having had removable skegs fall off other boats, it's nice not to have to drill a hole and run a line to keep from losing it.

The cons:

Why, oh why, use a flimsy little valve like that for the floor?  Set it back a bit and use a valve like the other two.  Using the backpack as the seat is a clever idea; however, now I see why people have had issues with tears in the floor:  one side of the zipper of the backpack/seat is exposed and touches the floor.  You sit on it, in fact.  So it only makes sense that it could abrade the floor.  The problem was easily solved with a couple strips of Velcro, but it shouldn't have to be tweaked by the consumer.
Don't know if it'll ever fit back into the backpack.  It hasn't been worth the time/effort to find out yet, but I don't have really high hopes.  Nor do I think I'd long-term store it that way (over the winter, for example) anyway. There's the slight con, in my mind, of the affixed skeg.
Other than that, and the canvas covering being on a little crooked (yes, I'm very nit picky about things like that, although it does seem to be adjusting itself with use), and the valve on the side sitting right where it can scrape my knee if I'm not careful, it's really a great kayak.

The pros (at least so far; we'll see how that valve holds up) far, far outweigh the cons. It's definitely a purchase I'm glad I made.

REVIEW on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/review/R2QYMUEQ3UY6V3

Review of QuikSail from SeaEagle

Kayak rating:  NEGATIVE FIVE KAYAKS

This is the hype:

QuikSail- Universal Kayak Sail

Video:

• 14 Sq ft Neil Pryde Sail
• Strong aluminum frame
• Nylon carry bag
• Hands-Free
• Self-Standing
• Measures 43"x6"
• Extends to 81"
• Weights 3 lbs.
• Sails up to 7 knots

Universal Kayak Sail, converts any kayak into a sailing vessel. Easy deployment in under one minute, breaks down to just 43" for convenient storage in the bow or stern. This "down wind" sail can move a kayak up to 7 knots and can be steered using your paddle as a rudder. Works with all Sea Eagle Kayaks and almost any other kayak out there.
Note: Deluxe Inflatable Seats required when using with the Sport Kayaks.

This is the reality: 

RATING: Less than 1

Got my SE 330 Kayak for Christmas 2013. Love the boat and will do a review of it in another post. I also got the QuikSail which I used for the first time on 6/28. Keep in mind that in Maine, unless you have wet suits, it's difficult to get on the water much before mid-June. To say the very, very least, I was disappointed. The exterior length of the 330 is: 11' 2" x 2' 10". Front and rear spay skirts are about 18" each. The deluxe seat is 21" inches deep, and we all have legs that are generally 3+ feet long when sitting. So, cockpit space is 11-3-2=6 plus divided by 2 (front/back) and you have 3 feet of open cockpit front and back. yes, there is also space under the spray skirts. Enter the almost 4' folded, and 7 foot open, QuikSail.

So we're on the water and a breeze kicks up. I've put the folded sail aft of the seat and it's protruding into my paddle space. Not fun. I then put the four poles together to make two and find that part of the sail has slipped off. The breeze is pushing me in the wrong direction. I get the sail, all 7 feet of it, together and brace it with my feet, according to directions. The wind shifts a bit and the sail topples on my head. I had clipped one end of the provided rope (clip not provided) to the right side of the ring on the seat. I wrap it around the ever falling sail and try to clip it on the left ring. Not going to happen.  The seat is pretty well jammed into the side of the boat (it's what keeps the seat in). Fortunately, I had strung a line from bow to stern on the left side to attach my water bottle, camera, etc. I clip the sail rope to that ... the wind shifts and it falls on my head again. I gave up; it was not easy nor fun. It was just too awkward, too long, and unwieldy.

I called SeaEagle. On the plus side you do get a live person and they speak English! I told them that the sail was a Christmas gift and that I just got to try it out. Nope, past the 6 month return policy. I tried to explain that you can't even get on the water until mid to late June. Nope, past the six months.  And while, as a business owner, I respect policy, the "right" thing, in my opinion, to have done would have been something.  Offer to take it back and sell it used (once).  Give me half my money back (this sucka ain't cheap).  Do something.

While the sail may do better on larger boats with D-rings on the side and not the seat, I would not recommend this item for those who have a 330.

China Lake, Vassalboro Kayak Rating

    

Rating for China Lake, East Vassalboro Launch: 3 KAYAKS

This section of China Lake is a drinking water supply and therefore certain actions, like swimming, are prohibited. It is pretty, clean, has an outhouse and a good launch.  But, while looking at trees is pleasant, nothing but trees gets a little boring after a while. There is some small motorboat traffic as fishing is allowed. The noise of auto traffic, although certainly not continuous, can be heard quite a ways out on the lake. Basically, not much to see or do and would probably not return to this section.  There is another launch on the other end, and maybe we'll check that out someday.
The best part?  The two gentlemen we passed the time of day with in the parking lot both before and after paddling. We hope one's granddaughter finishes school and moves out soon! 

Loons - Sounds of Nature For Relaxation

 

While kayaking on Maine lakes it is not uncommon to hear the haunting calls of the Loon. Listen to the gentle paddles hitting the water, the peaceful music, and the mournful call of these great birds.

Review of the Intex Explorer K2 Kayak

Product Dimensions: 123 x 36 x 20 inches ; 36 pounds

I bought the K2 for three reasons: Price (currently 159.00); larger capacity for two (wanted it for the dog); and because guys like bigger boats.

The K2 is sporty looking, large, and does hold two. In fact, it does not work well with only one person ... it needs added weight for tracking and for one person the paddling is more strenuous. It inflates easily but, because of its length, really takes two people to get it to the water; not because it's too heavy, just too bulky.

Issues: As with all the Intex kayaks we ordered, the paddles are useless. They're too short and on several occasions I've hit the connecting button and the paddle separated. They are also flat, not curved; they just don't work well.

The seats lack back support and, to be honest, are rather cheaply made. While there are support straps for the back, I'm what you'd call hefty and found these supports to be lacking. Further, the seat connects to the floor of the kayak via velcro strips, 2 on the bottom of the seat and 2 on the floor. This limits where you can put the seat. With just one person, the front strips are too far forward and the back ones too far back. You need weight in the front, otherwise the bow lifts too high from the water. Also, the piece connecting the back of the seat and the bottom is flimsy; one connecting piece has already started to tear after very limited use.

As many reviewers of the Intex kayaks have said, the skegs simply do not want to stay on the boat. I drilled a small hole on the skeg and ran a line to one of the tie down lines on the back.  That way, at least if it falls off, I won't lose it. Intex customer service is, from our experience, deplorable.

Bottom line: I would only buy the K2 if it was for two or if you planned on hauling some weight to counter that of a single person. If you need strong back support, consider another boat. With even weight distribution, it does tack properly and can be fun. The boat itself is sturdy and stable, but the peripherals kill it.

This review can be found on Amazon at:  http://www.amazon.com/review/R1QFSN8P3K288M