Whether you’re an experienced paddler or a beginner looking for a peaceful getaway, a Georgian Bay kayak touring trip offers an unforgettable combination of natural beauty, exploration, and freedom. I hope this Georgian Bay Kayak Touring and Camping Guide helps you to plan your perfect paddling adventure.

Why the Georgian Bay Trip is So Special

Often called the “Sixth Great Lake,” Georgian Bay is massive—nearly 190 kilometers long and 90 kilometers wide. What makes a Georgian Bay paddling trip truly unique is its maze of islands that protect paddlers from wind and waves. These islands not only create calm and accessible waters but also provide countless opportunities for wild camping.

Much of the land here is Crown land, meaning paddlers can camp almost anywhere, while Provincial Parks like French River offer designated sites for those who prefer a bit more structure.

Planning Your Kayak Touring Trip for the Georgian Bay

The best section for a Georgian Bay kayak touring trip stretches about 120 kilometers between Killarney and Parry Sound. Along this route, you’ll find highlights like Philip Edward Island, French River Provincial Park, and the Mink Islands. There are plenty of launch points—Killarney, Key River, Britt, Bayfield Inlet, and Snug Harbour—so you can plan day trips or multi-day journeys.

Sea kayaks and touring kayaks are the ideal craft for Georgian Bay’s open water conditions. While canoes can be used, they’re better suited for calm weather and protected channels. Outfitters like Killarney Outfitters and White Squall make planning simple, offering rentals, shuttles, and gear to support your adventure.

Georgian Bay Kayak Camping and Safety

Camping on a Georgian Bay kayak touring trip means sleeping on smooth granite rock under the stars. Because soil is scarce, bring a thick sleeping pad and use guy lines to secure your tent on windy nights. There are no pit toilets on most islands, so plan to dig cat holes responsibly and stay at least 60 meters from the water.

Safety is key because the wind in Georgian Bay can shift suddenly and the water remains cold throughout the summer. Even in July, water temperatures hover around 18°C (65°F). Paddlers should dress for immersion and always prepare to spend an unexpected night on the islands if conditions change.

If you plan to camp within the provincial park, you’ll need to reserve a designated campsite in advance. There’s also plenty of Crown land available for free camping, as well as private land to avoid. Use the Crown Land Atlas to identify where you can stay and map out your campsite plan ahead of time.

When to Go and What to Expect

The best time for a Georgian Bay kayak touring trip is between June and August, when the water is warmest and the winds are lightest. Shoulder seasons in spring or fall can be rewarding for experienced paddlers but require proper gear for cold water.

Fishing enthusiasts will also find plenty of excitement, with species like lake trout, pike, and bass thriving in the bay’s clear waters. And when you’re done paddling, small towns like Killarney and Parry Sound offer cozy lodges, bakeries, and cafes to refuel before heading home.

Endless Possibilities of Kayaking Georgian Bay

No matter where you launch from or how long you stay, every Georgian Bay paddling trip feels like an exploration of something wild and untouched. The combination of rugged beauty, accessible camping, and serene paddling routes makes it one of North America’s most rewarding destinations for kayakers and canoeists alike.

Whether you’re out for a weekend or two full weeks, Georgian Bay will leave you in awe—and ready to plan your next paddling adventure before you’ve even left the shore.

Ready to plan your own Georgian Bay paddling trip? Check out my related guides: Packing List for a 5-Day Kayak Touring Georgian Bay for everything you’ll need on the water. Read more about a A Kayak Journey from Killarney to Britt for inspiration from one of the bay’s most scenic routes, Part 1 of the Georgian Bay Kayak Touring Trip and Part 2 of the Georgian Bay Kayak Touring Trip. Interested in kayak I used on this trip? The review for the Boreal Designs Storm 17 Ultralight Kayak helps you decide if this is the right kayak for touring the Georgian Bay area.

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Waking to calm water was a gift, and I knew I had to take advantage of it. My plan was ambitious—over 20 kilometers of paddling, including a three-kilometer crossing to the Bustard Islands. From camp, I could see the Bustard Lighthouse, one of the few still active on Georgian Bay. There’s something about lighthouses that pulls me in. They’re a connection to another time, when people lived in rhythm with the water and relied on these towers for survival.

Calm or not, open water crossings here are never trivial. Eight kilometers of paddling across glassy water can feel both peaceful and unsettling. At times, the horizon faded into nothingness, leaving me suspended between water and sky. Experiences like this are humbling reminders of just how small we really are.

Fuel for the Journey

Trips like these are powered by more than paddle strokes—they’re fueled by food. On this kayaking expedition in the Georgian Bay, I was testing PackitGourmet meals, and I have to say, they exceeded expectations.

My Santa Fe Corn Pudding breakfast earned a five-star rating after I discovered the flavorful layers hiding at the bottom of the pouch. When you’re carrying everything in your kayak—including an extra 40–50 pounds of camera gear—having hearty, tasty meals makes a big difference.

Campsites That Rival Any Resort

Each night I pulled into another epic campsite—some in the French River Provincial Park, others on crown land where paddlers are free to camp. These sites are scattered across smooth granite shorelines that glow in the evening light, providing natural platforms for tents and fire pits.

As I sat on the rocks watching the sun dip below the horizon, I couldn’t help but reflect on value. Many people spend $5,000–$10,000 on a week at an all-inclusive resort. For the same investment, you could buy every piece of kayaking and camping gear needed for trips like this—gear that will last a decade and provide countless adventures. Personally, I’ll take a kayak, a tent, and a wild shoreline over a buffet line any day.

The Final Push

As my trip wound down and I paddled south toward Britt, I felt the bittersweet emotions that come with the final night on the water. You mourn the end of a great adventure, but you’re already dreaming of the next one. For me, that’s Lake Superior, just a few weeks away.

Whether it’s the Philip Edward Island loop, the Mink Islands, Franklin Island, or the Bustards, Georgian Bay offers world-class kayak tripping. If you’re planning a visit, Killarney Outfitters is a fantastic resource to get you started.

This trip gave me everything I hoped for—challenge, beauty, and inspiration. If you’re a paddler, do yourself a favor, put Georgian Bay at the top of your bucket list.

Subscribe to Ken Whiting Adventures YouTube

To watch the entire Georgian Bay kayaking trip, subscribe and follow Ken Whiting Adventures YouTube Channel.

Read a more in depth article about Exploring Georgian Bay.

Special Thanks

Destination Ontario https://www.destinationontario.com  

The Seven https://www.northeasternontario.com

Explorer's Edge http://explorersedge.ca

Ontario Creates, Boreal Design Kayaks, NRS, Aqua Bound, Killarney Outfitters

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Oru Kayak Coast XT Sea Kayak Specifications

• Price: $2000 (USD)
• Length: 16’ 2”
• Width: 25”
• Weight: 32 LBS (14.5 kg)
• Capacity: 400 LBS (181kg)
• Best Use: Open water sea kayaking

Assembling the Coast XT Sea Kayak

Oru Kayak claims that it takes 10 to 15 minutes to put the Coast XT together. It took me about 30 minutes to put it together the first time, but this is because a new boat is a lot stiffer, and I had to consult the instructions multiple times, all of which slowed down the process. I do not doubt that it will take 10-15 minutes after the first couple of times. 

The Oru Kayak Coast XT comes with the standard Oru Kayak seat, which was not very comfortable when I tested it in the Oru Kayak Inlet. This time, I upgraded to the Oru Kayak gel seat. This seat does raise the center of gravity a little, so you exchange a little stability for extra comfort, but the trade off is minimal and worth it in my opinion! 

The Coast XT also comes with optional thigh hooks. These must be cut out and attached before the kayak gets assembled (something I learned a little too late in the testing process). Thigh hooks upgrade a kayak because they give you extra control when paddling in rough water or rolling the kayak. 

Portability

At only 32 LBS, the Coast XT is a highly portable and lightweight kayak. It is lighter than the lightest layup of a Kevlar kayak and folds down into a tiny package. Both the light weight and small size make it extremely easy to carry. However, due to the way in which the Coast XT packs down, you will need an extra bag if you want to fly with it. Overall, the Coast XT gets top marks for portability.

Performance

The Coast XT performs similarly to a hard shell, 16-foot touring kayak. It carries good speed, tracks well, edges comfortably, and turns smoothly. I was impressed. Does it perform just as well as a similar-style hard shell touring kayak? Close, but not quite. Due to its portable nature, Oru Kayak had less flexibility with the kayak's design. As a result, the Coast XT is slightly slower than similar, hard shell touring kayaks.

Stability

The Coast XT is 25 inches wide, whereas many similar sea kayaks are 22 to 23 inches wide. What does that mean? The narrower a kayak is, the faster it will travel. But, the narrower a kayak is, the less stable it will be. That being said, the Coast XT has the stability you would expect from a 25-inch wide touring kayak. It is very stable, both when you are sitting centered in the kayak and when you put it on edge. And so, overall the Coast XT gets high marks for stability. 

Comfort

As a general rule, you give up some comfort for the portable nature of a kayak. That is the case for the Coast XT, although the gel seat upgrade made a big difference. After an hour and a half on the water, my butt was still comfortable. That being said, the seat doesn't provide any under-leg support or knee support. This means your legs get a little tired after extended periods in the boat. The Coast XT also lacks the foot braces that are standard in hard shell kayaks. It has a foot bar instead, which does the job, but isn't quite as comfortable as full foot braces. Overall, even though you do give up a little comfort with the Coast XT, I don't have any major complaints.

Value

The Coast XT retails for $2000 (USD), which is a fairly standard price for a quality touring kayak, and in line with my expectations for the Coast XT.

One of the big questions regarding value is whether the kayak is durable. Short-term durability is something I was able to test because I tried the Coast XT in icey conditions. There were some big chunks of hard ice floating around, and even though I was bumping the ice, the Coast XT held up very well. I was not concerned about the integrity of the kayak when bouncing around the ice. 

Over time, I might be worried about the edges because the Coast XT is made from a very light material. As a result, I would take care of the kayak, and avoid dragging it. Oru Kayak states that the kayak lasts about 10,000 folds, which I'm not going to test, but I am curious about other people’s experience with the long-term durability of the Coast XT.

Who is The Oru Kayak Coast XT Sea Kayak for?

You do not need paddling experience to enjoy the Coast XT because, because at 25 inches wide, this kayak is very stable. A new paddler could hop into the Coast XT and have a great time. However, there's no doubt that it is less stable than typical recreational kayaks. 

It has a small cockpit meaning that you can use a skirt. This allows you to paddle in open water that is exposed to wind and waves. On the flip side, the small cockpit will feel confining to some people.

Oru Kayak says the Coast XT is suitable for open water, heavy surf, and almost all heavy conditions. Personally, I wouldn't have the confidence to take the Coast XT into really rough conditions. This is partially because the combing on the cockpit makes it hard to get a good seal with my kayak skirt, so I would be afraid that rough conditions could make my skirt pop off. But, I would definitely be confident taking the Coast XT into moderately rough conditions.  It should be noted that if you do take the boat into open water or rough water, you should be using float bags in the kayak. This helps the kayak float in the event of a capsize, and makes a swamped kayak much easier to deal with.

Oru Kayak Coast XT Sea Kayak Review: Conclusions!

I really enjoyed paddling the Oru Kayak Coast XT. It is a fun boat to paddle, which for me is a big part of the test. It is fast, stable, and reasonably comfortable. While time will only tell how durable the kayak is, I can confidently say that the boat offers good value. Is it the right kayak for you? If you're looking for a quality touring kayak that is highly portable, easy to store, and usable in moderately rough conditions, then it might be exactly the kayak that you're looking for.

Kayak: Oru Kayaks Coast XT
Paddles: Aqua Bound Manta Ray
PFD:  NRS Zen PFD
Clothing: NRS Axiom Dry Suit

My Video Review

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Melker Rödlöga Specifications

The Melker Rödlöga comes in a high and low volume version. I tested the high-volume version which has the following specifications:

Price: $3900 (USD)
Length: 16’ 7”
Width: 21 1/4”
Weight: 54 LBS (24KG)
Capacity: 175LBS – 230 LBS
Best Use: All conditions

The Rödlöga features:

• A skeg and a rudder 
• Aggressive thigh braces
• An adjustable, ergonomic seat
• Four hatches
• A recessed area between the bow hatches
• 190 liters storage space

Portability

This is a 16.5’ long kayak that only weighs 54 LBS. That is very light for such a long kayak. This means it is very easy to throw on your shoulder and move it around. 

When transporting or storing a kayak like this you need to make sure you have a padded space for it. Otherwise, you can cause damage to the boat. 

Stability

This is 21 1/4 inches wide. That is a very narrow kayak which means that it is designed for speed but not necessarily stability. However, across the center of the kayak, the hull is quite flat, with a hard chine or edge to the side walls. This means that it has surprisingly good primary stability. At the same time, it easily rolls from edge to edge and into good secondary stability. 

All in all, for a 21 1/4” wide kayak, designed for speed rather than stability, it does have both good primary and secondary stability. 

Performance

Usually, stability comes at the cost of performance, so is that the case with the Melker Rödlöga? Well, the answer to that is maybe a little. There is a slight reduction in speed in this boat. But that is also because it is designed to be used in all conditions. 

The Melker Rödlöga is Melker’s “play” touring boat variation. It has a lot of rocker bow to stern which makes it very maneuverable. You can use it for all sorts of kayaking. But you do lose a little bit of top-end speed when you have a kayak with that much rocker. However, it also makes this a more playful and versatile kayak to use. Exactly my sort of kayak. 

In terms of maneuverability, the Rödlöga turns incredibly well. When you hold the kayak on the edge it starts to turn already. That makes it a lot of fun to play with. Yet, when you drop the skeg down it tracks very well, which is exactly what should happen. 

The Rödlöga has a great combination of stability, speed, and maneuverability which makes it a very comforting boat to take into all conditions from white water rapids to rough conditions on open water. I was very impressed by its performance in the rapids and on flat water. It is a great all-round boat. 

Comfort

I am 6’2”, 195 LBS with about a 34” inseam and I had plenty of room in the Melker Rödlöga. But, as a size 10, I did not have a lot of foot room. So it is worth noting that for people who are slightly taller and have bigger feet than me, you might start to feel a little pinched in the foot area. That being said, if you are much taller than me you will probably be over the weight limit fairly soon anyway. And then this is not the right kayak for you anyway. 

The cockpit of the Rödlöga is very simple. But sometimes simple is enough. There is a contoured seat pan with a thin foam pad on it and some aggressive thigh hooks that also come with foam pads that you can position yourself. The back band on the seat is non-adjustable, but you can move the position of the seat. So all in all it was adequately comfortable. 

It doesn’t come with hip pads, which wasn’t a problem for me as the seat fit me perfectly. However, some people with different-sized butts might miss these. 

Value of this Touring Kayak

The Melker Rödlöga retails for $3900 (USD) which is a lot of money for anyone. But that is what you expect to pay for a composite sea kayak of this nature and quality. In fact, you would expect to pay between $3000-$6000 for a kayak like this, so the Rödlöga is very much in-range. 

You would often expect to pay a little premium for a kayak that looks so good, performs so well, and is environmentally friendly. With the Rödlöga it feels like you are getting all these things without paying that premium. So this is good value for what it is! 

Who is The Melker Rödlöga Kayak For?

The Melker Rödlöga is for somebody who wants a playful, all-condition kayak. You don’t need to be a hardcore paddler to enjoy paddling this boat, but it is great for people looking to progress into paddling in rougher waters. This boat really is an all-round kayak. 

In my opinion, the Melker Rödlöga is a lifetime kayak. If you get this you will probably have it for a lifetime. So the fact that you can grow into this kayak and really use it in any condition is awesome. 

In the big picture, this is not a stable kayak compared to recreational or touring kayaks. So while some beginners could use this boat, however, it is geared toward people with a bit more experience. People who know a little more about what they want out of a kayak. People who are ready to lose a little bit of stability to get some performance. 

Kayak: Melker Rodloga
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

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Types of Kayaks

When you are choosing a kayak there are three big choices you have to make. Do you want a portable or hard-shell kayak? Would you rather use a sit-in or sit-on-top kayak? Do you want a paddle or a pedal-driven kayak? 

Once you’ve narrowed down the options you need to decide if you want a recreational kayak, a touring kayak, or a sea kayak. While this blog post is all about touring kayaks, let’s break down the basics of the different kayak categories of kayak that exist.

Two big factors help determine what type of kayak you are looking at, and that is length and width. The longer and narrower a kayak is, the more effectively it will travel through the water.

Recreational Kayaks

These are kayaks that prioritize stability. This comes at the cost of speed and performance. Recreational kayaks are usually between 9’-12’ long. These kayaks are the widest kayaks available at around 30+” wide. This also means that they are the slowest because they are pushing the most water and therefore create the most resistance. 

Sea Kayaks

These prioritize performance. They travel as quickly and efficiently through the water as possible. Sea Kayaks are usually between 14’-18’ long and about 22”-24” wide. While these were originally designed to be used on the sea, they can be great on lakes, rivers, and ponds too. They are not exclusive to the ocean. 

Touring Kayaks

Touring kayaks fit in the middle of these two categories. They provide a great balance of stability and performance. They are kayaks that are still relatively stable but are also fun to paddle. Touring kayaks are usually between 12’-16’ long and 24”-30” wide. 

Which Different Touring Kayaks Are Available?

There are many different names for touring kayaks. But I typically categorize touring kayaks into three different groups:

• Recreational touring kayaks
• Touring Kayaks
• Performance Touring kayaks

The Recreational Touring Kayak

This kayak is in a class of its own. It is a kayak that is not designed for rough water but is designed to be a fun and efficient kayak to paddle in calm water. It gives up some stability for the “fun factor”. Recreational touring kayaks tend to be a little wider at around 26”-30”. 

You should not take a recreational touring kayak into rough water for a number of reasons. They tend to have big cockpits so that the kayaker doesn’t feel confined. This means that they can not take a kayak skirt. They also often only have one bulkhead in the back. A bulkhead is a wall in the kayak that separates it into different sections. These are important in rough conditions because without them a lot more of the kayak can fill with water if you flip. 

Recreational touring kayaks are also not designed to be rolled. So if you ever want to learn to roll then these are not the right kayaks for you. 

A great example of a recreational touring kayak is the Liquid Logic Saluda. 

Touring Kayaks

The basic touring kayak is a kayak for use in all conditions. They have two bulkheads, one behind the seat, and one just in front of your feet. So if you do flip it is only the center cockpit area that gets swamped. This makes rescues much easier. They also tend to have smaller cockpits that are designed to take spray skirts. You can roll a touring kayak. 

Touring kayaks tend to be a little narrower than recreational touring kayaks with a width of between 25” and 27” inches. 

A great example of a touring kayak would be the Pakayak BlueFin 142 which is 14’ and designed to handle both rough and calm water. It's an all-round and do anything touring kayak. 

Performance Touring Kayak

Performance touring kayaks are the next step up. And truthfully performance touring kayaks and sea touring kayaks are very similar. I tend to use the term interchangeably. 

Perfomance touring kayaks can perform well in any conditions. They travel very efficiently through the water and allow you to travel long distances with ease. 

How are they high-performance? Well, they have the same size cockpit as touring kayaks, they are designed to be used with a skirt and tend to have more conforming seats.

Performance touring kayaks are designed to be as rollable as possible. Usually, you can customize the hip and thigh hooks so you can get support in the right places. This helps with edging and rolling the kayak. 

They also have low back decks to make it easier to roll. 

Performance touring kayaks tend to be narrower, longer, and faster, in general just higher performance. But they do give up a lot of stability for that. Some of them can even feel a little tippy. 

To use performance kayaks safely in all conditions you need to have a guide with you or prior training. This is particularly the case if you are going to be traveling further from shore than you can swim. 

A good example of a performing kayak is the P&H Volan. It is a carbon Kevlar kayak that is a work of art! 

Who Are Touring Kayaks For?

To sum it all up the big question is, who are touring kayaks for?

Recreational Touring Kayaks

These are really for anyone who wants a kayak that will be fun to paddle. They need to be willing to give up some stability for a kayak that will travel through the water a little faster. But they will need to stick to calm conditions. 

Touring and Performance Touring Kayaks

Performance and touring kayaks can be used by anyone from novices to experts. These can be used in calm conditions by anyone looking to paddle a kayak that moves efficiently through the water. 

These kayaks also open the door to rougher water paddling, learning how to roll, and playing around in ocean surf. They allow you to enjoy a wide variety of calm and rough conditions and different paddling activities. But many of these activities will require training. 

The further you go down the road with performance touring kayaks the more opportunities you will have to push your limits and have fun. 

Find Your Kayak

There is a kayak out there for everyone: for each individual body size and shape and for every reason that someone might want to go paddling. Once you find the right boat for you it's amazing how much fun you can have on the water. 

Kayaks: Pakayak Bluefin 142, Wilderness Systems Pungo, Liquid Logic Saluda, Melker Rodloga, P&H Volan 160, P&H Leo
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

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Hurricane Tampico 130 Specifications

Price: $1600 (USD)
Length: 13’ 2”
Width: 26”
Weight: 45 LBS (20 KG)
Capacity: 300 LBS (136 KG)
Best Use: Touring

The Tampico 130 features:

• A multi-chine hull to blend speed, tracking, and stability
• A new H-pod storage hatch
• Bungees on the back and front
• The new Airstream strong side-padded seat
• An adjustable back support
• Bulkheads on the front and back
• Hatches on the front and back.

Portability

There are three main ways that kayaks are made. One way is by rotomolding. In this process, plastic is placed into a mold and then heated up in an oven, and rotated around to fully cover the mold. Once the kayak is done you can open up the mold and voila! You have a kayak. Rotomolded kayaks are often cheaper, very durable, and a lot heavier.

Another method is creating composite kayaks out of materials such as carbon, kevlar, and fiberglass. Composite kayaks are nice and stiff kayaks that are very lightweight, fast, and perform great. You will pay a premium for this type of kayak.  

The Hurricane Tampico 130 is made by thermoforming. In this method, two sides of the kayak are made separately and then welded together. This allows them to create a stiffer and lighter kayak that is not quite as cheap or durable as a rotamolded kayak.

Because of the way it was made the Tampico 130 is only 45 LBS, which, for a boat of this size, is nice and light and easy to move around. You do have to be a little more careful when tying the Tampico 130 to a vehicle. You cannot just reef as hard as you can on the straps as you might do with a rotomolded kayak. That said, you don’t need to baby this kayak either!

Comfort

Was the Hurricane Tampico 130 comfortable to use? Well, I tested this out on a three-day trip where I spent 7-8 hours on the water each day. So it really tested the comfort of the kayak. And this kayak passed the comfort test.

The seat in the Tampico 130 is nice and padded. It has a thicker part at the front of the seat which helps lift your legs up and provide thigh support. The back support is adjustable, can go up and down, and is well padded. It is a comfortable kayak.

Stability

The Hurricane Tampico 130 is a 26” wide kayak which means that it is not going to be the most stable kayak. It is a light touring kayak so you will be trading some stability for efficiency of travel through the water. That said, you could put anybody in this kayak and they would probably feel comfortable and stable.

The Tampico 130 has a V hull which is designed for traveling forwards. But it also means that when you hold the kayak on edge it locks into place. Because of this the Tampico 130 has good primary stability and really good secondary stability when you put it on edge.

Performance

The performance of the Hurricane Tampico 130 comes from the hull. The hull is V-shaped, with a keel right down the middle of the kayak, which helps it track and cut a straight line through the water.

It is not the fastest kayak because it is only 13’ long. But for a 13’ kayak it travels efficiently and effectively through the water. Because of this, it is a fun boat to paddle. Every stroke you take really feels like you are cruising through the water instead of fighting it.

Not only is the Tampico 130 great at traveling forwards, but it is also very easy to turn. You can easily edge this kayak around or use sweep strokes to effectively turn it. The Tampico 130 does an excellent job of combining stability, maneuverability, and forward speed.

Features

The Hurricane Tampico 130 does not have that many features to talk about. There are two main hatches, one up front and one behind. There are also two bulkheads to separate the compartments of the kayak. These are great for multi-day trips because it provides you with two watertight (not waterproof) compartments.

If you do swim in a kayak with bulkheads like this you will only swamp the cockpit area. This is both much easier to deal with than a fully swamped kayak but also helps to protect your gear. You will still need to pack your gear in dry bags to make sure that it stays completely dry. Hatches are never completely dry.

The hatch at the back provides you with plenty of space to store gear for a multi-day trip. There is no skeg on the Tampico 130 which means you get a lot of extra space to store your equipment.

There is a third, day hatch, right in front of the cockpit. This has a gasket on it so is waterproof. It is the perfect place to store snacks, phones, and other useful items you want in close reach. The only downside to this hatchet is that it is exactly the same size as my phone. So, once I'd put my phone in the hatch, I couldn’t get it back out. This is of course being picky, but I couldn’t help but wish it was a tiny bit bigger!

Who is the Hurricane Tampico For?

This is a light touring kayak. You can tell this because it has a cockpit with a rim that is designed to take a paddling skirt. That, combined with the fact that it has two bulkheads, means that the Tampico 130 is safe to take into rough conditions. So it is a boat that can really handle any type of condition. That said, it is first and foremost designed to be used in calm conditions, but it can handle rougher conditions if necessary.

It is only 13’ long so the Tampico 130 is not designed for massive expeditions where you intend to cover huge amounts of ground. But it still moves fast. So it is a great kayak for people who are looking to give up some of the stability that bomb-proof kayaks offer, in order to have a boat that is fun to paddle and can travel faster.

This is a boat that anyone, from beginner to expert, can really enjoy using on single-day or multi-day trips.

Value

The Hurricane Tampico 130 retails at $1600 (USD) which is almost exactly what I would expect to pay for a touring kayak like this. You pay a tiny bit extra with the Tampico 130 to get a kayak that is only 45 LBS. But if you have the money and intend to use the kayak a lot then paying the premium to half the weight of your kayak is totally worth it.

The Hurricane Tampico 130 gets two big thumbs up. It is definitely another keeper boat for me!

Kayak: Hurricane Tampico 130
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Hurricane Tampico 130 Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Confluence of the French Broad River and Holsten River

The section of the Tennessee that we were to paddle is in fact it's very first section. The French Broad River and the Holston River converge about 7 miles upstream of the City.  This also marks the beginning of the Tennessee RiverLine. This is an initiative with the vision for a continuous system of hiking, biking, and on-water experiences. It runs along the 652-mile reach of the Tennessee River from Knoxville, TN, to Paducah, KY. 

The ambitious but exciting project involves a partnership with the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley Authority, along with a growing list of towns, counties and communities found along the length of the River.

Holsten River Park

Our starting point was to be Holsten River Park and our takeout was to be Calhoun’s on the River. Calhoun's is a popular restaurant found on the banks of the Tennessee River only steps from the downtown core. While the Tennessee River is an extremely big volume river, it has relatively mild current. If it’s not a windy day, almost any paddle craft will do the trick to get out. That’s why it wasn’t surprising that we saw a huge variety of boats on the water. Canoes, stand up paddle boards, and kayaks of all shapes and sizes. 

The P&K Volan 160 Touring Kayak

As for myself, when I travel on large bodies of water, I prefer touring kayaks or sea kayaks, which allow me to cover water quickly and efficiently. For that reason, I decided this was a great opportunity to test one of the most beautiful kayaks that I’ve ever laid my hands on – the P&K Volan 160 composite kayak.

Made with P&H’s carbon and Kevlar infusion process, and crafted with the attention to detail that P&H Sea Kayaks are known for, the 16-foot-long kayak weighs only 42 pounds and looks like something you’d want to showcase on your wall. It’s the kind of kayak that makes you cringe to think of putting a scratch in.

Kayaking Tennessee RiverLine: Wild Meets City

Our trip into Knoxville was exactly as I expected and hoped it would be. It was a beautiful mixture of wilderness and urban development. We passed a local small-plane airport, a number of dramatic bridges, and downtown Knoxville itself. I can tell you is that it’s something worth experiencing. The perspective you get from the water is truly unique.

As for the P&H Volan 160 – Yes, I did put a couple of scratches in it, and yes, I did receive a couple of comments about it from admirers. As for how it performed, check out my full review on the P&H Volan 160 here!

Check out my last article on the Okefenokee: Kayak Fishing with Alligators.

Kayak: P&H Volan 160
Paddles:  Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

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