I have been carrying my kayak around ever since I began RVing. Since it is too big to store in the available storage areas I decided the best place for it was next to me in the overhead bead. I literally sleep with my kayak. Of course it is not a hard shell kayak but an inflatable model that I purchased from Inflatable Boats 4 Less. They are rather inexpensive and they build a real quality product. I purchased the 370 model it before I started my trip but only blew it up once just to see what it looked like. Yesterday was the first day I had it on the water.
WHAT HAVE I BEEN WAITING FOR!!!! One reason was many of the campgrounds I have stayed at do not have a lake or river. The other reason was that I was just a bit nervous in that I am alone and if something should happen I would be literally up a creek (only with a paddle). I know! Neither of these excuses are acceptable.
Anyway to make a long story short I decided to make my maiden voyage with my Sea Eagle 370. It weighs 32 pounds so I didn’t want to carry it down to the boat ramp to launch it. I disconnected my electric/water and drove down to the boat ramp, unloaded the kayak and proceeded to blow it up with the foot pump that is part of the package.
In less then 15 minutes I was ready to launch. Not bad!! Here is a pic of my Sea Eagle 370 ready to take off from the shore. That is my rig in the background parked at the boat ramp.
Be sure to click and then click again to enlarge all photos.
I launched it without mishap and headed off in to open water. Around the boat ramp is a “no wake” area so I decided to stay in that area until I got more used to the kayak.
Here I am headed down stream in my kayak. It is extremely easy to handle and I got the hang of it right from the start. What a blast!!!
The temperature at the campgrounds was 102 degrees so needless to say it is even hotter on the open water. I did take plenty of water with me, but I still wanted to find a shady spot under the trees.
I found this beautiful spot upstream from the boat ramp. By the way I had no problem traveling upstream in my kayak. I moved along at a pretty good clip. I am very surprised how easy it is to maneuver.
This was a great spot for just kicking back and relaxing. What a life!! LOL!!
Today I added another dimension to my RV’ing lifestyle. I am so pleased with myself for 1. Purchasing this great Sea Eagle kayak at such a great price, (be sure to check out their site for discounts). 2. Finally getting it out on the water. 3. Realizing how easy it is to maneuver. 4. RELAXING!!! (Naturally the best part).
I can’t wait to get it back on the water again to hone my kayak skills (and my relaxing skills as well HA!).
Jimbo's Journeys 
That certainly does look relaxing. Good for you for getting out there on the water.
Can’t believe you’ve been sleeping with that kayak all this time and haven’t used it! Looks like fun. Wish we had one.
What a great idea, Jim. Looks like loads of fun and I know how you like that three letter word.
Do you know how to right yourself if you tip? Apparently this is something they have you learn when renting a kayak.
Upum, do you still love your Sea Eagle? Do you think a seat back upgrade would be a sound purchase at $50 for a lady who likes better back support when paddling? I am getting ready to move out to AZ, but I refuse to leave Texas without ever having carried my beloved old Airstream motorhome to Caddo Lake, one of the VERY FEW naturally-formed lakes in the entire state of Texas! I am considering the purchase of a small Sea Eagle, being as inexperienced a kayaker who travels on her own, as you were at the time of this posting. I have a knee injury, and I’ve got to find some exercise that will do me until I can get it repaired. I love water and, as a pretty serious amateur herpetologist, I sure do enjoy close encounters with swamp denizens. Any tips for an enjoyable trip? I’ll be thinking about you. Thanks for the inspiration. I’m in love with your rig!