[wolfy dog]

We sold the canoe due to my back issues as paddling like that is a big no-no for me from now on. Deja did great in the canoe last summer and it was very enjoyable. Kayaking is ok for me but I wonder if and how I can take her? My hubby and I tried out a two-seater kayak without her and that went fine so I assume a single one would work for me as well. Any thoughts / experiences you can share? Type of kayaks?

 

[ausdland]

I take my pup paddle boarding, kayaking has to be easier. I like the sit inside kayaks as opposed to sit on top. I put a ruffwear life vest with grab handle on my pup since we get far from shore and she tips the board. Lifting your dog out of the water isn't easy on your back so I'd keep her inside.

 

[wolfy dog]

I take my pup paddle boarding, kayaking has to be easier. I like the sit inside kayaks as opposed to sit on top. I put a ruffwear life vest with grab handle on my pup since we get far from shore and she tips the board. Lifting your dog out of the water isn't easy on your back so I'd keep her inside.

I am planning on a wide and stable kayak. OMG, no way a sit-on-top one

 

[NancyJ]

Sit on top kayaks are typically the MOST stable. The ones designed for fishing are awesome in that regard. You also don't have the issues with getting in and out of them if you fall over but seriously I have been in really tall swells from motorboats in ours with zero trouble. SOTS are also self bailing so they can't sink or fill with water. Fishing kayaks are designed with enough stability you can stand and fish.

We have Wilderness Systems Ride 135 fishing kayaks and it is great with a lot of back support (we have the seat)..The problem is finding a good kayak that the dog can be comfortable in. My husband had spinal fusion this fall and for flatwater it is not hard on him. (Other than transporting it-we made a trailer and have a kayak cart and that helps a lot)

Perception just came ut with one I would like to try. It is a cross between a SUP and a SOT that looks promising for use with a dog.

https://www.perceptionkayaks.com/us/products/hi-life-110

If you have a kayak shop they all often have "demo days" where they take the kayaks to lakes and let you try out various models. Also many sell of their rentals at the end of the summer for about half price.

The old town predator MX is another one I would look at because it does not have a console between the legs like a lot of them have. They sell them at Cabelas. We did not go that route because we got the Rides for half off but I do wish we had a better kayak for the dogs.

 

[Nigel]

Most people here seem to have white water type kayaks which wouldn't be much good for dogs. Until this year I had no idea there were so many other options out there. The perception one that Nancy linked looks nice. I wonder how difficult it is for a dog to get on in open water?

 

[ausdland]

Most people here seem to have white water type kayaks which wouldn't be much good for dogs. Until this year I had no idea there were so many other options out there. The perception one that Nancy linked looks nice. I wonder how difficult it is for a dog to get on in open water?

You have to lift your dog up on to it in open water.

 

[NancyJ]

That is one of my concerns about the SUP/SOT combo plus no foot rests.
I cannot see getting a dog into a sit inside.

I can easily see getting a dog into a SOT with the most commonly recommended option to get a tandem and let the dog ride in the front slot (remove the seat). Actually the long the boat the better it tracks and the faster it is. You pay with maneuverability. I find the molded in footrests on cheaper kayaks to be very uncomfortable though.

You can pull a dog into a jon boat no problem. Basically you use the collar to stabilize the head, the paws over the edge and the dog puts back feet on side of boat and pushes them self in while the back of their head is stabilized by you. I think the same would apply for a SOT ... How did you get the dog back into the canoe?

google any kayak you are interested in and you will find a ton youtube videos and reviews.

 

[NancyJ]

There. This is what I want to try! May have to counterweight the front (see video around 12 minutes) but it has massive capacity. Review is in Russian? but a lot of good video. You can remove the seats. Would be good to have when grandkids have friends. Weight capacity for an expedition.

 

[ausdland]

A sot would be easier to get the dog onto as opposed to inside the boat in open water. They're just slower than sit inside but more stable. I'd get a 2 man so the dog can ride up front and it'll be more stable.
As for a sup, the dog has to stay down or sit. It moves then we both go in the water. Maybe a new way to train down/stay?

 

[WIBackpacker]

I'd love more detailed reviews, if any of you guys develop a good system that works for your GSD.

I've considered trying a sit-on-top one to accommodate the dog (I currently have a fishing model regular sit-inside kayak which I like). I'm probably overthinking things, but I'd be worried about the dog getting tangled up in a sit-inside model if you did manage to roll or flip.

I really hate non-adjustable footrests, it makes my legs cramp up and I just can't get into a comfortable rhythm.... So maybe a traditional two-seater with seat removed would be the way to go.

 

[NancyJ]

The other advantage of a SOT is that if you do go over getting back on is allegedly a lot easier. Though the only time I have fallen out of my kayak was when I was getting out of it and slipped and even then the kayak did not flip. We have handled some awesome swells. Swells that would be rough in a Jon boat. These things are regularly used in surf they just don't have the maneuverability for white water.

Try one with molded in foot rests for awhile and see if it suits you. They are a lot cheaper. I do like Wilderness Systems and Perception in that they are both made in Mauldin SC (about 10 miles from my house). The WS has a lifetime warranty and is a little higher quality build. My husband and I only do flatwater and like to be out all day. We have not tried moving water but we would probably handle up to class 2 ok. The tarpon is a little narrower Faster. Not quite as stable but fine for flatwater. I am telling you the stability of these things is amazing.

 

[NancyJ]

I really hate non-adjustable footrests, it makes my legs cramp up and I just can't get into a comfortable rhythm.... So maybe a traditional two-seater with seat removed would be the way to go.

See. I am not the only one. That tarpon 135T looks like it could really be a charm. Or the Old Town Predator MX. [See i have been studying this but am more inclined to the Tandem just because of versatility]

 

[WIBackpacker]

Those both look really intriguing for taking the dog.... and 82lbs / 88lbs is not tbad at all for a two seater!

 

[Nigel]

You have to lift your dog up on to it in open water.

Getting my lab back in the boat was a chore, though we didn't have a system down like Nancy spoke of. i think I'd rather the dog ride in front of me as it would be easier to assist them on. Also easier to tell when they are about to bail out too.

 

[NancyJ]

Working water cadaver dogs hanging over the front of a boat they sometimes fall in . Requirement. SNUG flat collar and boat savvy dog. Mine also wears a life vest and I have used that for assist.

 

[Nigel]

Life vest with a handle on top? Something like that would make it easier.

 

[NancyJ]

Here is a video of a dog who knows how to do it but I still like having a vest on my dog

You really got me going on this. The tarpon 120 ultralight has a nice open floor. You want the dog between your legs if you think you will need to pull them in. The other benefit of a SOT is they are self draning. Now this is only 30" across and would not have quite as much stability as some of the other models. I wish they also had a 14' model.

https://www.wildernesssystems.com/us/products/tarpon-120-ultralite

 

[WIBackpacker]

Self draining and easy to flip back over after a roll are big positives in my book. Dealing with a dog and a kayak full of water at the same time wouldn't be fun unless you were in a shallow sandy spot... And some of those do still have some closed storage space, which is another reason I haven't been too crazy about other sit on top styles.

There's a blog I follow about a man who does a ton of pack-rafting with his dog (the possibilities....!) but one of those expensive devices will have to remain a pipe dream for now.

 

[wolfy dog]

Thanks to you all for the tips. We rented (to see how it goes) a tandem kayak for next weekend for Deja and me. https://www.wildernesssystems.com/us/products?family[]=462&activity[]=472&type[]=27
My hubby has his own. One of the seats will slide back to make room for Deja. She did great in the store. She has experience in the canoe already so I don't think it will be a problem. The SOTs would be harder in the wind but looked good too. But it will be an interesting experiment. Fingers crossed that there won't be any raccoons on the river banks.

 

[NancyJ]

Let us know how it goes...dumb question..why couldn't you paddle a canoe with a kayak paddle