Question about kayaking in remote areas

Hi all,

LoletaEric's thread http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=59492.0 got me wondering about this.

Those of you who have to haul your kayaks decent distances, what kayak do you use? I know all of you probably use wheeleez (I'm picking mine up on Friday) but I'm wondering about more.

I've come to become somewhat annoyed with how bulky my kayak is. Don't get me wrong, in specific conditions it's awesome. On lakes, I love it. I can fish from 6am to 8pm on it and get off feeling refreshed. Hell, I've fallen asleep on it while anchored. I love being able to take my dog out on it and have it dry and stable.

But all of these perks are things I do not need on the ocean. I never fish that long, would never sleep on it (though one time I did fall asleep and end up swimming about 1 mile off Santa Cruz Harbor. That was a interesting way to wake up), and would only take my dog out if it was on an AI trampoline.

I've come to be rather annoyed at how challenging it is to move the beast of a kayak I have. Even with two people, it's a chore. Perhaps my expectations are unrealistic. But I am looking at LoletaEric's pictures and how far he dragged his kayak and I'm like, shit you probably couldn't pay me enough to drag mine that far.

So I'm wondering what kind of kayaks you guys who venture into remote areas where you have to port your kayak over a distance on unpaved terrian/sand/rock use.

I've been tossing around getting a Ocean Kayak Prowler 13. 56#, 400-450# capacity and not super wide (28") seems like a good kayak but I don't quite know what the downsides are. I know I have to demo it first to see if I like paddling it. Still I'm interested in what you guys use, or if my expectations are unrealistic and it's always hard.

Use what ya got, or get a second yak    The complaints from your friends helping you carry your yak is enough to force ya to get something lighter    Either that, or be sure to offer to carry theirs first!    My outback is a beast, but my x-factor not so bad! 

Yeah getting a second kayak is something I'm strongly considering. I originally was thinking my next kayak would be an AI, but I'm thinking getting something like a Prowler 13 would be better in the long run (and much more affordable) and get the AI later.

I'm in one of those pictures. I have an emotion mojo, ~60 lbs, and carry it down the trail over my head. Then make two trips back to carry a bin full of gear then my rods, paddle and net. The trip back up the hill is a bitch after a full day and with a limit of fat fish. Beer is defenitely in order.

Wheelez for long beach walks.

erics beach trek yak, is like 10ft and 40#s, thats why he takes that one on the long beach treks, and he has the x factors for the offshore trolling the mid size for rivers, believe there is a SUP in there somewhere etc ....when the madness is strong you need a fully stocked quiver of boats so your plan for a t13 then an AI later is a good start

An option for carrying your gear is a mesh dive bag. I have been using it to carry and store all my hobie accessories, mirage drive, lifejacket and it works well and rolls up when not in use.

http://www.amazon.com/Mares-Cruise-Backpack-Mesh-Deluxe/dp/B004USS8Y8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413512578&sr=8-2&keywords=mesh+dive+bag

I do usually Wheeleez a 9' Maintstream Jazz - it's very light and has over a 300 pound capacity.  I also Wheeleez the Scrambler XT - 12' boat with maybe a 350 pound capacity, a hatch and two rod holders.  I've Wheeleezed the X-Factor 3 miles roundtrip once - it was a chore!

Good luck, have fun, keep challenging yourself.   

I use a couple diy carts, ones made from chopped up stroller I welded back together....awesome on a long flat hike, practically walks itself.   Another one that's a homemade version of wheeleez...sorta,  still workin out kinks...

My yak is an OK scrambler xt angler...it's an oldie but she's stabil as hell, quick enough and only weighs about 48-50lbs.  Easy to load, easy to carry.   Which is up there for me when it comes to what Im lookin for in a kayak.  Mounting options and storage are what she lacks and she suffers from wave slap on choppy water.  I've really been thinking about what I need from my yak and where I want it, which is why I'm leaning towards a OK trident 13 for my next boat