The Best in Tent Camping - Minnesota, by Tom Watson, is the best book on where to go camping in Minnesota.  While I've received plenty of personal references to good camping destinations, I really like how Tom Watson describes the sites.  

After a brief narrative about the area near each campground/park, you get the inside scoop on which site numbers are the author's favorites.  So far I've been pleased with his picks.  Tom will help minimize the disappointments that might otherwise come with selecting a random campsite at whatever campground comes to mind.  The author rates each campground on criteria like spaciousness or privacy, so one can quickly pick the best bet for what they are looking for.  If you want to scout campsites and parks from the comfort of your easy chair at home, this book is the best way to do it.

The treasured destination for Midwestern paddlers is Lake Superior, notably the Apostle Islands.  When planning a getaway to the area, if you have kayaking in mind, its important to be aware of the temperature of the water.  For sea kayakers making the trek to Lake Superior, a drysuit and rolling skills are especially important due to the frigid temperature of this northern inland ocean.  While air temperature rises in spring and summer, the water temperature of Lake Superior can chill you to the bone most of the prime paddling season.  An appropriate wetsuit or drysuit is a must!  Late in the summer water temperatures along the shore can rise up to the high 60s and low 70s.

How can you find out the best time (water temperature-wise) to visit Lake Superior?  My favorite resource is the Michigan Sea Grant Coastwatch.  You can pick a region of Lake Superior and observe current or historical temperatures.  For example, below is a snapshot of the area around the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.  Granted, it's early May, but Brrrrr! Check out those 36 degree temps!

Whether you're buying your first kayak, adding to the fleet, or selling one you already own, price is often at the forefront of the decision making process.  What is a 'good' price?  This depends on the following factors:

-Length.  The longer a kayak is, typically the more expensive it will be.
-Materials.  Kayaks become more expensive as you progress from cheap PVC inflatable kayaks, up to plastic kayaks, and on to the premium fiberglass and composite models.
-Features.  Deck rigging, sealed bulkheads, and more comfortable or adjustable seats affect the price of a kayak.  Add on additional dollars for a rudder.
-Age and general condition.  For any previously owned craft this becomes an important factor.

Okay, so what can you expect to pay for a used kayak?  Based on 2010 asking prices on Craigslist, here's a sample of what you can expect for asking prices:

12' Recreational Plastic, or low-end inflatable (Sevylor, Stearns) - $150-300
13' Premium Inflatable (Innova, Aire) - $450-700
14' Recreational/Touring Plastic - $500-700
16' Touring Plastic - 600-900
17+ Sea Kayak, older  (say 6+ years) - $1000-1500
17+ Sea kayak, newer -$1500+

Now, if you are persistent in your search, you may find deals to eclipse the above observations...if you do, don't skimp on other accessories like a comfortable PFD or a lighter weight paddle! Finally, don't forget transport!  A benefit of inflatable kayaks is that you don't need to purchase expensive rack systems and kayak carriers that go with them.

I had an opportunity to use a Tributary Trinity II (The Aire Sawtooth II, in Blue) this past weekend, and loved it!  It was heavier than the Innova Sunny, but at 15' 3" long, and only 32" wide, its built for performance.  I paddled it solo, and again with another paddler on a lake as well as a river.  The first thing that you notice is the extra space.  This is a full two feet longer than most other tandem inflatables like the Sunny.  Two people fit very comfortably in this kayak and both paddlers have plenty of legroom.  The Aire Cheetah seats provide decent back support and keep your bottom off the floor of the boat.  The next feature of notice is all the loops lining both sides of the floor.  You can tie down gear, or your seat(s), anywhere you want, due to the plethora of loops.



I took the Trinity II on Lake Superior and was not disappointed.   It has bailing holes in the front or back to allow excess water to wash out the front or back. The bailing holes allowed me to play happily in the waves without fear of taking on water, even when loaded down with camping gear.   In addition, due to the moderate width and nice length, you can really get this kayak moving!  I got it up to 6mph solo....3.5 mph was a comfortable cruising speed with the toolless tracking fin added.

Another benefit is the 15' of length which is great for taking two children with you on an adventure!  This weekend I took a 7 and 8 year old out on the beautiful St. Croix River!   We practiced getting in and out of the kayak from the water: both boys were able to get up and over the side tubes and back into the kayak unassisted.  

To summarize:
+Extra length provides lots of options for passengers and gear
+Performance on flat water is outstanding
+Great Tandem kayak, great solo kayak too!
+Bailing holes for rough water
+The seats are easy to reconfigure and provide good back support.
+Nice carry handles at each end.
-This is a bladdered kayak. It's not as easy to clean as my Innova.  I have to tip it on its side for a few minutes after wiping it down and folding it up for transport.  This releases a few more cups of water.  Prior to winter storage I expect I will need to unzip and clean out the chambers holding the air bladders.
-Its bigger, and therefore heavier.  As part of a future update I will weigh the kayak by itself and see if I can get it in a suitcase under 50 lbs.  I think it will be very close to 50 pounds.
-The side tubes are a shiny PVC material, the floor is a dull white material.  
-Does not include a carry bag (I really like those Innova bags!)

Due to the extra length and the bailing holes, the Trinity II has replaced the Innova Sunny as my favorite and most-used kayak!  I've been out to the beach a lot this summer due to the Trinity II!  For easy cleanup on the beach I obtained a 12x16 tarp and take it from the water to the tarp for an easy wipe down with a couple hand towels and fold it up.

The yellow Tributary Sawtooth II is now available from online retailers.  If you want one in blue, however, you'll need to contact The Boat People (Trinity II).   The Boat People will also be offering a 'Made in the USA' Trinity II with full 10 year warranty, and lighter weight, next spring.

Wondering how fast this could go? Try our Kayak Speed Estimator!

Justine Curgenven continues her series of kayaking videos, this time visiting a Midwestern favorite, the Apostle Islands. While this DVD features sea kayaking destinations like British Columbia, Australia,and New Zealand, it also takes you to Lake Superior's Apostle Islands! I wished they spent more time at the Apostles, but having been there, its a nice teaser to get you thinking about the trip. Bayfield, WI is about 4 hours from the Twin Cities, but well worth the drive!

I received this DVD as a birthday gift and enjoyed the mental winter vacation to kayaking destinations months away. For those of you interested in inflatable or folding craft like me, 'Dubside' takes a folding kayak on the bus, in addition to demonstrating his rolling skills. Finally there's a section on kayak fishing. This is one section I skipped; its not my thing...yet!

As the last ice melts and the temperatures continue to rise, you may find yourself getting restless for some time on the water. Spring often brings rain and some inside time. It's a great time to inventory and prepare your gear. If you've got an inflatable kayak (or even a plastic boat) you can renew and preserve the finish of your kayak easily. The ultraviolet rays of the sun work to damage and fade your kayak. Spray on products like 303 Aerospace Protectant and McNett UV Tech will bring out the color and add an invisible layer of protection to your watercraft. I've found 303 to be more 'slippery' so I tend to use that only on exterior surfaces.

Don't miss these hot new inflatable kayaks for 2010!

*Click link for new review!* Aire Sawtooth II
Aire's Tributary line is expanding its high-performance Sawtooth kayak in several ways.  For starters, the Aire Sawtooth II is longer, just over 15 feet long!  The width has been kept in at 32" to maintain the original Sawtooth's excellent tracking and hull speed.  Further, the 'II' designates it is a tandem kayak, though I suspect this would be enjoyable to paddle solo, and with a third seat you could likely fit at least a child on as an additional passenger.

Advanced Elements AirFusion  
The Advanced Elements AirFusion is 13' long and only 25" wide (awesome!).  Not only that but it is a decked kayak design and weighs only 32lbs!    I've been skeptical of the other Advanced Elements kayaks, but this one could be a game-changer!

Wondering how fast these kayaks can go? Try our Kayak Speed Estimator!