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Sleeping About in Boats

(12 posts) (7 voices)

Started 8 years ago by BeastOarman
Latest reply from zenkayaker

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BeastOarman
Member

I'm sure this sounds silly, and when the time comes I will likely be too tired to care, BUT . . .

I plan on sleeping in my boat, pulled up on shore. In the WW, there may be a time when I need to sleep in it on the water, I've done that once in Florida Bay when a croc was occupying the campsite I reserved. Do I need to be concerned about overly friendly Gators trying to climb up and get at me or my food if the boat is in the water? That will influence if I need to bring my electric bear fence.

Thanks for your advice!

Posted 8 years ago #
Scareman
Member

Bears - Duh!

Posted 8 years ago #
Scareman
Member

Seriously, watch out if you land anywhere where people have "trained" raccoons that we are supply boats. Watch Out! The Rats, Mice, and Raccoons will enter your boat and pilfer your water and food, chew through tents or nylon bags, and literally I have seen raccoons carry off boots.

Never heard about any gators bothering folks. I sleep on my cot in the WIlderness Waterway with a bug shirt over my sleeping bag opening.

This past weekend on North Nest Key in Florida Bay, two kayakers beside me had rats running over the top of their tent and raccoons getting into everything. I slept soundly as I heard the raccoons occassionally on my paddles across my cockpit covers. My Seaward hatches have fiberglass covers with 2 bungees across, and a neoprene cover beneath that - so I have little worries about the critters getting into my stash. I do however put anything from my deck in the tent (deck bag with Clif Bars, Dromedary bag, Gatroade bottles).

Posted 8 years ago #
Danito
Member

Bring a Machete just in case one of these decides to pay a visit.

Posted 8 years ago #
Sirtackalot
Member

I camped at one of the official island campsites in the Everglades during last years race. As we were setting up camp, something grabbed a whole sack of Oreos 3 feet from me and ran in to the bushes. It was night and all I saw was something dark running on its hind legs. It never dropped a single Oreo! I have never seen racoons run on hind legs so "assume" it was a monkey............

Posted 8 years ago #
DonKeyHoTey
Member

BeastOarman, I'm looking forward to seeing this rowing scull that you can sleep in. Your picture of it in the snow was very cryptic. What type is it? By the way, how many MPD are you figuring on?

Too many critters. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4313978.stm I'm taking enough chances in the marine foodchain, and DEFINITELY sleeping onboard. Do I have to come ashore at the checkpoints, or can I just wave from the boat?

Posted 8 years ago #
whitecaps
Member

Be careful in established camp sites. Same as any other park. The animals become acustomed to people and lose thier fear. Some chickees have fed gators they really make me pay attention.

I slept pretty well in the middle of the Nitemare at night stuck on top my canoe at low tide with no fear last year.

Ck pt 3 the birds. They will steal any thing in a pastic bag out of your cockpit, even heavy stuff like cell phones.

toby

Posted 8 years ago #
BeastOarman
Member

DonKeyHoTey, this year I will be rowing an Alden Ocean 18. It is designed to row as a double or single - I row it as a single. Basically a large open fiberglass shell with about a 32" beam, and so I made the spray deck to keep it a little more dry. I will try to get a pic that shows it more clearly! Maybe barbed wire is the ticket.

Posted 8 years ago #
zenkayaker
Member

has anyone tried the mil type alluminum tuburer cases w/the wing-nut loc's ???? they are fairly lite and raccoon bear proof !!!!! I have used them before plastic bag's were invented.AS a plus;if you "hang-em" up ,and raccoon's do get to them they make a nice racket falling down.mine are 8"x10"and 8"x14". I think I gave $4-6dollar's at a surplus store .hope this help's.by the way instead of a tent -how about a hammock & tarp[bad weather only],combination ???? keeps ya off the ground ,can be used as chair ,mine is old mil stuff and came with roof&bug screening . enjoy and PADDLE ON zenkayaker

Posted 8 years ago #
DonKeyHoTey
Member

That's a much better ride than last year, BeastOarman. Yes, if you can keep the water out of the cockpit, you should be nice and comfortable in that shell. For drying your cockpit, do you have some sort of pump, or self bailer, or just a manual bailer and sponge?

Posted 8 years ago #
BeastOarman
Member

I think the boat will work well, I used it a few years ago in Florida Bay - a bit slower than the Echo I used last year, but if I can keep water out of the cockpit I will more than make up the difference. I've got all 4 bailing options actually. But the self-bailer only seems to work in the summer when you test it, never when you need it. Plus with the spray deck, I cannot reach it now. But I have an electric pump in case I completely swamp, and a sponge & hand pump for the stray chop.

Posted 8 years ago #
zenkayaker
Member

Morning guy's !!!! thanks for the advice.this is my first "kevlar"kayak,still working the curves out of the paddling strokes,I will by a "bomb-proof cover before the race date,yes I have a "hand-pump&sponge",I have spare paddle's ,float-bag's[year's of buying stuff] lol !!!! just need the "seat-time" to help improve muscles,and some work on 'what to eat&when,lol those who know me [sandybottom],know that I am a caffine&sugar" freak",this however may not serve me wellon the trip/passages!!! sleeping is NO prob ,once fell asleep peddling a bike [good ending ] there . I was thinking on a "pump" with a magnetic switch&WT battery box so that I wouldn't have to open cockpit cover to bale[sounds good to me],and batterie's are a good trade-off for manual strength[need that for paddling].has anyone used this type of pump,how about solar panels to the batterie's ,I have several small panels already.I am not sure a sail,of anykind will help me with this boat [I will try one here in oriental ] and solve that prob in "shallow "water lol !! once again thanks for the imput and GOOD LUCK with your questions and progress !!!! PADDLE ON later zenkayaker

Posted 8 years ago #

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