Anyone know anything about vintage kayaks?

"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo) 07/25/2017 at 00:03 • Filed to: None

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So a couple days ago I picked up this piece of jetsam.

It was in partial exchange for labour and loaning of tools to a neighbour so he could “fix” his brakes on his sketchy-ass van that he paid $1 for. When I say sketchy, be advised that I paid $250 for my current daily driver and haven’t replaced anything mechanical except a length of brake line, and it sounds like the next door neighbours in a cheap hotel as it goes down the road. I feel I may have jeopardized some lives by enabling him, and it won’t happen again. I put “fix” in quotes, because pads and rotors aren’t going to fix your brakes when they were so wore down on one side that one pad went missing and the pistons overextended, and so badly cooked on the other wheel that the pistons are just about turning into powder. Also there’s no pedal pressure at all. He claimed the drums in back were fine, but they obviously do nothing either. I just wanted my tools back so I tossed everything on for him and reassembled things as best as I could. He claimed he could bleed them and they’d be fine... right. He has since posted the van on a local buy and sell for $1500, advertising the “new brakes”. I hope that means he hasn’t driven it.

But back to the kayak. It’s fiberglass, 13' long, and red on top. Obviously I don’t know much about kayaks.

Honestly I’m not even sure which end is the front. It’s got a couple stickers on it, fore and aft of the hole and very faded it’s got two that say “Mega Moose” and less faded the two visible “Osprey” stickers on either side.

It’s a beater for sure. Needs a seat, probably a couple spots patched and/or patched again but properly this time, and new gel coating I think. Probably a skirt too but let’s not get too crazy here. Also I suppose I need a paddle... Ha.

St Jimmy looking down on the yak with scorn.

I’d have to guess it weighs about 25-30 lbs. and that’s really all the description I can think of. Apparently it came with the van. ¯\_()_/¯

Some of you may judge me for receiving it in lieu of payment (also got a cheap but unused calliper spreader out of it) but frankly I would’ve been happy just getting my tools back after two months. That’s a mistake I’m not making again.

Boxer_4 > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 07/25/2017 at 00:13

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Not bad! It’s definitely a bit of a fixer-upper, as you said, but I have no doubt that with a bit of work it can be looking and functioning great!

Generally, the more pointed end of the cockpit will be the front, but someone can (and should) correct me if I’m wrong.

Die-Trying > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 07/25/2017 at 00:13

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after two MONTHS? i start getting nervous if they leave my sight........

not for canada - australian in disguise > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 07/25/2017 at 00:23

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They go in the water.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Die-Trying 07/25/2017 at 00:23

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Yeah. I wasn’t excited. I was just going to go over and give him a hand but the parts store had to order the rotors in, and I wasn’t going to be around when they showed up, and he seemed desperate to do it. I’d only loaned out a breaker bar and my old torque wrench that likely needs replaced anyhow, but it’s the first and last time I’ll be loaning out tools, I’ll tell you that. I told him every single time I had a free evening (just about all of them) and eventually somehow the stars aligned for him to be able to do it. I ended up doing most of the work too, turns out he’s nowhere near as competent as he claimed.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 07/25/2017 at 00:27

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http://www.ebay.com/gds/The-Dos-and-Donts-of-Buying-a-Fibreglass-Kayak-/10000000178358456/g.html

without a keel I think those can roll easier. fiberglass was ussually for more advanced paddlers. As always you should have a lifevest. It can be easy to flip and be trapped upside down.  

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Boxer_4 07/25/2017 at 00:28

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Yeah that’s what I was thinking, pointy end of cockpit to the front, mostly because there’s a pair of holes on either side of the less pointy end that look like they’d be where a seat bolts up, methinks.

It just seems like the hole ends up being a little far forward for sitting that way, I figure you’d want to be centred front to back

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/25/2017 at 00:32

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Yeah I read that. I would definitely consider myself an advanced paddler... in a canoe. I’ve only been in a kayak once before and that was twelve years ago, but it wasn’t difficult to get the hang of. But needless to say I won’t be testing this thing out in very deep water. Dude claimed it floats but I’m less confident.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > not for canada - australian in disguise 07/25/2017 at 00:32

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I thought they went on it? You’re thinking of submarines maybe.

Kiltedpadre > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 07/25/2017 at 00:37

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That depends on how well you patch it.

not for canada - australian in disguise > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 07/25/2017 at 00:41

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no you dangus you go IN the water in a kayak

Die-Trying > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 07/25/2017 at 00:45

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yeah, the worst, is if it gets sold to ANYONE that you know, and they get told “GOG done the brakes, so if you have any problems, he can help”......the worst........

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > not for canada - australian in disguise 07/25/2017 at 01:04

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I’ve been under the impression the goal is to stay on top of the water. But I suppose I could be wrong.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Die-Trying 07/25/2017 at 01:10

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I would gladly change the callipers on this POS if it was someone I cared about who bought it. Keeping a close eye on the ad. So far no comments.

Also the “new” tires he talks about are some old AT’s on the wear bars. Probably going to PM anyone who does comment on the ad.

TheRealBicycleBuck > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 07/25/2017 at 07:58

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Take a rolling class, because it will roll, it’s just a matter of when.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/25/2017 at 11:26

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Take a class in a gross-ass swimming pool? Count me out. I’ll be fine. I had the roll down last time without a class, it’s not that difficult. I’ll stick to calm waters until I’m confident. I’m not an idiot.