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Thanks very much for reading,
G.
Hello,
“Hi group, I am a DIY’r. I tried to stop but couldn’t.” Great read, I enjoyed your DIY article. I work on my RV almost exclusively unless it’s cost and environmentally effective to have some do the work (oil change).
Kudos
Greg: Read with interest your evaluation of which heater is best. However, you did not mention or evaluate portable electric heaters. Many of us make frequent stops in RV parks with electricity and use a small portable heater instead of running the noisy one. Would appreciate your thoughts on electric heaters. Are they safe to leave on all night? Etc. Thanks.
Gail,
Since we mostly boondock, we rarely use an electric heater at all, and I did not think to mention it when I was comparing heaters in general. However, on the infrequent times when we do use the electric heaters when we’re Hooked Up, we do use them all night long, and I feel it’s safe. Of course you don’t want them near anything that will catch fire from the heat.
Uzun süredir aradığım konuydu teşekkürlerimi sunarım
(Thanks for the topic I was looking for a long time)
What is the model of your kayak … Looks like a good one for RVing and storage in the unit. Plus, good one for basic kayaking on the lakes.
Thanks …
Jim
Jim, the kayak is a Sea Eagle FastTrack 385FT. It has been a real sweet spot for RV life — it’s light at 32#, long enough for two and short enough for good maneuverability and low wind susceptibility. Stable as a barge but easy to paddle. And it packs up into one of our smaller storage areas. Here’s the link: https://www.seaeagle.com/FastTrackKayaks/385ft
Thanks for the information. Did you find enough time and areas to use it on your trip through BC … Yukon … and Alaska? Have never tried using a kayak but have always wondered that we would have a different view of our trip if we took time to kayak . Anything we would need especially heading north when kayaking …. Clothes or equipment?
Jim
We got OUR kayak on the water many times (maybe 6-8 excursions). Would have been more, but we didn’t often find the place, time, and weather all cooperating at once. But YES, it is definitely a wonderfully different perspective while traveling. Camping by a peaceful shore is one thing, but paddling out away from camp, all quiet and serene and alone, is spectacular. See our kayaking at Boya Lake in BC for example: http://www.divver-city.com/blog/2015/06/12/boya-lake-northern-b-c/
We also did one trip in a rental kayak. They wouldn’t/couldn’t bring ours, so we used theirs for the Bear Glacier excursion. Now THAT was an exceptional adventure: http://www.divver-city.com/blog/2015/08/09/ice-fog-and-kayaks/
Our kayak “kit” consists of a drybag, air pump, sandals, windbreakers, sun-hats, snacks and drinking water. Camera of course (I use a cool little waterproof Fuji). We pretty much stick to fair weather, although we’ve kayaked in sloughs, lakes, and coastal ocean waters with 10+mph winds — which is a lot of work but doable. We paddle at 2.5-3.5mph and can sprint briefly at 4mph, so stiff currents are a no-no except for going downstream. The FastTrack is good for class-II whitewater, which we have not (yet) done. We like the calm placid stuff, we’re not there for rough-and-tumble excitement. Glaciers and icebergs notwithstanding :o)
And oh yeah, it’s also good to get some upper-body exercise in addition to hiking.
Greg … Do you prefer the white high seat or would the lower black with a high back support be better for a 1st timer?
Jim
We’ve owned the inflatable (white) seats for years now, and recently tried out a set of the high-back seats. What a disaster. We thought they’d be nice with the improved back support, but it was actually more trouble than help. But the real horror was the seat pad. It’s about 3/4 inch thick and HARD. You can barely dent it by pushing on it with your thumb. My butt-bones were hurting after two minutes sitting on that thing, it’s unimaginable how we’d deal with a day-long (or even a couple of hours) excursion. And the white seats are half the price and weight too.
We did try out a different set of seats from Aquaglide – – stiff back and inflatable bottoms. These seem pretty comfortable, but there’s a bit of a kink: the backs are designed for full PFD wear. We don’t care for the full PFD’s and we don’t need them for flat water. We use emergency-inflate belt-pack PFD’s, which stay out of the way until they’re needed (hopefully never). They’re much cooler in summer temps too. These belt-packs don’t fill up the space between the seat and the seat-back, so our butts are kinda hanging off the rear. Jury is still out on these.
So (long answer to short question) I’d advise getting the lower-cost white seats to start with.
If you want to keep this thread going, email is a bit easier and quicker. Send a message to “mayor” at divver-city.com
Hi … I have been following your 4 month Alaska trip for the entire time. I was planning our 2nd trip to Alaska and found your site. Really interesting!
We like boon docking a lot and realized your information was good.
I would like to ask you about your hat … I am looking for a good replacement. Yours looks good for a 3 month trip. Probably be asking more questions later.
Thanks …
Jim
I’ve been wearing a Tilley for many, many years now. My previous one was a light-colored under-brim, and although it’s still serviceable I’ve changed over to the dark-underbrim. See this link: http://www.tilley.com/us_en/t3-snap-up.html
Unfortunately, they’re only good for a brief light rain unless waterproofed. I bought an imported Aussie waxed-cotton-duck hat up in Jasper (Alberta) that’s really good in the rain but a little heavy for everyday use. My Tilley is jealous.
Thanks for the hat information … I need to keep my top covered. It has taken many years of hard hits and really likes the shade. Hope you won’t mind future questions on planning a 2017 Alaska trip.
Jim
A very good blog!
Splendid blog Greg & Karin!
Keep posting as much as ya can, it´s always nice to read such a nice stories.
Greetings from Marek 🙂
Thanks Greg /Karen..
keep on sending your trips info/pics..they are great!
Came back last night from Sulphur Creek..Val and Kiere are still there
she likes the write-up in the Pilot Magazine..also the picture from here in the kitchen..
everybody things they are the owners…but they are the care-takers..
Was great as always..very quite and relaxed..b.t.w. Smiley is a beautifull
area over 7.000 elevation..on a nice road..good restaurant across the
5000′ gras strip..with a r.v.disposal station ..
If I quit flying..I take my small RV out there and then further north Glacier N.P.into Canada and Alaska…
L A T E R..
keep in touch..
tony and marlene