[clekr]

We expect to move to TV next fall. I have two questions relative to our kayaks.

1. Does anyone have a good, viable, .. sling system? Garage ceiling?

2. How do I address the obvious alligator question with my wife? She is not humored by my "life insurance" comment!

[punkpup]

Have you checked out the The Villages Canoe and Kayak Club? http://thevillagespaddlingclub.com/

As for storage:
http://www.hoister.com/default.php
http://www.talic.com/index.php
http://www.jnkproducts.com/overhead_storage.htm
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/Mer...=Kayak-Storage
http://www.canoegear.com/catalog/home.php?cat=4
http://www.ocean-two.com/Galleries/2...eys/index.html (a DIY solution)
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-571.html
http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/Pro...&SKU=EOU_BCDHO
http://www.suspenzkayakstorage.com/home

Good luck

[another Linda]

And another question for kayakers. Has anyone done the training session? We own kayaks, go out almost daily on the lake at our summer place, but doubt we have the endurance to do 10 miles over 5 hours. 5 HOURS! OMG! Not even sure it is possible to get to that level.

[clekr]

What about the aligators?

[funnygirl]

Yes... I'd also like to know about the alligators. They are in all the lakes and streams and you are right at their level. Seems a bit dicey to me. I choose not to be lunch for some preditor. It's their habitat and Kayaks are easily tipped over. I took a course in kayaking at UCLA. It was fun in the lakes and streams of California, but not in the Pacific because of the sharks. A lot of good it will do knowing how to right your kayak if you become come up close and personal with one of those guys.
Makes about as much sense as asking where is the closest lake beach so dogs can have some fun running in and out of the water. I saw this posted not too long ago. Man's best friend would just make a tastey snack for some lucky alligator.
You have to have a healthy respect for your environment and not take unhealthy or "terminal" risks.

[punkpup]

Why not ask the folks in TV Canoe and Kayak Club? I see that the club has a contact person:
Contact Person:
Mickey Jensen
mlj33594@aol.com
(352) 430-1561

There are 5 other names with contact information listed on the Home Page of the web site whom I'm sure would be happy to answer any of your questions.

Here's the link to the club site:
http://thevillagespaddlingclub.com/

Good luck

[Rosalie]

Wondering if anyone knows if there are rental kayaks available at Lake Miona or any other lake near The Villages (just read the kayaking article in the Daily Sun)

I'm a member of The Villages Canoe and Kayak Club and regarding the alligators, they are wild animals. Wild animals tend not to want encounters with humans any more than we want to have up close and personal contact with them. When they hear you coming they usually slip under water and swim the other way. It would be highly unlikely (I've never read or heard of it being documented) for an alligator to swim after a kayak in an attempt to attack either the paddler or the boat.

Regarding a sling system: All you need are some pulleys and cording, both of which can be purchased at a variety of stores. Attach the pulley/cording system to your garage ceiling as a way to raise and lower your kayak. Some people also store their kayaks hanging on their walls.

We do not own kayaks and choose instead to rent them. The VCKC uses high quality outfitters for their trips.

Good Luck!

[Aceskaters]

I joined Discovery Kayak Tours (www.discoverykayaktours.com). This is a privately owned (about 12 kayaks) company run by one person. He plans several sessions at Lake Miona (that's what you saw in the newspaper) each month and many other tours of rivers/springs in the central Florida area. You just meet him at a park along whatever river you are kayaking, pay (usually 45 to 60 dollars depending on whether it is a half-day or full-day trip) and start paddling. He is the guide, provides the boats, lifejackets, and a snack. This way you don't have to buy kayaks, store them or transport them. I have found that this is the easiest method for me. The kayaks used nowadays are unlike the ones we used many years ago...they don't turn over unless you do something very very wrong! If you kayak a lot this may not work for you, but if you just want to occasionally explore the nearby rivers, it's not a bad deal.