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Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Inspections – Open House 2019

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The Aquatic Invasive Species boat inspection “Open House” at the Sudden Valley Marina will be held on Saturday, April 13th, from 9 am to 3 pm.  This is a GREAT opportunity for kayakers, canoeists, and other boaters to bring their watercraft to a central location for the inspection and to get your 2019 sticker.

Remember that if you plan on using your craft on Lakes Whatcom and Samish, you MUST have a valid sticker affixed to your boat; and this applies to motor boats, kayaks, and canoes.  You will need to take the on-line class and successfully pass the short test BEFORE you bring your boat to be inspected.

For additional information, go to www.whatcomboatinspections.com.  For kayakers, the $10 fee is waived by passing the test and can be applied to multiple kayaks.

Credit the Bellingham/Whatcom County Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Credit the Bellingham/Whatcom County Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Buying a Sea Kayak – Pros & Cons of Plastic Boats

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buying a sea kayak

Plastic Sea Kayak Storage

Buying a sea kayak can seem like a complicated process.  We often are asked about the differences in the materials used to build sea kayaks, and many people are drawn to plastic boats because of their comparatively low price and reputation for not needing much care. While the first consideration is true, a “put away and forget” attitude toward a plastic kayak may result in future unhappiness!

So, let’s talk briefly about what a “plastic” kayak is. They’re made of polyethylene plastic, heat molded by various processes so that the hull and deck form a single unit that only requires cutting out the hatch and cockpit openings and attaching the outfitting (seat, deck and carry lines, bungee cords, etc.). By contrast, composite boats made of fiberglass and other materials, have the deck and hull made separately, then joined together. The composite materials are more expensive and require much more labor to construct. Consequently, the resulting boats are more expensive.

The advantages of plastic kayaks are durability, particularly if dropped on a hard surface or from impact while paddling; and as mentioned before, this construction results in the lowest prices for both brand new and used boats. There are limits to the “no care” concept, however, as you’ll see below.

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