Launching Kayak from dock

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wittich
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Location: Kyle, Texas
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Launching Kayak from dock

Post by wittich »

I would like to make it easier to launch my kayak from my wooden dock. Depending on the water levels it can be difficult to launch and retrieve . I have seen different plastic floating docks that would be tied up to mine, but I was wondering what you guys would recommend? thanks, wittich
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impulse
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Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:08 pm

Re: Launching Kayak from dock

Post by impulse »

There's a ton of YouTubes for different systems, none of which I found that met my needs and budget. Some of them cost more than all 4 of my kayaks put together. Others didn't allow for tidal (or drought) variations in water level. Most of them precluded using the dock for tying up a regular boat. And some of them looked even more precarious than just carefully stepping into the kayak from an elevated deck.

Search YouTube for "kayak launch float" or other variations on that idea.

I settled for practice and more practice. The key being to stand right in front of the seat, get stable and quickly plop my butt down into the seat. Getting out, I use the emergency swim ladder that every dock needs just in case someone falls in.

If I were going to do anything to the dock itself. I'd cantilever 2x12's a foot lower than the current dock level. And I may do that yet if I get older and weaker, or if more of the family needs more help getting into the kayaks. That would not interfere much with the ability to tie a regular boat to the dock for the day. But I won't recommend it until I try it myself and that's not this year.
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creekstone
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Re: Launching Kayak from dock

Post by creekstone »

I was watching some iCast 2022 videos and saw several of these in the demo area of the convention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO6ZcnjjnWw

I have no idea how much they cost.
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impulse
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Re: Launching Kayak from dock

Post by impulse »

creekstone wrote: Mon Aug 29, 2022 2:29 pm I was watching some iCast 2022 videos and saw several of these in the demo area of the convention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO6ZcnjjnWw

I have no idea how much they cost.
Looks like the kayak specific part is around $1,400, plus the cost of the floating dock configuration you'd attach it to. I doubt you could attach it directly to a fixed wooden (non-floating) dock.

That was the 2020 Arkansas price, before the Brandon bump...

https://www.transform.ar.gov/wp-content ... -List.xlsx

There's also a Texas specific website.

https://ezdocktexas.com/products/ez-kayak-launch/
wittich
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Re: Launching Kayak from dock

Post by wittich »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH9tpe2uMs4

This looks like alot of work. It would nice addition to the house.
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impulse
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Re: Launching Kayak from dock

Post by impulse »

wittich wrote: Mon Aug 29, 2022 3:33 pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH9tpe2uMs4

This looks like alot of work. It would nice addition to the house.
I love that guy and some of his projects. This one looks great as long as you already have a floating section of dock to attach it to. Especially if you have kayakers with limited skillsets or physical limitations. I expect to be there eventually, but not this year...

Sadly, neither his, nor the EZDock would work on our dock configuration without violating deed restrictions (for how far the dock can stick out into the canal), or it would block the boat lift. That doesn't mean I don't like them, just something to consider before pulling the trigger. Our next door neighbor could add one easily because their boat lift is separate from their fishing dock. But they don't kayak.
mwatson71
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Location: 77005

Re: Launching Kayak from dock

Post by mwatson71 »

A friend of mine in Sea Isle just has very wide steps that go down to the water level on one side.
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doslocosranch
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Location: Aransas Pass- Rockport

Re: Launching Kayak from dock

Post by doslocosranch »

We used our 2nd boat lift to launch ours. One of my neighbors has a dock fixed on 1 end and then one lift beam and motor to create a ramp. Cool idea. still the cost is more than most might want to spend for sure.
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mwatson71
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Re: Launching Kayak from dock

Post by mwatson71 »

@doslocosranch
Not many things on this board that make me go "Wow" but that setup with the Hobies on the boat lift is one of them. Damn nice setup.
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