The Pritchard Lodge and Condo: Condo Kayaks

The family owns two yellow kayaks, one tandem and one single. The storage rack is over at the Boat Club on the Intercoastal. The rack is just north of the beach house/restroom building. Our rack is G2, as shown in the picture. They are locked up with a cable and padlock with a combination of 4747. Pay attention to how the cable goes through the self draining holes, scupper holes, as shown in the video below. This is the easiest way to get them locked up and protect them so water and other stuff doesn't get trapped in the kayak. Use the cart to move the kayaks to and from the beach, as shown in the video below. Lock the cart up when it's not in use. When you get back from kayaking put them on the stand next to the hose to rinse them off, as shown in the video below. It’s important to get as much sand and salt water as you can before putting them back on the rack. (MORE INFO AND VIDEOS AFTER THE JUMP)

Tandem Kayak (Perception Tribe)

This kayak actually has three places to install seats, front, back, and middle
There are two seats and they are easy to install and remove...also easy to steal, so they’re stored in one of the red milk crates in the master bedroom closets.
It’s set up so you can have two seats one in front and one in back; or if you want to use it as a single, you can just put one seat in the middle
The other option is to have adults sit one in front, one in the back, and then just let a child sit in the indentation in the middle.
Because of the seating option there are no dry wells in this kayak so there is a ‘dry bag’ that can be attached to the kayak for towels, keys, phones, etc.
To use the dry bag zip it closed, fold it over at least 3 times and then clip it together.
There are bungee straps in the front and back to hold ‘stuff’ (like dry bag, life jackets, or coolers)
Nanette’s suggestion is to put your lifejacket between your back and the seat back; it’ll give you a little more padding and higher support. Another option is to sit on it.
There is an ‘anchor-in-a bag in the red crate in the master bedroom for this kayak. You may think you won’t need one but if you go over into the flats and see the big expanse of water and want to stop for any reason, there’s nothing to tie up to or attach to. Recommend that if you stop along the Intercoastal you may want to use the anchor on shore to tie it off.
Since this kayak is designed to take people, its storage capabilities are limited.
The foot rests are pretty self explanatory on this one, simply pick a comfortable location for your feet and use your legs as you paddle.

Single Kayak (Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120)

This kayak’s seat is fixed and can’t be removed. When you store the kayak make sure you use the strap to fasten the seat in the ‘closed’ position so it doesn't hang down.
It has dry wells in the front and middle. When you use the dry wells keep in mind that the drywells are ‘open’ from front to back and stuff you put in there will slide around unless you attach it to something inside. There are some straps inside the dry wells to hook things to.
Recommend the ‘anchor-in-a-bag in the center dry well for this kayak.
There’s a ‘paddle keeper’ on the front of the kayak. Simply slide the tip of the paddle under the round gromet on the bungee and the paddle will stay in place.
There’s a large bungee strap on the back of the kayak that you can put one of the red baskets under.
There are also a number of other places to attach ‘stuff’ on this kayak.
The foot rests are adjustable on this one so adjust them before you get started.

Important Stuff

There are three two-piece paddles stored in the master bedroom closet.

There are 4 universal vest style lifejackets stored in the master bedroom closet that can be used by anyone over 90 lbs and up to 50” chest.

ALWAYS TAKE SOME WATER SHOES IN CASE YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THE KAYAK. Flip flops or sandals without backs will probably get stuck on the bottom and come off.

Pay attention to which way the tide is flowing. Look at which direction the bait buckets under the docks are floating. It’s easier to paddle with the tide. If you’re going to be out for awhile keep in mind that once you’re tired and are trying to get back to the dock, you’d rather be paddling with the tide rather than against it.
There are several inlets to the ‘flats’ on the west side of the intercoastal. They’re not all interconnected but some are. Pay attention to where you came from so you can find your way back. After a couple trips you’ll be be much more comfortable.
These kayaks are both very stable. It would be difficult to capsize either of them and it’s highly unlikely but you could fall out of one if you lost your balance. While there are a few deep holes or channels for the most part the water is very shallow in the flats, like 1-4 ft depending on the tide. It is mostly a sandy/muck bottom and sand bars scattered. There are also a LOT of clam beds with VERY sharp edges.
The shore lines of the intercoastal are also shallow so if you stay next to shore you’ll never be in deep water other than the few channels running into the intercostal.
Boats motoring along the intercoastal should slow down for you but if they don’t, cross the wakes at a right angle if you can.
There are a couple emergency whistles attached to the red baskets. There aren’t a lot of people over in the flats and in the very unlikely event you have an emergency, the whistles can get the attention of someone to help.
Your paddle is your biggest friend. Be nice to it and DON’T lose it out there in the water.
There is rolled up bubble wrap and straps in the master bedroom closet to tie the kayaks on top of your car and could be used to transport the kayaks to another location if you chose to. It is easy to load and move them, just make sure you tie them down well if you do.
There’s a Scotty rod holder in one of the red milk crates for any of you fishermen.