Ted, I don’t take wheels. Once most of the gear & supplies are out of your boat, 2 people can move it up higher on the beach.
I have a couple tents. Since it will be cool (mid-50’s), I will use my sleeping bag. I use a variety of sleeping pads. My current favorite is an Exped Synmat 9 air mattress—it is a bit bulky and weighs 42 oz, but is very solidly built, and a real luxury to sleep on. I also have a Thermarest Neopad—another air mattress which only weighs 19 oz and packs real small—downside: it leaks.
I have a couple Thermarest self-inflating pads. I’ve used these for years, and they are quite adequate. Ted, I can bring one down to the launch if you need one. Sleeping on the ground (beach) is not a problem. The problem “critters” are mosquitoes and noseeums—they don’t care whether you are on the ground or not. With the cool weather, those flying critters will probably not be a problem. The one virtue of not being on the ground might be less sand in your abode.
Raccoons are a serious threat to your food. You can’t have any food in your tent, and all food not on your plate needs to be packed away in your boat by dark. Water in plastic bottles is also a target of raccoons. Raccoons do not bother water in Dromedary bags.
I’ll bring a few extra dry bags down, in case you need them. I have an extra Dromedary bag (2.5 gal), if you could use it.
I’m definitely bringing splash pants and my serious Kokatat hooded paddle jacket—I may not put them on, but I like to have them handy. The weather is supposed to be mild, but I like being comfortable. I hate small rogue waves that can douse you with cold water when you are lightly dressed.
Packing: small items that you don’t mind getting wet go in the rear hatch. Things you like to keep handy go in the middle hatch if they fit. Larger things go in the front hatch—that is usually the driest region, but most things should still be protected from water. There are 2 nice areas running back from the front hatch along each side of the boat. These can take a folding chair, if not too big. I have some long, narrow dry bags—I put my tent poles & other “long” things in these bags, and push them into these slots. My kitchen table fits in these long, narrow places very nicely. There is “tons” of room for plastic bottles of water or Dromedary bags under the rear cargo area and under the cockpit (below your legs).
I will bring my ice chest, but, it won’t be full, since this is just an overnighter. If you want, you can throw your stuff in it. The ice will be nice IF we catch fish.
Regarding fishing, the cut (Homestead canal) you refer to is about 2 mi east of our campsite. There is another much less obvious cut about a mile back. The Homestead canal is one of the best fishing spots in S FL, but it is usually staked out by power boaters all day long. I haven’t fished there in years. Given our limited time, I don’t think we will be able to make it back there for any real fishing. Snapper don’t hang out along the beaches. Snook, sea trout (out of season), and reds can be caught along the beaches. That will be our best bet.
Oh, yes, be sure to bring a folding chair. It is one of life’s pleasures when beach camping.
Keith
_________________ 2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein
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Last edited by Chekika on Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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