15' Prospector, but toying with the idea of a sit-on top (SOT) for next summer because I don't have much time for big trips and I can more easily throw a smaller bag and a SOT on the car and head off for an overnighter.
Also planning a weekend sea-kayaking in Oban mid-2014.
Coniston Hall campsite might be OK for a weekend meet? Convenient location for many and they have their own gravel beach for putting in. Not much bushcraft activity but good for getting wet and trying out different boats for those interested.
I had similar ambitions and expectations for a sot and actually bought one- a Perception Freedom Expedition, with two hull access hatches, it was supposed to be ideal for extended trips etc. Well it paddled extremely well, fast, stable, capable in rougher water and for launching and recovery etc but it still weighed almost as much as my canoes! the storage was okay'ish but the hatches were not at all watertight and had to be removed and redone.
The
big issue with a sit on top, is the fact that you are constantly sitting in water and so you need either
very warm weather or a drysuit ( wetsuit-not ideal) to be able to paddle comfortably and ultimately safely.
Coniston Hall site has a very bad reputation for drunken yobs during the summer season, including tales of cars being driven round and across the site at speed.The owners or management apparently appear to have little or no interest in policing these thugs, according to several people I've spoken to. It's a shame, because the location is very good for open boat paddlers.
That said, out of season might be a good idea at Coniston Hall and the possibilities for day paddling are also pretty good with a reasonable amount of decent parking and access to the lake shore, in laybys and carparks around the lake.
What it needs is for someone to decide that they are going to go somewhere and ask others if they would like to go along too. No formality, no real organisation at this stage, at least for something like a weekend in the lakes.
For now, I'd certainly be interested in meeting up with a group of fellow paddlers in the Lake District, more or less any lake that has decent, safe parking and access to the water.(ideally Ullswater for me, as it's the nearest, easiest and to be honest,my favourite lake over there!)
Derwentwater is okay but a bit dull to be honest.
Ullswater is my favourite as already stated.
Coniston is good, not withstanding the campsite issues.
Windermere. I haven't bothered with yet, as there are too many other craft, particularly power boats and
more importantly- the "jet ski"!
Thirlmere and
Haweswater are both reservoirs and while Thirlmere gets paddled a bit, Haweswater does not, as far as I'm aware.
Buttermere &
Crummock Water are stunning and do get paddled but you are required to pay for the priviledge and they're a bit small really.
I'd say that of the list above, Ullswater probably has the most to offer, with three lake shore access campsites-Park Foot & Waterside Farm up the top end by Pooley Bridge and Side Farm at the bottom end, on the east shore. Also numerous roadside laybys and access points to the water, though you need to arrive early.
Coniston is nearly as good for access as Ullswater but not as attractive and an extra hour's journey into the lakes.
Start a "
Potential Lake District Paddle" thread in the meet section and see who's interested. It's a start and it might lead to bigger things.
If I'm not at work and I'm otherwise available, I'll show up, at least for a day paddle!
cheers
Steve