Any recommendations for commuting on water?

Question

Hello...

I am going to be moving home by the end of 2007 and will be locating myself across the river that I currently live on. The thing is, I do not want to have to use the ferry services to cross back over the river to get to work and so forth.

Can anyone suggest practical/realistic solutions to this problem?

I have considered buying a RIB but obviously mooring is an issue and I would prefer to not have to pay fees to moor in a marina. Unless there is a RIB small enough to come out water and be mounter on my car!?

The biggest constraint I would put on this idea is that I would like to go to the waters edge, get in, cross, remove the water craft and take it with me on my car! Obviously a kayak would meet these needs but are there other powered solutions that could come out the water (using man (one man!!) power only) and go with me?

Thanks for posting any helpful comments

I should add that the River to be crossed is the River Clyde on the West Coast of Scotland and distance to be crossed would be two miles.

Answer 1

I would suggest either a coracles (mohttp://www.marinefilm.co.uk/boats/prop/corricle.phpre _

these are a small craft and could be fit with a small electric outboard motor
(http://www.outboardelectric.org/pricing.htm)
and all go go in car and there would be no petrol smells and you could stay quiet dry!
or an open canoe (old town are a good composites) and also an electric outboard but the canoe would be to big to go inside a car so a roof rack would be required!
another option is an inflatable kayak which is self explanatory paddle across deflate off you go
(http://www.marsport.co.uk/)= canoes and kayak bits. and eBay is always good

or you could build a raft! ( this can be cheap)

good luck!

Answer 2

You could try to get an amphibious car which might be the easiest option.

But if you were set on crossing under your own steam then other than a kayak you could use maybe a surf board or just a buoyancy aid, flippers and a wet suit.

I think most other options would be too heavy to lift in/out of the water.

edit: if its 2 miles then I think using a Kayak is the best man-powered solution.

Answer 3

2 miles in an open boat on the Clyde in the middle of winter - good luck.

Seriously how busy is the stretch of water you are crossing? You may be safer and quicker using the ferry.

Answer 4

I saw a kayak at a boat show last week. It was a sit on kind. not the kind that has a skirt. It had pedal power and a small trolling motor on it. very cool little boat.

Answer 5

LEARN SOME DIFFERENT SWIMMING STROKES