Paddling speeds and distances
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Yak Yak Yak
Forum Description: The forum for Kayak enthusiasts
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=82198
Printed Date: 29 Jun 2026 at 2:14am
Topic: Paddling speeds and distances
Posted By: Charity yakker
Subject: Paddling speeds and distances
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 12:06pm
|
Anyone give me practical advice on how far an"average" paddle might paddle ie speed 4 kmph? How much diference between a long sit on ie 4.7 Prowler or Viking Tourer versus a basic sea kayak 4.5m With training, is 8-10 hours paddling possible a day, therefore covering 30-40km for day? Anyone with trip planning or touring experience please feel free to comment
|
Replies:
Posted By: Bam_
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 1:42pm
|
I have only just started in a kayak. I am cruising anywhere between 5-7kmh. If I paddle hard I have seen 9kmh flash up but not for long. I haven't done any big trips or anything yet. Oh, & I am in a Profish 440. ------------- Viking Maniyaks |
Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 1:55pm
|
You'll find some quite different paddling speeds quoted, partly because of differences in kayaks (esp between sit-in's and sit-on-tops) and partly because of differences between paddlers and their fitness/technique. Also many paddlers measure speeds using GPS and "spot readings"; these aren't always the most accurate for estimating true travel speeds. When testing kayaks and paddling performance I always use a stopwatch over a measured course for an actual speed measurement that eliminates the fluctuations common in GPS readings. As a general guide I've found the average paddler on a modern 4.0-4.5 meter sit-on fishing kayak with gear aboard in normal light chop conditions will comfortably cruise at 5.5-6.0kph during a 10-15 km day. When distances extend out to 20-30 km for the day cruising speeds (based on time over distance rather than GPS spot readings) will often drop by 0.5kph. That said, when the gannets start hitting the water a couple of km's away watch the stroke rates and paddle speeds climb!   With a little paddle fitness most of the guys I've paddled with easily manage 10hrs on the water covering more than 30km. My personal record with an unladen touring kayak (and a LOT of fitness) is 71km (return trip from Tutukaka rounding Home Point to Taupiri Bay) but there's absolutely no way I could do that in a fishing kayak. When planning fishing trips I calculate distances based on paddling at an average of 5.0kph and allow a 10 minute rest every hour. This gives me a safety margin and ensures I can still paddle the next days if on an away trip.
|
Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 2:00pm
| I forgot to say, the above is based on cruising around rather than what I get up to when trolling lures. Trolling for tuna and kings definitely bumps the average speeds up several notches and fitness becomes a very necessary component! |
Posted By: Bam_
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 3:33pm
What speeds would you try to troll at? (Sorry for the small "hijack") ------------- Viking Maniyaks |
Limitless wrote:Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 4:30pm
This is a rough guide only as it depends to a large extent what types/sizes of lures I'm running and the speeds they work best at: For these fish it's mostly about maintaining a comfortable paddling pace that will cover the ocean: kahawai - cruise at any speed but mostly 5.5-6.5kph snapper - with deep diving lures I try and maintain 6kph albacore - 6.5kph and faster depending on the lures I'm using For these fish comfort goes out the window, you have to drag the lures fast and get them swimming to attract strikes: skippies - 7.5kph and faster if conditions allow kingfish - as fast as I can go whatever the lure! The speeds above are genuine average speeds. When trolling for skippies with lures having low drag (eg Williamson feathers) I'm often hitting speeds in excess of 8.5-9kph (down-wind even faster again), but the true average speed over an hours worth of paddling is more modest.
|
Posted By: "Scooter"
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 7:24pm
|
I paddle a Viking PF400,top speed for about 5 min's "max" was 12kph measured by GPS. Average getting out there cruising speed 6kph. Moving along just because it's fun 7-8kph. Average time out there,about 5 hours. A big day,10 hours but a lot of it spent fishing either at anchor or drifting. Biggist day so far was 28k travelled. Fitness has played a big part in how I've developed as a yak fishó. At first it was only as far as the fish were at,,,but lately it's become paddling just because it makes me feel good. Should probably buy a SIS Sea Kayak one day. |
Posted By: Bam_
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 8:10pm
That is awesome thank you! ------------- Viking Maniyaks |
Posted By: Monsterbishi
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2012 at 2:24pm
My numbers for my PF400 are fairly similar, cruising is 7kph, max distance in a single paddle so far was 22km's, top speed unmeasured, but it involved a gale easterly wind |
Posted By: Charity yakker
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2012 at 9:09am
|
Thanks for your input guys! Join me at Charity Yakkers on facebook or www.charityyakkers.com and follow the progress of my charity paddle to raise funds for NZ charities supporting families and children. And keep up the advice! |