Originally Posted by
EastOfMidnight
I row an Adirondack Guide boat and really love it; I retire to the rowing machine when its cold. I think its a great upper body and thigh compliment to bicycling.
I am not convinced that a kayak could be effectively modified to row. First, you sit lower in a kayak than in a rowing boat, and second kayaks tend to be a bit directionally unstable without an added keel or skeg. Could be done, I suppose, but the weight and performance penalty might leave you disappointed. I used to build canoes and kayaks for a major company. Nearly all of our hybrid boats were inefficient compromises that ended up being the worst of both worlds.
Definitely check out the ag sector for work - it's very rewarding.
Thanks! The kayak was a freebie pick-up from a local dump, but seems to be in sound condition. Experimenting with it won't be a big deal whether it works or not.
I worked in orcharding for five years, and before that picked cherries for a season. Doesn't pay brilliantly, but I can go home and forget about work, get a great all-body workout for eight hours, and I am outdoors. It's all good.