Lens or Boat

[AndrewR69]

Originally Posted by arlon

Had boat, sold it and got lenses and cameras. In fact it was the boat money that paid for my first DSLR and lenses, lots of lenses (it was a big boat)..

I recently purchased an inflatable kayak to use as the occasional photography platform. The inflatables are amazingly stable. You would have to work pretty hard to flip the thing (nothing like a hard shell). It also stows in my trunk or back seat. It paddles very well and has a lot of load carrying capacity. This is a high end kayak (google AIRE Super Lynx), not a kids toy from walmart. We also do the 5th wheel thing and the inflatable kayak is easy for us to take and store on the camp trailer. Best of both worlds for me.

If you do decide the boat over the lens. I agree completely with arlon. The inflatable kayak is the way to go. They are very stable and will carry a lot of gear. Also very easy to transport.

[lhdvies]

I second Dennis's recommendation of the 300 f/4.0 AFS I have that lens & it is really sharp. I also use the kenko 300 pro on it with virtually no degradation and the nikon 1.7TC with some but not much degradation. The 1.7 does slow the af down a little, but it also turns the 300 into a 510MM f/6.3 with your D80 giving you a fov of a 760MM lense.

[Maggie Baldwin]

Boy, do you really think you need our help for this decision?

Shoot, a lens is always the answer.

Boats rust, tip over, have to have registrations, must be washed or your wife won't let you put it in the garage, need a place to launch from, require a trailer or some other attachment to your vehicle, and people will want to borrow it.

Make your life simple.

Never had to wash a lens, pay for registration, etc. Have had to negotiate for the funds for a lens, but since the purchase usually brings in money, that's a good thing.

[MT Stringer]

I had an Ocean Kayak Drifter and loved it for fishing the reefs around Confederate Reef in West Galv Bay. I finally had to sell it because of shoulder pain - not only from paddling, but casting also. I really liked it.

Good luck with your decision.
Mike

[wildone]

I have a boat and I am planning on buying a new one next year. I spend a lot of time on the water either fishing or taking pictures.

It is a tough question and one I struggle with as well. I need to upgrade my lenses and I also need a good flash. I'm having fun with both so I've just been looking around for a good deal on a lens.

Seems like my budget for these expensive toys doesn't go as far as it used to.

If you have a motor - any motor on a boat it has to be registered with the state - cost about $50 every 2 years. Kayaks, canoes, paddle boats do not have to be registered.

[67miata]

Check out the video on this page

http://www.wildwindimages.com/wildli...nTheWater.aspx

[90 5.0]

Originally Posted by 67miata

Check out the video on this page

http://www.wildwindimages.com/wildli...nTheWater.aspx

Video's blocked here at work but thanks for the link i'll check it out at home.

I found a boat on cl and was too slow on the draw, guy sold it in a few hours. It was one of those 2 seater plastic deals for 150.00, I also keep seeing 10' aluminum's for around 200 and kayaks for 125-250.

I love the idea of a kayak, but I know how clumsy I am and I am going to have to keep looking for deals on 10' lightwieght boats. That's the length I have come up with so it will fit in the back of my truck and not hang off too much. Plus light enough for me to be able to load by myself.

90 5.0 added 737 Minutes and 44 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Bought a 12' Gator john boat, now i need to outfit it Saturday and hopefully try it out Sunday!!