Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Kayak Carrier Systems Easy Haul kayak trolley portage strap long term test and review.

I am a great believer in using a kayak trolley, not just for short getting to and from the water but for longer portages of isthmuses that enable round trips that would not otherwise be possible due to time or geographical constraints. This photo was a portage over the 1.2km Tarbert on Jura but our shoulders arms and hands were really sore at the end of it. Just look how Tony is twisted round, trying to share the load between both arms.

Trolleys are also great on ferries but don't underestimate the distance you need to trolley the kayaks round the terminal, the length of the car deck and then the off ramp to wherever you can launch from.

I have been testing a new custom made trolley portage strap from KCS called the Easy Haul since October 2015. It has been used on the Solway, the Clyde and the NW coast of Scotland. It has been used on tarmac, rough tracks, ferry decks, sand and shingle. The test has now covered over 13km and 220m of ascent and descent.

The Easy Haul consists of a broad shoulder strap, shoulder pad an adjustable short towing strap and a carabiner.

On the Scottish west coast one of the most notorious portages is that at the Tarbert between salt Loch Nevis to freshwater Loch Morar. The track is 1.2km long rises to about 100m from Nevis and falls about 90 to Morar.

Despite being in the middle of an asthma attack which required multiple stops for puffs of my inhaler...

...I made it to the top first and Maurice and Mike were nowhere in sight. I even went back and towed Maurice's kayak 1/3 of the way up the hill. The Easy Haul is a stunning success and with both arms free you could even use two walking poles for extra drive. One thing to watch for, if you are attached to a loaded kayak, do not go too near the edge of any drops!!

Alternatively...
You could make your own from an existing kayak portage strap (for carrying the kayak on the beach), a piece of rope and a carabiner (perhaps use your kayak short tow line) BUT kayak portage straps get soaking wet if you use them to get the boat to and from the water . I would not like to put a soaking wet strap over my paddling under suit or land clothes. (Portaging is such hot work, you will not be using your waterproofs!)


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11 comments:

  1. Unknown09/04/2016, 20:48

    how does it handle going down hill - do you not get a kayak in the back of the legs?

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  2. Douglas Wilcox09/04/2016, 21:58

    Hi Gordon being over one shoulder it is easy to let the bow of the kayak come up your side until the strap tightens you can then lean back slightly to hold it. This is only really relevant on smooth or tarmac tracks. In practice on the steep rough Nevis Morar Tarbert track we still had to pull the kayaks downhill.

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  3. Unknown11/04/2016, 17:27

    thanks for your response.

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  4. Johannes Prison13/04/2016, 06:18

    Hi Gordon
    With your experience of portaging, could I ask foar some advice regarding a good packable trolly? IWith my current setup I'm not able to pack my cart inside any of my hatches in my Taran. Would like something smaller but still not to flimsy.
    Brgds, Johannes

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  5. Douglas Wilcox13/04/2016, 08:34

    Greetings Johannes, we have used just about every trolley available in Europe on our various tough portages over Scotland's "tarberts". The most efficient, the most robust and the only one that has not at some point broken is the KCS Expedition trolley. Best wishes, Douglas

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  6. Douglas Wilcox13/04/2016, 08:41

    Johannes, I meant to say the KCS trolley has 10" wheels these do fit inside 10" hatches but not if inflated hard. I run my wheels just deflated enough to fit inside the hatch and have never had a problem. A mini bike pump could soon put the pressure back if necessary.

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    1. Johannes Prison13/04/2016, 16:40

      Thanks Gordon,
      I've just read your excellent review of that cart in your post from april 2015. Now I see that the cart has somewhat V-angled pads - do you think that might be a problem when carrying a loaded Taran - which has a totally flat bottom? A bit worried of not getting a proper "full" Contact area between hull and pads. Any reason to be concerned?

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    2. Douglas Wilcox13/04/2016, 16:58

      Hello Johannes, the V is pretty slight and will flatten out. I used one successfully on a Taran 16. If in any doubt email Ronnie Weir at KCS, Best wishes, Douglas.

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  7. Johannes Prison14/04/2016, 06:16

    Thansks Gordon!
    Your blog is such a great source of knowledge in addition to all the nice everyday postings. Next step trolly, then hopefully a sail someday.
    /Johannes

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  8. /Bill W23/04/2016, 01:11

    Do you think this would work while riding a bike?

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    1. Douglas Wilcox25/04/2016, 08:40

      Hi Bill I don't think it would, the bow of the kayak would be just behind your hips on the flat but would shoot forward when you braked.

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