kayaks on planes - do we need bags on them ?

[geyrfugl]

We're going Qatar airways to Uganda, with boats. We're not clear if we are supposed to bag them up (which will make them harder to carry, but may provide some protection and make it less risky to stuff odd things inside the boats) or if the extra straps would be a problem... What's the usual form and people's experiences ? If bags, what sort ? Home-made or bought and if the latter where from ?

Andy

[coopertron]

I've always just put an old deck on and tied the waist tube shut
Ed

[caveman_si]

Not so sure about flying to Uganda no idea if your airline has any specific requirements but a few of us flew to Morocco recently and we all had boats packed differently and none of us had any bother at all.
More about how the boats were packed here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=89920

In fact I think one chapped who was most helpful liked how mine was wrapped and bumped me straight to the front of the queue to check in.

[Jim]

No, but it sometimes helps.

[jamie kayak the nile]

Im not sure on Quatars policies but it usually is up to the check in staff. Pick someone that looks friendly and be really really nice. Dont get angry if they question it as in a place like heathrow they just get angry people all day. This will not help as its down to the check in staffs decision alone. Helps to be on there side. Leaving Uganda is easy on the way back as check in staff see over 500 kayaks a year and dont bat an eyelid.
In general dont pack any gear in your boat. The kayak must weigh less than 32kgs in total as the baggage handlers cannot take heavier due to health and safety. This is a worldwide policy and same in uganda too. If your baggage policy is two bags of 23kgs make sure your boat is less than 23kgs. This way its just a big bag as far as they are concerned.
No real need for a bag for the boat unless its a carbon boat.
Worth also giving them a call to find out the policy. Quatar are new to uganda so not many people used them yet. I would imagine should be fine though.
Good luck and see you in uganda

Jamie

[jamie kayak the nile]

http://support.qatarairways.com/entries/381230-what-if-i-want-to-check-in-sports-equipment

looks like they only give you 10kgs extra but that is over your two 23kgs bags. If your kayak is below 23kgs (should be fine if not packed) and your paddles could count as third sporting piece.
You dont need many clothes everything available here. A full wardrobe from the markets would be less than $15. mozzy spray sun cream etc all available here. Let me know if you need an airport shuttle or accommodation bookings im on jamie@kaykthenile.com

Cheers
Jamie

[jmmoxon]

Although you will have more success with jamie@kayakthenile.com

Mike

[Bod]

Two of us flew with Qatar to Uganda in Feb. We put some kit in the boats and gaffered a cockpit cover on. It all arrived OK. Didn't bother with any bag for the boat. We took a paddle bag with 3 paddles and stuffed that full of kit and then had a further checked bag. We were really nice and friendly with the check-in person and they ignored the fact we were each 4kg over the limit (8kg between the two of us) and that was after the chap who weighed the boats had rounded down by a kilo or two. No questions on the way back either. Qatar sent out a confirmation e-mail about a week before with our itinerary. I e-mailed back saying we were taking boats and they sent a revised confirmation stating that we had the extra 10kg allowance. It may have smoothed the way, it didn't hurt.

We went on the Saturday that it snowed and Heathrow got shut. Qatar had the plane de-iced 4 times to enable us to get away and I think we were the last flight out that evening. We were 6 hours late by the time we got to Doha - at which point the connection to Uganda had been missed. The organisation and service on arrival at Doha was impeccable. We were practically grabbed getting off the plane. We were given new boarding passes, full information we needed, guided to the restaurant, then straight to a bus to take us to a 5* hotel to wait for the next day's flight. I know they have to put you up etc but the manner in which it was carried out was very impressive. The only downer being that Doha itself and even many (but not all) of the hotels are ever so slightly alcohol dry.

Jaime at Kayak the Nile - and his team - are reet nice.