Kayaks, Canoes, and Boating

Stay safe! Read our Ocean Safety tips before venturing near the ocean.

There are 7 navigable rivers in Mendocino County, and many of them are on the Coast. Big River and the Noyo River are two of the most popular rivers for these activities.You can also take your kayak out on the ocean if you know what you’re doing.

Sub-Surface Progression
A dive center and surf shop offering the sale and rental of equipment for abalone and SCUBA diving, kayaks and surfboards, plus local diving advice. 18600 N Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, 707-964-3793. Open 7 days a week.

Fort Bragg Marine
Kayaks can be launched directly into the Noyo River from their dock or taken to a location of your choice. Kayak and dive packages, wetsuit and kayak sales, fishing gear, 32310 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg, 707-964-3310.

Liquid Fusion Kayaking
From mild to wild, Liquid Fusion Kayaking has a kayak adventure for everyone; from family tours that require no experience to specific skill lessons for advanced paddlers. P.O. Box 2624, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-684-9459

Catch a Canoe
Canoe and Kayak rentals for both novice and experts; car carriers are available. Coast Highway and Comptche Ukiah Road, PO Box 487, Mendocino, CA 95460, 800-331-8884, 707-937-5615. Make sure you call ahead, since it is important to time your excursion to the tide. Tidal effects go 8 miles upriver, and you don’t want to fight that on your way back out!

Boating
The local Traditional Small Craft Association chapter hosts 50 memberships, half of whom live on the coast. TSCA is centered in Mystic CN and the association is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of pre-motorized watercraft with the emphasis on rowing. You don’t have to own a boat, and the local chapter welcomes kayakers and canoers as well. Call Pres. Stan Halvorsen 707-964-8342 for details about club activities.

10/20 – Albion River MA 11am launch at Schooner Campground ramp. Potluck BBQ follows.
11/24 – Annual Lost Coast TSCA meeting at Worlds End Boathouse 11am at 32100 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg
12/15 – Lake Cleone MA – 11am launch
Lost Coast Chapter of Traditional Small Craft Association on the water at Petaluma

Marie Mitchell said,

October 12, 2007 @ 12:16 pm

please let me know of a rowing (ie. rowing shell or sculls) club in Mendocino, for recreation or racing. Plan to visit in summer 2008, hear waters are beautiful. I have my own shell. Thanks

dff said,

October 19, 2007 @ 1:05 am

Marie,

It’s absolutely gorgeous here in the summer, but I don’t know anything about rowing. Your best bet would be to call one of the main rental places and see if they have the scoop on it. Catch A Canoe is at the mouth of Big River, and you can head upriver for at least 7 miles. The guys at CaC are very knowledgable; ask for Rick Hemmings if you call. Fort Bragg Marine could tell you about rowing up the Noyo River. Finally, you might check in with the local chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association. There are other navigable rivers in the area, but these are the big ones.

Lance said,

February 24, 2008 @ 7:48 pm

I’m looking for a used canoe for sale, I’ve never bought one, so I thought you might be able to help. Please reply back when you can.

dff said,

March 5, 2008 @ 12:09 pm

Lance,

The place I’d check is Catch A Canoe, located at the Stanford Inn in Mendocino. Catch A Canoe rents canoes and kayaks for use on Big River, so they might occasionally sell old ones. If nothing else, they have bought them over the years, so they might be able to point you at someone who sells them.

Regards,
Dennis

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