wh2004, I've done up to 5 day trips in the Everglades in my kayak out of Flamingo and some shorter trips out of Chokoloskee. In my opinion as much as I like self bailing kayaks, for hauling gear and supplies for 10 days a good canoe or hybrid kayak (non self bailing) would be better. For a ten day trip you're looking at carrying a minimum of 80 lbs (10 gallons) of drinking water. Even in the touring kayak that I still use as a fishing platform I was loaded to the hilt for a five day, trying to keep everything below deck. With a good working knowledge of gps, getting lost isn't as much a concern as having to delay open water crossings while fully loaded due to mother nature. Your kayak loaded with 100 lbs of gear and water is not going to paddle anything like it did for your average day fish outing. Then there is the problem of raccons getting into your stuff (food and water) if its not fully protected at all times. I haven't looked at the Tarpon 160s in years but the early models had much larger rear hatches than most today, and is a proven fishing platform.



When you get closer to going down there get on kayakfishinghole.com and ask around. Its a few oldfartz that have a lot of experience doing the 100 mile trip form Choko to Flamingo. Good Luck and wish I was going.

Try Gerald Kennedy
http://www.theoldmansboats.com/

He makes some wooden boats for folks on the river that do extended trips with their camping gear and fishing equipment.

Great boats that a lot of people are using.