Search for kayak may be called off

Scott Donaldson on his transtasman kayaking challenge. SUPPLIED

The search for the kayak that carried Scott Donaldson across the Tasman Sea for for three months might be called off.

The kayak has been separated from its locator beacon, which was picked up by Mr Donaldson on board a boat yesterday.

The kayak was spotted yesterday northwest of Farewell Spit by supporter and pilot John Funnell. It was on its side and had taken on water.

A search of the location today showed no sign of the kayak.

"The area is about 14 miles by 14 miles, we really can't afford to do the whole lot," he said.

Mr Funnell was unsure whether the search would continue.

"It's up to Scott. I think this is really a big ask without the beacon.

"We'll probably have to wait for it to float ashore now."

Mr Donaldson was forced to abandon the kayak off the Taranaki coastline when he was winched to safety on Friday after 83 days at sea, after a failed bid to be the first solo kayaker to row from Australia to New Zealand.

The attempt was abandoned after several days of bad weather and the threat of losing communications.

Mr Donaldson said on Monday that he wanted the kayak back because of its sentimental value, and the many requests he'd had to see the space he lived in for three months.

"She certainly looked after me, and it would be nice to have the thing back ... but I'm not holding my hopes too high," he said.

He had received thousands of emails from people wanting to wish him well, and many from people hoping to hear him speak about the journey, and for that he would need the kayak, he said.