Kayak advice?

Joben

Joben

Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
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I'm thinking about getting into kayaking.

I've used one once and liked it...but I don't really know anything. I'm hoping someone here can give me some pointers, maybe reccomendations on what to look for in a good kayak.

thanks.
 
There are lots of forums that you can use to gain info about kayaks. Search in google "kayak forums". Do you plan on fishing out of it? I'm going to get one later this year, or early next that will be my main fishing boat. I'm going to get a Native Watercraft Ultimate 12. It's a hybrid, which means it's like a kayak and a canoe. There are many different types so a little more info on what your planned uses are, and what type you wanted to get. There are Sit ins, Sit on tops, hybrids, white water, long, short, ones with foot peddles, etc.

Feel free to contact me via PM or email if you like. I've been researching fishing kayaks for about 2 years until I had the resources to get one, so I know a decent amount.
 
sorry a bit like sying I'm thinking of getting a knife, we need more info to help.
 
Ha! See I didn't know there were distinct types.

I'm not an experienced boater...no whitewater for sure.
Mostly likely use is recreational, freshwater lakes.
Maybe some salt marshes or calm rivers.
 
Well ther are 3 basic types that i can think of, sit ons, sit ins and canoes, a canoe i believe is more open thatn a kayak, a sit on tends to get you cold and wet, or keep you cool, depending on where and when you take it.
A kayak is something you sit in, can attatch a skirt to (to keep water out) and is the most useful imo.
Once you choose you type then you want top choose your medium-salt water (waves), fresh water lakes and rivers (also have waves but different).
Then there is material - plastic-heavy but cheap and sturdy or carbon fibre/kevlar,fibre glass, much lighter But more expensive.
Then there is steering, paddle or feet operated.

Lots of choices.

Whatever you choose - get a lifejacket!
 
I'd say get a cheaper one to start with. cheap being a relative term, I'm partial to sit in kayaks.

small and cheap are great if you plan on short trips.

Just one word of advice, if you don't like being ducked under water learning to roll out is scary at least for me.
 
Wait until the Fall. Prices are lower. Check Craig's listings near you. Also, Dealers want to move inventory and will often negotiate WONDERFUL prices.

My kayak is more stable than my one person canoe. You have center of gravity below water line.

Not for everyone.

READ READ READ

Best wishes.
 
Buddy. Buddy.

You need to get yourself a 17' touring kayak, and then turn yourself loose.
Go out for an afternoon, or tour for a month.
Ocean or river. This is your boat, unless you are one of them whitewater or kayak surfing guys.
Why you want a short dayboat, and rob yourself of the potential? Where you gonna go in your 12 that you can't go in your touring rig?
You can troll for salmon in it, too.

Take a few lessons, find out what you like in a boat.
I'd personally not buy a cheap boat, because a cheap plastic hulk is no fun to paddle - and might turn you off. Plus, I hate to buy something twice. Screw it, you only live once, life's too short to pilot an ugly boat that you're not in love with.
That's a personal choice though, lots of different and valid opinions on that. Buyer beware though.

But then again I am an opinionated asshole - I can only tell you what is 'obvious' and 'right' for ME (from BC). You may have different ideas as to your needs, being in Colorado. So I guess you have to ask yourself where you want to paddle, and what you want to do.
 
Another thing.

Good advice from Kismet - however!

Do your research, but you will only know what you like in a boat after you've paddled it. Too much research will make you go crosseyed, and confuse you, and muddy the waters. The reputable brands - you won't be able to tell the difference much. And current hull designs are pretty much all very well dialed in for the needs of the average human, unless you're looking for pretty specific handling characteristics. Just get out there and try a few. You'll know.
 
If you plan on using your kayak for fishing I would make sure to get one specifically designed for fishing. These types have rod holders and also a place to hold your paddle so you don't have to lay it across your lap.

I use a Walden Paddler and it does great for just paddling around but when I'm fishing it struggle with where to put everything. Having my paddle lay across my lap is quite annoying as well, but I live with it.

I've also got a sit on top type kayak which means that when I'm in it I get wet due to the holes in the bottom. I actually like this because I stay a bit cooler since I'm not stuck inside.

Overall here are the things I wish I had and will upgrade to at some point:

Bulkheads - I have nowhere to store gear other than the top of the deck at this point which means stuff gets wet and I get top heavy sometimes.
Rod holders - I already mentioned why
Comfortable foot rest - My Walden has a foam pad that adjusts for a foot rest and it sucks, my sit-on-top has molded foot rests that aren't bad.
More length - It is a lot easier to track straight and cut water more easily with a bit more length to the kayak. I think mine are 8' - the sit-on-top is very rounded in front so it's all over the place when I paddle.
Gear tie downs - You'll be bringing stuff with you, make sure you have a place to put it that is accessible while on the water.
Good back support - This is, by far, my number one complaint with both of my kayaks. My sit-on-top has NO back support so I get cramps in my back quite frequently if I am paddling for a while. My Walden has back support but it's like sitting in a high school stadium... not good.

Comfort is key - make sure you take the time to sit in it and possibly take it for a spin before you purchase.
 
Joben,

You need to tell everyone what you plan on using the kayak for. This will determine a lot of the advice.

Paul
 
Kayak: If designed for flat or slow moving water, much faster than a canoe.
Canoe: If you’re going to do any camping, a canoe will haul a lot more stuff than a kayak.
 
My advice would be to start with a sit on top. IMO they are the most versatile and easiest to get started with. You also do not need a roll with a SOT. Sit insides (SINK's) are drier and warmer, so if you plan on going out in cooler weather, they would be a better choice. I would also recommend getting some instruction on how to eskimo roll if you go with a SINK. If you ever find yourself capsized, you will have two choices - pull your skirt and bail and then have to swim your kayak full of water (which weighs 8 pounds per gallon) in to shore, or simply roll yourself upright and continue on. With a SOT, all you need to do is flip the kayak over and climb back on since they are self-bailing. A huge source of information as well as classifieds is http://www.paddling.net and you will learn alot wading through that site.

Good luck with your choice. Kayaking is a blast!
 
Rent or borrow and paddle as many as you can before buying. Check out paddle clubs in your area. They can be a wealth of info. Some outfitters have "Paddle Days" where you can go paddle a bunch of them. Beware, its like any thing else fun. You can get addicted! I've got 7 now + 2 canoes. A 10' - 12' recreational boat with a large cockpit is a good starter. Wilderness Systems has a large variety of entry level rec boats in different lengths depending on your weight. Most rec boats are large enough in the cockpit that you dont need to know how to roll and dont normally need a spray skirt for recreational paddling. If you turn over you just fall out. The ACA has an "Intro to Kayaking" course that is about 2.5-3 hrs that teaches some valuable self and assisted rescue methods--Enjoy--KV
 
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With Kayaks everything is a tradeoff. Narrow and long is fast but might be more tender/tippy and slow to turn. Wide might be more stable but slow and sluggish in performance. Most of the big name manufactures sell a line of boats geared toward general recreation type paddling. For examples check out the Old Town Dirigo and Vapor series. They won't be great at everything but they are stable/predictable, relatively quick for their width but still can be turned fairly quickly once you learn to link your paddling strokes. I have a Dirigo 140 as a general goof-off flatwater boat. Large cockpit that’s easy to get in/out of, will carry enough gear for an overnighter, stable enough to fish from, able to negotiate shoaly class II whitewater and it will still getup enough speed to not feel piggish. It’s always a good idea to try before you buy if possible and I’d avoid the cheaper offerings as seen at some general sporting goods stores. Also many manufacturers and specialty outdoor stores will have demo days in the spring. Lastly, keep the open end up!
Stay Safe,
Clyde
 
Where do you live? I ask this as many paddlers from warmer areas will paddle sit on tops while they would be a big no-no where I'm from (Atlantic coast above Maine). While I wouldn't suggest a full-carbon, $4000 sea boat, buying something you'll grow into wouldn't be a bad idea. Especially if the idea of expanding your paddling horizons appeals to you. You should also dress for the water at all times. As an instructor, I would suggest you get a boat with bulkheads for both gear storage and, more importantly, for ease of recovery should you capsize. Self or aided recoveries are very difficult with a boat full of water. Take some formal training and don't be afraid to get wet, as ALL kayakers are between swims;)
 
I have kayaks for different conditions:

- a 13.5 foot sit-on-top for fishing
- a couple of shorter (9.5' and 10') sit-inside recreation kayaks for river floats
- a 16.5 touring kayak for flatwater and just paddling and exploring

Joben said:
Mostly likely use is recreational, freshwater lakes.
Maybe some salt marshes or calm rivers.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go for the shorter rec yaks then. They're stable, but they're also slow tubs on flatwater. If you're going to do a lot of fishing, go for a longer (thus faster) sit-on-top. The SOT offers a better platform for rigging rod holders and gear. If you just want to get out and paddle, I'd go for a touring sit-inside.
 
Buy, or rent..but you really should BUY....NANOOK OF THE NORTH, a 1923 documentary (sort of), of Innuit in the ..er...upper regions of St. Lawence Seaway, I think.

Pioneering documentary...hard to believe the images with the equipment they had at the time. Great survival skills, and astonishing carrying capacity of kayak.

REALLY should get it. (I'm a fan, does it show?)

Best wishes.


Kis
 
I have a couple a racer (read very light long and unstable) and a sea tourer (read heavier, stable with lots of stoarage space).

Both have foot operated steering and I would reccomend this, whilst it is better to learn to paddle without once you have got that set then its way more comfortable and less tiring to use this method.

A good paddle is also a plus.
I reccomend goin somewhere where you can hire them, get a couple of hours worth of hire then try out as many as you can in that time (tell them why first-they should be helpful, especially if they also sell them!), some will let you hire and then take that money off the purchase price, remember though that you will also need a lifejacket, a paddle as well as the boat.
 
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