I am interested in getting a kayak. Always wanted a canoe but many people at work suggested a recreational kayak. What brands features do I need to look for? Need it big boy rated and am interested in local creeks and would like to use when I go to the beach. Like to do some fishing. Even thought of 2 people rated if I can coax my wife in it. Any good brands out there that wont break the bank?
thanks Mike
04 suburban 1500
00 silverado 1500
05 jayco 27bh Couldn't get rig to post,so here is my burgler alarm!!
Liquid Logic makes a nice line of boats-we have 2 Soludas and a Tryon. They don't make those any more but check their Trekkreation line. They just came out with a new model that might work, without killing the budget. If you are going to do mostly slow water and some beach, go for something that's intermediate. Too short and you won't be able to glide well, too long and you will lose manuverability. Old Town and Wilderness Systems also make boats that should fit your needs. Stick to what's termed a "recreation" boat. They are designed to handle a range of applications.
For a nice solid boat - I like Ocean Kayaks. They're sit-on-tops (as opposed to "sit-in" types) and you'll get wet because they have drain holes....but they are nice and wide for stability; and fairly flexible for seating arrangements (one or two)
I have an old Prism sit-on-top (by Aquaterra, which is a product of Perception Kayaks) that I LOVE - it's 14' long and 27" wide; it's rock solid for fishing, yet narrow enough for some distance paddling, too. If you get a short kayak with a flat bottom (most of the cheaper ones are like this), they tend to turn a bit with each paddle stroke, making you work twice as hard :-(
Good kayaks are rated for "initial stability" and "secondary stability". My Prism has huge initial stability: the moment you sit down, it feels solid. My other, sit-in kayak has secondary stability (it's only 24" wide) - when you sit down, it feels tippy/squirrely. But lean it over about 45 degrees, and it stops. That's "secondary stability". Most beginners DON'T like my sit-in kayak....LOL!! But being able to lean it 45 degrees means it turns faster - something that may or may not be important where you paddle?? And of course, a sit-in kayak can be sealed with a spray skirt, keeping you dry.
And something I firmly believe: it's OK to buy a used boat to save money - but buy the BEST paddles you can afford!! Lighter is better; my favorite paddle is 26 ounces and I can paddle all day.
I Googled "Choosing A Kayak" and the result shows many sites that will guide you through the purchase of your first kayak.
Just be sure not to over-buy. I just purchased my first one a few months ago and didn't like the sport as much as I thought I would, But luckily my wife will use it.
"Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride". ("The Secret Of Life", James Taylor).
The websites are a great place to learn about kayaks, they sure helped us learn the terminology, difference in uses, and materials before we went out looking.
Check in your area to see if there is a retailer set up on a body of water. Where hubby and I purchased our first kayak, the shop was located with river access so you could literally try any of their huge stock of kayaks, canoes, and paddles. The shop owners and employees competed in all kinds of competitions so they knew what they were talking about, helped us decide what we needed based on what we wanted to do and not do - not wild raging rapids , for instance, height, and weight. I think you could even sign up for lessons and go on outings with them.
It's not necessary to try them out before buying, of course, but it was nice to and also nice to get such knowledgeable in person help for us newbies.
We ended up purchasing a Wilderness Systems(R) Pamlico tandem sit in model (13 and a half feet long) and a couple of (possibly graphite?) paddles. It's a nice sized for hubby, the dog (28lbs), and myself. I can even comfortably paddle it by myself when I take my mom out or just me and the corgi. We've been very happy with our purchase.
We purchased a second kayak recently. This one is short enough that we can put it in the back of the truck. My nephew loves it. Wish we'd been able to purchase another tandem, though, because they're so versatile - it can be used by one person or two, take a small cooler, and/or a small dog, fishing gear, or camping gear. Pretty nice. We have spots for three people, but could use spots for more .
I started out with a Tandom kayak for DW and Me and liked it. Problem was it was very heavy and if I wanted to go my myself, it was almost imposible to load on the roof of either vehicle my myself. We sold it and got 2 Mailbu Mini Xs. At 9'3" and just 38 lbs each they are a dream for us. It is very stable at 33.5" wide and a 325 lb capacity it does everything I care to do ( fish, dive etc.). It is not fast and may not be best tracking but all the other benefits it works for me and is affordable. I use it in both fresh and saltwater and have had no problems after more than 2 years. another feature I like is they nest into / onto each other for storage and carrying on the roof rack of my 4-Runner. Best recomendation I could give is to test drive anything you can first, What's good for one may not be good for another. Good Luck!
Bill & Millie Iniki - The Cocker Spanial
"GO GATORS" '99 4-Runner
'98 KZ 2301 Sportsman
I want to get the mad river synergy 12 for fishing in lakes. I had the money saved for it till I went to the dentist!
I came across a site for trolling motors for kayaks. Kinda pricy. It would be nice to have when you get tired of paddleing. www.bassyaks.com
My wife and I have Hobbies sit on top kayaks. I weigh 270. They also have peddles which would make it easier to fish from and allows you to Kayak longer. My wife and I like exploring different things so we need separate Kayaks. The Hobbies are not light weight though and are not inexpensive. We also have a place here that lets you try them out which I would suggest. My wife has a system called the helivater (Spelling?) that helps here set the Kayak on top of the car when she is by herself.
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, for instance, height, and weight. I think you could even sign up for lessons and go on outings with them. 
Wish we'd been able to purchase another tandem, though, because they're so versatile - it can be used by one person or two, take a small cooler, and/or a small dog, fishing gear, or camping gear. Pretty nice. We have spots for three people, but could use spots for more 
