Bev and I have talked about getting a couple kyaks but have no idea what to look for in one. We have no interest in white watering, lakes and rivers, and maybe larger fairly calm streams would be more our speed. Also do not want or need to have the best available as I do not know how much we would use it. Are there any that would give the option of bringing the dog? (not super important) Do we want sit in or on top?
BiXLL:
Your best bet is to look around for a place that you can rent them, try them out.
We rented them at French Creek SP and Marsh Creek SP a few times before picking what I liked. (sit-on or sit-in)
I purchased sit-in kayaks because my knees were in my way with the sit-on (6'4"), one made by Perception 10ft ($280) and the other by Necky 12ft ($850). After 2 years, I sold the Necky (not as stable) for ($750) and bought another Perception 12ft ($350). Eastern Mountain Sports had a great Memorial Day sale, 30% kayaks, free paddle and free PFD. I didn't need the paddle and PDF so I sold them for $75 each. The nice part about kayaking is that it's a one time investment and many years of enjoyment. We have taken them camping many times but have also gone out from home when we have an afternoon free.
There are some Great Links on the site...
https://canvascampers.com/inde.....=list;id=5
Good Luck!
Here is a link that explains the basics a little...
http://www.canoekayak.com/gear.....ayakintro/
One thing I've learned, don't buy a tandem kayak with intentions of using it at time by yourself. They are so long that a breeze will blow you around and steering it solo is almost impossible.
Best advice I'd give would be to get hooked up with a shop and take some test paddles in as many different boats as possible. Sit on tops these days can come with adjustable foot rests, thigh bracing, multiple seat configurations. Like anything else you'll find you can spend as little or as much as you'd like. I was limited at the time when I bought my kayak not only by price but my size isn't taken into most manufacturers considerations Boats can be worse than cars (daily drivers and super sports models)
Generally you'll find the longer boats tracking straighter on the lake while the shorter length makes river or creek running nice with quick turning. I manage alright with my 14' 6" Malibu x-factor, it's a barge mind you not intended to set speed records but I use it for fishing not racing. The nice feature of a sit on top -self bailing, has allowed me to launch it on every kind of water (lake, river, ocean, and bay). I also enjoy the ease of getting in and out of the sit on top makes fishing much easier and more comfortable. I've never even come close to flipping my yak, and have practiced deep water reentry with great success, I've never tried it in a sit-in rec boat, with a little practice I'm sure it's not too difficult.
If you go the used route also try to paddle before you buy.
Like Joe mentioned stay away from the tandom if you can.
I've paddled wilderness systems boats (pungo 120 and pamlico both sit ins and a tarpon 120 and ride 135 sit on), ocean kayak (prowler SOT), my yak is a malibu x-factor SOT, and tried my brothers heritage redfish SOT.
EMS around here usually has a test paddle day in the spring where you can try out anything in the shop, if you can find a place to try out several models it really does help.
Hope that helps a little.
I was talking to a guy I know that works at Gander Mountain. He tells me that on Thanksgiving day they are having a "door buster" sale and have a kayak that should fit me well. Tell me what you think about this deal.
It is a 11' Perception Sport that comes with and upgraded paddle and PFD. He says the Kayak sells for $750.00 alone, and the sale is for $399.00. He is acting like it is the deal of all deals. They have 5 of them, and he says he guarantees they will all be gone by end of day Thursday. Does this sound that good to you?
750 sounds a little high http://www.gandermountain.com/.....rchID=4006 but 399.00 sounds like a pretty good deal. I don't have first hand experience with the perception boats but I do know a few guys that have had good luck with them
Well, I got them! They are Perception America 11. They have the adjustable foot rests, came with Harmony paddles, and a junk pfd. (I will wear my jet ski vests) I have really been researching hard trying to find a way to use my OEM rack bars to be able to haul them and its been tuff do to the fact that they are oval, about 4" wide and 1 1/2 inches thick.
[img width=500 height=268]http://www.nissanparts.biz/images/overhead_rack.jpg[/img]
It seems that all the experianced yakers have been telling me to just use pool noodles and strap them down, or even the foam blocks. I am just not comfortable doing it that way considering I have to come so far to be able to attend rallies that I may want to bring them with me. I finally found a reasonably priced set of racks that I think I can make work. At $40.00 a set, its worth a try to me anyway.
[img width=575 height=247]http://www.discountramps.com/marineImages/v-rack-kayak-carrier.jpg[/img]
All I am going to have to do is make bigger clamp bars that will fit my overhead racks.
[img width=650 height=486]http://www.discountramps.com/marineImages/kayak-rack-clamp.jpg[/img]
Congrats BiXLL. Very nice
One big difference with kayak PFDs over the other one is that a kayak one is has mesh on the sides tight to your body so then you are paddling, you aren't rubbing the PDF all the time. I've tried it the other way... not good. :'(
I wear mine as a good explain for the kids but most just carry them with them.
FYI - many kayak PDFs have a whistle sewn in a pocket since they are required by law.
You know what Joe, I will have to check out the vests better. I did not even take them out the bag, they were so light I just assumed they were junk. If what you say is so, they would be light with the mesh sides. The store is 1 hour 45 min from my house, but is in an area I am at everyday with work so I bought them over the phone Thanksgiving morning and will pick them up in my tractor trailer Monday. Then when I get back to the terminal I will put them in my pickup.
Santa came early to our house
Did some black Fri shopping and picked up 2 kayaks at Dicks for $500
Made by a company called Future Beach.
Model Fusion 124 for the DW
and the trophy 126 for myself ( comes with extra storage compartment and some rod holders)
made from ram x material. (I have a 30 year old Coleman canoe made from this stuff. )
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