Advice for buying a Kayak?

Beach40 · 04-28-2010, 02:14 AM

I hope I put this in the right place.

Like many people I mucked about with canoes and wave ski's etc when I was a kid, but that was a long time ago and like most things a lot has changed. So now I want to get back out onto the water but would like some advice on whats good and whats not these days.

I live close to a lake which is very calm most days, but I would like something that would handle some choppy weather for those days when it gets a bit breezy.

Bender · 04-28-2010, 02:17 AM

Buy mine!

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568431

Beach40 · 04-28-2010, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

Buy mine!

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568431

You pay the shipping and you got a deal!

dbarale · 04-28-2010, 03:29 AM

Shiny things?

Anyway, if it stays fairly warm I would consider a sit-on-top probably in the 12-14' length. Fiberglass is nice and light but plastic allows you to beach it and dragg it without fear of destroying it.
I also found out that a really good quality paddle makes a world of difference for speed, handling and comfort. So don't cheap out on the paddle...
We use these: http://www.rei.com/product/785478
Good for lakes and bays, we have had them in pretty rough stuff and they handle well and are really stable but you do get wet. Fun to surf with up to 2' waves.
Don't know if you can get them in your part of the planet?

oj may · 04-28-2010, 04:02 AM

Make sure it is water tight.

FinlandThumper · 04-28-2010, 04:19 AM

I would look for an open water boat but not a true sea kayak. On a lake you will want something that tracks decently but still turns. Sea kayaks handle the tracking thing real nice but turning is a PITA. OTOH a whitewater boat turns and turns but doesn't track for shit.

Dagger makes (or used to make) a great little boat for your uses. It's similar to the zydeco which is now shown on their website:

http://www.dagger.com/product_catego...ional_touring/

I would stay away from composite/fiberglass boats. While they paddle great and are very fast, one smack into a rock and you'll probably crack it. For a casual boat, get royalex or something similar.

Bounce · 04-28-2010, 05:26 AM

Kinda depends on what you'll be doing with it...cruising, fishing, all around play-boat? Wilderness Systems now owns most of the better plastic boat mfgrs and their own branded boats are pretty slick. Sit on tops are really nice if the water you're in isn't freezing. The Tarpon is their all-around boat and I have a couple which I use for whitewater and fishing. The Ride is a better fishing boat. Let us know what you'll be doing with the boat and we can get a more specific response.

Beach40 · 04-28-2010, 05:31 AM

Thanks for the responses so far.

I should have included more info in my first post.

I won't be fishing from it, but I would like to carry some provisions and head off all day. Cruising and all round play boat would cover it I think. The lake I will be using is open to the ocean and I often see people head to the open sea on calm days. So that would be a good option as well.

Flea bay has this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Am I on the right track?

FinlandThumper · 04-28-2010, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beach40

Thanks for the responses so far.

I should have included more info in my first post.

I won't be fishing from it, but I would like to carry some provisions and head off all day. Cruising and all round play boat would cover it I think. The lake I will be using is open to the ocean and I often see people head to the open sea on calm days. So that would be a good option as well.

Flea bay has this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Am I on the right track?

Got your message, fired one back. If you think you'll at all be heading out to the sea, then this boat looks lie a good bet.

Augie · 04-28-2010, 05:38 AM

make sure that it goes down hill for sledding.

oj may · 04-28-2010, 05:53 AM

Fishing from a kayak is a great deal of fun. Just pulling a Rapala through the water is enough to turn my river kayak around. Hook into a large bass or pike and you will get a Nantucket Sleigh ride!

I believe a river boat can do a lot of different things, especially if you have a bomb proof roll.

Good advice on the paddle, buy the best one you can afford, cheap paddles wear you out for no good reason.

I hope you find something suitable for you.

04-28-2010, 02:14 AM	#1
Beach40 ^OP Banned Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Newport, Sydney, Australia Oddometer: 2,975	Advice for buying a Kayak? I hope I put this in the right place. Like many people I mucked about with canoes and wave ski's etc when I was a kid, but that was a long time ago and like most things a lot has changed. So now I want to get back out onto the water but would like some advice on whats good and whats not these days. I live close to a lake which is very calm most days, but I would like something that would handle some choppy weather for those days when it gets a bit breezy.

04-28-2010, 02:17 AM	#2
Bender I can pass this guy. Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Cypress, Texas. Oddometer: 27,448	Buy mine! http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568431 __________________ Bender™ Searching for the lost Xanadu. The generation that would change the world is still looking for the car keys.

04-28-2010, 04:02 AM	#5
oj may Have bike, will travel. Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Ann Arbor Oddometer: 2,505	Make sure it is water tight. __________________ (lll>0<lll)

04-28-2010, 05:26 AM	#7
Bounce Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Rebounding off a Leaky floor Oddometer: 1,484	Kinda depends on what you'll be doing with it...cruising, fishing, all around play-boat? Wilderness Systems now owns most of the better plastic boat mfgrs and their own branded boats are pretty slick. Sit on tops are really nice if the water you're in isn't freezing. The Tarpon is their all-around boat and I have a couple which I use for whitewater and fishing. The Ride is a better fishing boat. Let us know what you'll be doing with the boat and we can get a more specific response. __________________ the other Skip r1200gs If you won't stand behind our troops, please stand in front of them

04-28-2010, 05:38 AM	#10
Augie Nincompoop Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Boston Oddometer: 27,340	make sure that it goes down hill for sledding. __________________ Courtesy of Ichthy; I so clearly take for granted the peace that exists in my own head. I wish that peace was contagious.

04-28-2010, 03:29 AM	#4
dbarale Squiddly slow Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Western NC Oddometer: 908	Shiny things? Anyway, if it stays fairly warm I would consider a sit-on-top probably in the 12-14' length. Fiberglass is nice and light but plastic allows you to beach it and dragg it without fear of destroying it. I also found out that a really good quality paddle makes a world of difference for speed, handling and comfort. So don't cheap out on the paddle... We use these: http://www.rei.com/product/785478 Good for lakes and bays, we have had them in pretty rough stuff and they handle well and are really stable but you do get wet. Fun to surf with up to 2' waves. Don't know if you can get them in your part of the planet?

04-28-2010, 04:19 AM	#6
FinlandThumper Has Cake/Eats it Too Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Thawin out my cockles Oddometer: 4,246	I would look for an open water boat but not a true sea kayak. On a lake you will want something that tracks decently but still turns. Sea kayaks handle the tracking thing real nice but turning is a PITA. OTOH a whitewater boat turns and turns but doesn't track for shit. Dagger makes (or used to make) a great little boat for your uses. It's similar to the zydeco which is now shown on their website: http://www.dagger.com/product_catego...ional_touring/ I would stay away from composite/fiberglass boats. While they paddle great and are very fast, one smack into a rock and you'll probably crack it. For a casual boat, get royalex or something similar.

04-28-2010, 05:31 AM	#8
Beach40 ^OP Banned Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Newport, Sydney, Australia Oddometer: 2,975	Thanks for the responses so far. I should have included more info in my first post. I won't be fishing from it, but I would like to carry some provisions and head off all day. Cruising and all round play boat would cover it I think. The lake I will be using is open to the ocean and I often see people head to the open sea on calm days. So that would be a good option as well. Flea bay has this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT Am I on the right track?

04-28-2010, 05:53 AM	#11
oj may Have bike, will travel. Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Ann Arbor Oddometer: 2,505	Fishing from a kayak is a great deal of fun. Just pulling a Rapala through the water is enough to turn my river kayak around. Hook into a large bass or pike and you will get a Nantucket Sleigh ride! I believe a river boat can do a lot of different things, especially if you have a bomb proof roll. Good advice on the paddle, buy the best one you can afford, cheap paddles wear you out for no good reason. I hope you find something suitable for you. __________________ (lll>0<lll)

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