Shopping for my first kayak
December 6, 2011 5:03 AM Subscribe
What sort of kayak would best serve a relative beginner who intends to paddle on both fresh and salt water? I have up to about $1500 to spend on equipment. I'm mostly planning to use it on an intracoastal waterway, the Gulf of Mexico and an occasional lake or river. I'll likely be alone most of the time.
Best answer: The freshwater/saltwater distinction isn't really very important as long as it's all flat water. Generally flat water boats are long and tend to go straight, while white water boats are short and tend to turn.
More information will help here. What kind of paddling are you thinking of doing? Will you be paddling for an hour or so here and there, or will you be taking multi-day trips? Are you strong enough to lift a plastic boat onto the roof of your car alone, or do you need a fiberglass boat (regardless of cost) because it will be substantially lighter? Have you paddled boats before that you like?
posted by OmieWise at 5:38 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
More information will help here. What kind of paddling are you thinking of doing? Will you be paddling for an hour or so here and there, or will you be taking multi-day trips? Are you strong enough to lift a plastic boat onto the roof of your car alone, or do you need a fiberglass boat (regardless of cost) because it will be substantially lighter? Have you paddled boats before that you like?
posted by OmieWise at 5:38 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'd recommend finding a rental place you like and trying out several kinds of boats. Often rental places also sell their used rental kayaks which can extend your gear budget. When I was kayak shopping, what I thought I liked "on land" was quite a bit different once I was in the water for a few hours.
Also I'm much more comfortable in an ocean kayak when kayaking anything with waves. The style I prefer is a sit on top (more or less) that's fairly unsinkable.
REI or EMS also have kayak schools & rent boats. If you'll be solo, investing in a class is not a bad idea as is planning to check in with friends with your route & schedule before and after you paddle.
Feel free to memail me to talk paddling/boats -- I'm happy to offer what knowledge I have.
posted by countrymod at 6:36 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also I'm much more comfortable in an ocean kayak when kayaking anything with waves. The style I prefer is a sit on top (more or less) that's fairly unsinkable.
REI or EMS also have kayak schools & rent boats. If you'll be solo, investing in a class is not a bad idea as is planning to check in with friends with your route & schedule before and after you paddle.
Feel free to memail me to talk paddling/boats -- I'm happy to offer what knowledge I have.
posted by countrymod at 6:36 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Seconding the above advice, esp. about looking for a used boat, and with a few more suggestions.
Assuming you are looking for a flatwater boat, you have two major options. "Sea kayaks" in which you sit inside with a spray skirt (as described by OmieWise), and "Sit on tops" (Countrymod's preference).
Sea kayaks are sleeker, and much more efficient, making them comfortable and better for long distance, but you need a bit more gear (spray skirt, possibly a rudder). You need a class to learn how to recover from a capsize. The class will teach you to get out of the kayak, drain the boat, and climb back on it.
Sit on tops are much less efficient but virtually unsinkable. If you capsize or fall off, you just clamber back on. They are fantastic for beach landings, fishing, diving from the boat etc.. However, you are in a "self bailing" boat, meaning it literally has holes in it, and your rearend gets wet, but that is more of an issue when the water is freezing (not Tampa!). They are more stable in choppy conditions.
I should mention there is a third type of boat - a sort of hybrid kayak/canoe, often a double, with a long open cockpit. I absolutely detest these boats as they lack the efficiency/maneuverability of a closed sea kayak, but do not have the "unsinkability" of the sit on top, making them the worst of both worlds. I've seen these mostly on lakes. If you want an open cockpit (e.g. for a child or dog), try a canoe.
Should you choose to go for the sea kayak (my preferred option) the cheapest route is plastic boats. Fiberglass is much more costly and fragile, but much easier to deal with OUT of the water (lifting on and off of the car). However, even with a plastic boat, try to invest in a fiberglass paddle as they are much more lightweight. Your shoulders will thank you.
posted by seachange at 7:06 AM on December 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Assuming you are looking for a flatwater boat, you have two major options. "Sea kayaks" in which you sit inside with a spray skirt (as described by OmieWise), and "Sit on tops" (Countrymod's preference).
Sea kayaks are sleeker, and much more efficient, making them comfortable and better for long distance, but you need a bit more gear (spray skirt, possibly a rudder). You need a class to learn how to recover from a capsize. The class will teach you to get out of the kayak, drain the boat, and climb back on it.
Sit on tops are much less efficient but virtually unsinkable. If you capsize or fall off, you just clamber back on. They are fantastic for beach landings, fishing, diving from the boat etc.. However, you are in a "self bailing" boat, meaning it literally has holes in it, and your rearend gets wet, but that is more of an issue when the water is freezing (not Tampa!). They are more stable in choppy conditions.
I should mention there is a third type of boat - a sort of hybrid kayak/canoe, often a double, with a long open cockpit. I absolutely detest these boats as they lack the efficiency/maneuverability of a closed sea kayak, but do not have the "unsinkability" of the sit on top, making them the worst of both worlds. I've seen these mostly on lakes. If you want an open cockpit (e.g. for a child or dog), try a canoe.
Should you choose to go for the sea kayak (my preferred option) the cheapest route is plastic boats. Fiberglass is much more costly and fragile, but much easier to deal with OUT of the water (lifting on and off of the car). However, even with a plastic boat, try to invest in a fiberglass paddle as they are much more lightweight. Your shoulders will thank you.
posted by seachange at 7:06 AM on December 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Yay for salt paddling. I have a sit on top Ocean Kayak (capitalized because that's the brand) and I absolutely adore 'yaking in the ICW and the GOM. I've only got the 12 footer because I couldn't at the time afford the 18 foot angler.
I'm a sit on top fan for salt because...well, because they're more comfortable to ME and because I want to be able to dump it in a hurry if I need to and because paddling through the surf can get an awful lot of water on board in a hurry.
If I had $1500 to spend, I would without hesitation get a Hobiecat, definitely with MirageDrive, because Miragedrive is freaking amazing. Paddling is cool and fun and you'll still need a paddle, but if you're going to fish or take pictures or any such thing, pedal drive is radical and soooooo much easier for covering long distances.
They also have sail mounts and other such things that make them that much more badass.
I am also a fan of the Heritage brand of Kayaks---the Redfish especially, but again I didn't buy it because I couldn't afford it.
posted by TomMelee at 7:18 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm a sit on top fan for salt because...well, because they're more comfortable to ME and because I want to be able to dump it in a hurry if I need to and because paddling through the surf can get an awful lot of water on board in a hurry.
If I had $1500 to spend, I would without hesitation get a Hobiecat, definitely with MirageDrive, because Miragedrive is freaking amazing. Paddling is cool and fun and you'll still need a paddle, but if you're going to fish or take pictures or any such thing, pedal drive is radical and soooooo much easier for covering long distances.
They also have sail mounts and other such things that make them that much more badass.
I am also a fan of the Heritage brand of Kayaks---the Redfish especially, but again I didn't buy it because I couldn't afford it.
posted by TomMelee at 7:18 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Sit-on-top vs sit-inside is probably a good place to start to figure out your preferences. I myself detest sit-on-tops, but other people feel the opposite.
Once that is done, then it's time to get an idea for the size. I have a 10' sit-inside Wilderness Systems Pamlico I love to use on the narrow rivers in central Florida. I bought it for $600, which included a vest and paddle. I have a friend who uses the same model on the intercoastal, but he admits it is probably too small for regular ocean use.
So, I'd suggest you start with at least 12'. Any larger will be determined by the sort of rivers you want to be on. For example, I'm frequently on the Little Wekiva, which means I often have to scramble onto fallen logs in the middle of the river, pull my kayak over, then get back in.
One thing I would also pay attention to -- how any storage pods are setup. I've noticed a lot of newer kayak models are being really cheap on the lids/locking mechanisms and not all include a lash to secure the lid to the boat. Really easy way to lose things.
Overall, you may end up spending some additional money from your budget customizing your kayak. Don't neglect storage -- my friends and I built a pulley rig in the garage for around $50 where we can store 3 kayaks over each other suspended from ropes. Also figure for a roof rack system.
Lots of places have excellent sales when the new kayak models come out (even if the 2012 looks exactly like the 2011, I guess many stores are obligated to stock the new models). So, if you time things right, you stand to save around $300, which you could spend on a nice roof rack system.
posted by Wossname at 8:41 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Once that is done, then it's time to get an idea for the size. I have a 10' sit-inside Wilderness Systems Pamlico I love to use on the narrow rivers in central Florida. I bought it for $600, which included a vest and paddle. I have a friend who uses the same model on the intercoastal, but he admits it is probably too small for regular ocean use.
So, I'd suggest you start with at least 12'. Any larger will be determined by the sort of rivers you want to be on. For example, I'm frequently on the Little Wekiva, which means I often have to scramble onto fallen logs in the middle of the river, pull my kayak over, then get back in.
One thing I would also pay attention to -- how any storage pods are setup. I've noticed a lot of newer kayak models are being really cheap on the lids/locking mechanisms and not all include a lash to secure the lid to the boat. Really easy way to lose things.
Overall, you may end up spending some additional money from your budget customizing your kayak. Don't neglect storage -- my friends and I built a pulley rig in the garage for around $50 where we can store 3 kayaks over each other suspended from ropes. Also figure for a roof rack system.
Lots of places have excellent sales when the new kayak models come out (even if the 2012 looks exactly like the 2011, I guess many stores are obligated to stock the new models). So, if you time things right, you stand to save around $300, which you could spend on a nice roof rack system.
posted by Wossname at 8:41 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
All the advice here is good. My first Kayak was 14' fiberglass with a rudder that I got used. I highly recommend taking your time and renting until you find a nice used one that you like. Your money goes a lot further (my Kayak was $2500 new and I bought it in like-new condition for $1500 then sold it three years later for $1700).
Also, get the cart so you can pull it to the water instead of carrying it. If you're by yourself, they're impossible to carry long distances.
I recommend going cheap on some things, like PFDs, but spending the money for a light paddle is well worth it down the road.
posted by jeffamaphone at 10:18 AM on December 6, 2011
Also, get the cart so you can pull it to the water instead of carrying it. If you're by yourself, they're impossible to carry long distances.
I recommend going cheap on some things, like PFDs, but spending the money for a light paddle is well worth it down the road.
posted by jeffamaphone at 10:18 AM on December 6, 2011
I like my folding kayak . . . I have a Folbot Kodiak. They aren't cheap, but they are incredibly stable in chop and almost impossible to roll. Very forgiving for a beginner, and quite tough boats (the bottom of the hull is the same material they use for Zodiacs). I've had mine out in Georgian Bay a number of times. Plus, it folds up, so no worries on where to store it. I've been really happy with my boat, and the Folbot company has great customer service.
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:19 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:19 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, I do a lot of solo kayaking . . . go for a bright coloured deck (mine is yellow) that can be spotted easily should untoward events require it.
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:25 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:25 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I too have a Folbot (a kiawah). I'd recommend them mostly for someone who doesn't have a place they can store a boat though. It's a good boat, but you pay a premium for it being foldable, and there are compromises in the design to allow for folding.
Also, if you're mostly kayaking alone, safety is something you should pay a lot of attention to. The biggest body of water I kayak on is Lake Michigan, and it can be dangerous out there alone. A 2 foot wave seems a whole lot larger when your deck is only 6 inches above the surface.
posted by garlic at 10:48 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, if you're mostly kayaking alone, safety is something you should pay a lot of attention to. The biggest body of water I kayak on is Lake Michigan, and it can be dangerous out there alone. A 2 foot wave seems a whole lot larger when your deck is only 6 inches above the surface.
posted by garlic at 10:48 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Salt vs fresh isn't much of a big deal, as others have said (clean the salt off of boats that it's bad for, like foldables) but mostly the time you're in the boat, and the type of water you're in. Beyond the boat (and hopefully included paddle) you'll want a good kayaking lifejacket, other safety gear (based on the trip types you take). You'll probably want new kayaking clothes too unless you already have good watersports clothes. You can probably hold off getting a new paddle for a few years (I have) but it's definately worth considering eventually.
posted by garlic at 11:51 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by garlic at 11:51 AM on December 6, 2011
Response by poster: thank you so all so much! this is really wonderful information and very, very helpful.
and i certainly appreciate the advice beyond what to buy. the very reason i mentioned i'd be paddling mostly alone is because i wasn't sure about all the safety concerns a solo kayaker (it's a word, right?) should prepare for and several things that had never even come to my mind were mentioned here. again, helpful!
plus, i've never used metafilter, askmefi, etc before and have to say i feel really good now about coming to the site for advice. i'm very happy with the result.
thanks again!!
posted by erzulieloo at 4:02 PM on December 6, 2011
and i certainly appreciate the advice beyond what to buy. the very reason i mentioned i'd be paddling mostly alone is because i wasn't sure about all the safety concerns a solo kayaker (it's a word, right?) should prepare for and several things that had never even come to my mind were mentioned here. again, helpful!
plus, i've never used metafilter, askmefi, etc before and have to say i feel really good now about coming to the site for advice. i'm very happy with the result.
thanks again!!
posted by erzulieloo at 4:02 PM on December 6, 2011
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