Kayak Tips

[BML]

Anyone here Kayak? I've always wanted to get into it and think I'm finally going to bite the bullet and start looking for one. I can't afford a good new one, so I'm looking used.

 

Any tips on what to look for and/or stay away from?

 

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

[Red Rabbit]

Blake, are you thinking whitewater or flatwater? Fishing? Touring?

[Perkele!]

I kayak.

 

If you will do it for fun around AZ and won't be challenging severe currents, I strongly recommend the Perception Swifty. It's not the lightest sit in kayak but nimble enough to do Eskimo Rolls, has plenty of room and very reasonably priced, both new and used. In most cases you will have to buy your paddles separately, do yourself a favor and don't go cheap, Bending Branches has a good selection. I use the one with composite blades, they are light but efficient. Get a paddle leash. Seals makes a great splash skirt for the Swifty, I think I paid like $65 for the shirt a few years back. I frequently fish from my kayak, it's plenty of fun.

 

If you have any more questions fire away.

[BML]

Blake, are you thinking whitewater or flatwater? Fishing? Touring?

 

 

Probably more touring and mild whitewater for now until I get the hang of it and get some miles logged. Knowing my personality, though, I will eventually want to get into some more serious flows and test my abilities.

 

I never really thought of fishing from one, but I don't really fish much anyway. lol

 

Thanks for the tips so far. I appreciate it.

[BML]

ttt

[Red Rabbit]

Blake,

You can probably pick up a nice lake kayak this fall at at the end of the season. Check Craigslist. A longer, narrower kayak will track better/straighter and have more hull speed.

 

Something like the Swifty mentioned would be OK for the milder sections of the Verde, above Beasley Flat, imo. For WW, you would not want a sharp undercut edge found on some lake kayaks to catch current/rocks and make you flip. For WW, you would also want more rocker/curved bottom lenghtwise to turn/maneuver eaasier.

 

I noticed these NativeWatercrafts mentioned on another forum, and may be of interest to those who like to fish from a Kayak. Might be spendy.

http://nativewatercraft.com/boat.cfm?id=18

 

Hobi makes a kayak with a pedal system and fins (not propeller), but it does not pedal in reverse.

[Jimmer Negamanee]

Blake,

You can probably pick up a nice lake kayak this fall at at the end of the season. Check Craigslist. A longer, narrower kayak will track better/straighter and have more hull speed.

 

Something like the Swifty mentioned would be OK for the milder sections of the Verde, above Beasley Flat, imo. For WW, you would not want a sharp undercut edge found on some lake kayaks to catch current/rocks and make you flip. For WW, you would also want more rocker/curved bottom lenghtwise to turn/maneuver eaasier.

 

I noticed these NativeWatercrafts mentioned on another forum, and may be of interest to those who like to fish from a Kayak. Might be spendy.

http://nativewatercraft.com/boat.cfm?id=18

 

Hobi makes a kayak with a pedal system and fins (not propeller), but it does not pedal in reverse.

 

 

RR,

I saved this link as a favorite for when I'm in the market. Pretty slick. Thanks for the info.

-Jim

[BML]

Thanks Doug!

 

I just missed out on a good deal, but I'm sure I'll find another one eventually.

 

Thanks again for all the tips.

[Sam]

For quite a few years, we rented sea kayaks in San Diego every summer - made by Malibu. I thought they were great for touring around the Bay and for flat water. This past summer, we purchased two inflatable Kayaks by Sea Eagle. Not the best model out there, but, for $200 it is a nice set up. The paddles aren't the greatest, I'm looking for others. It has two skids so it floats pretty true and it moves quicker than a hard sided kayak.

 

For transportation, it is so much easier than driving long distances with a hard sided kayak on the roof. And, it was less than half the cost of a used hard sided kayak.

 

I think a sit on top model with a skirt is the way to go.

[Schmitty]

Blake,

 

I've got a sit on top ocean kayak w/ werner paddle that I'd make you a deal on if you want. You're welcome to take it out on one of the local lakes if you want to try it on for size. Shoot me a PM.

 

Craig