Are High-End Kayaks a Good Idea for Newer Paddlers - A Discussion - Kayak Hipster
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- Опубліковано 19 вер 2021
- Lately this topic has come up a number of times, so I thought it might be a good idea to do a quick discussion on the pros and cons of investing in a high-end kayak, especially if you're a newer paddler.
Cheers!
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I agree with you totally Luke. I advice people to buy a kayak that feels almost to difficult, or tippy, just to have something to grow into. But it should't feel too hard to paddle.
A comfortable seat is very important in the beginning. I also advice them to borrow, rent or try out at kayaking events different types of kayaks and in the end it's better to buy any kayak than none. Atm it is very hard to find a kayak here in Sweden, new or second hand it's all the same, very hard to find.
Absolutely. That’s great advice as well. I’m going to pin this comment so others can read as well!
I did this precisely this summer...bought a high end kayak that is a little beyond my skill. I am thrilled that I did so, because my skills have leapt ahead in a way they wouldn't have in an "easier" kayak.
YES!!! I have friends that ask these questions or make these decisions blindly. And I tell them you don't know what you don't know. Go watch a lot of videos on different kinds of paddling, get a sense of what is drawing you and then do a lot of research on that type of paddling. Then come back to me and we can have a place to start the discussion what you need. But that said, I always encourage kayaking education ASAP. I was glad I got my skills education first. It helped lead my way and drive my decisions. It was the best way to go for me. This video is an excellent summation.
You never cease to impress me with how well you cover these topics. It help when I need to explain something, I can just send out your videos. Thanks friend!!
I couldn’t agree more, we don’t know what we don’t know, and getting the most out of our gear often times just comes down to instruction and/or advice from knowledgeable sources.
Good chat. Right on point. I like to remind customers that their first kayak probably won't be their last.
You are absolutely correct that the better the kayak, the better the experience and the faster the skill development. I work almost exclusively with new paddlers. I always advice buying the best kayak a beginner can afford that fits them, their intended (at this time) use, and fits their current skills while still allowing room for growth. However, if you get into a kayak that is too advanced (too tippy), it can have a negative impact. That was an issue I had. I teach a gear and outfitting class covering what you said about boat choice. We'll work on finding models that are dialed in to what fits the individual. Personally, I have a fleet as I have been able to faster build my skills in conditions when I have a kayak to match them. With the skills in hand, I can transfer them to better control less specialized hulls.
My advice is buy drysuit and pfd and find the local kayak club. The club usually owns kayaks you can borrow. Maby after one year you know which paddling style you like then buy a high end boat which suits that style.
A big caveat to the tippiness point: If it feels so tippy that you feel like you can barely keep upright just sitting still in flat water, you will get tired and discouraged before long. That was my experience with a skin on frame Greenland kayak I built to upgrade from my beamy and stable 14' Wilderness Tsunami. After a few frustrating years I sold the Greenland. Now I'm looking at high end production kayaks and when demoing them I'll really evaluate how much initial stability I can trade off while being confident enough to develop my skills.
Btw, I'm in my late 60s and only started kayaking in earnest 10 years ago. The Tsunami was my first hard shell boat after a few years in an inflatable.
High end is subjective. Some would say anything fiberglass is high end compared to plastic, or sea kayak high end compared to recreational boat. One thing not mentioned: don’t let your ego do your shopping. Most of us are not going on an expedition to Cape Horn, we are taking short paddles, maybe an overnighter and as such don’t need Noah’s Arc. Take lessons. Paddle demo boats. Buy something with room to grow your skills but not struggle with to the point it’s unenjoyable. Good content as usual.
I started kayaking 13 years ago, I've only paddled once before near Bancroft, I can't even remember what kayak I was in... But knew I was hooked... I knew I wanted to do camping trips, so wen't straight into a high volume, brand new fibreglass Impex Currituck... I researched a whole lot, and felt this was the right kayak for me... Wen't to our local paddle shop, tried it out and it fit me like a glove and had tons of room for gear..., yes I tipped it on my first time out, but knew if I learned to use it, i could unlock its potential and gain some valuable paddling experience. Can you guess how many times I used it for an extended camping trip?.... Maybe once, don't get me wrong, it's still an amazing kayak even if I don't use the high volume and storage it has to offer. it's still my preferred kayak to this day. Last year I jumped on a very rare Wilderness Systems Zephyr (now discontinued), I wanted something to play with, with a lower back deck for rolling and also love it, for completely different reasons. I can thrash this thing around, rock solid secondary and I have to hand it, a much more comfortable seat, of course, at the added expense of weight. As mentioned, different kayaks for different purposes, this can be a very expensive hobby :)... I'm now also looking into a SOT tandem so I can take my daughter out on some calm days, SOT's aren't so bad afterall (I also had a change of heart)...
Paddle on!
Kayaking began this summer for me when I decided I wanted to circumnavigate Manhattan Island. This morphed into wanting to take a trip to Catalina Island and back along with a trip down the Missouri River from Kansas City to St Louis. I took a beginners class at REI in June and then later that week ordered a Eddline Sitka LT. Of course the Sitka is not nearly as stable as the previous kayaks I’ve been in. Day 1 I spent most of my time in the water. But its getting slightly better every day. I just want to get to the point where I can do the few trips that I mentioned and then I’ll be off on some other adventure. I’m willing to take any class and accept all advice to get me moving in the right direction. Thanks.
We bought relatively high-end kayaks when we started many years ago, but only after months of renting many different boats from different outfitters. Eventually, we found the right ones for us and still have them more than a dozen years later.
Amazingly helpful video. One thing that I was not expecting as a newbie, was how tough it might be to sit in or demo the kayaks I was interested in. I'm sure much of this is related to increased demand and supply chain issues in today's economy. I have been paddling a rental touring kayak at a local lake, and wanted to buy something so I could explore more locations, and try some groups/classes on basic bay and ocean kayaking here in CA. Through some review binging and active discussion with local sea kayaking groups, I found both the Dagger Stratos and P&H Virgo really appealing. I spent a fair amount of time trying to hunt down places that had either of them, and was able to sit in both, as well as demo the Virgo. I quickly knew which one fit me better, and despite the Virgo being a little more "tippy" than I was used to, I knew it would be a great tool for building my skills and learning bracing and rolling. Anxiously awaiting its arrival in a few weeks. :)
I live in the coastal PNW (Washington). I started out with a SOT for the very reasons you stated. I didn't know what kind of kayaking I would do. I just wanted to get on the water and prioritized stability over everything else. After several years of paddling in the bays and around the islands, I new I wanted something more efficient through the water. I got my first sit inside (eddyline skylark) this year and it has made a world of difference. Now I'm already thinking of adding a longer boat with a skeg or rudder for those longer trips and island crossing that I am wanting to do. Enjoying your content. 👍
Go big! I chose mid to lower end stuff and regretted it. I wish I would of bought the good stuff first and saved the money. 20 years and 8 kayak's later.
My first kayak never arrived it was a 10 foot sun dallfin I canceled that order went and got a 12 foot one instead i dont regret the extra capacity it gave me and it allows me to do most all i want to i now got a cuple of 10 footers and ya thare fun and all but i woulda gotten in more trouble with them on some stuff the big one shrugged off I haven’t had the opportunity to ride in a touring kayak yet and think that mght be next
Agree with you. Kayakers who love it evolve. Stranger with one, built a fleet, now have a P&H 14 and 18. One for rivers, one for ocean, but I love to go distance touring. Didn’t start that way! High end is good after you find that you love kayaking...
That's truly hard to answer in a couple words. I always say buy the best you can comfortably afford. Buying to cheap you may not like the sport. Another one that's hard to answer quickly is what paddle should I buy. I also compare it to a good fisherman has more than one lure in his tackle box. You covered a lot of great points, oh if you can possibly jump in someone else's, if they're kind enough to let you before you buy. I can't even keep this short for a comment. Lol....
30 years ago I went from whitewater raft guide to whitewater inflatable kayak paddler. Within a few years I had 3 plastic whitewater kayaks and an inflatable. In the early 2000's I wanted to fish some of the local ponds from a kayak so I bought a Pungo 140 and outfitted it with 2 rod holders, a Humminbird fish finder, an anchor trolley and a drift sock. A few years later I wanted a sit on top and added a Tarpon 160 to my fleet. Since then I added a 16 foot sea kayak to paddle faster on some of the big lakes and a couple more whitewater boats. Now I'm looking at a pedal powered sit on top for fishing. My current fleet consists of 2 inflatables, 5 different types of whitewater kayaks, the Tarpon 160 and Pungo 140 for fishing and a Lincoln Isle Au Haut for cruising the big lakes.
One place you won't find me paddling is salt water. I'll drop into class 5 whitewater with little hesitation but ocean currents terrify me.
My wife (55+) wanted to try kayaking. I've been a kayaker for 20 years and knew I wanted to put her in a real kayak NOT a rec boat, but it had to be stable so as not to discourage her. Got her a 13' Riot day touring kayak. After two seasons she is ready to move up -- Delta 15s (22"wide) performance touring LV.
You describe the evolution someone goes through in a sport from initiation, to increasing interest and skills, and the steps beyond that challenge us to select for new or focused paddling; it applies to nearly all accessible physical activities. I paddled just to get on the water and enjoy it, and did, and so found new areas I wanted to explore; in my case, it is a desire to be competent paddling four seasons in my local waters in Monterey Bay. I traded in a perfectly good, stable sea kayak for a sleeker, tippier one that demands more of my attention to paddle resulting in uncertainty, but also hinting at potential. Great advice as usual Luke - thank you.
Great video! Seems like such an easy question on the surface, but you explain the nuances really well.
Your part on people saying it's too tippy is actually what lead me to my steal on my first higher end kayak. Guy bought it and freaked out after one outing so retuned it. So that lead to me getting it for 50% off new. I took it out for the first time and yeah, I was a little uncomfortable because of the tippyness. But by the end of that outing I already loved it, and it made me want more. It's a little tight for my sasquatch feet but I love it's speed and response. And while I still have much to learn, this boat will be the one to help. I have since got an 18.5 foot expedition kayak. And it's wonderful. But I want to get into surfing and I know it won't be the one for that. I will end up being a fleet person.
Great advice! I just keep buying a used boat that more closely aligns with my current paddling locations and desires. So far. I've had great luck finding what I need.
I have several kayaks of different types. For doing chores and poking into coves and inlets around our cabin I really enjoy the 9' long, 40 pound recreational kayak that I got from a big box store for $200. I often paddle it using an ultralight carbon paddle that cost double what the kayak did. One thing I learned about my good paddles is not to let kayaking partners try using them until we are close to the end of our paddle. The reason is because they aren't going to want to give it back and I'll end up feeling like I'm paddling with a garden shovel.
I went right from a rec boat to a P&H Leo and couldn't be happier
My wife talked me into renting some sit on top kayaks with her for 1 hour. I was really excited about it... for about the first half hour. After that, the seat was paralyzing me to the point that I couldn't make it the full hour. The following weekend she found a place that rented real kayaks, sea kayaks. Long, narrow sit inside... kayaks. Being too long for my little truck, they brought them to the lake for us. They gave us some life jackets and some quick pointers and off we went. My wife's kayak was a composite and mine was a plastic kayak. It was long and slim and looked fast sitting still and I struggled to get in or out of it. I battled it the entire time only to learn later that it's paddler size limit was well below my size. We had them 4 hours and my wife was constantly waiting up for me. I learned composite and plastic are not alike. I talked with the rental place and on our 3rd time out, I got a high end composite sea kayak. It was a work of art with a skeg, which I loved. I quickly discovered, after being only about 100 feet from the shore, that 1, this boat was so tippy that I was going to have a real ab workout trying to keep it upright and 2, I was probably going to be spending a lot of time in the water that day. We had our 2 kayaks for the full day. After about an hour in it I was really getting the hang of it and by about the 3rd hour, I didn't think I could be tipped over. I ended up re-renting that one many times that summer. Where we live, in North Idaho, there are some really big lakes, one lake the navy test submarines in. We were on that one, lake Pend Oreilla that day, when a storm came in. The waves were large white caps and we were still aways from our destination. At first I was a little concerned but that kayak was more than up for the challenge. My fear quickly changed to delight and I was having a blast on those big waves. I was happy to have a boat that was well beyond my skill level. I felt it brought my skill level up very quickly. Since these had dry storage in both the front and back, we were able to pack lunches and bring things with us, which was nice. I feel that sea kayaks can be a real addiction that can be hard to shake.
Thanks for posting this the day after I bought my first Kayak! 😁 I got a great deal on a near mint CD Gulfstream, and I think I did enough research that I'll be happy with it. Time will tell!
I started kayaking 11 years ago, with a Sevylor Pointer K1 inflatable. It was a great kayak simply because that was the one that got me into kayaking! Then i bought an Old Town Vapor 10 and had that the entire time until I sold it last year. I highly recommend a Vapor 10 for new or experienced paddlers. Perfect size, super stable, easy to get in, handles chop well, decent speed, higher bow, it was just good all around. I paddled eveywhere with it, from bayous to big lakes, bays and gulf coast. I have not once rolled over in that kayak despite weighing 250 to 270 and being in fairly rough conditions. That said, i been really interested in the new Hobie pedal kayaks. Ive been a sit in kayak guy but i always like the idea of the self bailing ability with sit on tops plus the super easy boarding of them.
This is so true ! I have started with very tipy kayak. At the beginning I was terrified!!! But now it’s whole another story for me. “Give it time and don’t give up”…. Exactly
All the best K
SOTs are awesome for fishing, good luck!
I kayaked casually for many years in an Eddyline Wind Dancer. Last year, I bought an NDK Explorer. It has taken me many hours to get used to the new boat, maybe 30-40 hours in the boat. But finally I am starting to have fun. I think some people are probably faster learners than I am.
no words needed! 👍🏼👍🏼👏🏼
I definitely have a fleet. Kudos to you for fishing out of a sea kayak, I tried that, it was too frustrating!
If you're a newer paddler who is patient and willing to drive...
Used high end kayaks are available at a substantial savings occasionally on classified sites like Craigslist.
Hey, great advice! Especially the "find someone to help you define what you want/need". This happened to me. Always a rower (small boat with outboard motor - shoe-string-pirate) but now have to go portable. MAN. Switching to paddling. Ugh. But then I started to look around, sit-on-top definitely because the other kayaks I tried out on the lake I didn't really like. Want to be able to take the dog. Then I got to thinking: inflatable. And swoosh! Information overload. All the stuff: Drop-stitch and whatnot. I basically camped out at the seaeagle website, meditating. When I was about to order one of their lower priced kayaks I called and talked to two guys there. The first immediately told me: No, you need a fasttrack. The one you're about to order is whitewater. I will use it on a large lake (Lake Constanz) with choppy water and if fishing mostly trolling. BRILLIANT advise. But now I had to basically upgrade and spend more. However, I did heed the advice and because of personal vanity and wanting a very durable kayak took the fast-track-angler (which by the way you should look at if you're fishing and can bear to be seen on an inflatable). I am now happily paddling (yep. After decades of rowing). And I am fast, my direction is true, I've been in real big waves without problems (other than getting soaked). I can bring my dog. And I have been out on the lake whenever I could and now even think about drypants and stuff with autumn here and winter there. But without the guy at seaeagle telling me "you need a fasttrack-model" I doubt I would be happy and probably grousing about wanting a proper boat again.
For me, the question is similar to “How long is a piece of string?” There is no one answer, and not even ten right answers! How do you define “high end”? What are your aspirations/goals? What are your challenges/limitations? It is so objective, that the question of whether or not to buy a “high-end” kayak should really be seen as a conversation-starter, hopefully a conversation that last years and years!
My first yak was a Trak, not new, it was used. Ive enjoyed the kayak for the most part, its helped me to learn a lot about balance, wind direction, and steering. It certainly is more performance than most of my friends and several of my friends that have paddled it dont like the tippiness, ive learned to enjoy it and I’m now pretty comfortable in it … i think its made me a better paddler than most of my friends too.
Thanks for the video!
Love the TV on the Marshall Cab setup :-)
I've been looking at different kayak yt channels to get an idea on how to be a kayak UA-camr. What I find profounding is that nobody has a video about how to be a successful kayak UA-camr.
I want to set myself apart from every other kayaking channel, I see what others are doing commonly that is working for their channels and I am starting to see how I can set myself apart from that.
Basically I don't want to do what everyone else is doing and I am striving to be unique.
I've found that there's a significant trend in whitewater to start people out in big, stable boats. The (reasonable) theory is that people get discouraged ad quit if they flip in every easy rapid, bu the downside is that it's easy to develop bad habits in a forgiving boat that doesn't punish your mistakes by flipping you. At the least, it doesn't require you to develop the good habits that are essential to progressing. It's also more difficult, especially as a beginner, to edge boats with more initial stability. A couple of days in nice stable beginner boats that are borrowed or rented to learn some basics and start to get a feel for things (and make sure you want to continue) seems like agood idea, but I've always been a fan of getting a boat that will make you become a better paddler.
I started out looking for one kayak do everything. It was a nice kayak, but it didn't do anything exceptionally well.
Then came the crossover-whitewater boat. Still have it for whenever I do whitewater.
Then I found a really cheap used roto sea kayak. I use it to loan out or when I want something a little faster on moving rivers than my whitewater boat.
Then I built a CLC 17. Great experience, I don't know that I could part with something I spent so much time building.
Then the used Epic 18X....
Plus I've now built close to a dozen folding boats and skin on frame boats. I enjoy building them, but I also enjoy giving them to someone needing a boat.
I think I have 8 kayaks, one trimaran, a canoe and a sailing dinghy now. There may be some crossover among them, but they all have unique roles where they excel. As of yet, no sit on top or SUP.
Very good advice!
I get asked this question a lot too. I have a few things I say. Most people do not grow into boats they grow out of them. Also, paddle a boat before you buy it I am a pretty go paddler and once got a very nice kayak and did not paddle it first( broke my own rule) and paid for it, for whatever reason the boat and I just never could find a happy place. It was not tippy but I could never find that edging point in it and spent more time swimming trying to find it than any other boat and I have paddled many. High end? I think for most people it is the cost that drives them to a boat now this is new paddles, also what it is made of and size. The good thing is there are very good boats out the used market at good prices but many of these are still above $1000.00 and this is a lot of money for someone new to the sport. This is why moving up is more common to a better, nicer boat. Most high-end kayaks are longer than 14' and I have found 14' is a good starting point for someone wanting a nice sit-in kayak a little easier to control still gives good speed and useable space for day trips and even overnighters. Easier to load and unload and gives time in a nice boat to get some coaching to learn really how to paddle and get the most out of it. Then if they are good with what they have they are set and if they find they want more they have a strong footing and knowledge base to move up.
My first kayak is an inflatable tandem that I use with my 4 yr old son. It cannot be capsized. I outgrew my Eddyline Skylark in a month, so I returned it to REI. I bought a Sitka LT instead. (REI has a one year return policy, which aids in kayak development.) My main boat is an Epic surfski, which I'm already out growing after 2 weeks. To make matters worse, I have 4 surfskis on order, 1 coming from Portugal. High quality crafts are hard to find, and other athletes are buying everything on the market. That forces me to buy everything I can find, and Ill use them when I'm good enough. This happens to be a very fun sport, so I get lots of practice.
Luke; good points, thanks for putting this presentation together. What do you like as a sit in fishing kayak? Cheers
I love all that is said. My dear wife? Hmmm. Let’s just say she is supportive in a very patient sort of way. LOL!! I have been trough a few kayaks: Pelican from Dick’s / Tsunami 140 / Now in a Dagger Stratos 14.5. This one is like what you spoke of. Good enough to challenge me and push me to do more.
I spent some time this year leaning how to use the hull of the boat to turn easier. Need to work on this skill and hone it to very good.
I also learned how to surf a wave on a river in NC. This was SO MUCH FUN!!! It makes me want to travel on a slightly larger river and learn how to do so even better.
I still enjoy paddling the lakes and smaller waters due to my love of creation and all that can be seen while going slower. But my yearning for more is awakened!
It sounds like maybe you need to go back to NC and take at least a one day intro to whitewater course.
One sales person at a kayak rental outfit refused to sell me a kayak because it would not allow me to grow into it; I am happy he did.
I knew buying cheap would only last me a short while.This could be in any sport and you get what you pay for.My first kayak was an inflatable,very good and stable but no connection with the water.So i went for it with a P&H sea kayak. It felt tippy at first,my hips were doing a dance but now I'm use to it its comfortable.A good kayak for me to grow into.
I use a cheap sit on kayak in the English channel over the summer months. The main problem I have is moving and storing my kayak. Its 23Kg and under 3 meters long. Taking it up 3 fights of stairs at the end of the day is a killer. I'm looking at the fold up kayaks but know I'm going to order Howe surf skis sea glider in the end. Love the sit on kayaks and find them easer to get in and out of on the beach.
Thank you for sharing this nice and informatics video. My first Kayak was Valley Gemini SP but my feet were tippy in little wavy water. Then I bought Tiderace Xtra and it is so stable and I did my first standard Greenland roll within 2 hours guided practice. So what do you think about this High end kayak and my progress? My goal is a day trip to a big lake.
Correct!
My Kayak was second hand and I had to touch up an existing patch...but it was free! I've been out in the ocean with it island hoping.
Start a fleet. They're all fun in their own way. Extra for friends and family.
I bought a used Pygmy triple for me and wife. We lived in WA and use to rent a double.
I have been looking at Current Designs. I like either the Sisu or the Karla. I also have looked at a Rebel Greenland GT. The Rebels look like they have a lower back deck than the Current Designs. No rock gardens for me. Maybe an occasional surf but only to get ashore. Bigger swells are OK but I prefer flatter seas. I also have only used a Greenland style paddle. Like most, I would not mind a lighter kayak of 35 lbs or less. Skeg is OK but maybe a rudder (though ugly looking) is better. I want to be able to self rescue and bail the kayak out. Primarily stability not super important but great secondary stability a must. Hatches and accessories not that important. Not planning on long camping trips. Any suggestions?
These buying practices apply to ANY expensive investment: a mountain bike, a kayak, a stereo, a vehicle, etc. Go to shows, go to stores, and test the item of interest (ride it/paddle it/listen to it - whichever applies); demo MANY choices from MANY different manufacturers; look for daily rental opportunities. Take the time to do your HW, do your due diligence, and make a well informed decision. Specific to a kayak purchase, there are two basic pursuits: open water (lake, pond, ocean) or moving water (rivers). Each demands a different type of kayak if you are looking to acquire a max performance boat. On the other hand, a "hybrid" design will allow you to paddle all types of water. It will be decent at both open water and moving water, but it won't be great at either one. Is that good enough? If yes, get a "hybrid", and ideally get one that has a skeg for better tracking in open water. Have fun on the water! Otherwise, you NEED to decide which pursuit is most likely the one you would choose most often. If its open water, get a long kayak that offers speed to escape fast approaching weather issues and/or concerning motor boat traffic. Likewise, a long kayak (15' or longer) requires far less paddling effort for distance achieved; it glides further with each completed paddle stroke; over a day of paddling, that matters! It contributes to the enjoyment or the misery of the experience more so than a comfortable seat (though the seat is a close second in importance). If you want a river kayak (moving water: aka white water), get a short kayak that can turn quickly to avoid rocks and other obstructions that may be difficult to see until you're very close to them. Quickness/maneuverability is the key to safety in moving water. Speed is the key to safety in open water. Obviously, these are over simplified statements, but from years of experience I can attest to their overall accuracy in both scenarios. A cheap boat, cost wise, is a waste of money. You will get little to no resale value with the purchase, it will negate a LOT of the on-the-water enjoyment when the seat and poor hull performance are revealed, and you will likely lose some interest in the activity because of the inherent pitfalls of a cheap kayak. The same holds true for a bike. Wait until you can afford to pay for a high end selection. Your shoulders, your ass, and your inner spirit will thank you as all three will be rewarded by your choice to spend top dollar. And, let's not forget pride of ownership. It does exist, and it does matter. If you are proud of your possession, you will take better care of it, you will enjoy using it thereby using it far more often, and you will enjoy a far greater resale when and if you choose to sell it.
Thoughts on P&H Delphin 155 v 150? Was thinking it could be something I could grow into for surfing but am concerned about my ability to overnight and keep up with 17 footers. Clearly I need two kayaks, but wanted to know your thoughts on the Delphin (and the difference between the 155 & 150 - I'm leaning towards 155 only because it's marginally longer).
First off, although the phrase “longer is faster” tends to be GENERALLY true, you don’t be fooled by the model numbers representing the length of the boat, since the more important aspect is that they are different volumes, which makes all the difference. The 5” difference between the two boats will have little affect on overall performance, but the difference in cockpit height and volume will have a huge affect on how the boat performs for you. Look at P&H’s website and find the paddler size range for each boat, see where you fit within those ranges, and if you are in the middle of both, try each one out to see which fits better.
Now for some fighting words….. Although the Dolphin does perform well in the surf, those same qualities make it a bit sluggish alongside longer boats. The bow and hull are not designed to cut through the water (like an “expedition” design), but instead to help the boat plane at higher surfing speeds and keep the bow from pearling (diving under the water as the boat faces downwards on the face of a wave). These designs tends to push the water at slower speeds, especially when loaded down with camping equipment, making forward progress more strenuous over time.
I have kayaked in cheaper kayaks on and off sporadically for several years. I purchased a cheaper used kayak too. If had to continue in a cheaper kayak then i probably wouldn’t have stuck with it. Also my friends had better kayaks and I would wear myself out trying to keep up on the lake’s especially. I bought hybrid kayak for lakes and lower class rivers. Glad I tried the cheaper but happy I spent money on more expensive Wilderness kayak.
My suggestion is to rent kayaks for a while and test them out ...if that is an option in your area.
Am I really the only one who started paddling a Kayak with the deep and thorough intention of avoiding people - just to find out that everybody tells you to "paddle never alone", "be always in groups", "it's so nice to have someone around to talk to on the water", "learn from a friend", "join a club", "rather have someone to assist during a self rescue"? If I could stand people around me I'd probably do marathons or join a team in whatsoever team's sports... Bummer...
I do a lot of solo paddling. Companions aren't likely to prevent you from getting into trouble (though they can sometimes tell you your plan is stupid), but sometimes they're essential to getting out of trouble. For solo that means the ounce of prevention keeping you from getting into trouble in the first place is really important. Go to places where it's very unlikely you'll end up far from shore and where you shouldn't get stuck. Being pinned under a log in a class 3 rapid always sucks but it sucks a lot worse if you're by yourself and can't get unstuck. More so if your head's underwater. You also need to dress for the water, so even on a hot day you may need to wear a wetsuit, drytop, or drysuit. And make sure your phone is charged and there's a signal so you can call for help if necessary, but tell somebody where you're going and when you should be back anyway.
What would you advise for someone who is worried about trying an enclosed canoe after a bad childhood encounter?
Take a look a this video. Maybe it’ll help with some ideas of how I worked through a personal bad experience. ua-cam.com/video/4MXsApSNNMo/v-deo.html
Take a lesson from a professional instructor.
So what's happened in the last year? Between having long legs and getting older and stiffer I really want to avoid cockpits in the 16 x 31" range, but 18 x 35" works pretty well. There are plenty of boats with even bigger cockpits (at least as big as 22 by 57"), and of course there are also sit on top kayaks. As a general rule a smaller cockpit and a spray skirt expand the places you can go because splashing water won't get in your boat, but of course you need to be comfortable (mentally and physically) to have a good time. With a spray skirt it's absolutely essential to practice a wet exit (search for videos) so that you're comfortable with it, and even without a skirt it's a good idea. If you don't know other paddlers, a shop that offers demos may be able to show you without having to pay for a full intro class. Any kayak clubs you can find should also be able to help you out.
Good info. Background noise/music too loud.
Fleet of 6...and counting. 😉
How many kayaks does a paddler need? One more!
Just remember, if you have one really fast kayak that you love to paddle, your wife will be paddling it most of the time, and you'll be in a slower crappier boat trying to keep up ... heh heh.
Thats how you end up with 8 kayaks in the backyard....
Buy a kayak you can progress with.