Posted: 4/19/2012 2:16:24 PM EDT
Been looking into kayaks recently and with virtually no knowledge towards them I have questions. So I come to you arfcom 
1. Not looking to spend a dime over say $550, what would be recommended models to look at? 2. It would be for casual use on rivers for just a relaxing weekend of scenary/exercise and fishing on rivers and lakes. From reading around it would appear that something in the 12-14' size would be the best 3. Sit on or sit in? 4. How the hell to people transport these around by vehicle? My truck has a 6.5' bed so I suppose it could work but was just wondering 5. What are some features to look for or add? 6. It'd be nice to bring my 4yo with me sometimes but not liking the cost of tandems. Could these work at all for that? I was looking at these to models http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11279269&ppp=59&cp=4406646.4413993.4417832 http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3986135&ppp=59&cp=4406646.4413993.4417832 One is sit in and the other is sit on. Both seem to have a bunch of features for the price( Not really knowing the need/use for them all though) and they come in the cool looking camo pattern. Both the same length and about the same weight with the sit in haveing 100 pounds more capacity. That's a 100 more pounds of beer 
Any insight would be nice |
|
I'll help with #4 I have a hobie pro angler which is way out of your price range and what you need, but I haul it in a 6.5' bed pickup and it's nearly 14 foot long. Put the tailgate down and use a bed extender if it's longer than about 12', if it's 12' or shorter you can just put it on the tailgate and strap it down so it doesn't slide around. 
|
|
some places/retailers have a Kayak day. Go and try as many as you can. A kayak is a set of trade offs. I have a sit in 9', sit on top (SOT) 16' w/rudder, and a open top sit in 12' you what to spend $550 or less. Weight will factor in. is used ok? do you want to go fast or be stable? The longer the Yak the more efficient it will be, but you can not turn as well. |
|
Go to a specialized retailer if you're buying new. Don't go to Bass Pro, LL Bean, etc.
Why? Selection and service. The price is the same, so go to the place with the more knowledgeable staff. If buying used, expect to save 10-20%. Good kayaks hold value fairly well right up until they're completely worn out. You want to budget a lot of money for your paddle. It's more important than the boat. Buy once, cry once. For good quality, inexpensive boats, look at Feelfree. They typically have more features than other boats at the price point. The Nomad is $650 MSRP, and you'll pay a bit less than that. Be aware, the Nomad can carry you and a cooler plus some small stuff. You will not be loading it up with a ton of gear. I have a Moken 12 that I use fishing and for everything. |
| Real whitewater kayaking is very dicey. I was into it a couple of years. A couple of people that were friends of friends died on the river. They were waay more experienced than me. I had my roll down and was comfortable on class 3. The risks just seemed to get bigger. Just my 2c. |
|
Quoted:
Real whitewater kayaking is very dicey. I was into it a couple of years. A couple of people that were friends of friends died on the river. They were waay more experienced than me. I had my roll down and was comfortable on class 3. The risks just seemed to get bigger. Just my 2c. By river I meant slow moving rivers not white water rapids |
|
Quoted:
some places/retailers have a Kayak day. Go and try as many as you can. A kayak is a set of trade offs. I have a sit in 9', sit on top (SOT) 16' w/rudder, and a open top sit in 12' you what to spend $550 or less. Weight will factor in. is used ok? do you want to go fast or be stable? The longer the Yak the more efficient it will be, but you can not turn as well. Correct $550 and under Weight of the kayak or me? I'm 5'11 and say 220-230lbs Used is fine I'm leaning more towards stability |
|
Quoted:
I'll help with #4 I have a hobie pro angler which is way out of your price range and what you need, but I haul it in a 6.5' bed pickup and it's nearly 14 foot long. Put the tailgate down and use a bed extender if it's longer than about 12', if it's 12' or shorter you can just put it on the tailgate and strap it down so it doesn't slide around. http://canoekayaktrailer.net/images/img-extend-a-truck-944-02.jpg Goddamn!!! I googled hobie pro angler and it came up with a 2,549.00 kayak. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: some places/retailers have a Kayak day. Go and try as many as you can. A kayak is a set of trade offs. I have a sit in 9', sit on top (SOT) 16' w/rudder, and a open top sit in 12' you what to spend $550 or less. Weight will factor in. is used ok? do you want to go fast or be stable? The longer the Yak the more efficient it will be, but you can not turn as well. Correct $550 and under Weight of the kayak or me? I'm 5'11 and say 220-230lbs Used is fine I'm leaning more towards stability I meant the weight of the boat  I have one 36lb, one 48lb, and 98lb 100lb does not sound bad till you are tired, sore, sun burned, and against the wind/tide to go home  look into a Tarpon 140 or 160 used. |
|
I own a Native Ultimate 12 and a Nucanoe 12. The Native is one of the best kayaks I have fished out of. The price is out of your range for a new one but you may be able to find a used one in your price range. The stability of the Native is phenominal. It has the most comfortable chair I've ever used. And I can stand up and fish/paddle in it.
Some things that you might want to keep in mind are: Are you going to be going out alone. If so you will probably want something shorter and lighter so it is easier for you to carry. If you plan on doing cold weather boating or anywhere the water is cold then if you buy a sit on top you will need some waiters because sit on tops get wet. As far as bringing your kid with you the sit in model would not be best. Just not enough room. I would advise a sit on top or even one of the hybrids like the Native and Nucanoe I mentioned above. When hauling my kayaks in a truck I usually just put them in with the tailgate down and use ratchet straps to hold them in. |
|
I too did some kayak research 2 years ago & ended up with a sit-in due to the molded back support, i.e. strapless back. I found a good deal on an Future Beach 14 footer due to my weight (240lbs~).
I do some mild (Class 2-3) river kayaking in East TN & prefer the stability of the sit-in versus the sit-on-top. It has the skirt for a top but I always just run it open. That way if I flip, I can get out immediately if I need/want to. I too use a ratchet strap & just drop it in the back of a pick-up when I don't use my utility trailer for it. I think the weight of my 14 footer is something like 64lbs? It's not heavy but it sometimes can be ackward to carry but I always manage. My .o2 |
|
The length of the boat really depends the type of water you plan to use it in. A 12-14 ft boat is easier to make it track straight on a lake but becomes ungainly if trying to manage in twisty creeks. I have a 13ft kayak and it's really too big for the tight, shallow water creeks of FL. I'm going smaller with the next boat.
I prefer the sit-in boats. You have much less strain on the stomach and thighs as you paddle and can focus on a good stroke instead of trying to stay upright. Yakima makes a wide variety of sturdy (and fairly pricey) racks for hauling boats. The only feature I would add to the boat is a dry-well. Keep those lunch-break PB&J's from getting wet when you flip. My advice is to save money on the boat and invest in a really good, lightweight composite paddle. A heavy paddle can turn an long day on the river into sheer misery. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: I'll help with #4 I have a hobie pro angler which is way out of your price range and what you need, but I haul it in a 6.5' bed pickup and it's nearly 14 foot long. Put the tailgate down and use a bed extender if it's longer than about 12', if it's 12' or shorter you can just put it on the tailgate and strap it down so it doesn't slide around. http://canoekayaktrailer.net/images/img-extend-a-truck-944-02.jpg Goddamn!!! I googled hobie pro angler and it came up with a 2,549.00 kayak. Yes but it's more like a small boat. I use it a lot for fishing and duck hunting. Plus I can peddle it and not use a paddle which leaves 2 arms for fishing and shooting and doesn't hurt my shoulder. I bought it the first year they came out @ $2100. I have taken it out as far as the first set of rigs in the gulf in both TX and LA and fish with it on lakes all the time. Nice to able to take a full icechest, a tacklebox, have 6 rods in the actual rod box and still have a huge locker up front for fish. I don't think Hobie even calls it a kayak any more but rather a small boat. |
|
I would go to a shop that does test drives and/or hit Craigslist for someone selling one they haven't used a whole bunch, you can usually score a bunch of accessories that way as well like a paddle, life jacket, rudder, etc for virtually no extra cost over buying new. Check the bottom well for weak spots, we get rash from oyster bars down here, probably rocks up there. Vermont only has one Craigslist, guess you shouldn't miss your exit? |
|
Quoted:
I'll help with #4 I have a hobie pro angler which is way out of your price range and what you need, but I haul it in a 6.5' bed pickup and it's nearly 14 foot long. Put the tailgate down and use a bed extender if it's longer than about 12', if it's 12' or shorter you can just put it on the tailgate and strap it down so it doesn't slide around. http://canoekayaktrailer.net/images/img-extend-a-truck-944-02.jpg got one of these for my kayaks too. I carry 2-11 foot long Preception Sports Patriots in my Ram. They are sit in type. Got both kayaks at Dunhams for under 700 total for both (on sale with a coupon). Got the bed extender from Harbor frieght for like 80 on sale. They track awesome, do not wind steer hardly at all, are great in some waves and work out nice for everything from Lake Huron to larger streams/rivers (length makes em difficult to use in tight winding streams). They also have two molded in rod holders and enought room for gear. Hope this helps J- |
|
I sell kayaks in the summer and work for a livery. You need to get a boat for what you will do most often. In other words, if you are going to paddle on a lake 75 percent of the time and a calm river 20 and rapids 5, do not worry about a boat that runs rapids well.
That said, Dicks is not the place to buy a good kayak. Look into Wilderness systems boats. They are a quality company with smart designs. The Tarpon 120 or Pamico 120 sound about right for what you have mentioned. Also, do not discount the used market and craigslist. Sit on top or sit in... SOT is easier to get on and off and are usually very stable. The only advantage to a sit in is that it is dryer in the cold months. For fishing and general goofing off a SOT is the way to go. |
