Kayaking, what do you all know about it?

[Brett Wustman]

Happy Friday everyone! I am just bored at work and looking around the internet for info on kayaking. I have gone quite a few times, but always rented the kayaks. I am looking at purchasing 2 kayaks, one for me and one for my girlfriend. I am just looking for any help on this, I am sure there are a few experts around here!



Brett

 

[Paul McDevitt]

Good move going with two singles. I had a one man kayak, and when I went to get a tandem for my (then) new wife and I, I heard them referred to as a "divorce boat". One trip in our new tandem confirmed it, that's a good name. However, adding an inexpensive rudder kit allowed me to keep the 1/2 of everything I own in a divorce, so all worked out in the end ;-)

 

[Todd Z]

I know my fat a$$ doesn't fit in one... !!!! :lol::lol::lol::lol:



Todd Z

 

[EddieS'04]

Todd you could mod one, I know you can..:lol:

 

[CountyMounty]

I too suggest getting two singles instead of a double for many reasons; if you just want to go by yourself at times, if you dont want to argue about who isn't paddling right, if you want to fish while she just floats around etc.



I am by no means an expert, actually nowadays I rarely go at all but we do have them at our camp for anyone in the family to use. The biggest thing you need to do is to make sure you get the right one for you based on where you intend to use it. In my case we wanted multipurpose "recreational" ones. They are not nearly as good in whitewater as the ones built for that, and not nearly as good on the ocean as ones built for that but can be used in those areas to a certain extent, just a good all around kayak. We also wanted to get the smallest one that would still be useful and it had to have some type of storage compartment. If you want a good multipurpose canoe that will not break the bank then look into soemthing in the 12 to 14ft range, maybe like an Old Town Loon.



We were lucky because we live fairly near where they make Old Town canoes and they have an outlet store there that sells both new and "seconds". Every canoe or kayak we have ever bought has been a second, meaning there is some type of minor flaw in it. A lot of times we have had to have the salesman there point out what the flaw is because we couldn't see it. So if you happen to have any type of outlet store near you like that you can pick them up for a lot cheaper. Unless you are trying to impress then who cares about a minor flaw as the functionality is the same.



Good luck in your search, there is nothing more peaceful then an early morning paddle on a lake with the loons calling and the fish jumping.

 

[B M]

Brett,



Go with the singles... Check the picture in my library, that is an 18 foot, kevlar Perception Eclipse. Awesome ocean boat. Look at the size though, Imagine trying to throw a tandem up there. My darling wife loved kayaking when we tried a tandem, why you ask? Simple !!! It was beautiful just riding along while my silly a$$ paddled her around everywhere. So yes, one person will always work harder than the other. In a single.....keep up or paddle alone !! That being said when the other person gets tired of kayaking or comes to terms that it isn't for them you can easily sell one of them, and buy mods for your ST ! ! ! ! ! If you get the tandem, well you're hosed. All in all good luck. There are places that have tryouts, where you can go and see what "fits" you the best, try going to your local outdoor place and see if they have info on where you may be able to test drive a few models.

Either way its a great sport, enjoy!!