I'm buying a kayak.... Any advice? (fishing, craft, models, sport)

[GoCUBS1]

I have wanted to buy a kayak for some time. I have rented kayaks many times and really love the sport. I have kayaked in the ocean/rivers/lakes in Maine, FL, Canada, the Midwest.

I think I have narrowed down what I want, but would appreciate any suggestions as I am still a novice...

Background:

- I am 5'6 and 130 lbs.

- I would like a sit-in kayak, probably over 14 feet long.

- I plan on kayaking in calm ponds as well as open water w/some current, boat traffic, potential 1-3 ft waves (e.g. Lake Michigan).

- I am ok with a boat that is narrow with low initial stability (tipsy) but want it to be very efficient with tracking (good second stability). I think I want a rudder to help with this.

- I will use it on longer trips (1/2 day to maybe overnight camping) so need some storage/bulkhead capacity and comfortable seat.

- I would like to be able to carry it short distances and easily load it unto my car so need a lightweight boat.

- I need durability/low maintenance as I will use it in areas with very rocky coastlines/beds. So I prefer newer plastics over composite/fiberglass.

- I do not need any extra amenities like fishing rod or drink holders.

I am considering the LL Bean Calypso 14' rudder boat or the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145 with rudder. Anyone know about these boats?

Any other suggestions? Thanks!

[Bulldogdad]

Winter is the best time to pickup used ones for 1/4 to 1/3 off retail.

I have a buddy that buys them in winter and resells them during spring and summer making a nice profit.

Thats the only advice I can give you.

[rifleman]

I've owned two of the FolBot Greenland II knock-down models, two man, and used them very successfully in two long wilderness expeditions, one with my teen-aged daughter when she needed to be straightened out by getting away from her peer group (worked v.well, btw, and we spent 2 weeks in the true wilderness of The Brooks Range of AK!), and then again, when I took my wifey (such a good sport!) into that same country. The boat packs down into a manageable packable size (two bags) is easy to assemble and put on a floatplane, and is very stable.

Folding Kayaks & Folding Boats from Folbot - Kayaks - Greenland II

(As a sign of the times, back in 1993, I paid only $1100! Oh well, huh?)

However, it IS worth noting that with two adults on board, and all our gear, the entire package probably weighed in at around 500 lb. Yikes! When I was trying to steer us through some Class 3 rapids, my wife yelled (over the tumultuous roar all around ius..!!! ) something like "Why can't you handle this layak like those Olympic guys do in the white-water competitions?" I replied that a fabric boat, with 460# on board, would not handle quite like a 40# boat with a star athlete in it!

So do expect such boats to handle more like the Titanic than some olympic featherweight.

which also brings to mind the best folding kayoak out the. no, not a Klepper, but this Vancouver, B./C made wonder-craft! ((i'm an ex-Canuck who grew up in Vancouver!)

The Feathercraft boats!

Feathercraft*»*

These are by far the finest most durable compactly packing and user-friendly folding kayaks out there. But they are a bit more spendy, though NOTHING like those Cher-mahn ("Undt Zoon, Vee Vill Take Over Zah Verldt!!!!! Yah Vuhl!") Kleppers! They are also v. good, but not worth the $5K+ US$ price tag.

The Feathercraft doubles run ≈ $3200, the Folbot Greenland is only ≈$2300. As for single seaters, they are of course less expensive and more maneuverable, but I'd still and almost always recommend a double-seater, since you may want to impress a girlfriend or wife or kid! Or take along really comfortable camping gear! Tents, chairs, pineapple upside down cakes, a solar-powered microwave , a small HDTV (also solar, natch!), some good wines, and of course.....Bourbon (Always leave room for that good Bourbon! It's critical to having a good time out there!)

You might also check out if there are any good used folding boats on e-bay, but be careful; if not properly dried out after use, the fabric boats can actually rot over a long storage period (let's say 6 - 8 mo. without being dry.) BTW, if you come across a nice blue Greenland with a glue-patched-on US/Canadian flag up on the forend, let me know! It's MINE!

Enjoy! Let me now! (BTW, my Folbot was stolen out of our storage locker, and my advanced arthritis has reduced me to just remembering the fun I really had in these!)

rifleman™

[luckydawg003]

Sit on tops are good kayaks. Since your not doing any rapids just get a long open top one. The ones without the skirts. I've kayaked a lot with the VA and used a variety of kayaks in different waters. For some reason because I'm a natural I always get put in a white water kayak. They are the smaller ones with skirts which can be fun for turning sharp but kind of pain on longer trips.

[007.5]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

I have wanted to buy a kayak for some time. I have rented kayaks many times and really love the sport. I have kayaked in the ocean/rivers/lakes in Maine, FL, Canada, the Midwest.

I think I have narrowed down what I want, but would appreciate any suggestions as I am still a novice...

Background:

- I am 5'6 and 130 lbs.

- I would like a sit-in kayak, probably over 14 feet long.

- I plan on kayaking in calm ponds as well as open water w/some current, boat traffic, potential 1-3 ft waves (e.g. Lake Michigan).

- I am ok with a boat that is narrow with low initial stability (tipsy) but want it to be very efficient with tracking (good second stability). I think I want a rudder to help with this.

- I will use it on longer trips (1/2 day to maybe overnight camping) so need some storage/bulkhead capacity and comfortable seat.

- I would like to be able to carry it short distances and easily load it unto my car so need a lightweight boat.

- I need durability/low maintenance as I will use it in areas with very rocky coastlines/beds. So I prefer newer plastics over composite/fiberglass.

- I do not need any extra amenities like fishing rod or drink holders.

I am considering the LL Bean Calypso 14' rudder boat or the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145 with rudder. Anyone know about these boats?

Any other suggestions? Thanks!

I have an inflatable Kayak Model 330 : Search Results . Very high quality product, compact, very lightweight , strongly constructed, much easier to transport , and a great deal of fun. Very affordable too.

[iknowftbll]

I recently got a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 and I love it. It may not be quite as elaborate as the Tsumani 145, but it works quite well for me and costs about $400 less. Some drawbacks, it weighs 49 lbs. This isn't a problem for me, but it may be something for you to consider since you said "lightweight." You know what "lightweight" is to you. The payload potential on this thing is amazing. I weigh 170, so I could bring 155 lbs of gear before hitting maximum capacity. It is also 12' long. I have a full size SUV, and I am not that tall. A small stool makes it a breeze to mount the kayak into the J-mounts I have atop my vehicle. I got this as a combined birthday/Father's Day gift from my wife, and I have used it as often as possible since. I live right next to a river, and a short kayak upstream and back makes for a nice way to wind down after work. This is definitely suitable for overnight kayak/camping trips too.
I hope this helps!

[Momotaro]

OP it will serve you well to look for some Kayaking websites. I am certain I am not allowed to post links to other sites but a quick google search will suffice. I am in the same boat as you looking for a Kayak as a beginner. The one thing I have learned is stay away from Pungo if you plan to hit Lake Superior. You will want a longer and more narrow boat as you mentioned with what you are looking for.

Pungo is great for the calm lakes and ponds.

[GoCUBS1]

Thanks everyone for the great advice...

After some research, I decided to buy a 14' Perception Calypso w/rudder (distributed by LL Bean) and I love it! The Chicago LL Bean store let me borrow the boat to try it out and also offers a full refund return policy if I decide I don't like it (even if it's at the end of the summer!). Not here to plug that store, but I really love that return policy.

The Calypso is more of a light touring boat (rather than recreational) as it is longer (14') and more narrow (23.5") which is similar to the Wilderness Tsunami 145 (but less expensive). The Calypso also weighed a bit less (48 lb.) and is marketed towards women as it is lightweight, has lower walls, and a smaller cockpit. It may also have shorter foot rests (e.g. not sure if it would be suitable for someone over 6"?) though I have pretty long legs and still have a few notches left on the foot pegs. I think a smaller guy would also like this boat (though there are some pretty flowers on the side...lol).

The cockpit also feels pretty tight (I like it but it may be uncomfortable for some). I bought a spray skirt to fit over the cockpit and no water has gotten in yet. Since it is narrow, it is pretty tipsy when you are getting in it, so it may not be suitable for a dock launch or for someone looking for good initial stability. However, I think it has great tracking as I went on a trip with a group of friends (they had 12' boats) and they noted that I needed fewer paddle strokes to track in a straight line (they had to work harder to track). It also will not turn as well as a shorter boat, but the rudder can help a great deal with this.

I was torn between the 12' and 14' but decided on the 14' foot because I definitely want to use it on the Great Lakes and thought the longer boat would be safer w/greater stability on choppy water. The longer boat also has more bulkhead storage (2 hatches), gear capacity (up to 275 lb), rigging, and also comes w/thigh braces.

The only negative has been it has been somewhat difficult for me to load it on top of my car (bought a Thule roof rack). I have had to have my hubby help me with this. I hope to eventually be able to load this boat alone as I am still learning the proper technique. But I do think 48 lb (51 w/rudder) is probably the most I can lift up onto my car.

Thanks again for the great tips...Happy kayaking!

[iknowftbll]

Congrats! That thing is a beauty! I know you'll be happy with it. Enjoy!

[Momotaro]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

Thanks everyone for the great advice...

After some research, I decided to buy a 14' Perception Calypso w/rudder (distributed by LL Bean) and I love it! The Chicago LL Bean store let me borrow the boat to try it out and also offers a full refund return policy if I decide I don't like it (even if it's at the end of the summer!). Not here to plug that store, but I really love that return policy.

The Calypso is more of a light touring boat (rather than recreational) as it is longer (14') and more narrow (23.5") which is similar to the Wilderness Tsunami 145 (but less expensive). The Calypso also weighed a bit less (48 lb.) and is marketed towards women as it is lightweight, has lower walls, and a smaller cockpit. It may also have shorter foot rests (e.g. not sure if it would be suitable for someone over 6"?) though I have pretty long legs and still have a few notches left on the foot pegs. I think a smaller guy would also like this boat (though there are some pretty flowers on the side...lol).

The cockpit also feels pretty tight (I like it but it may be uncomfortable for some). I bought a spray skirt to fit over the cockpit and no water has gotten in yet. Since it is narrow, it is pretty tipsy when you are getting in it, so it may not be suitable for a dock launch or for someone looking for good initial stability. However, I think it has great tracking as I went on a trip with a group of friends (they had 12' boats) and they noted that I needed fewer paddle strokes to track in a straight line (they had to work harder to track). It also will not turn as well as a shorter boat, but the rudder can help a great deal with this.

I was torn between the 12' and 14' but decided on the 14' foot because I definitely want to use it on the Great Lakes and thought the longer boat would be safer w/greater stability on choppy water. The longer boat also has more bulkhead storage (2 hatches), gear capacity (up to 275 lb), rigging, and also comes w/thigh braces.

The only negative has been it has been somewhat difficult for me to load it on top of my car (bought a Thule roof rack). I have had to have my hubby help me with this. I hope to eventually be able to load this boat alone as I am still learning the proper technique. But I do think 48 lb (51 w/rudder) is probably the most I can lift up onto my car.

Thanks again for the great tips...Happy kayaking!

Congrats and great review! I wish I could use a roof rack but all the ones I look at tell me if I have a moonroof they will not fit. Sadly, Toyota does not seem to install them with a moonroof either, since it is panoramic. I will have to install a hitch and tow mine haha.

I never thought to look at LL Bean I will give them a look.