New to Kayaking...

Just starting out...

Have not even been yet, but I plan to go in a few weeks..

I am lookind for advice on equipment and anything of the like.

I have always loved the water and look forward to the sport.

My questions are:

What should I be looking for in a entry level Kayak?

What recommendation would you make as far as size, model, features?

What equipment is essential for an average day trip.

And any other pertinent information you feel I may have left out.

I appreciate any information you can provide.

Thank you.

No meaningful reply can be made until we know a little bit about what you plan to do with the craft. On the touring side you might be thinking about oceans, sheltered bays, gentle rivers, big lakes or little ponds. On the white water side, you might be thinking expedition cruising, river running or playboating. Maybe you are interested in a fishing kayak or one to paddle with a partner or kid or both.

What is your general level of physical competence? Do you expect to quickly learn to be a skilled boat handler or do you expect to spend your days on the water 'puttering about at the camp on the lake?' Is your goal to use the boat for bird watching or for laying down long easy miles? Do you have prior boat experience in anything from canoes to air craft carriers?

Do you want something that the kids can safely take out on their own? How do you feel about being in a decked boat with a spray skirt? Would you prefer a sit-on-top?

Kayaks are readily available at lengths from under 6 feet to over 20, with full decks, semi-open decks or no decks at all. They range from fat and sluggish (ideal for fishing) to sleek and tippy (ideal for exercise).

Give us some parameters or share your kayak fantasy vacation and we'll be more responsive to your needs.

Tommy T.

What are your dimensions? height, weight, etc

What is your budget? high-low range

Where do you plan to paddle? lakes, rivers, oceans, etc

Keenan www.gokayaking.ca

Dude, we're in Ottawa. With some wild risk-taking including going over some pretty big dams, we can travel down the Ottawa to the St. Lawrence and eventually pass by y'dere in Newfoundland, but it takes a while! Most of us work, sadly making such a journey a scheduling issue.

LOL! You sure do. Good on ya. That kayakers website is great, thanks for the link. Your own website is even better!

Closest I've been is PEI. At least they've got beaches!

Please visit my website to find out where in the Ottawa vicinity you can paddle on a river of crap, launch behind a sewage plant, experience the unusual currents of urban storm sewers, learn to dodge pigeon plop under bridges, etc.

Keenan

Good post. Thank you.

Lets see... I don't have kids. At first I'd be using it on I guess what would be considered a gentle river. I enjoy high mileage endurace cycling, so I can imagine that I would also like to do long trip kayaking, but my plan is to mostly spend out on the river. I did spend 4 years in the navy doing navagation and I did fall in love with the ocean, so I could see doing some sea kayaking as well.

I would like to have something manueveralable in the river, but not so small that it would handicap the ability to do long trips or ocean outing (if such a crafy exists).

No kids, no partners, I would prefer no sit on top (I think... just doesn't seem very 'true' to kayaking).

I have always been a quick learner in eveything I do, and although I am quite physically capable.

I am:

5' 10' 180lbs. I enjoy long walks on the beach, and watching movies.. (sorry.. just having a little fun)

I plan to mostly kayak on rivers.. the Willamette river is for the most part pretty calm with a few places that would rate on as far as rapids go. At first I don't imagine I'll be out breaking white water... but I also don't want to limit myself with an inadequate boat should I want to do more.

My budget is from $600 to $1,000. I plan on shopping used items as well, so this kind of leaves it open.

Basically I think I'm looking for something that is sort of versatile. Something that can handle longer trips, short white water trips, and mediocre sea trips. Doesn't have to be the best boat in any one category.. but I would like to be able to keep my options open... at least in the beginning. I can always upgrade later on should I really become addicted to just one aspect of the sport.

But in the beginning probably rivers mostly.