recommendation for a kayak?

I'm looking to buy my first kayak. I got into the sport from a friend who has 2 bottom end kayaks- yet I had a great time with those.

My priority is stability and unsinkability- safety first. Ease of loading by myself onto the Yakima roof rack which will be mounted on Leer cap of my Toyota Tacoma (just ordered the cap with a factory installed roof rack) is important- I'm a fairly strong guy for 55, but I did have a herniated disk 10 years ago and don't want to go there again- so a light boat will be nice. The roof rack will have rollers on the back to facilitate loading by myself.

I intend to be on ponds and lakes- no rivers and no rough water in bad weather. I don't intend to carry a lot of stuff- it will mostly be nice day boating on smooth water in nice weather for a few hours or half day at most- with maybe a lunch and my camera.

It won't have to be a pretty boat- I don't care to impress anyone with its looks.

Another priority is that it's durable- it won't crack or break easily.

I suppose being my first boat I should get something modest, then when I have a better sense of what features I really want, buy another or trade up. I'd probably keep the first one for friends who don't have a boat to use.

I don't really want to spend much more than $600 if possible, at least on the first boat- maybe more later when I have a better idea of what I'd be missing in the cheaper boat.

Any suggestions appreciated.

It looks like you want a cheap used sea kayak, $600.00 is challenging but it happens. Prijon had something called a Yukon a decade ago. They were great. A sea kayak of sorts, tough as nails and smaller than most sea boats. I would look at a plastic boat over 16 feet if it were for me but every boat has strengths and weeknesses.

Enjoy what ever you get , it is a great sport.

I would go to see Jenda in Osgood. They will load up a trailer full of Kayaks and take you to the Rideau to try them. They are really patient and helpful.

BTW, $600 is really low. Try $1000 for a basic model and $1500 for something half decent.

Joe, I tend to agree with William's recommendation. A lower end 12+ feet boat like mine (Walden Expedition MEC $700+tax new) is good to start with the sport. It's reasonably good all around i.e. for day trips, mild river runs, etc. Smaller size and light weight make for easier handling without expensive accessoires, thick plastic takes a lot of worry off your mind if you venture into shallow waters and they need next to zero care. Of course, you wouldn't take those on multi-day expeditions or ocean surf, but if you get a knack for the sport you can find a higher end boat that'll suit your needs. MEC, Trailhead and Bushtukah were all used to do weekly demo nights at Westboro beach, check in the stores. You can rent a boat from the same stores for $20-30 a day. Also check MEC gear exchange, I saw used boats there going from $200-300.

If money matters i would think used. All but one of my boats were purchased used. Someone put the equivilent of a couple of weeks to a month of my use, ( almost daily at the time ) on a boat and took a $500.00 hit. Old town has some new offerings. Some of their sea kayaks are built for huge people but price point is good. I wuold go used and bluntly would be after a used Yukon. A used Prijon Seayak just sold for $700.oo Canadian about $500.00 US here last week. That does not happen often but it does happen. Good luck and welcome to the worlds finest sport.

I own a River Runner R5, and love it except for the fact the removable skeg at the back comes off easily if I bump something in shallow water. I'm of a small stature, and get in and out with some difficulty, but not too bad. I also bought an Old Town Loon 100, which is shorter, wider, and has no skeg, but tracks nicely, just not as fast as the R5. I get in and out of that one quite easily. The R5 has a few 'waves' on the bottom (probably from sitting upside down in the sun), lots of scratches ( I like to use it), and tends to track to the left with the skeg on. Hope this helps some, and good luck and enjoy the great outdoors.