OK soooo I'm sick of my teens only being interested in having their noses buried in electronics. I live near a few boat launches where I see kayakers all the time, I've never kayaked nor have my kiddo's. Anyone here kayak regularly? Tips and advice on what to buy or stay away from would be appreciated!
I hate to be the voice of adulthood here but you might want to take some lessons first. Looks easy enough but it's a good way to end up dead if you f@ck up.
Gotta look into that, I can't recall ever driving past a rental site but will look into it...ty! Dang, I never really considered it to be any more dangerous than say canoeing which I have done before.
Lots of different kinds of kayaking. Doing overnight across open water in winter obviously can be a little more risky than a summer poke around closed water. Lessons are a great idea. Leasing to right a loaded boat is important. But my 70 year old mother does open water 3 and 4 day weekends camping until mid fall. She hasn't been hit by a boat yet. Lol.
We go paddle around the lake regularly. Found a 2 person with a rudder for $300 on craigslist and it's some of the best money I've ever spent. I also bought a single person so we could mix and match how we go. I was hoping to get him outside and away from all the electronics as well. The gf and I love going out and it's some of the most relaxing and fun time we spend in one of the most beautiful places on earth. The kid hates it. Best of luck to you. Get a sit on top if the kids are younger or beginners. I sit inside goes through the water better but there's a possibility you'll roll and have to get out. Wear life jackets. They make backless models specifically for boating.
dont buy cheap, not worth it. look for units that have front and rear V shapes at front and rear lower of hull. these will help the kayak "track". without these, you cant "coast" and have to paddle and correct all the time. we opted for the wilderness systems pungo 120. for us, they are more stable, and track VERY WELL. Other than white water, they are a "do almost anything" type kayak. craiglist, and renting are your friends. Ski
#1 Get sit on top kayaks. #2 Rent them first as already posted #3 Buy like new, used off CL from someone who skipped #2 and now keep tripping over them.
Every damn time I go to Rural King I think "wow, look at those 17 different color kayaks for only $179!" 10 seconds later "WTF am I gonna do with a kayak???" In other words...RENT
If your going to buy a Kayak , you have to look at a Solo Skiff ... I picked one up a new one in Florida this Winter .. 14+ feet and can accommodate up to a 6 HP motor . I can keep up with most Kayaks just paddling , and with a motor your can increase your range 10x + to cover a much larger area for fishing.
I vote for wide-body, square stern canoe...you don't always want to get wet. A wide-body might accommodate oar locks like a rowboat and the square stern mounts motors. Get aluminum, light as a feather.
Lessons first. Learn how to upright yourself, how to roll and recover, etc. Those are life-saving techniques that you will need to stay alive in a kayak. If you refuse taking lessons, rent a canoe instead. Harder to do yourself in with a canoe.