Looking to purchase a Kayak.

[JoshTheCyclone]

My interest has been growing over the past couple summers but just didn't feel comfortable spending the money. Finally have some money saved up and getting a bit more serious in my search for a kayak, however I have very little experiance so not real sure what I'm looking at.
Looking for a kayak that I could use to excercise, fish, explore in. Anyone with advice on a brand or type?

 

[SpokaneCY]

I used to have a Necky Loksha sea kayak. 18ft with a rudder and not the fiberglass version. Great stability once your figured it out. You could tour rivers but would be inappropriate for typical whitewater applications. Lots of storage and you could cover long lake distance (we did 1 Puget Sound 3 night camp too) easily.

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

That sounds like a great time, I think 18 ft is a little big for where I'll be trekking here in central iowa but thanks for the input! I would like to stay under $800 if possible, from what I've gathered thanks to my friends at google I think a touring kayak around 10 ft is what I'm looking for. Are there any good places to get a good deal or should I just be prepared to pay full price?

 

[SpokaneCY]

I paid $1200 for mine and paid $900 for my wife's 14' Necky Looksha sport and I think I sold them for $300.

Best way is to keep looking at want-ads and other places for used gear. One caution - if you're buying a plastic boat the material DOES degrade with more and more exposure to UV. Also need to make sure the boat is true - so if someone stored their boat outside in the sun for longer periods of time you will get a bent boat.

If you're lucky enough to find a reasonable glass boat you'll be thrilled! VERY strong, takes a pounding, weighs MUCH less and goes with less paddle energy.

Oh - do NOT skimp on paddles. Buy the most paddle (SO many different styles and lengths) you can afford as the weight savings and the overall paddle architecture pays huge dividends on longer paddle days.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[TheCaptain]

Josh...there are lots of guys that kayak on this forum Iowa Sportsman - Hunting and Fishing that I'm sure will have plenty of solid advice.
Also this one. http://www.paddlingiowa.com/

 

[Mtowncyclone13]

I have two Old Town kayaks. They were around $759 a few years ago. They are plastic and cheap enough I don't need to take super good care of them but nice enough to hold up over several seasons. I did get nice werner paddles at about $150 apiece on sale from $250. They do make a world of difference. Seriously buy a starter kayak until you are sure you like it but then you can keep the paddles with any upgrade you buy.

 

[leroycyclone]

Look at rei.com for kayaks. Nice list of kayaks for various purposes.

Kayaks at REI - FREE SHIPPING With $50 minimum purchase. Includes skis and snowboards.

Not saying to buy it from rei but its a starting point.

Heres another website with kayaks.

Kayaks | Backcountry.com

And one more. This should give you an idea of brands and pricing.

Kayak Gear and Apparel from Top Kayaking Brands at EMS.com

 

[3rdGenStater]

I have a Wilderness brand Pungo 120. It's a been a great all-purpose kayak for me. Sure it's not the fastest boat on the water, but it's stable enough for fishing and I think it's a good explore-the-lake vessel. For its width it tracks well on open water, and I've taken it down small rivers a couple of times. JAX in Ames has a nice selection; in fact, I got mine there when they had their annual sale a few years ago.

 

[SwirlingFloater]

I have a Wilderness brand Pungo 120. It's a been a great all-purpose kayak for me. Sure it's not the fastest boat on the water, but it's stable enough for fishing and I think it's a good explore-the-lake vessel. For its width it tracks well on open water, and I've taken it down small rivers a couple of times. JAX in Ames has a nice selection; in fact, I got mine there when they had their annual sale a few years ago.

I have this exact boat and I bought it from Scheels in WDM. My son has the same kayak too... I borrowed his before buying one myself and really liked the versatility of it.

This is a great time of the year to buy one. If you act while it is still winter they might have them marked down or be willing to take a little off their normal retail.

 

[crash_zone]

Do you know how you will store and transport the kayak?
I have a 13.5 ft Wilderness System w/ a rudder and a 10 ft Glide from Emotion. Love them both - but would go with the WS if I had to keep just one. I've always like the look of Riot kayaks too. I believe anything less than 12 ft doesn't need a permit in Iowa. Another place to look for discounted boats: Clear Waters Outfitting Company :: Discount Boats

Also - craigslist. lots of people get kayaks, never use them, and then sell them.

There is a guy on ebay that runs deals through the winter (he might be done by now) - $350 can get one of the 10 ft emotion kayaks, a life jacket, a paddle, and also a guided 6 hr paddle trip at Picture Rock National Park using his 18 ft kayaks. Only thing is that you have to get up there to get the boat and take the trip.
Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

 

[cloneluke80]

am I crazy for owning an inflatable kayak? portability is big to me...

 

[Wesley]

am I crazy for owning an inflatable kayak? portability is big to me...

:twitcy::twitcy::swoon::twitcy::twitcy:



No, if it works for you, more power to you and just ignore the nerd comments.


Scheels, Dicks, and Cabellas sell kayaks for half price about now.

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

:twitcy::twitcy::swoon::twitcy::twitcy:



No, if it works for you, more power to you and just ignore the nerd comments.


Scheels, Dicks, and Cabellas sell kayaks for half price about now.

I've been looking at Cabelas and Bass Pro among other places. I'm just going to keep my eyes peeled for sales and see where it gets me, I've got a few months to do my research and figure out what will work best for me.

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

I have this exact boat and I bought it from Scheels in WDM. My son has the same kayak too... I borrowed his before buying one myself and really liked the versatility of it.

This is a great time of the year to buy one. If you act while it is still winter they might have them marked down or be willing to take a little off their normal retail.

Thanks for the response, I've written that model down on my list to check out. Your descriptions of how you use it sounds pretty much what I'd be using it for.

 

[Wallacelantz]

There is an expo in february that you may want to check out in Indianola. Canoesport Outfitters

 

[JP4CY]

Get whatever kayak you feel most comfortable in with a beer can in between the legs. Nothing more relaxing than being out on the water and seeing nobody around for a ways. Put the empties back in the kayak though, I always pick up ditched ones in the river from knuckleheads.
My wife and I have kayaks and have used them a lot in Polk and Story county. Rivers are probably still going to be shallow next year unless we get a TON of moisture so you'll have to stick to small lakes like Ada Hayden, Little Wall, etc.

 

[00clone]

There is an expo in february that you may want to check out in Indianola. Canoesport Outfitters

Don't actually own one, but kicked around the idea. ^^^^ Along those lines, a local(ish) place had a paddle day close, tried out several. Same place had a swap meet/clearance sale in the late winter. Might look at those places as well as the large chains.

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

There is an expo in february that you may want to check out in Indianola. Canoesport Outfitters

Good find! I'll have to check that out, unless I can find a great deal before then I likely won't have purchased anything yet anyways.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Story City put a type of white river play area on the Skunk River a few years ago. I know someone from Omaha who goes there on occasion to practice. I would think there must be some sort of kayaking club that could give you advice. Might even have a used one for sale.

 

[Cycho1]

Kayaking is great! I definitely prefer it over canoeing. I own a Old Town, Otter. It's only 10' long, but super stable and maneuverable. It's not as sleek and streamlined as the longer boats, but i've been able to keep up w/ my friends that own fancier 16' kayaks and I'm able to paddle circles around them. I originally purchased it as a "starter" kayak, but I no longer feel it necessary to upgrade to something better. Plus for the price I ended up purchasing another one for my girlfriend and I don't feel bad scuffing it up on rocks and branches.

Good luck w/ your purchase!