Looking to purchase a Kayak.

[Clonehomer]

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

I will second this. This place is great, especially for someone getting into kayaking. Prices may be a little higher, but they only sell top quality products and they are wonderful to work with.

The only other place I'd go is Rutabagas in Madison. If you're new to this, I'd stay away from chain stores because you're not going to get the same personal attention.

 

[Boony]

I've had an Old Town dirigo 12 ft kayak for 3 years and love it. Got it from LL Bean as a fishing package for $800. It does not need to be registered in Ia. I also have 2 Sea Eagle inflatable boats that I love to use in Ia rivers. They have a selection of kayaks that are worth looking at. seaeagle.com

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

So between a 10 ft and 12 ft kayak what's the biggest difference (other than 2 ft haha)

 

[stevefrench]

OP, JAX has kayaks you can rent. try a few out, figure out what works for you. they also have a bunch of outdoor enthusiasts that work there that can help you out as far as making a selection. Plus they will work with you on price a bit this time of year since it's the offseason.

 

[JP4CY]

So between a 10 ft and 12 ft kayak what's the biggest difference (other than 2 ft haha)

I have a 12 with a cubby hole and my wife has a 10. Hers can turn in circles a little easier but mine can cruise at a faster speed.

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

I have a 12 with a cubby hole and my wife has a 10. Hers can turn in circles a little easier but mine can cruise at a faster speed.

That's what I was thinking, I think I'd rather have the problem of more difficult turns as opposed to not being able to keep up with friends on the water.

 

[iowa_wildcat]

May I suggest getting to know these people well? Skunk River Paddlers

 

[CyinCo]

I have a 10 Ft. Wilderness Systems Pungo100. I has a dry storage area in the rear, a decent seat, foot pedal adjustments but has no rudder. It does have places to run cables and a rudder built in, I just haven't found it necessary. It is easy enough to control with just the paddle. We bought ours used for $400. But then spent equally that amount getting a carrier for our Pilot.

The only bad thing I'll say about the 10ft boat is that it seems a little undersized for me. I'm 6'2" and while I fit, my knees are popped way up and the padding around the opening doesn't hit me in the right spot. I tried a 12 ft. at Scheels after we bought this and found it fit me way better. For the amount of time I spend in it though, it is good enough.

 

[colbycheese]

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

Is it one of those packable kayaks like they plug all of the time on the "Motion" tv show on LWN? Those seem interesting if your goal is to go on a hiking trip, but take one day to spend on the water. Otherwise they seem like they are hard to paddle in a straight line because you can't get your paddle under you, it has to go out to the side.

On an unrelated note, I have a buddy who has one of those cheap plastic kayaks that you sit on (not in) that he takes fishing all of the time. He has it rigged up to have three trolling lines out while he paddles.

Once I get a real job, and have room for storage of a boat, I'm going to get a nice canoe. A boating trip isn't a boating trip if you can't take the pooch! Also, I'll be using it for BWCA trips. I've tagged this as my first luxury purchase once I get out of grad school and get a real job.

 

[skipisu]

if you are planning on fishing out of a kayak i suggest trying out both a sit-in and sit on top kayak. i tried fishing out of a sit-in this summer and found it a little cramped, plus i couldn't stand up in it like you can with most of the sit on tops. you can't hit too big of whitewater with sit on tops, but if you don't plan on using it for whitewater and plan to do a lot of fishing or flatwater (lake or small river) paddling they are great.

i have been looking to get a sit on top yak for the past year and have been eyeing several different ones. just haven't found time to try them all out yet.

take a look at: jackson's coosa, kuda or the new big tuna, they are a little exspensive, but if you plan to fish a lot of them there are a lot of great features already built in to the boat
wilderness systems fishing line of yaks: pungo, ride or tarpon
there is also a newer design fishing yak made by native: slayer

with a little google fu do some more research about kayaks in general and search some forums for reviews on specific models of kayaks you might be interested. one forum i learned a lot about sit on tops is TexasKayakFisherman.com • Index page

oh and as other have mentioned, find out where the closest dealers of yak are at and ask them when they will be holding a demo day(s). usually they will have a full line of the makes and models they carry and you will be able to test them out. some dealers will even let you rent or borrow a yak to demo when they aren't holding demo events. try a few yaks out and determine which is the most comfortable for you. if you plan on fishing out of a yak, i suggest bringing your rod and real and see how well you like fishing out of it.

 

[FarminCy]

if you are planning on fishing out of a kayak i suggest trying out a sit-in and sit on top kayak. i tried fishing out of a sit in this summer and found it a little cramped, plus i couldn't stand up in it like you can with most of the sit on tops. you can hit too big of whitewater with sit on tops, but if you don,t plan on using it for whitewater and plan to do a lot of fishing or flatwater (lake or small river) paddling they are great.

i have been looking to get a sit on top yak for the past year and have been eyeing several different ones. just haven't found time to try them all out yet.

take a look at: jackson's coosa, kuda or the new big tuna, they are a little exspensive, but if you plan to fish a lot of them there are a lot of great features already built in to the boat
wilderness systems fishing line of yaks: pungo, ride or tarpon
there is also a newer design fishing yak made by native: slayer

with a little google fu do some more research about kayaks in general and search some forums for reviews on specific models of kayaks you might be interested. one forum i learned a lot about sit on tops is TexasKayakFisherman.com • Index page

Agreed if fishing a sit on top is the way to go. I fished in the Tampa Bay inner coastal waters out of one and it was a great experience. I think it was a Malibu Kayak X-Factor. Fishing and Angling Kayaks, Sit-on-top Kayaks, Malibu X-Factor Very roomy and stable for how big of a guy I am plus it was tricked out with rod holders, gps mounts, built in tackle storage, etc. Talking with the Kayaker's i met down there for fishing a sit on top is hands down the best and for a guy just looking to cruise a sit in will be the best. I am going to be getting one this spring and I plan on getting a sit on top for myself and my son. I loved being able to sit sideways on it with my feet in the water while fishing. Plus one big plus for a sit on top with kids is they cannot be submerged since they are fully enclosed. Obviously a sit on top means you can get wet at times but during warm weather thats not a concern to me. If I like it enough I may end up getting some sit in's for some cold weather paddling as well.

 

[isukendall]

I used to have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120, sit on top (SOT) fishing kayak. I bought an older model, kept it for five or six years. Great for flatwater or flat rivers. I took it fishing on lakes quite a bit, tracks nice - that's one thing to keep in mind that a rapids kayak will be very unstable and tippy. Mine also had a lot of storage in the hull, and several times took it on overnight paddling trips where I would store tent, sleeping bag, etc. and go down a river. Even would fit my dog in the back. Pretty fun. Ended up getting rid of mine after moving to Colorado, needed the cash and didn't use it as much without any flatwater rivers and smaller lakes.

http://www.paddlezone.net/iacas_t120.jpg

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

I'm slightly surprised at the amount of people who have had or currently have kayaks. Didn't realize the popularity of the hobby/sport

 

[00clone]

I really thought this site would be more help than it was.

KAYAK - Cheap Flights, Hotels, Airline Tickets, Cheap Tickets, Cheap Travel Deals - Compare Hundreds of Travel Sites At Once

Didn't find anything really. I mean, other than hotels, but ferrealz....what's that got to do with Kayaks? I mean, maybe the 'cruise' section has some kayak stuff in it.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Is it one of those packable kayaks like they plug all of the time on the "Motion" tv show on LWN? Those seem interesting if your goal is to go on a hiking trip, but take one day to spend on the water. Otherwise they seem like they are hard to paddle in a straight line because you can't get your paddle under you, it has to go out to the side.

On an unrelated note, I have a buddy who has one of those cheap plastic kayaks that you sit on (not in) that he takes fishing all of the time. He has it rigged up to have three trolling lines out while he paddles.

Once I get a real job, and have room for storage of a boat, I'm going to get a nice canoe. A boating trip isn't a boating trip if you can't take the pooch! Also, I'll be using it for BWCA trips. I've tagged this as my first luxury purchase once I get out of grad school and get a real job.

Learn the J-stroke!

How to Do a J-Stroke - Canoe Technique - YouTube

 

[Cyfan4good]

This was my Dad's first kayak:

Hobie Cat Company - Mirage Outback

It's a sit on top with Hobie's Mirage drive system. You can paddle or peddle your choice. There are models designed for fishing with rod holders etc. You could literally troll with this unit since you can peddle it while holding your favorite fish'in stick. There's a very knowledgeable and helpful dealer on NE 14th St. between Des Moines and Ankeny. Good luck.

Hobie Cat Company - Dealer Detail

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

I really thought this site would be more help than it was.

KAYAK - Cheap Flights, Hotels, Airline Tickets, Cheap Tickets, Cheap Travel Deals - Compare Hundreds of Travel Sites At Once

Didn't find anything really. I mean, other than hotels, but ferrealz....what's that got to do with Kayaks? I mean, maybe the 'cruise' section has some kayak stuff in it.

I sadly ended up at that website in my early search for information

 

[JoshTheCyclone]

Does anyone know much about the Ascend brand of Kayaks? They are a Bass Pro Shops brand. Looking at the FS12. Seems like a good multi purpose kayak.