OT: Kayak Recommendations

[Vol1tile]

Looking for some kayak advice. Been looking iine at reviews for kayaks but they are all mixed.

I am looking for something that is capable of going around lakes and rivers for fun but also fish from some when the wife is not with. Don't want one to incredibly big so I don't have to carry it to far in hard to reach places.

Also, wife wants something easy for her to come out and kayak with me sometimes. Nothing to large or fancy I imagine.

What are the best places to go to get kayaks? I am unfortunately in the cootlumbia area.

Thanks.

 

[TheClemsonJaguar]

I have a Hobie Outback. Great kayak for fishing but not wonderful for joy rides as it is heavy and does not track well.

 

[TigerJAC]

Looking for some kayak advice. Been looking iine at reviews for kayaks but they are all mixed.

I am looking for something that is capable of going around lakes and rivers for fun but also fish from some when the wife is not with. Don't want one to incredibly big so I don't have to carry it to far in hard to reach places.

Also, wife wants something easy for her to come out and kayak with me sometimes. Nothing to large or fancy I imagine.

What are the best places to go to get kayaks? I am unfortunately in the cootlumbia area.

Thanks.

Absolutely awesome, weird and hilarious! Was literally seconds from posting the same thing. I'm looking for a kayak to use on the lake AND in the ocean. I've been told you want a certain type based on where you kayak, ocean vs lake. Also, what you get depends on your level.

I want to get one quickly before going to the beach in a month, and don't want to pay to rent one. Advice on type to get, whether used or new, and where to purchase would be helpful. I live in Hartsville, so I'm close to Florence and not far from Cola. If there's a place to purchase near Clemson/Seneca, I'm there frequently as well.

 

[bp1999]

I have a wilderness systems tarpon 120. I love it. No regrets, although there are other things I would buy in today's market. Great fishing platform. It really does depend on what you are going to be on the most. There isn't really a good "do everything" boat. I would maximize my most frequent experiences while not limiting for going outside that box.

Advice - the longer they are, the straighter and faster they paddle. But they can be harder to maneuver (that's why 13+ feet typically have a rudder). If you are going to paddle a bit, then sit and fish, go with a shorter, fatter boat. If you are going to tour for a while, then get a longer boat.

DO NOT GET A TANDEM - they are nick named "divorce boats" for a reason.

Find a club or a shop that does a demo day on the water, paddle as many boats as you can stomach before making a purchase. Expect to lay out between $750-$1000 for a good boat. Don't let those teaser boats at Academy set your expectation.

I got my wife a Necky Manitou. Its a sit in, but it tracks straight and is a rocket. she loved it. Great all around sit in kayak (short of really rough white water).

 

[TheClemsonJaguar]

The Tarpon 120 is a sweet kayak

 

[davebodiddly]

I have a wilderness systems tarpon 120. I love it. No regrets, although there are other things I would buy in today's market. Great fishing platform. It really does depend on what you are going to be on the most. There isn't really a good "do everything" boat. I would maximize my most frequent experiences while not limiting for going outside that box.

Advice - the longer they are, the straighter and faster they paddle. But they can be harder to maneuver (that's why 13+ feet typically have a rudder). If you are going to paddle a bit, then sit and fish, go with a shorter, fatter boat. If you are going to tour for a while, then get a longer boat.

DO NOT GET A TANDEM - they are nick named "divorce boats" for a reason.

Find a club or a shop that does a demo day on the water, paddle as many boats as you can stomach before making a purchase. Expect to lay out between $750-$1000 for a good boat. Don't let those teaser boats at Academy set your expectation.

I got my wife a Necky Manitou. Its a sit in, but it tracks straight and is a rocket. she loved it. Great all around sit in kayak (short of really rough white water).

Great advice ! I have a Native Manta Ray 14' (Wife has one as well). Absolutely love it. Very comfortable and glides through the water, even against the current. These boats are fairly heavy, so throwing them on top of the car is not easy, not to mention a pain in the ass. We bought a Malone kayak trailer and it is awesome. Also got the Malone kayak carts with solid wheels to pull the boats to the landings when the landings are packed and parking is scarce...they fold down and just throw them in the boat....easy in and out.

As mentioned above, don't cheap out with the "teaser" boats. It will be like paddling a plastic kiddy pool around. Also, the "accessories" like the carts, rodholders etc can add up, but you can acquire them over time or look for them used.

If you are serious about a purchase, some places will let you use one for a day and see how you like it and get a feel for the type/size. Time Out sports in Mt. P does that.

Lastly, go with the flat style racks, not the J-Hook style. Get the nose in and shove. J-style you have to lift and twist..another pain in the ass.

 

[Dmacmtb]

Elkmont in Clemson and Sunrift Adventures in Traveller's Rest would be two local resources for demos and advice.

 

[SWD]

Where are you located Vol1tile?

 

[Vol1tile]

Located in Columbia.

 

[kgwillison]

Advice? Don't go kayaking with this woman:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/n...ddle-away-as-fiance-died-prosecutors-say.html

 

[SWD]

The reason I asked is because the Saluda River Rally at Dolly Cooper Park in Powdersville this weekend. It is free and Gradys provides kayaks and everything to try if you don't have one. Saturday and Sunday.

 

[PI Tiger]

I have a Wilderness Systems Ride 115. It's sorta heavy, but I can handle it myself(im 5'11, 180 and top my jetta with it) using an appropriate lifting technique. Flat out fishing machine. Pontoon hull is incredibly stable as it allows you to stand and cast, and it has a ton of storage. It's not a boat you will be paddling long distances in... I love it in ponds and rivers, and take it 1-2 miles off the beach a good bit, but it's tough on the local reservoirs like Hartwell and Jocassee. And there is a ton of options in terms of rigging and customizing it.

 

[Smiling_Tiger]

Has anyone ever tried a Folbot? Its a kayak that you can fold up and wear like a backpack and then it simply "unfolds" and you put it in the water. Interesting concept.