Kayaks

[Lowrange2]

What do you guys know about Kayaks...

My girlfriend and I are looking to find a decent set of Kayaks. I've been looking at the "Emotion - Glide" Kayaks. They are just simple plasitc recreational kayaks that run about $350, I just wonder how long a low priced kayak will last. I've already got 2 fiberglass paddles, vests, and helmets that I got from a friend. I haven't been able to find a dealer online that acutally has a good selection of boats... I don't really want to pay more than 400 per kayak so if any of you guys have suggestions on where I could look would be great.

Also I'm trying to find one that is fairly light, say no more than 40 or 50 lbs and no longer than 10 feet so the suckers fit on the roof of my jeep.

Thoughts from Kayak people and pointless random statments from others are ok too...

 

[ZacSquatch]

Pongo 120... Lil beater yak but its fun on a lake

 

[ZacSquatch]

Also, did you know "Kayak" spelled backwards is Kayak... same with "Racecar"....

 

[Lowrange2]

As well as Mom and Wow....

I'll look into the Pongo... I'll only be toodling around lakes, calm rivers, and inlets at the beach and what not If I can keep from being swept out to C.

 

[JoesXJ]

I too have been looking into kayaks and have found them to be very expensive (even used). REI.com has a descent sellection but they can get pricey VERY fast. I think I'm ending up going tandem but here is there sellection.

CLICK ME FOR REI.com

What interest REI to me is that I can have one shipped for free to the local store. :thumbup:

 

[xjtrailrider]

Well I have 3 Wilderness Systems touring Kayaks(10'), I'm not into the whitewater stuff. Mostly just day fishing trips on the James. My son has paddled 75 miles of the James (3 days) on his and liked it well, said it was comfortable and had plenty of storage. They had a couple of canoes hauling the camping gear.

I like them they seem to hold up well and are easy to trak straight on flat water or in the wind, easy to work the rapids/riffles. Those little short yaks will work you hard when the water slows down.

We got ours at Dicks sporting goods.

 

[Lowrange2]

I have several local stores but they only have so many in stock... I'm just wondering if there are more small kayaks out there... Thanks the linky I'll check it out.

I know 'Perception' has some nice ones...

I'm willing to spend around 1k but no more.

 

[Lowrange2]

Well I have 3 Wilderness Systems touring Kayaks(10'), I'm not into the whitewater stuff. Mostly just day fishing trips on the James. My son has paddled 75 miles of the James (3 days) on his and liked it well, said it was comfortable and had plenty of storage. They had a couple of canoes hauling the camping gear.

I like them they seem to hold up well and are easy to trak straight on flat water or in the wind, easy to work the rapids/riffles. Those little short yaks will work you hard when the water slows down.

We got ours at Dicks sporting goods.

10 feet is ok. It seems to be a happy medium between manuverability and tracking... Being the lazy sucker that I am I want to be able to paddle a ways with as little effort as possible... maybe a trolling motor...? Hmmmm

 

[ZacSquatch]

Well I have 3 Wilderness Systems touring Kayaks(10'), I'm not into the whitewater stuff. Mostly just day fishing trips on the James. My son has paddled 75 miles of the James (3 days) on his and liked it well, said it was comfortable and had plenty of storage. They had a couple of canoes hauling the camping gear.

I like them they seem to hold up well and are easy to trak straight on flat water or in the wind, easy to work the rapids/riffles. Those little short yaks will work you hard when the water slows down.

We got ours at Dicks sporting goods.

Rolling in the James at about March is ill-advised.... I had shrinkage... Clear water, fun to fish though.

 

[xjtrailrider]

10 feet is ok. It seems to be a happy medium between manuverability and tracking... Being the lazy sucker that I am I want to be able to paddle a ways with as little effort as possible... maybe a trolling motor...? Hmmmm

One of the locals has a trolling motor and fish finder on his 10', but it is cramped and heavy. Of course you don't need a trolling motor (or fish finder)on a river!

You may want to look into a canoe, we have 2 Mad River 14' and they are a smooth float, very easy to handle lake or river.

 

[xjtrailrider]

Rolling in the James at about March is ill-advised.... I had shrinkage... Clear water, fun to fish though.

No joke its a little cold then! Wait untill May or June, thats when the fishing is tops anyway. And its good camping weather.

 

[Lowrange2]

nah... i've done the canoe thing - its not for me.

I'm still looking for 2 singles... around 10 feet. Is the Perception America 11.0 still in production? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

 

[ZacSquatch]

We do a New River run every year as well, up in Christiansburg. Gotta love them coal trains commin through that valley from WV loaded up and blowin whistles

 

[Lowrange2]

http://www.rei.com/product/750618?vcat=REI_SSHP_PADDLING_TOC

not bad eh?

 

[xjtrailrider]

We do a New River run every year as well, up in Christiansburg. Gotta love them coal trains commin through that valley from WV loaded up and blowin whistles

My son is at VT, he goes on the New, I'm not crazy about the New for some reason so I usually sit those out. The Musky/small mouth fishing is awesome up there though.

When I'm lake fishing I go like this;

 

[Lowrange2]

I don't do much fishing... I'm just looking for some sight seeing and a hobby to share with the lady....

So what'ya think about that prodigy... as good as any?

 

[ZacSquatch]

Werd, I caught the hell out of Yellow Breast and some small mouth... they are vicious lil fawkers on a light weight rod, I use a tiny Shakespear micro spin and 4 lb test.. Beetle Spins and Rooster tails rock...

 

[Lowrange2]

I wonder how easy it would be to attach two of those suckers to my surco rack?

On a lighter note: BFG A/Ts suck ass in muddy rocks!

 

[xjtrailrider]

I don't do much fishing... I'm just looking for some sight seeing and a hobby to share with the lady....

So what'ya think about that prodigy... as good as any?

Prodigy and Perception are both good brands.

 

[xjtrailrider]

I wonder how easy it would be to attach two of those suckers to my surco rack?

On a lighter note: BFG A/Ts suck ass in muddy rocks!

I use Yakima Stackers, can get 4 on the roof, and I agree but they are nice on a DD that never sees mud. LOL!