Other Kayaks and Kayaking

Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
So I'm considering buying my first ever kayak and going to get one used. I'm thinking for the days the wind isn't there or to go exploring on the backwoods lakes and channels for a day, this would be a great filler in place of the ski both to keep me on the water and keep some fitness going. But since I'm totally new to it and know nothing about it, what are your thoughts. What do you have and what do you use it for? Around herethere are only a few brands that are most common on the used market, Pelican, Clearwater Designs and a few Old Town models. I have my eyes on a Current Designs Kestrel 120 as it sounds like it would be the best option for me and the price is right at $350. I'd like to know what you all are using and post pics both of the boat and the scenery you've visited with it.
 
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Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
Backwoods lakes, channels that have cat tails but lots of room to move, inland shorelines and probably only for day trips. No choppy water, maybe 2-4" ripple on the bad days and no real windy days.
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
Yeah I hover around 200 lbs. I'll see if there are any around here but it seems we are very limited on brands. So far the most abundant brands are Pelican, Sundolphin and Clearwater Designs with the odd few Dagger, Old Town and even less of any other brands. It seems that most of what's reasonably close, and by that I mean within a 2 hour drive is all primarily meant for beginners not willing to go longer than an hour or two. I have gone kayaking before but never owned one. I know I can last a lot longer than most beginners which is why I am looking at any options slightly more intermediate like the Current Designs Kestrel. The problem with that one is the guy won't respond to his messages. I thought the point to marketplace was to sell lol...how does one buy and one sell if nobody answers their messages lol
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
Apparently Current Designs (Kestrel and all others they make) offer a lifetime warranty on their boats too. This is why I'm finding it really hard to look at other product lines. Plus I just really like the appearance of them. They definitely look like they have a great draft and straight line performance.
 
Myself

Myself

manic mechanic
Location
Twin Lakes AR
I have a cheapo SunDolphin 10ft. I've been on the lake with 8" chop, and 2ft boat wake mixed in until we got up into the creek. Been through a couple different river floats, one has a couple pretty rough and quick sections. I've had it a few years and we're going to sell this year and buy nicer ones. I suggest you do the same. Buy whatever you find cheap, use it, get used to it, then upgrade after you figure out what you want.
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
The guy with the Kestrel never replied and then took it off the market so he probably sold it. I sent another person a message about a fiberglass one that looks really nice for only $250 but same deal. He saw the message and hasn't replied...I'm starting to really hate marketplace people lol.
 
E350

E350

Site Supporter
Location
Sacramento Delta
Most fiberglass kayaks will be lighter. Especially carbon. But they will likely be sit inside with an old school small cockpit. That can be a little spooky for those who don't know how to "wear" them i.e., entry, roll and exit them. A sit on top is safer for those who just want to dabble with a kayak and not put in the training required to be safe with a sit inside.

My yak board was stolen, but if I was ever to replace it, I would replace it with this very light at 34 lbs. Srike:

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Strike Kayak | Cobra Kayaks, Good Times

cobrakayaks.com cobrakayaks.com
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
I was just at an outfitter close to home. They were really good, no pressure and just very nice people that explained a few things and answered questions. They didn't try to turn away from buying used and just gave me a little rundown of the product lines they sell. The one that really caught my eye was a Delta 12.10. It's a really nice looking craft. I'm going to see if I can find one used.
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
E350 said:
Perfect! 41lbs. Hard plastic not tupperware. I really like its lines. And it is not too long. Nice wide open cockpit on which you can use a spray skirt if you want. Go ahead and buy it, you will love it.

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I bought it! I said I wasn't going to buy new but I just couldn't get past how much I love the looks of it...and that there are none available used for all of the province. They said it's their most sought after and least sold used model. People love them so much they don't want to let them go. I ordered the red one because I just love that tone of red. Of all the colors it was going to be either red, white or blue. Red was available so that's what I went for right out of the gate. He said they always recommend that anyone buying their first kayak should consider what their second one would be in terms of when you get ready to upgrade, what do you see yourself doing...then buy that upgraded model as your first one. That way you'll have it for a long time and not get tired of it or feel like it's no longer enough. Buy your second boat for your first one he said....so I did lol. It wasn't cheap but it just looks so much better and well built than everything else I have seen so far that it makes sense to me to start out on a high note rather than go cheap, hope to get my money back and upgrade for full cost anyway. It arrives in 2 weeks, now I have to get the garage ready for it lol. I bought it from these guys, his review was quite helpful in making the decision.

 
E350

E350

Site Supporter
Location
Sacramento Delta
I watched the video. I like the boat. If I ever buy a sea kayak-type kayak I will start my research comparing the Delta 12.10 to other boats.

If you don't mind a couple of suggestions?

Have the shop fit the boat to you before you leave the shop. Make sure you wear the shoes you will be wearing when you paddle.

Take a forward stroke class. Or a general stroke class (there are allot of strokes - you see him employing a low stern rudder in the video - but a Duffek Stroke is better and accomplishes the same thing). Make sure that you insist that the instructor teach you the proper slalom kayak racing forward stroke. Dont' let them tell you that it is not necessary for sea kayaks or that sea kayaks are different than whitewater or flat water race kayaks. (Watch some K1 flat water race video with attention to their stroke.) The forward stroke is the fundamental stroke which will you will build on and which, after you learn it, will make everything easier and you won't blow out your upper biceps tendons from years of improper paddling like I did.

The guy in the video obviously knows how to stroke. But he was a goofball in the video, I only saw one proper forward stroke in the entire video. A proper forward stroke comes from the waist. The elbows barely bend. The shoulders rotate forward with the arms straight. Think about riding a bicycle up a hill. Are you stronger off the saddle standing and pushing down on the peddle with a straight leg or sitting on the saddle peddling with bent knees?

Like everything in every sport, much is not obvious or is even counter-intuitive and cannot be known without instruction.

And report back with photos and descriptions of your adventures!
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
Absolutely! And thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to be talking more with them as the day gets closer because I want to really get full appreciation and benefit from this. While being my first one, I have gone kayaking before and liked it but not nearly as much as I think I will in a good boat. What I was in at the time was the box store cottage going craft meant for not much more than an hour of time. I actually bumped into a guy on my way out as I was leaving. We got talking about the boats and he offered me a pair of his box store ones... didn't mention price though lol. When I said nah I'm going to get one of these, he said yeah, the ones I have hurt your back after about 45 minutes lol. So yeah, I want full benefit from this as I plan to keep it a long time. I'll be referencing back to your input when I talk to them next :)
 
Mike W

Mike W

Infidel
Location
North Florida
My limited experience, the sit on top kayak for sure. The kind you sit inside you stay wet and are restrictive with moving around especially when fishing. The ones that are “tear drop” shaped don’t track straight and are just aggravating to be honest.

Bought this Bonafide RS117 about 4 years ago. The hull is channeled and tracks very well. Plenty of storage and has mounts for fishing rods. It has a folding seat (not pictured) and is very comfortable.IMG_3082.jpegIMG_3080.jpegIMG_3081.jpeg
 
Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
I just went out to get a measurement of the hull so I can make a set of carpeted bunks for storage. I also put a paddle and bilge pump on hold so it'll be there when I go to pick up the boat. I wasn't aware a bilge pump was required by law as part of the safety gear up here. I'm familiar with small boats needing a vest for each person, bail can or some form of manual bilge, a dry heaving line, paddle, anchor, sound signalling device, floating flashlight and fire extinguisher. But apparently in a kayak all you need is a manual bilge pump, dry heaving line, pealess whistle and your vest. No light device. I'm learning lots along the way and I'm glad I stopped back out before the boat arrives to make sure I have everything needed to be safe and legal on the water. Oh I also brought my pfd I use on the ski to make sure it'll be a good fit for in the cockpit. My Yamaha pfd is thinner and covers better than the actual kayaking pfds and the cockpit fitment is perfect. I'm glad I brought that along too to make sure I wouldn't need to buy another pfd...I already have 2, I don't want a third lol.
 
E350

E350

Site Supporter
Location
Sacramento Delta
Holy crap. That's allot of heavy stuff! I would not carry any of it. It should have a drain plug on the top of the stern. You will learn to hoist the cockpit on your shoulder and tip the stern down to drain the boat. The video is chicken crap in that it does not show the person entering the boat. Usually you put the paddle on the top deck just behind the cockpit with both your hands on top of the shaft, and place one blade flat on the shore. Otherwise, I straddle the boat, do the above without the paddle blade on the shore, balance, scoot my legs in and then sit.

Your jet ski pfd is too long if you use a spray skirt. But you will decide if a spray skirt is appropriate for your use or not. If you do, see if they make a neoprene spray skirt for that boat.



Update: Buy some 303 in a spray bottle and rinse with clean non-salt water each of the gaskets on the hatch holes and hatch covers and then spray with 303 every time you use it. 303 is magic on rubber and latex. I have a Kokatat dry top which I used for 14 years and never tore the neck or wrist gaskets because I cleaned them and used 303 on them religiously.
 
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Pro-pulsion

Pro-pulsion

Location
Ontario, Canada
It finally arrived this morning. I just got home with it about 45 minutes ago. I still have some details to figure out regarding the tailgate extender and some other things but at least it's here! Now I can get the unknowns ironed out like shimming the tailgate extender so it doesn't bounce in the receiver, padding and better strap protection etc.
 

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