A few days into their month-long kayak trip, Pat and Lynn camped near Brian and Tracy, who were out for only a week. While chatting about their routes and the wildlife they'd seen, Tracy mentioned how unhappy she and Brian were with the outfitter from whom they'd rented gear. She said they'd already had to repair one of their rudder cables. They'd also expected to get more information about their route when they picked up their boats, but the teenager who'd been behind the rental counter hadn't paddled much and said it was the "experienced guy's" day off. After several more complaints, Tracy said she certainly wouldn't recommend the same outfitter to any of the paddlers she knew.

Pat and Lynn, who'd had a very positive experience with the rental outfitter they'd used, were surprised. The equipment they'd rented was in excellent condition, they'd arranged for a shuttle and food drop-off, and they'd received a thorough briefing from an experienced, local paddler about the special attractions and hazards of the area in which they were paddling. Eager to know which outfitter to avoid in the future, Lynn asked Tracy which rental company they'd used. She was stunned to hear that the "problem outfitter" was the same one she and Pat had used!

Maybe the problem wasn't just the outfitter. What had Pat and Lynn done to make their rental experience a positive one? Whether you want boats for a half-day jaunt or a five-week expedition, here's how to make renting a kayak a pleasant part of your trip.