Hi everyone,

I'm a complete newbie. Been a diehard snowboarder for the past 7 years. Unfortunately, I broke my ankle twice in the past year so I need to discover a new passion (one that does not require ankle use!). I live on long island, ny and I've always been interested in kayaking so I figured now is the time to give it a try. I'm having trouble finding good information for newbies. Obviously the first thing I need is a kayak but I have no idea what to even look for. Where can I find some good newbie information to get me started? Thanks.

Hi KayBee,

I'd suggest going to an outdoor shop with a fair number of books, and pick up a couple of sea kayaking manuals. Over the years, John Dowd's book Sea Kayaking has held up well as an overall guide. But I'd recommend getting a couple of such books, and reading them all to compare and contrast the information within. The important thing to remember, though, is that sea kayaking (assuming that's what brought you to this website) is a form of marine boating , using the simplest and most basic gear, but still exposed to all the hazards of the marine environment. So there is a lot you'll need to know, in order to paddle safely. Two or three good books can provide much of that knowledge.

Carl

I grew up on Long Island and as a result have a fair amount of boating experience in the area. I've never been a boat owner myself but I do know the basic rules of water. I will definitely check out the book you recommend. I'm also looking for a good resource that will help me learn what is available as far as kayaks go. Any recommendations?

KayBee, most sea kayaking manuals will have a chapter on sea kayak design, choosing a boat, materials they're made of, skegs, rudders, etc. Most people paddling open water regularly paddle boats in the 16 to 18 foot length range, and 21 to 24 inches in the beam. For reasons that completely escape me, there are many hundreds of models available, leading to an obsession among people that they find exactly the right boat for themselves, or they'll never be happy. IMHO the best approach is to read the books, then buy a cheap used boat, maybe plastic, in the length and beam range above, and learn to paddle it. If you are fated to love kayaking (this is what happened to me!), you will find yourself out on the water as often as you can, learning to control your boat, test-paddling other people's boats, and going on trips. And meanwhile you will be deciding about what aspects of your boat you'd like to see improved (if needed) by getting a new boat. Do NOT get caught up in the endless round of recommendations by boat owners--they are meaningless. And do NOT get caught up in the belief that life would be so infinitely better if only you had the "perfect" boat. Sea kayaking isn't really about the boat; it's about what goes on inside your head while you're out on the water.

My Two Cents. Carl

Welcome to the world of sea kayaking, KayBee.

I would suggest that along with what Carl has said, that you find a copy of Sea Kayaker magazine and have a look. I would also suggest that you go to a few websites--like CD Kayaks, NC Kayaks, Eddyline and Necky.

Find a good kayak dealer to hang around and drool over the boats. If you are patient and give yourself time enough to consider all the variables, you'll begin to get a feel for what you want to spend and what kind of boat appeals to you. Just be prepared for your mind to be changed as you go along.

It isn't necessary to spend a fortune on kayaking, but don't kid yourself, if you get hooked, it's gonna be expensive, but it will be some of the best recreation bucks you'll ever spend.

I got started in a one man canoe, which I thought was the ultimate paddling thrill. I am by no means a great kayaker, nor do I ever intend to be, but I now have four kayaks and a one man canoe that hasn't been in the water for years.

I would strongly recommend that you carefully consider just how committed you intend to get to kayaking and if the answer is that you want to jump in with both feet and are the type who takes good care of your equipment, consider getting a composite (fiberglass) boat. If you don't want to spend that much, there's nothing wrong with a good polyethylene boat. Current Designs and some other manufacturers make some very good ones, but be very cautious when buying any boat--especially used ones. There are some very good thermoplastic boats too, like Hurricane, Eddyline and others. But in the end, if you want the real deal, you'll want to think glass. That is why I can't stress enough that you go to NC Kayaks website and maybe even do some e-mailing with Doug, or some of the other great people there who build the most fantastic boats you will ever see.

You might also take a look at Paddling net. They have a lot of useful information like boat and equipment reviews.

Finally, never buy a boat that you haven't tried out on the water and even then, you should try out as many as you can before you buy. Talk to as many kayakers as you can, but you'll have to make your own conclusions, because everyone has there own biases.

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's been extremely helpful. I've started looking on ebay and will visit a few shops in the near future. Most of the offerings on ebay are outside of the recommended length range. I'm finding most are in the 12-15 foot range. Are these unsuitable for a starter boat? I'm assuming weight and build factor in...I'm on the smaller side 5'8", 150lbs.


and whats the difference between polyethylene and thermoplastic?

KayBee, the answer about what boat(s) to look at depends on your understanding of what you expect out of kayaking. If you see yourself on Long Island Sound or Great Peconic Bay or Great South Bay, you're going to want to be in a longer boat (16-18 foot range). For purposes of getting the boat up onto the roof racks, lighter is better, but lighter is costlier. But there are ways to deal with the boat-loading situation; we can discuss those later. Is there a local sea kayaking club you can join? That's a way to get to try other people's boats as you paddle your inexpensive used boat, while you learn about what sea kayaking is like. Magooch mentioned several kayak makers: Current Designs offers a wide selection of boats (get their catalog) that are very well built and that have pleased a lot of kayakers, plus they'll be widely carried by area dealers. But as I mentioned before, don't get bogged down in selecting the right boat right now--much better to get some (inexpensive) boat in the proper length and beam, and start learning about you, the boat, and sea kayaking. There will be plenty of time later to get the "right" boat for you.

Search the Internet for kayaking clubs & groups (I belong to JSSKA.org here in New Jersey)and start looking at their For Sale/Used sections on their Message Boards.

Carl

KayBee, polyethylene is the type of plastic that is used for roto-molded kayaks. Thermoplastic is a harder type of plastic that is formed differently from male molds. Both materials have their pluses. Polyethylene boats are the least expensive, but don't think that is because it is an inferior material. They are cheaper because there is a lot less labor involved in molding a boat from that stuff.

Carl makes a good point and that is that your first assignment is to determine what kind of kayaking you are going to do. If you do buy a starter boat, it doesn't have to be expensive, but I would caution you again about used boats. Always turn the boat upside down and sight down the keel. And while you're at it look for bulges and or dents in the bottom. The keel should be straight from stem to stern. Don't get confused between straight and flat. Nearly every keel will have at least some rocker. Never, never buy a boat with a crooked keel.

If you do buy a starter boat, I would suggest that you don't go for cheap. I still have all the kayaks I've ever owned and I use them all. There's nothing better than a really good recreation kayak for allowing you to be versatile. Sometimes I feel like exploring waters that I would never take my sea kayaks into, but there are few places that I won't take my rec kayaks.

I would suggest that you go for a starter that is at least 13 1/2', or longer. If you do graduate up to a sea kayak, you most certainly are going to want to be up around 16 feet, or more. Length and some other factors translates to speed. Eventually, you will appreciate speed.

I'm going to recommend a couple of boats that I believe are great values and great boats to get started in. If you can find a 138 Old Town Loon in good shape, or an Old Town Cayuga, check them out. A Current Designs Kestal would be another one to consider.

Along with acquiring your first boat, you're going to need a proper paddle. You don't have to start out with a $400 paddle, but you don't want a cheapy either. The best paddle for the money that I have ever encountered is the Sevylor Fiber Pro. You can pick them up for about $80 if you can find one. I have several paddles, but the one that I use most is my Fiber Pro.

Thanks for all the help. I've already learned a lot. The current designs catalog is amazing! It had a lot of the information I was looking for.

One more question. Does anyone know a good online retailer or anyway to find prices? I'm finding prices are hard to come by on manufacturers websites. This makes it difficult to narrow down my choices when I can't even find a ballpark figure. thanks again!

KayBee, NC Kayaks has their prices right on their website (nckayaks.com). They sell all their boats factory direct. They ship boats all over the world. NC does not build what I would call a starter-boat. Their boats are all beautifully hand crafted fiberglass--the best I've ever seen. Of course I'm prejudiced, because I own one.

Here's a hint; if you do possibly have an interest in obtaining an NC boat, they put on some very good sales about two, or three times a year. Look at the instock boats for the prices. When they have a sale, these prices will be very substantially reduced.

KayBee, since you are on Long Island, why don't you plan to come here to Jersey to Paddlesport in March? Easy to get to via the Jersey Tpk. or Rt.1 or the GSP to Rt. 287, exit at Somerset NJ (Davidson Ave) and you're there. You'll see loads of boats and gear. Paddlesport is put together by The Jersey Paddler; they have a huge shop, maybe the biggest east of the Rockies, at the intersection of Routes 88 and 70 in Brick, NJ. Loads of boats there also, and a nearby place where you can arrange a test-paddle.

Carl

(Bump)

Hey,

My brother,his girlfirend and me are going on a 5-7 day kayak-camping trip to islands round Ko Yao (Thailand).
My brother did some sea kayaking in Mauritius and Turkey,and we both dis some river kayaking in belgium(so i guess were beginners at this)

The boats they offer are a perception contour 450 (single)and a perception contour 490(double).


The distances between islands will be around 3-9km.

I was wondering if anyone had some tips for us about seakayaking in general and/or seakayaking in that area.

Thanks in advance,
Ivo

Hey KayBee,

Any boat plastic/wood/glass/kevlar that gets you out on the water is a good thing :-). When it comes down to it, all these boats are basically doing the same thing - helping you move through the water. I like you didn't know much about Kayaks, but I just dove in and spent a pretty penny on a P&H plastic boat which weighs about 60 lbs to me (their claim is 50). I've enjoyed this British styled kayak for the most part, what I liked the least is it's top speed.

Occational Weekenders -
Casual boaters who do not care about anything more than short excursions on a lazy summer day can get away with just about anything that floats. These boats will max out in speed @ 2-3mph and if it tips and fills, you'll have to swim it back to shore submerged. Easy to get these boats, head down to Walmart/Dicks and pick out a 300+ dollar sled which also doubles as a kayak. :-P

Casual paddlers -
Less casual boaters may want something that holds up a bit more, has room for stowing a few items, and has bulk heads which allow you to get back into a boat if you tip and fill it. They aren't strong paddlers so they will pick something 26" wide and initially stable feeling. EMS chain store might have something that meets your needs (in plastic). Probably about up to 15', may come with a rudder. Some people may also opt for a low-end inflatable, etc.


Semi-serious paddlers -
More serious people who make take 10-16 mile day trips, who may encounter waves and want a reasonable amount of efficiency will want a boat that is longer, a little less wide, and perhaps a rudder or skeg. They may also consider other materials that make the boat lighter to help get it on and off the car frequently. Paddlers in this category can either go with a cheaper boat or something in the more serious paddler range.

Serious paddlers -
Serious paddlers will probably not be totally satisfied with one boat. They may want a British styled kayak with generous rocker and length making them fairly good at everything. They may even want it a little wider than necessary to handle rougher conditions. Boats like Current Designs, Necky P&H, Wilderness Systems, They also may want a fast hull which has a plumb bow, long water line length (LWL), narrow, and 18'+ in size. These boats would be like Nigel Dennis or Epic or the QCC.


Popular/Good Boats include:
Tempest - Wilderness Systems
Romany - NDK
Explorer - NDK
18X sport - Epic
Eliza (for women) - Necky
Khatsalano (take apart) - Feathercraft
Helios (inflatable) - Innova