After many years of kayaking, I have a little different philosophy about "first boats." I think before one buys their first boat, they should do a little soul searching and decide to what degree they are committed to the sport. So how does one get to that point without making the initial plunge? I suppose if you're lucky, you might have a generous friend with a loaner, or you could do the rental thing. If you're in the right location you might have dealers that allow demos, or you might attend free demo days.

My point is that no matter how you decide you are going to do it, when you are pretty darned sure that you're ready to go all the way, why not get your dream boat. Why waste a lot of time and effort learning in a boat that you're not going to keep? I'm not saying you should necessarily go all the way and get your ultimate super boat, but that any boat you buy should be one that is a keeper; one that you will always look forward to your next adventure in and not one that you paddle because you don't have something better.

None of this in any way is meant to disuade you from consideration of the Narpa.