Buying your first Kayak

The first thing you need to do when purchasing a kayak is determine they style of paddling that you want to accomplish with the boat. Do you want to travel overnight? in the ocean? just for day paddles? Do you want to paddle whitewater? or just calm meandering rivers?

It is important to start with this step rather than the price that you want to pay because that can be a limiting factor. If you just buy what you have the money for instead of a boat that fits your needs then you will quickly become unhappy with the purchase and be in the market for the 'right boat' instead of the boat that is instantly affordable, which is what you bought the first time.

Once you have the type of paddling that you want to do figured out next is to look at the types of boats that fit your prospective paddling needs.

There are at least 4 main types of kayaks.

1. Sea Kayak: Made for distance touring on the ocean. To really complete a multiday trip look for something at least 16'
2. Recreational Kayaks: Made for day paddling on calm waters. Generally under 16'.
3. Sit-on-top: Made for day paddling and have no deck. This limits them to warmer days and climates. Often also used for kayak fishing.
4. Whitewater Kayak: Made for paddling down whitewater rivers. The longest ones are only about 8' and weigh just as much as 18' sea kayaks.

On top of there being 4 main types of kayaks there is also three main types of materials used in building kayaks. Each of them had their benefits and detriments.

1. Composite materials: Including fibreglass, kevlar, carbon, and any hybrid of the three. If weight savings is what you want then this is the material for you. Unfortunately the weight savings increases the cost of the boat. Contrary to popular belief composites boats are fairly robust and can be repaired often even if they are broken into a few pieces. Necky kayaks is making a blend of kevlar and carbon that can withstand blows from a hammer. Cost: 2500-4500 USD

2. Thermoform plastic: This type of plastic comes in sheets and retains the shiny look of a composite boat though is tough to make both rigid and lite. Also know for it's ability to shrug off damage. It is priced right in the middle of materials, not as expensive as composite boats but not as cheap as rotomolded plastic boats. Cost: 1350-2500 USD

3. Rotomolded plastic: Used in the least expensive boats on the market. Made by dumping plastic shavings in a mold and then rotating it inside a large oven. Very durable material, can be run into rocks with only scratches. Sacrifices weight and can be warped during storage on hot days. Cost: 300-1500

There are may stores that sell boats, some are more qualified than others. You should look for a store that only sells boats as a first choice. Some specialty paddling retailers will sell other camping related things as well but make sure that boats are not just another side revenue stream but a main focus of their sales force. Do not go to a store that also sells tools, batteries, pharmacy items, this is just setting yourself up for disaster. They paddle the boats and can only read the tag to you. You can already read so they are of no help to you.

Start by calling a few local stores and asking a few questions like:

• Do you allow boat demos: extra point if they evade the question to see if you are an exprienced paddler first. They have your safety in mind before the sale. They are real padlders
• Will you help me tie the boat down. Yes should be the answer.
• Ask the staff person what type of paddling they do. If they don't paddle find out if they just work in the office and if there is another dedicated sales force that they can get on the phone for you.
• What is their return policy if you are unhappy with the boat?

Also check out their website to see if they have a wide selection of the boats that you are interested in. Look for other content relevant to paddling like how to dress in cold weather. At the very least they should have links to local paddling clubs and resources.

Once you have settled on both the type of paddling you want to do with a kayak and the price point you need to look in it is time to go out to the local paddling shop and sit in some boats to see what fits you specific body shape. While sitting in boats you need to be working to pick them apart for comfort, features, and let's be vain color. There will be a boat out there that fits you right so if the first one you sit in does not feel comfortable move on. The sales person should know a number of boats that will have the potential of being the right boat for you.

Once you have sat in a few boats and narrowed your choices down to two or three it is time to test paddle a boat. Any good kayak shop will have some way for you to test most of the boats in their fleets. Some will be rentals with the money counted towards a purchase, some will have demo days set up that you can sign up for. Regardless of the method it is always a good idea to test paddle a boat prior to purchase. You may find that the boat that you thought you liked the most in the showroom paddles like a pig and visa-versa.

Once you have test paddled your boat it is time to buy it. Now comes all of the things you did not think about, your PFD (lifejacket), paddle, pump (for bailing), spray skirt, paddle float, and a myriad of other things.

When you buy your boat it is a good idea to expect to spend at least $500 extra to get you out and paddling. This may seem like a lot but realize that a high end paddle can cost upwards of $500. Spending $500 over the cost of the boat makes sure that you are buying quality product that will last for the long term.

Now enjoy. Go out and paddle your boat lots.