re: Looking to buy a Kayak..

I would find a few online that fit your budget and then go and sit in them. I have to be comfortable enough in one because I mostly go on long floats (rivers).

I use the canoe when I go on the lakes, but I'm also fishing when I go to the lake. I have used my yak to go on lakes, mainly to explore the feeder creeks.

If you are just going on lakes and a few river trips a year, then most of the ones at Gander, Bass Pro, Academy will serve that purpose as far as durability. Keep it for a couple of years and then if you want to step up, then sell it.

If you happen to look at a used one, stay away from anything that has been repaired. Once repaired, will always need to be repaired.

There are kayak/canoe clubs all over, its just never been my thing. They all seem to be cautious, when I'm floating past them. I normally offer them a cold one as pass by, the looks are priceless. They are good for what they are, just never been a follower. Now I have creeped on a few message boards to find new floating ideas though.