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Looking to buy a Kayak..
Posted on 5/19/14 at 10:26 am
Posted on 5/19/14 at 10:26 am
Anyone here know much about them? I am wanting to really take advantage of what we have in NWA but insure of what type to get. I could go ask these questions at the store but I work 8-5 and don't feel like doing that at the moment
So any knowledge is helpful
So any knowledge is helpful
6
Posted on 5/19/14 at 10:43 am to Marty McFrat
mm, when u get a chance, go to the OB, some of those green Prius drivin' ki 
's are always discussing yaks. I think they have a big weekend planned somewhere coming up? Maybe a stickied thread?
If you can stand a lot of bs, you can also get some good insight and advice from there. (similar to all the boards
)
's are always discussing yaks. I think they have a big weekend planned somewhere coming up? Maybe a stickied thread? If you can stand a lot of bs, you can also get some good insight and advice from there. (similar to all the boards
)
Posted on 5/19/14 at 10:59 am to Marty McFrat
You will want one aimed for "beginners" to start, by that I mean one you do not zip in or strap into it until you learn how to roll back up right after being flipped upside down, something you will have to practice on your own before you get any good if you want to tackle the bad arse rapids when the creeks are way up.
You also need to invest in a good helmet.
If you get real serious into it, you will get one that zips/straps you in and a wet suit.
I'm more of a canoe, ice chest full of beer, guy myself.
I believe academy has some at a decent price.
You also need to invest in a good helmet.
If you get real serious into it, you will get one that zips/straps you in and a wet suit.
I'm more of a canoe, ice chest full of beer, guy myself.
I believe academy has some at a decent price.
Posted on 5/19/14 at 11:03 am to DaleDenton
For sure. I've done it a few times when I would go to the Spring river when I was younger but it was one of those on top kayaks.
Posted on 5/19/14 at 11:36 am to Marty McFrat
Depends on how often you want to go. Year round, just in late spring/summer, want to get serious about it or recreational, will you be solo or with friends the majority of the time?
I tell people to rent first and then seriously put the pen to it and see if buying one is the way to go. If you are going with a group then shuttling won't be an issue.
If you are an one vehicle group, most outfitters will shuttle you and your yak for around $25-$30. Renting a kayak/canoe with shuttle costs $38-45 roughly and all of the wear and tear of the craft is on their equipt, plus they are out the expense of shuttling/gas.
If you are going to float lakes, then this isn't so much of an issue.
I know this didn't address the "what's a good kayak to buy question" but answers to those questions will help in determining what type/brand to buy.
I tell people to rent first and then seriously put the pen to it and see if buying one is the way to go. If you are going with a group then shuttling won't be an issue.
If you are an one vehicle group, most outfitters will shuttle you and your yak for around $25-$30. Renting a kayak/canoe with shuttle costs $38-45 roughly and all of the wear and tear of the craft is on their equipt, plus they are out the expense of shuttling/gas.
If you are going to float lakes, then this isn't so much of an issue.
I know this didn't address the "what's a good kayak to buy question" but answers to those questions will help in determining what type/brand to buy.
This post was edited on 5/19/14 at 11:38 am
Posted on 5/19/14 at 11:53 am to Pigfeet
I will be solo a lot most likely. I will go with friends sometimes. Will only be a spring/summer/fall thing. I will most of the time just be floating lakes that allow it. But from time to time I want to be able to take it down some rivers and have some real fun
Posted on 5/19/14 at 12:15 pm to Marty McFrat
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.
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.
This post was edited on 5/19/14 at 12:18 pm
Posted on 5/19/14 at 12:45 pm to Marty McFrat
In NWA Lewis & Clark out near the Mall and Pack Rat in Fayetteville have a good selection of kayaks as does Cabelas and I'm sure there are other places. There's such a wide variety now and so much of it depends on what you want to do.
I've had tandem and solo sit on tops which are good for ocean surf or floating in lakes and regular flowing rivers. You can expect to get wet with these and I wouldn't recommend them for swift or whitewater type kayaking. So you'll probably want a kayak you can sit down inside of to cover all bases if you want to buy just one kayak.
I currently use a hybrid standup/sit on top kayak because I like to do stand up paddling and fishing.
I like to canoe as well and Dagger and Old Town make good products but there are many others, too.
Get a good life vest regardless cause with a small craft you never know when you may need it. Some of the CO2 inflatable vests are good, light and have minimal bulk
Old Town LINK
Dagger LINK
Probably not what you need but I like the Hobie line as well--they have some innovative kayaks you can accessorize. LINK
I've had tandem and solo sit on tops which are good for ocean surf or floating in lakes and regular flowing rivers. You can expect to get wet with these and I wouldn't recommend them for swift or whitewater type kayaking. So you'll probably want a kayak you can sit down inside of to cover all bases if you want to buy just one kayak.
I currently use a hybrid standup/sit on top kayak because I like to do stand up paddling and fishing.
I like to canoe as well and Dagger and Old Town make good products but there are many others, too.
Get a good life vest regardless cause with a small craft you never know when you may need it. Some of the CO2 inflatable vests are good, light and have minimal bulk
Old Town LINK
Dagger LINK
Probably not what you need but I like the Hobie line as well--they have some innovative kayaks you can accessorize. LINK
This post was edited on 5/19/14 at 12:54 pm
Posted on 5/19/14 at 1:05 pm to Litigator
I talk myself out of buying one everytime I go by Cabela's.
They have good prices for beginners.
They have good prices for beginners.
Posted on 5/19/14 at 2:27 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
A nice place for sure. Glad they got one in NWA. Only other one I'd ever been to was in Buda south of Austin.
Posted on 5/19/14 at 5:05 pm to DaleDenton
quote:
I'm more of a canoe, ice chest full of beer, guy myself.
The Wife does the Yakking...
quote:
I believe academy has some at a decent price.
Only if looking for fishing kayaks...
Posted on 5/19/14 at 6:14 pm to Marty McFrat
I've only got experience in a canoe.
How fun is kayaking? Burn some calories? I mean, if you go by yourself does that mean you have to walk back however many miles to the car? shite....what if you're drunk?
How fun is kayaking? Burn some calories? I mean, if you go by yourself does that mean you have to walk back however many miles to the car? shite....what if you're drunk?
Posted on 5/19/14 at 6:20 pm to Litigator
I forgot. If they are still open there's a place out by Beaver Lake that was doing killer prices on kayaks last spring.
LINK
There it is. Ozark Mountain Trading Co. Looks like they have 3 locations now, Garfield, Cotter, and up by Spgf.
Their in store prices were way better than online.
LINK
There it is. Ozark Mountain Trading Co. Looks like they have 3 locations now, Garfield, Cotter, and up by Spgf.
Their in store prices were way better than online.
Posted on 5/19/14 at 6:36 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
Packrat will help you. If you have questions, it's best to ask experts IMO.
I got mine from there for pretty cheap.
I got mine from there for pretty cheap.
Posted on 5/19/14 at 6:57 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
quote:
There it is. Ozark Mountain Trading Co. Looks like they have 3 locations now, Garfield, Cotter, and up by Spgf.
Bought my wife's dagger from there
Posted on 5/19/14 at 7:10 pm to Marty McFrat
Posted on 5/19/14 at 7:29 pm to Hawgeye
quote:
How fun is kayaking? Burn some calories? I mean, if you go by yourself does that mean you have to walk back however many miles to the car? shite....what if you're drunk?
If you go on the Mulberry, the places on the river that rent canoes will drive your rig back/haul you out to wherever you want to put in at and you end at their place (Byrd's, Turner Bend) for a small fee. That saves you from walking if you have only one vehicle.
If you go and are going to drink, remember cans and to have a sack (not a plastic bag) to put the empties in.
Posted on 5/19/14 at 8:03 pm to Hawgeye
quote:
How fun is kayaking?
Dude, in the winter time and early spring, its a mf'ing blast. I canoe the rest of the year, unless we get a major down pour and I will grab my yak and hit small creeks and rivers around Central Arkansas.
I've been known to hit Fourche creek that runs underneath I-430 and I-630 with beer in hand. Some of the most intense rapids when its on, minus the Cassatot of course.
Posted on 5/19/14 at 10:40 pm to Marty McFrat
quote:
Anyone here know much about them? I am wanting to really take advantage of what we have in NWA but insure of what type to get. I could go ask these questions at the store but I work 8-5 and don't feel like doing that at the moment
So any knowledge is helpful
what do you want to do with the kayak?
Posted on 5/20/14 at 8:55 am to oklahogjr
Borrow other peoples and see what fits best, and decide what you're looking to do(casual floating or playboat). Buy used first.
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