I am looking for some recommendations for a Kayak. I am a beginner, never been in a Kayak so I am looking for something with good stability. I will be taking it on very calm water (Spruce Run Resevoir). Any recommendations out there?
Kayak recomendations
- Thread starter PIN2WIN624
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A lot depends on how much you want to spend, do you want a sit on top or sit in side, will you take it anywhere else besides the reservoir, etc? I have an 11.5 foot tribe by perception. It is a sit on top so it makes getting in and out of easier. Also better if you ever plan to fish out of it. It is incredibly stable and tracks well. It is versatile enough that it can handle everything from salt water to mellow rivers. They make a 9.5 foot version as well.
Wilderness Systems Pungo 12 is an outstanding recreational Kayak. Great tracking. Easy paddling.
For more value-oriented: I bought a Manatee from LL Bean which I like a lot.
For more value-oriented: I bought a Manatee from LL Bean which I like a lot.
I will echo this - it really depends on what you want to do. do you want to just go on long straight cruises? do you want to maneuver around and explore?
I have both the tribe 13.5 (two actually) and an emotion spitfire 9 ft.
the 13.5 ft is for two, but i will confirm that it's stable, tacks well, easy to get in and out of. i've used it in salt water and fresh.
the emotion spitfire 9 ft has a flat bottom so it doesn't track as well, but it maneuvers very well. i've used it to fish, and on salt water / bay areas. it had a better design on top, adjustable stabilizers for your feet, and internal storage compartment.
For a lake or reservoir I would not get a "sit on top" kayak. I think they are for rough ocean water. They are made that way so water can drain off in rough water. I had a really expensive one from NJ Paddlers in Brick and, more recently, a much cheaper one from Dicks and it was hard to tell the difference. So my advice is get a cheaper one but buy a more expensive paddle because that's where you'll feel the difference.
the tribe 9.5 would be a good choice. sit-on-top types are best for bays/ocean.
I had 3 kayaks over the years and was given a wilderness pungo 12 foot kayak for my 50th birthday. I love it. It is best one I have had. My wife would take my kayak when we went together because she like mine better than her perception acadia. I would bring the kayaks to my mom's house and everyone would go after the wilderness pungo. I sold my wife's perception acadia and another perception corona and bought a second wilderness pungo 12 for my wife. Now I can use mine. It is wider and and a larger cockpit to fit comfortably in and it is stable. Yet it tracks like a touring kayak. It is a combination recreational and touring kayak. Let me know if you have questions.
I have a Wilderness Pungo 12 and love it. I have had 3 kayaks over last 10 years. 1. Perception Acadia, 2. Perception Corona and 3 Wilderness Pungo. The Wilderness Pungo is by far the best option of the 3 for me, and your situation sounds similar to how I use the kayaks. The Wilderness Pungo 12 was given to me for my 50th birthday and I love it. My wife like it so much she would steal the Pungo (which she gave to me) and I would end up using the Perception Acadia. I would bring the kayaks to family outings and everyone would take the wilderness Pungo 12 as first choice. Finally, I sold the Perception Acadia and the Perception Corona and bought a second Wilderness Pungo 12. Now both my wife and I have our own Pungos. The cock pit is bigger and more comfortable than the above mentioned Perceptions. The boat is wide and stable yet it tracks well. It is a combination recreational and touring kayak which is awesome for lakes, resevoirs and bays. My wife purchased the 1st Pungo at Recreational Education Outdoor Inc. and my wife and I purchased the 2nd Pungo at Paddlers Cove in Washington NJ. REI gives you 10% discount on purchases to members in the winter. We called Paddlers cove and they matched REI's price with discount up front. Also, Wilderness Pungo 12 is best selling Kayak in the US. Let me know if you need more information.
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If you find that you enjoy kayaking you can build your own. When I lived in Maine a friend and I built this one over the course of one winter in my brother's garage:
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/...ke-kayaks/chesapeake-17-lt-sea-kayak-kit.html
We built it from plans and bought the materials but they have kits available with all of the pieces pre-cut. Very durable and stable....nothing beats the look of a wood boat!
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/...ke-kayaks/chesapeake-17-lt-sea-kayak-kit.html
We built it from plans and bought the materials but they have kits available with all of the pieces pre-cut. Very durable and stable....nothing beats the look of a wood boat!
I was actually between the tribe and the pungo when I bought mine. I do no think you can go wrong with either one.
I am on a houseboat in the Fla Keys(and a proud citizen of THE CONCH REPUBLIC now LOL)...we took a jaunt toward the Everglades side and I was amazed how many kayaks we in/around the cypress swamp areas.....its gotten very popular.....
No, no, no, no!! Sit-on-tops are for calm waters and warm conditions. Remember that you are exposed to the water and weather in the sit-on-tops. Enclosed kayaks drain water nicely as well as keep one relatively warm during all but the coldest days. I don't know the climatic conditions you are considering but here in the NW and British Columbia if you are knocked over into the cold water and spend any time there, your metabolism will slow to the point that you are unable to reenter the kayak.
Other than that I don't know what to tell you. It all depends on your size, paddling skills, intended usage and other factors.
If you are just talking about day trips then I would recommend a Coaster from Mariner Kayaks. The Broze brothers are no longer in business and I don't know how many are available back East but if you can find one in the want ads, grab it. Relatively small and without a rudder but extremely maneuverable. You will get the hang of changing course with paddling strokes in a short time. The bow handles the waves extremely well and is great for piddling around the shoreline. Sufficient space for fishing equipment and a lunch. Wish I had one but they don't last long in the ads here in the NW and those who have them hang onto them. Good luck.
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