Kayaking First Timer

D

DaveJ

Member
Im trying to get into kayaking this summer. I don't want to go whitewater kayaking till later id rather chill in calm water for now. I would also like to fish out of it so what do I need and what do you guys bring when you go just to relax.
 
bout my first kayak last summer it was like 160 bucks new at menards it wasnt the best kayak but it was great in rivers and ponds i was able to fish out of it fine
 
All kayaks are not created equal. Those $199 kayaks (barges) at Dick's Sporting Goods are not what you want. They are slow, cumbersome, and not much fun at all. For a flatwater cruising boat that you could use on river, lakes, etc, look for something in the 16-18 ft range. This will cost you significantly more than the boat at Dick's Sporting Goods but you will have a fun, usable kayak that you can grow with. Monitor Craigslist for decent boats as your best bargains will be found there.
 
If your just starting out, then remember that the skinnier the kayak, the easier it will tip. You probably want something like a 10 footer for lakes and waterways around where you live. Also pay the price or buy it twice. Dick's is the absolute last place you should buy a kayak. If youre into fishing I guess you could bring your pole with you. You'll also need to invest in something to transport it, whether its a trailer or a car rack. If you have a truck just put in the bed and secure it with some straps.
 
There are Rod holders available, that you will mount on the front of the kayak. Make sure you mount it forward enough so that it doesn't interfere with your stroke. But is still reachable when fish on.

A good paddle is important. As well as a comfortable well adjusted seat.

Typically flat water paddlers use a longer paddle, and a more horizontal stroke. But you'll want to consider your natural stroke pattern too. Weight is the key factor, the lighter the better cause you'll be holding out in front of you all day.

A rudder in not critical but on flat water you'll want one.

I haven't looked but i bet the used market is strong. Where people buy quality boats and they just end up collecting dust and are never used.

 
or if you're cheap and have a car just roll up some towels and open your doors to run straps over the roof. Kayaking is a super dirtbag sport if you really try.

Don't knock it if that's what he wants. I bought my first kayak at dicks and loved it for 5 years or so, even after I got into whitewater I'd still use it sometimes on lakes or for friends that were first timers. Cheap can sometimes get you into the sport quick and still be a hell of a fun time.

Iflip?? I know you know your shit and love to show how much so, but really??? 16-18 ft kayak??? That's a damn yacht, maybe if you're doing weekend camping trips out of your boat.

Here's what I did OP and it got me into kayaking very happily some odd 7 years ago.

Go to dicks, buy 250 dollar nice and wide Recreational kayak and a cheap paddle.(get a cheap lifevest if you can't borrow one). Fill kayak with some beers and a fishing rod. Go out on a sunny day and enjoy the hell out of lounging on the water and reeling in fish and vitamin D. Hell take it down a small creek if you are knowledgeable of the waterway and no there are not hazards downstream. Read up on tips and info about different kinds of kayaking and see where you wanna go from there.

Enjoy man, you will love it if you enjoy the out of doors at all.

 
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Some good points, allow me to weigh in on a few if you will.

Rod holder is a good suggestion, there are a few different kinds but most work pretty much the same. I got one that is a tube that sticks down into the boat and mounts with pop rivets(actually you should just get a pop rivet gun now, great for adding straps and hooks and all kinds of creative crap) and is a flush mount. I mounted mine behind me so I can keep it out of the way of the great view in front of you......ok actually it's mostly so you can throw line out and paddle while trolling(yes literal trolling).

disagree with second statement altogether if you're just starting out. a cheap paddle works fine on flat water and you can always throw a butt pad down on your plastic seat to make it more comfortable. Don't buy your kayak according to some fancy seat.

I added a rod holder to my boat for like 2.50 in deck rigging parts and small length of bungee. Most any decent kayak or canoe shop will have a box of random parts and pieces you can pop rivet onto any boat. In short, no, I don't hold my paddle in front of me all day, that would make fishing a huge pain in the ass.

rudder is completely not needed unless you are in heavy winds or tides. Look into a drop scag though if you wanna do all lakes or actually they are great all the time. A boat with a drop scag will be more expensive though. Cheaper ones have a permanent scag or grooved channels down the hull to help track straight while paddling.

Last bit is great advice. Check local kayak and canoe clubs and forums and craigslist. There is always someone selling a kayak or two and usually include some gear.

I didn't even bother with a skirt for the first year or two unless you plan on doing whitewater or rolling. Cheap nylons ones will keep you dry from spray if you really want one.
 
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Deck rigging I added to the front. Holds a good sized drybag down wonderfully. You can even rest your feet or head on it depending on number of beers consumed. (get a decent drybag, no shit nylon crap, look up NRS. They are cheap and worth it to keep your shit bone dry)

The v shaped rigging on the side is the paddle holder mod. simply pull the bungee off the hook, insert paddle parallel to the boat and pull bungee over back onto hook. Paddle completely secure and out of the way.

this boat is an old town OT sport, 11.5 feet and was 550 brand new. Old towns shit is 3 ply though, heavy, unbreakable, and a bit more expensive.
 
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Deck rigging and drop scag line came on the boat. This just shows the rod holder I added. Just my preference to add it to the back I guess, I have caught many fish trolling with it like that though. Just throw a rapela out and paddle at a slow speed looking over your shoulder here and there or adjust the drag so you hear it when it goes off.

Buy a dry bag, those storage areas while called dry hatches do not indeed stay dry......ever.
 
I will agree that it is still possible to have fun in a Dick's Sporting Goods kayak. However, very often those who start with cheap crappy gear, regardless of the sport, lose interest. Kayaking really isn't that expensive, even for a decent boat. Think of it like a full skiing setup, without ever having to buy lift tickets. Regarding longer boats, they really are what one wants for any open water on lakes, rivers, etc. Their only downfall is their turning radius. Here is a short article to this point:

The length of a kayak has a tremendous effect on its

tracking, maneuverability, and stability.

Longer kayaks have a number of advantages: they are

usually easier to paddle, more stable with the same

amount of weight, and capable of carrying heavier loads

with less loss of performance. THEY ALSO TRACK

BETTER, MOVE FASTER, AND GLIDE FARTHER WITH

EACH STROKE, ALLOWING GREATER EFFICIENCY

WITH LESS EFFORT. These attributes are especially

important on lakes or other calm water, where hairpin turns

are not involved.

With a shorter kayak, oddly enough, you have to exert

more energy to paddle it forward than with a longer model.

A longer kayak will also negotiate the waves of a river or

wind-tossed lake more smoothly than a short one, which

will torque out with each oncoming wave, requiring you to

fight to keep on course. A longer boat will give you more

stability and a much better ride. A still longer craft will be

completely manageable, rising and falling gently with the

waves.

Shorter kayaks, on the other hand, are less expensive,

lighter in weight, less cumbersome, and easier to transport.

But the most important virtue of a short kayak is quicker

turns. A short hull is also preferable to paddling on narrow

streams.

Fromhttp://bobskayaks.net/kayaklength.html
 
get a long white water boat because one, flat water is gay after a while and you will want to get on a river. i recommend the dagger green boat a personal friend of mine designed it great boat. it will be sturdy enough for fishing and you can put you rods in it and paddle out to where you are going fishing. do not buy a boat from dicks or walmart, some companies to look at ,liquid logic, dagger, pyranha they are some of the best boat makers in the biz.
 
All boats easily over 500 bucks.

nothing wrong with that but not in the budget for everybody especially if one also needs a vest and paddle.

Great boats to look at down the road though, or if he is serious about getting straight into it hardcore or whitewater.

I have a dagger and a liquidlogic.
 
in my area there is a kayak and canoe specialty store about 35 miles away so i bet there is one somewhat close to you. theyd be good to both ask questions and a good place to buy gear that you may not realise you should have. also llbean ships free and has great stuff and you can return it if you dont like it. I always bring a camera in a ziplock bag because i always see at least 1 cool thing.

ll bean link:http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/97?nav=gnro-hp#/llb/shop/118?nav=ln-97&page=paddling
 
All true, I guess I just see 15+ as a little excessive for a beginner. but if you're gonna spend lots of time going far distances on lakes it is worth it and I agree 100%.

Only downfall I see is I also use mine on shitty shallow lower than class one creeks around me that I would never want a 15+ boat in while having to go around bends and navigate rocks. To each their own though.

Still great advice.

They are a hell of a lot faster I'll give em that.

Just know this, if you have never paddled a kayak a skinny one is gonna feel unstable as shit and you will probably flip it if you're not careful.

As for your first statement, like I said to each their own. I didn't have even 600 bones to throw at my first boat. I went dicks and got a paddle and boat for 300 bucks and was on the water that day with a borrowed PFD. Had a blast and I'm still kayaking and own 4 boats 8 years or so later. to your point though I no longer own the dicks boat. I no longer needed a beginner boat for greenhorn friends though, honestly its not bad to have just for that reason at any time.
 
new yes but i got my dagger nomad for $ 200 used no one said it needs to be new go look on boatertalk.com great deals on boats and gear. also id go with a werner rio as you first paddle cheap and very durabel
 
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