Thinking about a kayak.. I know nothing!

[firemaniac]

For your first kayak, no matter the size or shape, I would recommend rotomolded plastic. It is way more forgiving when you run into, and scrape along things.

[Kathy53]

Are you planning on getting a sit on or a sit in? Check out the reviews on paddling net. If you get a sit in please take safety lessons. Wouldn't hurt with a sit on either. Going to demo days is great. Some places has a place for you to try their kayaks out also. I bought a used Emotion Exhilerator a few years ago. I am pretty happy with it. I just do a little paddling around the lakes.

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/

Some people said the exhilerator was tippy. I don't think so. I have tipped in it twice but only due to my dog. The other time was due to my dog and a swimmer who thought it would be funny to make a wave and my inattention. My dog caused my inattention.

[parnold]

I was thinking sit in, assuming that the lower center of gravity would make it less tippy. Safety lessons is on my list, I'm not so sure that without some training, I wouldn't panic in a tip over situation. You can only learn so much watching youtube videos.

[stumphugger]

Check the local outfitters in your area and see if they are having a "Demo Day". When they do that you can try lots of boats out and lots of qualified people there to help you make your decision. I know this because I worked for the no.1 kayak maker in the world for 25 years.

There should be quite a few in your area. Also, look for a kayak gathering/symposium. For a fee, you can get lessons and demo a very large selection of boats.

I now have 3 and am probably going to order a kit to make one eventually.

[2bits]

These are not Kayaks, but skiffs. I thought they were very interesting. This site is designed for the home builder. They have one project that a father and two young boy Scout sons built in a day (not including the painting and extra goodies). I started one but haven't gotten around to finishing it yet. It's on the list though. Might be an interesting read if nothing else.

http://www.simplicityboats.com/index.html

[parnold]

Thomas:

thanks for that post. There is a "double paddle canoe" in there that looks interesting, and easy to build. Now ya got me thinking.

[dh]

Check out the reviews on paddling net. http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/

HA HA HA, I was a member of that sight, got fed up with the same information getting rattled around, and bickering and arguing. Somebody would find a web sight with a different name for an eskimo roll and act like they discovered a ground breaking brand new self rescue manuver.

You might try a demo day like mentioned above. You have to think of the kayak like an extension of the body, just like a golf club or catcher's mit, it has to fit you. Will you be able to get in just any old yak and paddle around in a circle? Probably, but I've seen people almost give up the sport just based on a yak that didn't fit them.

If you arn't in a hurry, call around on some of them for sale, see if they will let you try before you buy.

[deceiver]

Instructables has a great series on making a kayak.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Greenland-Kayak/

[stumphugger]

Some eye candy for you.

http://www.pygmyboats.com/

[2bits]

I liked the designed on this site too although the site is slow, check it out:

http://www.gatorboats.com

[parnold]

Anyone have any experience with inflatables. My ex just hit me up for some big cash, and my funds are now quite limited. I see some inflatables for just a little over a hundred bucks.

[dh]

Anyone have any experience with inflatables. My ex just hit me up for some big cash, and my funds are now quite limited. I see some inflatables for just a little over a hundred bucks.

I've heard a lot about the inflatables, not much good. They have a lot of drag, and arn't as responsive because your movements get sucked up like in a water bed. I would get what you want the first time. Over here in Arkansas a lot of the state parks have kayak rentals, perhaps renting until you save up for what you want would be the way to go. I found the one I wanted and waited untill February, when they went on clearance because the new ones came in. Also, I had my tax return to pay for it

[2bits]

The Cabela's 4 person I like because it has a mount for a trolling motor, and it is half the price of a kayak and holds more than just me. I switched ends of the boat ok while I was in the water and mine was totally stable, just go slow. In a kayak, there's nowhere to move anyway, there's just the hole you sit in and not even room for a 12 pack or a babe, so it all depends on what you want to do with it.

Rowing is a drag in any boat and a skinny boat will always be better for that, but there is no drag when you have a motor, pun intended. I rowed mine just fine, and it wasn't terrible work, but when you stop rowing, you stop moving, it's nice when you hit a current tho.

If you hit something that does make it leak, the inner ring and floor still keeps it afloat fully loaded, when you get home you can patch it and keep on goin.

That's all I know so far, except that you can put it in your trunk too which is freaking great and to me kind of a big deal.

Not that I am an advocate for inflatables or anything, I am just not against them. I will be building a wooden boat later on for a little more floor stability but I don't think I am a kayak person, I want to take a 12 pack and a babe out

OK maybe just the 12 pack

[Shadow Catcher]

If you decide on a Kayak GET LESSONS!!!

Learn to roll and or exit an upside down kayak or it can kill you, and always wear a helmet and PFD. Flat and wide does not equal stable it just means it will reach the point at which it will roll at a certain point, a shallow V hull can be leaned further with out going over.
For casual paddling a solo canoe may be a better choice, and canoe hull design

[parnold]

Rowing is a drag in any boat and a skinny boat will always be better for that, but there is no drag when you have a motor, pun intended.

Unfortunately Bruce, here in NJ, to put a motor on any boat of any type requires a boating license, which requires taking a special course in boating safety. Cost is about a hundred bucks plus a weekend, then of course your license cost goes up each time also.