Hey... I want to get a kayak for just some fun recreational use and a little different way to get some outside activity. I took a basic kayakingclass for one of my community college PE credits and liked it. We just used basic sit on top kayaks... but it was still very relaxing and cool to do locally.
So I think I wanna get a kayak to do regularly on the weekends during the warmer months... like now. Do any of you have suggestions of what type? Like... I can go to an REI or local sports store, but I don't know what would be good to look for as far as lake, smooth river paddling.
Living in Calif. you have nice weather most of the year, but you can have some cool weather. I've paddled sit on tops and sit in models. I like ocean kayaks better over all as you can get a model that has a rudder and that makes it easy to steer. You can put the spray skirt on/around you if the weather is cool and or rainy. These types typically have compartments to store things for day or overnight trips. There are lots of makes and models, so shop around and find one you like & try it out if you can. I always like the brand: Current Design and the model is the Storm. The smaller version for smaller individuals is the Squall.
Outdoor shops here generally have a few demo boats they will loan people - dont buy a boat unless you have had a chance to paddle it around a bit. A minute sitting in it in a shop is so different than a few hours sitting in it in action. Talk to the retailers about demos.
Not sure what stores they offer out in Cali but I'd shop by brand rather than by store - I like Old Town boats because of quality. They offer additional boats under a few other names as well. If your the cheap kind find the stores like Cabela's that offer 100% satisfaction. While they technically might hate a kayak return better safe than sorry in case you become unsatisfied down the road.
For smooth paddling nearly every store offering kayak's will work. These are the most numerous types of boats. Generally speaking the longer the boat the faster you can push it across water. I have a 12' Old Town Kayak which is the largest I can lift and carry myself.
