I'm happy with my kayak now. I have had it for 11 years now. The only thing about mine I did not like at first was the tank well area, to narrow, but fixed that problem with pic pipe. Of course now I wish I had a Hibbie or native propell drive to help with my legs. Getting out of my kayak is hard for me due to the muscle and nerve damage in my legs.
spent about a hour cleaning up my canoe as it stays unsheltered unlike her sister the kayak , decided to keep both for now and last year made a motor mount for canoe and picked up a little 9# thrust trolling motor for it, yeah i know most trolling motors are 30# thrust and better so i may go a snail pace but im ok and this is super like and it was like brand new from the 70's i think. also going to put together a outrigger so i can stand up hopefully in it or maybe not. just want to get back on the water.
I have a 30lb Minnkota that I think is overkill for a canoe. And I know Watersnake makes an 18lb motor that pushes a canoe or kayak quite well in all but the most adverse conditions. I don't think I've ever seen a 9lb motor but it may be just fine, depending on the conditions. Let us know what you think once you've tried it.
I've got a 12 ft Ascend FS-12T sit-on-top fishing kayak I bought from Bass Pro Shop for less than $500. I've had it for three years now and and use it on a slow-moving, shallow river that's perfect for kayaking and canoeing, and I also use it on a lake. It's a great kayak. Comfortable and does what I need it to. It's a apparently an older model with a front dry hatch (a quick check on the Bass Pro website now show them without hatches).
It's got a 350 lb carrying capacity, which is probably great for most people but I'm a fairly big guy. They kayak itself is pretty heavy at around 75 lbs and by the time I load a cooler or two, and fishing gear, it starts riding a bit low in the water.
I'm thinking of picking up the new Old Town Loon 125 sit-in kayak. Looks like it would be a great kayak, and since it's a sit-in with a 3-layer hull, it would get me out on the water earlier in the year. It also has a 450 lb carrying capacity, which would allow me to pack on some camping gear. Problem is, none of the retailers within 150 mile radius have any in stock. And the Old Town website lists a couple features (knee pads, paddle clips) that it says "aren't' shown" in the photos. I really don't want to buy a kayak sight unseen, especially when the company's website doesn't even show an accurate representation of what you're actually getting.
Anyone have any experience with these? (They are new for 2016).
I'm very satisfied with my Perception Carolina Kayak. I bought from REI in 2009 for $1200.00 and love it. It's 14 1/2 feet long and 24" wide. Has the drop down rudder which comes in handie on windy days. I use it on the Columbia River a lot so I run into wind often. It holds 350 lbs and tracks very well. I've been all over the whole North West in it and have had no problems at all. I would have bought a longer model but my garage is only 14 feet so it fits perfectly for storage. I'll be out on the river this afternoon soaking up the sun that has finally arrived in Oregon!
found some that seem to hold their track better than others, but no idea what makes them different in that regard.
You're doing the right thing by renting and borrowing as many different boats as you can. And dealers will sometimes hold an "in the water" event to allow customers to actually try out a number of different boats. Keep an eye out for an opportunity like that.
Also wouldn't hurt to get on some paddling sites and read the reviews of the different boats. Sorting through the B/S can be a pain but at least you may learn what questions to ask.
As far as tracking ability, a number of factors are involved. Take a look at the bottom of the hull. A straight keel as opposed to rocker, the longer and narrower the better, and some sort of a skeg can be helpful. Either built into the hull or drop down type works too. Some boats can track quite well without a skeg, just depends on the boat. So you can tell by looking but the only way to know for sure is to get in it and paddle it. Hopefully with a little breeze to test that part of it. If you take one strong stroke and the boat swaps ends on you... try a different boat lol! ;-)
Personally, I wouldn't rule out a canoe over a kayak. I have both. But if I had to choose, I'd probably keep my canoe. At least that's how I feel as I'm sitting here typing. But then I could change my mind by tomorrow.
Main thing is to do your homework and don't sweat the small stuff. Just find out what you can, then make a decision and buy something in time to get out on the water and get some experience before the season is over. And don't expect your first boat to be your last.
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