[Slenny]

I want one that tracks well, has some storage but doesn't have to have a lot.
I want something that is good for day trips but I could also use for overnight camping. Any recommendations?

[NEVERSWEAT]

I went to Costco and bought their Island Tropic II. About a thirteen footer. It is dual passenger if you want.. A litttle storage flat spot on back for an Ice chest.. a real beater of a wessel, real rugged. Easy to strap on roof.

Costco has two kinds there. a single which is cool if that is what you want, and a double which is a ride on top. I bought some knee straps to tie myself in a nice composite dual edged paddle and a much better seat for me. It has a high back which I am a tall guy and enjoy the extra support. It has a little storage compartment in it and two 8" rode holders for you anglers.

I handle it by myself. no problem. Took it to Tahoe last summer and it was the greatest.

[jccJeep]

I've got a 9.5' and i love it

[kairo]

My dad and I built two Pygmy kayaks. Look into that if you've got a year to burn and are good with your hands

[outlawjosywales]

I've got a $300 9 footer I bought at ****'s last summer but would like to upgrade to something bigger. like the pelican castaways & found some cool pics on google. they go for around $600.

[92XJCowboy]

check out wilderness systems kayaks. When I lived in florida I would go shark fishing in this one:

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/angler/angler_ride/ride_135r_angler/

I was also involved in a outdoor center that did mostly kayaking and exploring and we used alot of Pungo 120's just the right length and just enough dry storage. Overall they were the best kayak I used ever in the 7 years that I lived there. I have used almost all of the popular brands including Ocean kayak, Wilderness systems, Necky, OTC, and Heritage. They are all good but the pungo 120 I think would be the best for you. It tracks well and I thought it was very comfortable.

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/recreational/recreational_pungo/pungo_120_recreational/

[ringaswan]

Originally Posted by duayne77

I want one that tracks well, has some storage but doesn't have to have a lot.
I want something that is good for day trips but I could also use for overnight camping. Any recommendations?

Where will you be paddling? small lakes? large lakes? streams? rivers? will you be portaging at all? do you want the ability to handle some whitewater was well as flatwater (lakes)?

We have Old Town Loons that have been very reliable over the years, good for some class II water as well as smaller lakes and ponds. We also have Wenonah Wee Lassies, excellent for rivers and streams without whitewater (no rocks), very light for portaging, plenty of room for carrying things for extended overnights (we use dry bags for all of our stuff). We use the Wee Lassies most of the time now (imagine that ... Wee Lassies for a couple of wee lassies).

If there's a kayak/canoe dealer near you that has several brands and styles to try, then go there. It's probably too far for you to come to PaddleFest in Old Forge, NY, in May, but if you could, there'd be a lot of boats to try out.

[snaustin09]

Just as ringaswan said, I would highly recommend an Old Town Loon. I have a Loon 111 (11'1") which has been a great kayak for about 6 years. It's small and light(~40 lbs), but not too small that you can't pack some stuff in the cockpit and on top of it. It's also just long enough so that it is very easy to paddle and tracks very well, and is great for many types of paddling. Also has a large wide open cockpit that is easy to enter and exit. Overall a great kayak for a good price that you will have for many years.

[green89yj]

I got an Acadia Perception from one of my dad's Ranger buddies and it's great as a lake or non whitewater kayak. I have taken it around the marshes in the southeast, lakes a little farther north and gentle rivers in between.

[dzdiver]

I would highly recommend that you find a store that carries several different brands and models of kayaks and demo some. If you have to drive a bit to visit one or two, it will be worth it. Before we bought our first kayaks, we visited five kayak stores and tried a few different kayaks and paddles. Then we found just the right ones! There are so many choices! There are so many great brands of kayaks. But you will find a favorite after you have paddled a few. I stress finding a kayak store where they love paddle sports and don't sell everything from tennis rackets to skis.

I love my Necky Eskia 17 footer. Lots of storage, fast, tracks well, and the plastic takes a good deal of abuse in the river and the ocean. My next kayak will be a composite boat, stiffer, lighter, and different features. But this is a great kayak.

[GibsJeep]

I was thinking about getting a kayak, but I decided to wait. Ill get one eventually.


I had my eye on the OldTown brand kayaks. Heres a link--> http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/

[Slenny]

Originally Posted by ringaswan

Where will you be paddling? small lakes? large lakes? streams? rivers? will you be portaging at all? do you want the ability to handle some whitewater was well as flatwater (lakes)?

We have Old Town Loons that have been very reliable over the years, good for some class II water as well as smaller lakes and ponds. We also have Wenonah Wee Lassies, excellent for rivers and streams without whitewater (no rocks), very light for portaging, plenty of room for carrying things for extended overnights (we use dry bags for all of our stuff). We use the Wee Lassies most of the time now (imagine that ... Wee Lassies for a couple of wee lassies).

If there's a kayak/canoe dealer near you that has several brands and styles to try, then go there. It's probably too far for you to come to PaddleFest in Old Forge, NY, in May, but if you could, there'd be a lot of boats to try out.

Small, maybe big lakes, but mostly the Susqhanna river.

[Dans93YJ]

My wife and I bought a pair of Wilderness Pamlico 100's at Eastern Mountain Sports last year. We have only used them on small lakes so far but plan some river trips this year. The boat is very stable and easy to paddle for long periods of time. The 10' boat accommodates my 6' at 175lb frame comfortably but if you are much larger than that I would go with the Pamlico 120.

When you do get your kayak definitely plan a trip to Ricketts Glen State Park and spend a day on Lake Jean.

Check out paddling.net for lots of reviews on kayaks and canoes.

Pamlico 100 review
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=1397

[ksgrands]

I have a Tarpon120. I have a fishfinder and rod holders rigged up. Plenty of storage for an overnight stay, which I'm planning to do.

[GasAxe]

I have a 16' Old Town Loon. I'm 6'5" so I needed the extra length for leg room. It's great for open water/large rivers and can handle some pretty rough conditions. Two things that I don't like about it are the long length makes it a PIA to maneuver in tight areas or in small rivers with a fast current and the lack of hatch to access the rear area.