Buying the right kayak can mean the difference between discovering a passion and throwing money away on a miserable experience. Avoid these 5 common mistakes and find out why so many people love kayaking!
1. Assuming beginner and recreational kayakers don’t need an expensive kayak. Actually, this is the other way around. An experienced kayaker has a much better chance of being able to get a cheap kayak to go straight and not in circles. If you are only interested in the occasional recreational kayak, you need a kayak that is easy to paddle, and cheap kayaks are never easy to paddle, they are like trying to steer a bathtub. People often tell me: I’ll start with something cheaper and if I like the kayak, I’ll get a better one, but if you get a cheap kayak, YOU WILL NOT LIKE THE KAYAK!
2. Buy a short kayak because it is easier to carry and transport. Long kayaks go faster and straighter, and if you think this doesn’t matter, try paddling a pool toy across a lake and you’ll see what I mean. Short kayaks are great for whitewater because they turn more easily. But if you don’t like whitewater, DON’T GET ONE. If you want a lightweight kayak that will fit in your car, check out the wide range of quality inflatable kayaks now available; he will be much happier than he would be with a short, hard shell.
3. Buy a brand with no name. Design is the most important factor in determining performance. A well-designed kayak will glide through the water, be comfortable to sit on, be stable and durable. If you choose a no-name brand, it’s unlikely the company has invested much in the design, and you may find that it has no momentum, continually goes around in circles or drifts to one side, digs uncomfortably into your back or your butt, and then it breaks.
4. Buy a two-seater kayak. If you will soon be taking part in the Olympics tandem kayak race, then this purchase might be warranted. But if you’re a recreational kayaker and you think you could get a tandem so you can go out with your partner, think again. A little independence and distance is healthy in all relationships! Tandems are a cause of tension between kayakers: the person in the back is getting splashed, the person in front isn’t setting a consistent pace, either one isn’t paddling hard enough, etc. this, you’re stuck with a kayak that you can’t get yourself out of. If you’re hooked on the romance of the tandem, commit to a convertible kayak that can be paddled alone or in tandem.
5. Reading kayak reviews without considering points 1-4 above. When reading a review, think about whether the person might have made any of the mistakes I’ve listed. They may complain that an inflatable kayak got a flat on the second use, for example, but did they buy a cheap unknown brand? Similarly, if they complain that it is hard to steer the kayak in a straight line, is it too short? And if they complain about their paddling partner, forgive them – tandem kayaks bring out the worst in people!