Background

This entry describes our purchases of sea kayaks. These are not sit-on-top kayaks, but rather the sit-inside variety. These are appropriate for year round kayaking, even in colder climates.

Our introduction to sea kayaking was through several one-day paddles and two 5-night sessions, all offered at Malaspina University-College, now known as Vancouver Island University (VIU). We mostly paddled in the Georgia Strait. By the end of this initial exposure, we decided to purchase kayaks.

These courses exposed us to various tandem and single kayaks, all of the sit-inside variety. In rougher water, as beginners, we knew we would be more comfortable in a tandem. But to grow in skill level efficiently, a single would be better. If possible, we would get a tandem and one single. In terms of construction materials used, we had tried three different categories:

• kevlar
• fiberglass
• rotomolded plastic

Kevlar, unless we stumbled on a used kayak bargain, was out of our price range. The rotomolded plastic kayaks tolerate abuse, but are generally heavy. So our search settled on finding used fiberglass kayaks.

There are two common recommendations made to those wishing to purchase a kayak

• make sure the kayak fits you
• try out different kayaks in the water

A good fit implies that the kayak is neither too big nor too small. A good kayak shop or more experienced kayakers can help here. The easiest error to make is to purchase one that is too roomy. Ultimately, a kayaker may 'outfit' the kayak by retrofitting thigh and hip pads, so that one 'wears' the kayak. Features for such precision fitting are starting to appear in some kayak models.

To actually try out different kayaks in the water is useful in that the shopper can assess the kayak's fit and comfort. Other than assessing fit and comfort, on water testing is not that useful for beginners, who have no experiential basis for comparison. In particular, a beginner will tend to pick the kayak that feels most stable. However, there is a good chance of outgrowing such a choice very quickly. Further, many kayaks that feel stable have wide, somewhat flat bottoms. These typically become unstable in heavy seas. My approach was to see what was in the used market place and then read all the reviews I could find on each kayak. In reading reviews I found that I needed to add some interpretation because of the following two reviewer extremes:

• owner-reviewers, particularly with a first boat, tend to be emotionally attached to and over enthusiastic about their kayaks - rather like people with their own pets or children
• more experienced kayakers who have owned/used multiple kayaks tend to be more informative and picky in their reviews
  

In a best case scenario a used kayak would come with spray skirt(s), paddle(s), cockpit cover(s), and other accessories. At the very least, the rigging, deck, hull, bulkheads, and rudder/skeg (if any) should be in good condition. The seat(s) should be functionally comfortable, although it is possible to change out a seat for one that works better for a particular individual.

What follows is not intended as advice, just a sharing of our experiences.

The Tandem Kayak

The tandem was intended as our beginner kayak. It was acceptable that it might become unstable in heavy seas, because we would avoid such adverse conditions by making conservative choices. Tandems can be quite large and heavy, not unacceptable in the water but a definite problem to carry and hoist onto a vehicle. So I looked for a relatively light (but stout) used fiberglass kayak. Kayak outfitters often have used tandems and periodically replace their fleets. We found a Discovery Gemini (manufactured by Seaward Kayaks) for sale by an outfitter in Friday Harbor. It came with 2 usable spray skirts, 2 paddles, and 2 tired pfds. It was specified as 80 pounds, within our carrying capacity. It was our first purchase and has proved to be a well made, stable, and not too slow boat. We've been out in modest seas and winds up to perhaps 15 knots.

Tandems are sometimes called 'divorce boats', but the two of us have happily coexisted in it for several years now for 50 or so day trips. It has also been our kayak for introducing friends to the activity. One great virtue of the tandem is that two paddlers of uneven abilities have no problem staying together during a trip. Another virtue of the tandem is that we are not motivated to replace it with a higher end tandem - it was and will be our 'everyday' boat for quite some time.

The First Single Kayak

We next decided to get a used single. Looking on the Internet, there seemed to be a good variety available in our vicinity (then on Vancouver Island) from individuals, outfitters, and a few manufacturer demos. After reading reviews, I made a selection from this pool - a Seaward Endeavor. This is a 17' 6" kayak, reasonably sleek (22 1/2" beam), weighs about 58 pounds, and with a skeg rather than rudder. It spans the beginner to intermediate skill levels nicely. After two years, I remain quite pleased with it. I purchased it as a demo from the Seaward Factory in Chemainus, BC.

Now What? A Third Kayak?

At this point, we had a tandem and a single, both made by Seaward. As the next year went by, I talked my wife into a single kayak. Following the same decision making process as before, we found ourselves once more at the Seaward factory picking up a demo. At 16' 2" the Cosma TX weighs about 51 pounds and has a 23" beam. It has Seaward's smartRUDDER system, which gives a much more solid foot brace than traditional rudder systems. The hull/deck material was new to us, a thermoform plastic, looking much like a fiberglass kayak's finish and much lighter than the rotomolded plastic.

Kayak Quality

Somewhat coincidentally, we ended up with 3 kayaks made by Seaward, a vendor with a reputation for building kayaks of high quality and crafted with careful attention to detail. None of ours were new, but none leak anywhere and have well secured bulkheads.

New Kayaks in Our Future?

We have become used to and satisfied with our kayaks and it is unlikely that we will evolve into needing/wanting higher end kayaks. Nevertheless, that is not out of the question and seems to be phase that many kayakers go through. Were that to occur, the standard advice (to actually try out different kayaks in the water) would make much more sense. Attending some sort of symposium or kayak fest to try products from different vendors would be one approach. Here in the Northwest, one event that comes to mind is: Vancouver Island Paddlefest - Ladysmith, BC (in May) http://www.paddlefest.bc.ca/ Such events offer associated classes, workshops, demonstrations etc.

Where to Find a Used Kayak

Outfits that offer kayak tours often have end of the season sales, replacing some portion of their fleets every few years, with the greatest selection offered just post season e.g. starting in September. Their web sites typically have a section with used gear available. Similarly, kayak manufacturers may have some demos available - we got 2 of our 3 kayaks as demos from Seaward. Of course, at that time we were living in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and Seaward was just down the highway in Chemainus.

Craigslist for certain cities can be an excellent source of possibilities. Obviously, a large city near the ocean will be a more likely source. For example, here in North Idaho, Craigslist for Spokane covers NE Washington and North Idaho and often has decent used kayak  prospects, but Craigslist for Seattle has many, many more. Craigslist offerings seem to get more plentiful just before the season, as paddlers move from one kayak to another. Kijiji, an alternative to Craigslist, isn't as active, but works similarly and may be worth a try.

In all cases, "Caveat emptor" - and if you're visiting a seller with a mean, nasty dog, "Cave canem!" as well.