"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
04/06/2018 at 12:26 • Filed to: Unnecessary boat shopping with Dusty
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"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
04/06/2018 at 12:26 • Filed to: Unnecessary boat shopping with Dusty | 1
| 21 |
After an eternity of looking longingly at meandering rivers I’ve come to the conclusion it’s time to finally invest in a kayak. The problem, as I’ve quickly learned, is there’s no shortage of options, so I’m looking for input from any kayaking Oppos.
So far what I know I want in the general sense is a 10-12 foot yak with rear dry storage (I’d like to do a couple overnight trips down the road) and good manners. I don’t want anything longer because, as mentioned, I intend to navigate rivers at times and want to have some maneuverability. It doesn’t have to be the fastest, but I don’t want to feel like I’m paddling a barge, and I’d want it to track decently well. Price ceiling is around the $750 range.
So far here’s the ones that have caught my eye:
Old Town Dirigo 120
General consensus is it goes well (though a few people have said it pulls right on them), and I really like the sealed dry storage container on the dash in addition to the dry storage in the stern. One concern is that I watched a review video on YouTube where the reviewer said he had trouble fitting his size 13 feet comfortably in the boat. I also have size 13 feet, so this could be an issue. Also this is the most expensive of the boats.
Old Town Heron 11XT
This is one of the cheapest and lightest boats I’ve looked at so far. It loses all the dash features and bungie straps of the Durago (plus a foot in length), but at 10 lbs and $300 less I’d give it a look. Unfortunately paddling.com has zero reviews on it, so not much to go on as far as user experiences.
Wilderness Systems Pungo 100
A ton of positive reviews on this one, it seems to be a popular choice. This one’s also towards my ceiling, but it has the kayak equivalent of Lincoln’s 30-way seats, and there’s an
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Wilderness Systems Aspire 105
No removable dash console, but this one does have a
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which helps it track straight on more open and choppy water (large lakes and such). Again, strong reviews and those crazy seats. Again right by my price cap.
I know I shouldn’t buy anything before actually trying it out firsthand, and I intend to give as many of these as I can a go during a demo weekend at the end of the month, but I want to do as much research as I can now so I know what I want to try out when the day comes. If anyone here has any experience with these boats, other boats that fit my described desires, or kayaks in general and have anything positive/negative to say about certain manufacturers I’m interested in hearing it.
Noah - Now with more boost.
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 12:27 |
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The concord river is really fun for this!
BigBlock440
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 12:44 |
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Kayaks are small, unless you’re doing white water, the bigger the better IMO. Especially if you’re on a river. More stable for fishing/screwing around/etc., more room for gear (though you’ll never have enough room), still super maneuverable, hull design makes a big difference in stability too. Multi-V (?) hulls are stable but harder to turn (but still maneuverable enough to take down a fast flowing creek) than the single-V’s that you have up there, they also usually have a lower draft which helps in the really shallow stuff. It completely depends on what you’re going to do with it, but anything in that general class will be relatively close and “good enough” performance wise. Unlike white water or ocean kayaks. I’d probably go with a more fishing oriented one if I had the time to regularly use it as it’s be bigger for river trips, and still small enough (it’s still a kayak) to fit in smaller creeks and streams (even if it’s not ideal).
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> BigBlock440
04/06/2018 at 12:47 |
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I agree with your assessment, I sink a 10 foot boat at 195 lbs. I would be looking in the 12-14 foot range if possible, more storage and better tracking for paddling.
Future next gen S2000 owner
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 12:48 |
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Why not a canoe with a water tight bag? Bigger, track straighter, similar draft, more capacity, still easily maneuvered on rivers and lakes or basically anything short of rapids.
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Noah - Now with more boost.
> Future next gen S2000 owner
04/06/2018 at 12:50 |
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A kayak is like a Miata, the canoe is a 550i
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 12:55 |
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I think you would like something around 12 feet or longer. They track better and have more storage. My mom has a 10-foot boat and it is frustrating to paddle, it does not like to go in a straight line. I would search the list of craigs for a used poly boat like this one:
https://kalispell.craigslist.org/boa/d/kayak/6542980146.html
If you are interested in starting light then maybe an inflatable paddle board would be a good start. I got a 10-toes last summer and it is a blast on rivers. Not very fun to paddle on a lake as it doesn’t have a V hull but still very fun for day trips. The great thing about the paddle board it you can roll it up and put it in your trunk, no long clunky boat to drag around.
DasWauto
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 12:56 |
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I’ve got an Old Town very similar to the model you posted - mine is solid red and I can’t remember if it’s 10’ or 11’. I’d definitely suggest going with a 12’ boat. Mine is on the tighter side for my legs(long)/feet(12) and sits a little deeper in the water than I’d like for (around) 200lb me. I don’t think you’d miss the bit of extra maneuverability and you’ll appreciate the extra floatation and directional stability even on river treks.
I enjoy mine for how relatively little I use it and how cheaply I got it (<$350 CAD, iirc) but if you plan to get a fair bit of use out of it, definitely try out as many as you can on the demo days and see what fits/paddles best for you.
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Noah - Now with more boost.
04/06/2018 at 12:57 |
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My canoe rides better full of gear and people, 550i confirmed.
Kiltedpadre
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 12:59 |
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I haven’t tried these specific kayaks, but as someone with a size 14 shoe it can be tough to find one with enough foot room.
Find a decent paddling shop and you may find that requirement alone eliminates most options.
Have you considered a sit-on-top style? If you get one with front and rear bungies and a couple dry bags that may work for occasional overnights.
vicali
> Future next gen S2000 owner
04/06/2018 at 12:59 |
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This.
Stability wise you can’t beat a canoe, capacity wise you can’t beat a canoe, comfort wise you can’t beat a canoe. plus you can take your wife /take your dog /take your kids.
Look for a Prospector, they’ve been doing what you want to do since forever.
Those cheap short recreational boats are the allseasons of the kayak world.. they don’t do anything very well.
Long straight ‘ocean’ boats are easy to paddle and go fast.
big boofy creekers are for dropping falls;
Playboats are for loops;
Ssfancyfresh
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 13:07 |
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I had a Pungo 120. Great boat. Kinda Heavy, but durable. The adjustable seat and foot holds get a 10/10 for comfort. The removable console is ok. I cut arches in mine because my knees kept scraping the edge of it. If I wasn’t going on an extended trip, I just left it on shore.
I found the Pungo 120 was excellent for touring inland lakes or for more open water. It’s incredibly stable and tracks fairly straight, for a kayak. I would have preferred something smaller and more maneuverable for rivers. It was like pushing a semi truck through Tail of the Dragon. Doable, but not fun.
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Noah - Now with more boost.
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
04/06/2018 at 13:13 |
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Other upside: Cooler full of beers.
Chariotoflove
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 13:21 |
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I’m with the canoe set. Yeah, they’re not as maneuverable, but so much more versatile. Also, unless you are doing rapids, you could go for an inflatable to give you portability. I realize that’s an amateur option and mostly for cruising, not real sport.
Here is an inflatable kayak
for two on amazon for cheap. Best of both worlds, or worst, you decide.
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Dusty Ventures
> vicali
04/06/2018 at 13:21 |
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No wife, no dog, no kids. I have a canoe already, I always have way more fun in a kayak.
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Dusty Ventures
> Noah - Now with more boost.
04/06/2018 at 13:24 |
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This
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vicali
> Chariotoflove
04/06/2018 at 13:34 |
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Solo canoes are pretty fun..
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Chariotoflove
> vicali
04/06/2018 at 13:37 |
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I was thinking the old fashioned kind, but that’s a good point.
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vicali
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 13:40 |
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Then get the most comfy 11-12 ft rec boat and enjoy your paddle. Get a skirt if you are expecting water over the top. You’re not going to be able to roll a boat like that so you’re swimming if you go over.
I’ve been ruined by playboats and creek boats - those rec boat feel so slow.
Our prospector is a comprise because the whole family can come, but then I can go solo and tip it up and spin still;
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Dusty Ventures
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
04/06/2018 at 13:42 |
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Hard to find a boat longer than 12 feet below my price limit, though I might find some luck there with Craig. I probably should have mentioned I have a good amount of paddling experience in canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Learned how to use all three as a kid in scouting, I’ve had a canoe for over 20 years, and right now I’m putting 20+ miles a year on rental kayaks during rally trips. Paddle boards have never been my thing, canoes are alright, but I love kayaks, even the mediocre cheap 10 foot boats usually offered by rental places
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 14:05 |
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I was going to buy a recreational kayak last year and I determined that the best fit was s 12 foot sit-on-top. Being unsinkable, and ease of use was a what I was looking for. I think craigslist is your best bet for budgeting purposes.
ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
> Dusty Ventures
04/06/2018 at 16:17 |
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A friend of mine has a
NuCanoe Flint
and is very pleased with it. He uses it for fishing on a calm river.