On Aug 6, 10:28 am, John Kuthe wrote:
On Aug 5, 10:04 pm, kc0kbh wrote:

Hi,
I've been wanting to get into kayaking lately. All I really want to
do is go around on lakes and some local slow moving rivers. Now that
I have a vehicle and roof racks to haul stuff around (an '82 vw
rabbit), I'd like to buy a kayak in the not too distant future. I've
never been in a kayak before, but may be going on a little kayak trip
thing (we'd rent) with some friends. I'd probably buy a kayak next
year, but am would like to get started researching. I'd like a kayak
that would be good for a beginner, but, that I wouldn't "outgrow" in
ability really soon. I'd buy something used. Anyone have some
suggestions of any models or categories of kayaks to look at? And,
how much would a good used beginner (sorry, I don't know the correct
term) kayak cost?

Depends on what kind of paddling you want to do.

Inexpensive recreational kayaks are great for easy fla****er paddling.
That's how I got into kayaking. My buddy and I rented a couple of Kiwi
Kopapas from a local river livery, and by the end of our first short
trip on a little fla****er creek, we were hooked! We ended up buying 4
used rec. kayaks from the livery. We got 'em for $225 each, with a
cheap paddle.

I ended up wanting to pursue whitewater kayaking, so I quickly (within
a year) had to buy a whitewater kayak (new, $800ish), as rec. kayaks
just are NOT good for boating whitewater. (I found out the hard way,
with a monumental swim!)

If you end up wanting to do long lake or ocean trips, a good touring
or sea kayak is the way to go. $1500ish and up, new. Good luck finding
them used.

John Kuthe...

Thank you all! I was finding some few hundred dollar used kayaks
locally (not whitewater), but was wondering if that was too cheap.
I'd suppose I can always resell the kayak after my skill level is
beyond it.

Thanks!