I'm looking for a secondhand kayak with a paddle and as many other extras as I can get thrown in for around $300. I will mainly be using it for open ocean paddling on the north coast of NSW. I live close to the beach so will be carrying it by hand or with a small trolley.
Any tips about recommended styles, brands and models and what to look out for when viewing secondhand kayaks would be greatly appreciated.
Although if it is a sit on top kayak having some holes can allow the water to drain back to the ocean.
Why the neg? Those holes are called 'scuppers', but in choppy swell you will still get wet.
for good sea kayaks I thought you have to spend around $1000 at least, for $300 not sure i would want to go in the sea with it..
Yeah that price won't get you very much! My first kayak was an old fibreglass one, and that + lifejacket was like $150. And i wouldn't be taking that one on the sea
I've seen plenty on scumtree lately for around $300. They look reasonable, especially as a first kayak. No point spending $1k if you aren't sure how much it will get used.
Yes exactly, i forgot to say that part. I bought a super cheapo one so that I could decide if i would actually use it. Whereas my friend bought a $2k setup and probably used it less often than me and then sold it off
Thanks, I realised about holes but I guess the ones I'll be looking at will be scratched - any issues there? I know a bloke who has a plastic one that he's had for a few years and swears by it. He paid $500-$600 for it new but reckons it would be worth around $300 secondhand hence my price guide.
A plastic one will be the go, though you might need to make sure your skills are up to open ocean work before going there. Anything under 4m long, will be hard to keep straight, bob about like a cork and leave you feeling frustrated. At 4 metres also, you don't really need a rudder. Flip the boat over, look at the hull shape, not all sit-on-tops are created equal. Try and find something a little slender and less barge like. If you can find a used Perception Swing, they are a great boat. Also look for indentation and deformities in the hull from being left in the sun, as well as wear and abrasion around the stern from being dragged.
Apart from the paddle, a clip in seat for a SOT will give you good back support and a stronger stroke. When you get the boat, take it and a (trusted) friend to some neck deep, calm water. You sit on it, and slowly tilt it over and find the point at which it suddenly capsizes. Then try to get back on it in neck deep water without touching bottom. Get a feel for when things go wrong, then imagine that in a 2 metre swell a few hundred metres offshore :) If you're patient, you will turn up a reasonable intro boat with paddle for 3-500. Gumtree and ebay are your friend there.
Thanks so much onetrickpony, that's excellent advice and I really appreciate it. I'm going to take a look at a Viking one that looks a lot like the one I've seen at my local beach mentioned earlier. I'm not planning on paddling around in 2m swells but take your point as conditions can and will change quickly.
Sit on tops tend to be wider = better stability, but harder to paddle as sometimes they are too wide. They tend also to be a lot heavier. I had a 4m plastic sit on top which was like paddling a barge. My new kayak is also plastic and sit on top, but much easier to paddle as it is a little narrower and a lot lighter. Consider an inflating lifejacket (manual inflation) - The downside is that it needs to be checked regularly, but it gets less in the way.
Thanks bradn. I'm surprised how few appear on Gumtree and ebay so will no doubt have to make some compromises along the way.
make sure it doesnt have holes