I like kayaking, first tried it this past fall, loved it, even though it was someone else's custom kayak for back problems, so I couldn't sit right, I still loved it, I wanna get one, but that's on my list below a new backpack, which is below more becker's, so I've got a little bit of time, aside from Tarpon, any recommendations?
You're gonna just have to try. Ocean, Perception, Old Town, Field and Stream, there are tons of them out there, at many different price points, and features. The first thing I would suggest it to figure out what you are going to want to do with it. If its a fishing kayak, then stick to the angler models, every company out there has one. Speed for open water, capacity for camping, stuff like that.
But what every you do, if you don't want to buy a Tarpon, don't sit it in. Steer clear of that, unless you are ready to buy. Sounds like BS, but its true.
If you say you are going for "all around use", look towards the angler models, the tend to be more stable, but slower, with good capacity. I searched and searched, but couldn't find a boat that had all the features I wanted, but I screwed up, and rode a Tarpon for my first boat, so, all others had to meet those expectations.
None did.
Here's an overhead pic of my boat, Camo Tarpon 120, its a commercial pic, but it works.
Size matters in application, 10' is gonna be a better river boat, with 16' being a better open water/ocean/lake boat. Hull shape plays a big part as well.
The Tarpon 120 won best boat award from 2008-2011, so...........
Just a thought on the matter, and believe me, I am no expert, but I have paddled with a few, and I listen and learn. You want to talk to the real paddle masters, Biscuit and Trade are the ones......
Moose
