Kayaks.

[trailbum]

I'm in the market for one in the $500 range any recomendations.
River and lake use, no hardcore rapids just paddling around.
Thanks.

 

[dogstar]

Sometimes you are just looking to buy something. I get that.

However, I recommend delayed gratification if you can handle it. I would take a lesson or two, otherwise at least do some rentals or demo days to see what you like. If you've done this already, great. It's a bummer to plunk down that much money and not like what you purchased. Also, look into used gear. For recreational equipment, lots of people outgrow their gear or don't use it like they plan to. If you get used stuff and don't like it, you can sell it off for the same price; all you spent was shipping.

I have to be honest. $500 seems low for paddlesports. You need a PFD, perhaps some padding clothes, roof rack, paddle, and maybe some other stuff. The initial investment is high, but there is not much cost after that. I spent close to $4k on lessons and equipment, but I've been paddling for 15 years now. I have a fiberglass sea kayak; you can spend less on a plastic boat, buying used, and making your own gear. Keep in mind, a kayak will impact the where you can live. No matter where you go, you need to have a place for it.

There are lots of kinds of boats these days. Read reviews on paddling.net. One kind I would avoid is the recreational kayak with a closed deck and no bulkheads. They are slow and they fill up with a ton of water if you capsize, making them very difficult to rescue and re-enter. If you are just beginning and don't want to spend lots of money, I recommend a plastic sit-on-top kayak. They are easy to paddle, nearly indestructible, and require less equipment than a closed deck boat. However, they are slow. Slow boats are fine until the wind whips up. Speed is your margin of safety for dealing with wind, waves, and currents. Speedier closed deck boats are longer, more expensive and require more training. You can get a sit on top build for speed (surf ski) but it will also cost you.

If you just want to putz around a body of water and spend a nice day outdoors, largely ignore what I said and you'll have fun in most anything. If you see yourself doing longer trips and camping, then heed what I say.

You know, stand up paddleboards (SUP) are all the rage these days. You might want to look into that, too, though it's not much cheaper than kayaking.

 

[ROCK6]

My only exception to what dogstar posted was that depending on how serious you are, you can get some sit-on-tops relatively cheap just to see if you enjoy them. We picked up a simple SOT Pelican for right around $200. The kids enjoyed it and now I have a Bass Pro sit-in and looking at a Wilderness System's Tarpon for fishing. We do mostly lakes and slower moving rivers. As dogstar mentioned, SOT's are great for slow moving, lake type activities, although we when through a nice little wind/thunderstorm down in the Keys a few weeks ago and they (Ocean Kayaks and Wilderness Systems) did just fine. What I like is they make a good fishing platform, snorkeling/swimming platform and are much easier to get in and out of. Dogstar is also spot on when it comes to the efficiency of the sit-in kayaks. They quite a bit faster, more stable especially in chopping water or excessive winds and you can often pack more gear than most SOT's.

A cheaper SOT like Pelican is not a waste of money. It's great for trips to the lake or camping and they are pretty light and handy for a quick tour or even a little exercise. If you like the sport, you can always invest in a more specialized or larger kayak, but that little Pelican is still a lot of fun. Also mentioned, don't forget the accessories...paddle, PFD and I like to rig up a small anchor and use mine for fishing as well. If you have to transport it there are several inexpensive rack systems to keep it protected and secure.

ROCK6

 

[OwenM]

However, I recommend delayed gratification if you can handle it. I would take a lesson or two, otherwise at least do some rentals or demo days to see what you like. If you've done this already, great. It's a bummer to plunk down that much money and not like what you purchased. Also, look into used gear. For recreational equipment, lots of people outgrow their gear or don't use it like they plan to. If you get used stuff and don't like it, you can sell it off for the same price; all you spent was shipping.

I have to be honest. $500 seems low for paddlesports. You need a PFD, perhaps some padding clothes, roof rack, paddle, and maybe some other stuff. The initial investment is high, but there is not much cost after that...
...If you are just beginning and don't want to spend lots of money, I recommend a plastic sit-on-top kayak. They are easy to paddle, nearly indestructible, and require less equipment than a closed deck boat.

Great advice and comments, there.
I rented several sit-on-tops from different manufacturers at two different outfitters, shopped online dealers, read reviews, and browsed some forums before deciding what to buy. Then I started shopping dealer sales and ebay until I found a discounted price. It was $170 less than regular price($750).

I made out really good on that deal. The dealer accidentally had some used kayaks advertised as new, and my "new" kayak came covered in scratches, with a rental fleet sticker, and water in the hull. I had $230+$90 shipping in it, after getting $350 back, and a new hatch cover from the dealer. I'm sure he didn't enjoy that conversation very much, but he sent me a free cap, too

Anyway, it was functionally as good as new. I called the manufacturer, and they confirmed the serial number had not been registered, and that I would have their lifetime warranty.
I wouldn't hesitate to shop used kayaks if I had to do it again. The first time I used mine, it got scrubbed on rocks, and dragged on rough concrete at the put-in. The fact it was used just made scratching up my new toy one less thing to worry about.

 

[vwspdshp]

You can also search for clubs in your area. If there are any, it's a great way to meet people and try stuff. I'm in a great kayak fishing club down here, and we pride ourselves on getting new people out on the water. If you can demo some yaks and decide what you like, you can watch craigslist for used deals. Those deals often include extras and accessories and make the sport more affordable. In my area, retailers offer blow out deals on the demo boats and sometimes even new boats around this time of year. Try before you buy whenever possible.

 

[OwenM]

The kids enjoyed it and now I have a Bass Pro sit-in and looking at a Wilderness System's Tarpon for fishing. We do mostly lakes and slower moving rivers.

I rented a Tarpon 120, and was set on a Tarpon 110 or 120 until I read up on the Native Watercraft Manta Ray. I got the 11, but should have bought the 12, because it doesn't see that much whitewater, and the 12 is faster and has more features.
Check him out:
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/1578/Native-Watercraft-Manta-Ray-12-Angler-Kayak-2011.html

 

[vwspdshp]

I fish from Natives. Most comfortable seating I've found in a yak. I prefer the "first class" seats, but the Manta Ray is very comfortable as well.

 

[lava_lamp]

I have two Wilderness brand Kayaks. The first one is a sit-in ("Pamlico" 100) from Dick's for about $350 (not including paddle.) The second is a sit-on one ("Ride 135" model) I got from an outdoors specialty store for about $900. The 100 is 10 feet long and the 135 is 13.5 feet long. The $900 one is much, much better. Sam's, BJ's, Costco sells some $350 Kayaks, but they are more like the Pamlico.

Longer, wider kayaks are stable and smooth for just paddling around type stuff. My large one is designed for fishing. It's going to be hard to find anything under the $500 new that isn't the bottom line starter model. I would check your local Craigslist.

 

[WJC01]

I found a second hand Town and Country Otter for $150.Nothing fancy but I like it.

 

[JGON]

I agree with much of the advice above...

Way back a long time ago, I went canoeing with a friend, and ever since then, I've been hooked to paddle sports. I probably shouldn't have spent this much money on getting started back then, but I just went for it and in hindsight I'm glad I did. I bought my Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 (a big sea kayak designed for storing lots of gear and going the distance). It was used, about $400 less than new, and had a few dings and scratches but I didn't care. With my paddle, PFD, spare paddle, paddle floats, bilge pump, watertight box and bags, and car carrier, I probably dropped $1,300. A very good deal actually when you consider that my boat new these days is $1500.

My point is, that sounds like a lot, but I've gotten YEARS worth of enjoyment out of this initial purchase. There is no cost for kayaking beyond that. I haven't needed to continue purchasing gear for it, which is what I seem to do for backpacking and camping. All I pay is the tank of gas to get me there and whatever food I decided to eat while on the water. And I live in Wisconsin, and I kayak all year round. Have a look!

Thanks,

JGON

 

[OwenM]

My point is, that sounds like a lot, but I've gotten YEARS worth of enjoyment out of this initial purchase.

Yep. A canoeing daytrip with friends and girlfriend got me started.

I'm going over to a local lake later to paddle around for a couple of hours. No cost.
When I go to one of the outfitters where I rented kayaks, they'll take me to the put-ins on the creek and river they respectively serve for $5-10 while I park at their places that act as the takeouts.
Aside from that, gas to get there is all I'm really out.
Same for backpacking and climbing gear, though, as long as you don't think you have to upgrade constantly. Once you have it, it's all about the fun you can have-quality gear lasts for years. I expect that I'll still be taking my kayak out and playing around occasionally a decade from now.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120. I am very pleased with it. The one thing I might add is a rudder which I have not done yet. Fish finders are pretty cool mounted on one too.

 

[Guyon]

I'm in the market for one in the $500 range any recomendations.
River and lake use, no hardcore rapids just paddling around.
Thanks.

$500 can get you on the river and happy. You can get a decent yak, PFD, and paddle for that amount.
Here, I'm talking about a good quality sit-inside, "recreational" kayak in the 10' range. Lots of makers and slight variations in that type.
This is a good time to start looking. A number of places will have clearance sales starting in the fall as the weather starts to get colder.
I'm not including the price of racks here and am assuming you already have racks or a pickup truck.

The lake is a different story. The little 10' yaks are great for river floats. They're stable, turn quickly, and are quite fishable with a little modding.
On the lake, however, they're just okay. Not very fast and not the best tracking boat you're going to find. If you're just going to do short excursions, fine.
But if you want to do some longer paddling, you're going to want a longer, sleeker, faster design. Good boats here in both SOT and sit-inside, but you're going to pay more.
$500 might get you such a boat on clearance or used. But you'll have to budget more cash for PFD, paddle, and maybe even a rack system.

I found eventually that I wanted different strokes for different floats, so I have several 'yaks.

 

[Guyon]

Now in certain paddling scenarios, you're going to want something with a good cockpit skirt.

[video=youtube;qBSOOPWQZjM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBSOOPWQZjM&feature=player_embedded[/video]