Narrow? Yes.
Narrow is relative. The Tsunami sp is a fine boat and she will not find it unstable. She is small enough that the width of the boat will be equivalent to a wider boat for bigger folks. Also look at crossover boats like the Dagger Alchemy, which compromises to favor the sea kayak end of things. The Liquid Logic Remix XP9 might work as well but emphasizes the whitewater end of things. If she wants maneuverability go with a crossover boat that is shorter. If she wants to easily paddle straight, go with one that is longer. All will be very stable at her size.
The key here seems to be…
chasing the kids. How old are they? Can you keep up with them in a few years?
If your wife has a good sense of balance, she will learn the balance part quickly. Paddling a good efficient boat just makes it so much more fun, and she’ll be able to easily keep up with kids as long as they’re still paddling Pelicans.
Some of the boats mentioned by others are good choices, I’ll add one, the Northshore Fuego.
some reviews here…
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=1930
Andy
If she stays dry…
– Last Updated: Aug-09-11 11:04 PM EST –
does that mean that you can't get her (and you) to some place to learn rescues? (which practice usually starts by falling out of the boat and getting wet)
If being cold is the issue, spend the money on the right clothes for her to end up in the water and not be chilled. That one seems to have a simple solution. One partner of two paddlers being unwilling to get wet is a problem, especially if you are both responsible for kids.
You may want to try and resolve that one before buying a boat for her, even if it means a few expenditures for good wet wear or at least semi-dry wear, and maybe some lessons in rescues. If she does learn that a capsize is no big deal it'll make the aptly sized boat easier for her to be comfortable with.
our kids
Our kids are 7 and 9, our little guy is currently just splashing around and following his sister. Our daughter is ready to start exploring and always asks how far she can go and we pick a landmark. We are 37 and reasonable fit, it would be a proud day for us if we could not keep up.
My wife and I sat down and read through the responses and discussed goals together. Where as I was focused on learning to be a good paddler and the performance side of things she said she justs wants to get out and have fun with no interest in learning roll. If not for the wind here and the colder weather I think a SOT would fit her needs well. That got us looking at the Delta 10 again. Made in Canada, a catamaran hull which I think would not matter so much having a light paddler? And with the 27" width should be extremely stable for her. I like that the website below lists ideal weights for paddlers and she is a little low, but close. Opinions?
http://www.frontenac-outfitters.com/kayaks/one_boat.cfm?ID=735
Absolutely
learning rescues will be a must, we are new to kayaking not the outdoors. Maybe a better description is a fair weather paddler and if there is less chance of her getting cold and wet she’ll come out more. Sorry if I was unclear.
Here is a suggestion
a Perception Tribute 12 It is an in between tippy and super wide. I put many people who were beginners in it this past weekend at a regatta and it was well liked as it wasn’t a wide tub but gave them some confidence. It may just be a good choice for her. I like it myself for a lighter weight easier to carry boat - yet I paddle a 21 1/2" boat mostly. (considering on buying one)
Focus on Your Goals
A lot of the sea kayakers here (and I admit, I’m one of them) try to get people into better performing boats. And that’s not a bad thing. But focus on what’s best for you. If you goal is to have boats to float around with the kids, then having a boat that’s less tippy when in motion isn’t going to help you because there will be a lot of time spent not really “moving.” Nevertheless, get a good quality boat that’s more on the narrow side so it has capability for skill growth. The kids can grow into it and your wife can upgrade later. For now, focus on what fits your needs and, by all means, take some classes (even if it means getting a baby sitter for the weekend and traveling somewhere). Both of you being comfortable and knowledgeable about rescues and sometimes getting wet will be safer for your kids and make it less likely that her anxiety or your anxiety will transfer to the kids.
“Tippy” doesn’t mean what you think
– Last Updated: Aug-10-11 12:16 AM EST –
Its important to understand that the "tippiness" that people feel anxious about in narrower kayaks doesn't mean that the paddler is going to be capsizing in it regularly.
Narrower boats with their more vee'd hulls just FEEL wiggly at first (I prefer "wiggly" to "tippy"). They are not like the old round hulled whitewater kayaks that would roll over easily. It takes a little messing around in them to realize that you can lean over quite a ways in one of them and they DON'T go over -- in fact most touring kayaks will rest quite comfortably on one side. In fact you lean them to turn. That's what is called secondary stability. In fact, many wider boats that may feel more solid on flat water can actually capsize more readily if hit broadside by a strong wave or large power boat wake whereas a narrower boat with good secondary you can just brace on its side and ride up and over the wave.
In 10 years of regular kayaking in a mix of waters including the ocean and Great Lakes, using touring boats from 19 1/2" to 24", I have only ever capsized unintentionally 3 times, once from being caught by unexpected waves out in conditions I doubt your family would ever encounter and twice from goofing around and overextending myself beyond the cockpit.
When I have WANTED to capsize, to practice re-entry or rolling, I have had to make a conscious effort to roll the boat under. This is harder for a shorter person (particularly females) to do because we have less leverage above the waterline and have a lower center of gravity in most cases A 20" wide kayak scaled to someone her size is going to have the same geometry as a 25" one scaled a 6' 200 lb guy.
Just because a boat feels a bit looser when you first sit in it doesn't mean it is inherently unstable and will easily capsize. I doubt, based on what conditions you are planning to paddle, that she would be capsizing the narrower kayak at all.
It's like going from a cruiser bike with training wheels to a 10 speed when you were a kid. Sure it felt a little twitchy at first to lean into turns, but did you regularly fall off of it? I'm guessing no.
Another important factor in a person enjoying a kayak is the ability for them to carry and load it themselves. I'm sure you would like to think you will always be there to handle the boat for her, but that does inherently limit her usage of it. Wider boats are heavier and SOT's are heavier and more awkward for shorter folks to manhandle.
Narrower boats are just much nicer to paddle, IMHO. A shorter person has to really reach to paddle a wide boat and it can be tiring. I like being able to glide along with minimal effort and a comfortable low angle stroke without banging my knuckles on too-wide gunwales. And I appreciate being able to easily rest my paddle flat on the water beside me like a pontoon when I am just drifting. My 21" wide low profile touring kayak is perfect geometry for me in that way. And with a spray skirt and paddle jacket on I stay pretty cozy and dry most of the time in placid waters.
That looks like a nice option.
Reasonable weight and price.
Wow
Thank you all for the responses and suggestions, this place is amazing. The perception tribute was actually on the short list of smaller paddler’s models I was looking at. I was just reading about the catamaran type hull used on the Delta SOT model that they based the 10 on and the pictures look great for stability. See page 3 for capacity.
http://www.stripersonline.com/forum/thread/736135/delta-catfish-12-5-first-look
After reading about the 12.5 it sounds like the 10 should track and glide even with a light weight user.
Nice description
Nice description of stability Willowleaf, thank you.
try them
or at least sit and them, and pretend to paddle. Your wife is very small. I expect she will have a lot of trouble handling a typical wide, deep boat. I think your concern about tippiness is misplaced, because boats aren’t inherently tippy. Put someone your wife’s size in nearly any boat and I’d be suprised if she felt any tippiness. At her size a boat like the Tsunami SP will be totally stable. The hull shape is designed for reassuring stabilty.
My daughter is 60 pounds and paddles a 19" kayak. The first time she tried it she could climb up on the back deck without any stabilizing, and crawl back in the cockpit. For her size, that boat is totally stable. And she can paddle it very easily and fast, because it fits her. Put your wife in an appropriately sized boat and she’ll have the same ease and enjoyment.
Nate
Tippy?
Atlantic Kayak takes people out on tours who have never been in a kayak in 21" wide Romanys. They have lots of stability and for a smaller woman she will feel totally comfortable in it. There’s others too. Women do much better than men as far as feeling secure in narrow kayaks. People go the recreational kayak route not because of stability but because it’s inexpensive, easy, care free, no commitment to the sport and a summer pastime to amuse themselves.
The only drawback on NDK boats is weight and she might like something lighter ??
Willowleaf…
…offers up excellent advice. That Delta Catfish also looks very interesting. I think that you should buy one and report back to us with a detailed report 
And while you’re at it, here’s more for ya:
http://www.hobiecat.com/
Go straight to narrow
Probably she would paddle the wide rec boat for a few months to a year and then be craving something she can edge. That’s what happened to me.
She would get some useful butt time in the wide boat in that she’d become comfortable on water, but that’s about the ONLY benefit. Unless she’s a klutz, there’s no reason to wait to use the 21" beam kayak. The real sea kayak would allow her to edge it and begin working on all the rest of the skills built upon that.
Mini Vacation?
The adage of “try before you buy” is oft repeated here because it’s good advice. You say there are no kayak shops near you, so why not take the spouse & kids off for a kayak weekend? Take a lesson, rent, demo, play and get a feel for as many of the different boats as you can to see how they feel & meet your goals.
Thank you all again
I initially started this post to see if we should get the basic big box boat first and that answer is a resounding no. We read through a few times and I spoke briefly with a couple dealers today regarding shipping costs (roughly $150). The closest dealer that will order in boats at this time of year is 5 hours drive (2-5 week delivery). The closest big city that may have selection to look at is 8 hours. Not having the luxury of trying before I buy is why I am so impressed by this place. I can read reviews by people her size and my size and draw from the collective experience to find out what works and what doesn’t. We will order one of the smaller boats as suggested, either the Acadia Scout as suggested by Angstrom or the Tsunami SP. I am sure she will be happy with either. And if not either would be a great hand me down to the kids as they grow. Happy paddling.
Let her try a narrow kayak
and see how it feels. I’ve seen new kayakers who have good balance do very well in a narrow kayak. It might save you from upgrading soon.
If you get her a tsunami SP, the kids
will want it.All 3 of my grandsons had little trouble wit it. Two were 6 and one 10 yo.Two girls,7 and 11, absolutely loved it fro the first paddle stroke.
Everything depends on the design
A narrow kayak can be more stable than a wide one. It depends on the hull design.