THINK OF A PADDLING “SYSTEM”…
Welcome aboard, Kc!
You're heading in the right direction, but it appears you're only looking new.
We've been thru 8 boats -only two were bought new, and one of them was literally half price, so perhaps that one doesn't count. Of the 6 we still have in our back yard, only 2 -my skegged Valley Aquanaut SINK (Sit INside Kayajk) and our Knysna Isthmus (a different breed of cat -a 17' X 21", gas pedal-ruddered glass really fast SOT) were bought new. Sally's Hurricane Tracer SINK, my old Perception Eclipse Sea Lion SINK, and our two old OK Scuppers -Sally's Classic, and my Pro, SOTs, were all bought at significant ($200-$800) dollar savings.
So think used as well. Check out paddling shops and guide operations for possibly available used boats, check right here at P-Net, and check Craigslist, with the usual caveats for avoiding boats that are advertised with, shall we say, a bit of hyperbole...? Also check if there are any paddling clubs in your area -they'll provide good advice, perhaps a boat or two or three to test drive if you attend one of their events...
And don't forget you're really buying a "system", not just a boat.
1) The boat -that's where you are right now; the OK Frenzy is probably a bit short and a bit wide for what you seem to want to do -cruise. The Coupe seems to be a bit better choice, as especially is the Cobra. If you can afford one -think used -you might want to check the WS Tarpon 120 or better yet, the 140, out;
2) The paddle -don't get a really cheap flat-bladed heavy one -for years of enjoyment, get a lighter glass and/or composite-shafted, plastic or composite-bladed asymmetric dihedral paddle -you can pick fairly decent ones up even new for $85-$150, and they DO make a difference;
3) Your PFD -get as good a PFD as you can afford -good meaning adequate flotation, of course, but almost as important, comfort -so you'll be happy wearing it! -there are women's models available with bust cut-aways that significantly reduce binding and bulkiness, and Sally has one that's good for her (and even comfortable for me);
4) Boat transportation -purpose-built roof racks (Yakima, Malone, Thule are the leaders; there are others) are excellent choices for solid, steady boat totes, and while even the better 'temporary' foam block setups, if correctly used, and lined fore and aft as well as across the boat, can safely carry a boat for any number of moderate distance trips, the recommendation for a roof rack still holds (of the 4 racks we've had, 2 were bought used and gave us years of safe service)
5) Accessories particularly important for SOTers... sunscreen, hat, and a moderate-sized dry bag for your wallet & keys and similar stuff.
So good luck with your search for paddling gear -may you find good gear to go with your good boat, and have many happy days-months-years on te waters as you
PADDLE ON!
-Frank in Miami