Finding the right kayak

@CA139 said:

Eventually the sit inside Kayaks are way better but it’s not bad to just spend a couple hundred bucks on something cheap to try out and then see every level above that how you get improvements so you know what each level feels like and can give you. .

Unsure if you read Barbara’s post that she’s been paddling a 16’5" sea kayak and is 109# and 5’4" tall.

I did, I have kids that are about 5" and 95lbs each who aren’t doing too bad in a 12 1/2 and 14 foot Tsunamis but Craigslist gives you the chance to try stuff out because if you’re used to a 16.5 foot Sea Kayak it will be much faster, generally more stable and track straighter. There’s a significant differenec between our Tsunami 125 and 140 and that’s just 18 inches of difference!

The difference of a smaller boat could be considerable and after a lifetime of being long and thin I always had problems fitting into every which thing I just gave up trying to find things that fit me. My wife criticizes me for plopping myself down, not using pillows, not making myself comfortable and assuming the most uncomfortable postures or positions to which my answer is I gave up years ago and am just dealing with it but that’s how I roll.

I am sure there is some importance to position but if it were that important the Kayak manufactures would allow much more adjustable seating like in a car.

Rookie and CA139, no need to refine the size and fit discussion here. The OPer has hooked with an outstanding resource in Russell down at Sweetwater. She will be steered correctly.

I’ll add an Impex Force 3 to the petite paddler mix. Problem will be keeping up with her. :wink:

See you on the water,
Marshall Seddon
The River Connection, Inc.
9 W. Market St.
Hyde Park, NY
845-229-0595 main
845-242-4731 mobile
Main: www.the-river-connection.com
Store: www.the-river-connection.us
Facebook: fb.me/theriverconnection

Is the Impex Force 3 mostly a “go fast” boat vs playful? And any paddlers under 135 who like its fit?

From my wife’s years of experience with it (5’ and as close to same weight as I will hazard) it is a go plenty fast without leaving maneuverability by the wayside, provided you’re comfortable heeling it over into a skidding turn.

I do have a paddled once Demo that needs a home. Line seam is the F3, grey is a F4.

See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
9 W. Market St.
Hyde Park, NY
845-229-0595 main
845-242-4731 mobile
Main: www.the-river-connection.com
Store: www.the-river-connection.us
Facebook: fb.me/theriverconnection

Thanks!

I’ve paddled all the rivers you mentioned in both canoe and kayak. Forget the rudder or skeg, they just drag and reduce maneuverability on the small rivers. I’m 6’+, currently ~225# and use an antique plastic 16’ Aquaterra Chinook, so I cant comment on your choices except to say “drag”. Shorter the boat, deeper it sits and those low water levels in the summer on any MO river means more gravel push time. Stay narrow as you can (you really don’t need to move L/R!), give yourself the toe/knee room to flex, and pack like an ultralight hiker. If in or near STL, the Alpine Shop Paddle Days event might give you a chance to actually try before you buy.

@Caver69 said:
I’ve paddled all the rivers you mentioned in both canoe and kayak. Forget the rudder or skeg, they just drag and reduce maneuverability on the small rivers. I’m 6’+, currently ~225# and use an antique plastic 16’ Aquaterra Chinook, so I cant comment on your choices except to say “drag”. Shorter the boat, deeper it sits and those low water levels in the summer on any MO river means more gravel push time. Stay narrow as you can (you really don’t need to move L/R!), give yourself the toe/knee room to flex, and pack like an ultralight hiker. If in or near STL, the Alpine Shop Paddle Days event might give you a chance to actually try before you buy.

Am thinking you meant to post in another thread. There’s been no mention of rivers. The OP is looking for a sea kayak.

Current Designs Suka is another good one for petite people. Very light and manageable.

Thanks Sparky, this looks like a good suggestion!

Thanks for all your comments, it looks like the Pilgrim lv, Avocet lv, and the Sukarno May be some of my best options but finding a used one at a good price might prove difficult!

Yes, I have not found many used kayaks in this category myself. But please report back if you do find any and get to try them!

@“Barbara H”

Since you summer in Maine, might not be all that difficult: http://maineislandkayak.com/boat-store/used-boats/

The have some really nice offerings in their used fleet:

https://www.maineislandkayak.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Used-Demo-Flyer-112018-v2.pdf

There’s a new Suka for $1,999 on ebay. That looks like a fantastic deal if you could get to it. I have both an older and newer Caribou (bigger version for bigger person) and they are well-built, very nice handling kayaks. That’s an incredible deal for a new kayak if it works for you.

Wow. I’d almost buy a Suka at that price… if it weren’t for the inconvenient fact that I could only get one leg inside. I know someone who bought one for about $CAD 4k new.

I’ve heard the Suka is super-small. How large a paddler do you think it would fit?

@Doggy Paddler said:
I’ve heard the Suka is super-small. How large a paddler do you think it would fit?

According to Frontenac Outfitters, optimum paddler weight is 95 to 150 pounds. The 150# max was confirmed by one of the reviews here. CD lists it as for small to medium paddlers.

https://frontenac-outfitters.com/single/current-designs-suka-kayak-16-6-kayak-81

Thanks!

I fit in the Suka fine at 130 pounds and 5’3 or 4". Sometimes comments are coming in from smaller paddlers who have become accustomed to sitting in barges, so they don’t understand proper fit.