Don’t worry about your first boat being the perfect choice. I suspect 99% of us have moved from our first boat to our second to our third … as our skills improved and our interests evolved. Besides, buying your next boat and talking about it on this forum is part of the fun.
- If your lucky enough to have a local paddle shop with knowledgeable staff, talk to them. Tell them what you have in mind. A good shop will guide you well because they want you for a long-term customer, not just for a quick sale today.
- Join a local recreational paddling club if you have one around. Sharing experiences with other relative beginners is a great way to learn.
- You can often buy good used boats and paddles for 1/2 of list price; it’s a great way to buy a better boat than your budget might otherwise allow. But do not scrimp on the PFD. Buy quality and be sure it fits (that’s another area where a knowledgeable paddling shop can really help).
- As others have said, lessons are always wise. For me, however, spending some time on calm shallow water (with a paddling partner!) before my first lesson made sense. I believe I got more from that lesson by first having a bit of a feel for the boat and for what it takes to keep the cockpit pointed toward the sky.