Many kayaks to choose from
A Valley Etain in plastic would be a good choice. There are two sizes in the RM version (RM means plastic) so depends on your size. 3 sizes in composite. They retail for I think 2 grand but you should be able to get one in the $1700 range(plastic).
http://www.valleyseakayaks.com/?boat=378
Used
Bring the dagger and search the craigslist in maine. There are some good deals right now, glass outer island, Chatham 16 and an Aquanaut all for less then $2000. Well not all of them, individual pricing… you know what I mean.
Why stay with plastic?
I am asking because I know of a couple of very good boats out there for your purposes, that experience has proven work well in Maine waters including island camping, which usually come up used in fiberglass between $1000 and $1200.
If it is a maintenance issue, I would take composite over plastic any day of the week. With being in Maine each summer I and my husband found many rocks. None of them were tougher than the combination of gel coat and the strengthening layers in our fiberglass boats. And basic gel coat repair is pretty easy stuff. You can get fussy with matching colors exactly and perfect finish sanding if you want. But you don’t have to do so for a sound boat.
Second composited
Plastic boats do hole on shellfish. I have done that. Nothing like being on Isle Au Haut with a small hole in the strn that duct tape will not stick to. And no hardware store
Composites are tougher and more easily field repairable. I have paddled in Maine for nearly 30 years and 27 of them in composites. Now I live there. Outfitters of course use plastic . Few private owners do
Composite
Would love to find a nice composite, def keeping my options open. Currently looking at a Scorpio LV II, hopefully will be testing on Tuesday.
How much do you weigh?
Agree with Celia, get there and see what works, you’ll probably find a good deal used.
Size
I’m 5’10 and 175 #'s it really depends on what happens with the alchemy. If it sells I’ll pick something up if not I will continue to paddle it and enjoy it.
You are average sized paddler then
Lots of boats. But seriously - when you get to Maine you will find that there is a huge range of paddling available. Is there any way you could hang onto that boat and just pick up a touring boat at a good price.
There are boats that people often regret letting go when they get into more robust paddling environments. The Alchemy is one that could be that. It is a very nice boat for skills work and lovely for messy conditions and river mouth work with a strong tide. Yeah the hatches tend to leak a bit, but it more than gives you back in responsiveness.
Celia
I wish I could have more then one kayak but funds are limited, that’s why I’m thinking the Scorpio might be a good fit. Hardest problem is finding storage for the kayaks it seems. Any idea of storage for two kayaks in the Portland area?
Delphin?
Sorry for adding more questions to one post, but as I’m unfamiliar with the conditions if I was looking to go longer and narrower what about the Delphin 160?
Delphin…
…good for surf…slow for touring.
Maybe…
I may know of someone in the area I can ask. Could you narrow the geography a bit, like in Portland proper, or the direction from Portland if in one of the adjoining towns?
Portland
We are not totally sure just yet as we are still figuring out the job/living situation however us both being chefs means we will work in Portland proper. We’re hoping to live near Portland proper or South Portland.
You have a dilema
There is quite decent availability of places where you could play in areas where there is fun tidal action, within a very resonable drive from Portland. For that you want the rockered, slower boat.
There are also islands - lots of islands - to go out and day trip to or camp on overnight. For those you might want a faster hull.
But if you are out on a longer paddle and get caught by weather, well it depends. Leave fog off the table, that is a whole chapter itself. If you are close to something you can land on - and be aware that ability to land is not guaranteed on a lot of Maine islands - you want a skinny rocket to get there fast. But if you are fully in it, you probably want that slower hull that will be easier to manage chop and waves with.
So I think I am coming to my first post. Take the Alchemy and spend some time paddling around the area, then decide on a boat once you have seat time in that environment.
Say you decide that safety for paddling solo is your highest priority. That argues for a boat with a slower hull, more easily maneuvered and and very friendly stability for an on water self-rescue in dicey conditions.
But if you hook up a group of paddlers - not exactly a hard thing to find in that area - you might want to sacrifice some of the above stuff for a boat that is faster and could be a little crankier. Because you’ll be paddling with others with (hopefully) useful skills when it comes to assisted rescues and local knowledge about when and where is best to paddle to avoid surprises.
Apartment or house rental?
You looking for… as to the boat, I am going back to my first idea. See post below.
a friend of mine a chef
lived on Peaks and either took the ferry or kayaked to work … He cooked on Exchange St.
Portland does not have interesting
– Last Updated: Apr-22-15 10:47 PM EST –
tidal action. Go up to the Sasanoa River for great surfing or Head Tide in Alna on the Sheepscot. You will want a rockered boat for the latter and a regular sea kayak works for the Sasanoa though more rocker would be nice to maneuver when a whirlpool appears out of nowhere.
Check out Popham Beach at the mouth of the Kennebec.. a favorite surfing area for kayakers and seals.
You can have fun off OOB or Wells surfing in your Alchemy
Good infor
– Last Updated: Apr-22-15 10:57 PM EST –
Kayakmedic: wow that would be a awesome situation, peals would be a great paddle before and after work (as long as your on the day shift)
Celia: we are currently looking for a rental as we are saving money to open up a small local market/butcher shop it Portland. You are making really great points and unless something comes along I'll hold onto the Alchemy as it is quite a fun boat, some people might even say it is very similar to the delphin. Also if I wait and am able to find a good place to store my kayak and my wife's kayak maybe I'd be able to pick up another for touring and keep the alchemy for play. I'm really looking forward to moving to Portland and getting to know the local paddling community!
Many options.
One good place to contact with out fail is Maine Island Kayak Co. a few miles off Portland on Peak Island. Call and take the ferry. At least talk with them before making a decission; it will be helpful.
Along with having desirable oceanworthy new and used boats, they have knowledge.
Right now on their website they have a used NDK Explorer for $2,000 that looks deluxe. That is a dreamboat proven worldwide to do exactly what You described. If that boat is sold, consider inquiring about that particular boat and find another one.
http://www.ndkna.com/products-page/used/explorer-elite-used-british-racing-green-w-yellow/
They also show a VCP Aquanaut Carbon Kevlar layup w/Silva 70 P which is the compass You want. Another world class boat. $2,300 again KEVLAR.
http://www.ndkna.com/products-page/used/vcp-aquanaut-ck-maroon-yellow-white/
Both skeg boats. Everyone’s different, but in My view, skeg is the way.
I have an NDK Explorer and it’s exceptional. Haven’t used Aquanaut but I hear nothing but good about them. I’m at best an intermediate and I can relate…
Within decent driving distance
is what I said. I call decent driving distance an hour or so - which is what we drive here to get to Lake George. That, from Portland, gets the OPer to some of at least some of the places you mentioned.
It also loses the ferries and the QE2, to do those drives.