Buying Kayaks for me and wife

Advice
#33

Yes, Tsunami 140 is too big for your wife. She is a couple of inches taller than me but still a small paddler, especially on weight. If you choose Small on WS’s own web site they will not list any Tsumanis for a small paddler.

You are not properly accounting for the fact that you really do not yet understand what fit should be for spending a long happy time traveling in a kayak. It is deck height (the 140 is IMO a bit high at 14"), overall volume to get to the right waterline (the max capacity for the Tsumani 140 is more than three times your wife’s weight), etc. And I don’t think you are seeing anything but length. In fact a 16 ft Tempest 165 is a better fit for her than the shorter Tsunami 140. Because of volume, deck height, width etc.

The fact that she was OK plugging along in a 17 ft boat that was likely too large for her in a first time out does not mean that she will be happy trying to keep up with you over longer trips in a boat is over volume for her. She will be tired and will be struggling to match your speed.

The long term result is that you become a solo paddler. I have seen this happen over and over when the guy jumps out and makes choices for the wife before they themselves understand what fit should be. If you want that result fine, but if you want a paddling companion take the time to go to Charles River or other places within a reasonable drive to get some proper help in fitting.

#34

@PhotoMax said: Both you and your wife have average body shapes and mass that will fit well with a large array of choices.

I have to respectfully disagree with this. The OP is of an average size that will fit well with a large array of choices, but the OP’s wife weighs only 120 and therefore is well outside the range of what your average kayak is designed for, especially recreational kayaks.

If she wants to get into the sport at all seriously she’ll need to seek out a low-volume boat, and likely one on the smaller end of those.

#35

Well, my wife is pushing to have 14 foot Tsunami. She says she doesn’t really care and goes back to the sea kayak at 16 feet that felt fine. So what are some examples of a low-volume boat that would fit my wife. I’m totally on board with getting her a boat that will equalize us so that we can easily stay together on the water.

#36

Got it! I must admit as a new paddler who is 6’4”, most of my research has been on boats that would work for me. But there are some really good threads focussed (on this forum) on boats that work for slender females. I hope to get my wife (who is 5’6” & 125 pounds) into paddling as well. She wants me to get super comfortable first, so I am VERY interested in this arena…

#37

To the OP: if you guys want to paddle in the ocean then dig through this forum. There is a TON of great info here. Being out in salt water is amazing, but you have to be prepared and have the right gear.

#38

So maybe it is your wife that needs to understand that a better fitting boat is easier for her to paddle - either way take the time while air and water are still warm to sort this out. And minimum deck lines and two bulkheads if you are nearer Boston like it appears. You will want to go into the salty stuff and the minute you try to do rescues you will find out you (and she) want that. Skinnier and longer overall tends to mean faster.

If anything she needs a boat that is faster than yours, since she has the less powerful engine (herself).

Most of the below current/new boats can be found used or at a reduced price before winter hits if it was a demo.
I am not going to include the Hurricane boats because you already said you loved paddling in Maine. So do I, every summer for a lot of years now. And I would not think about trying that layup on those rocks.

I am looking for boats with a max load of more like twice your wife’s weight than three times, a cockpit that is narrower and shorter than would be for you, lower deck. Thigh braces are no good if the paddler can’t easily reach them. You can do this too.

Wilderness Systems, filter for Small Paddler - SINKs are Zephyr 155 and Tempest 165 (someone above already mentioned the Zephyr)

Current Designs - Nothing there for a 120 pound skinny paddler until you get to the specialty British, Greenland etc boats. Squamish might be a go for her, good height, cockpit dimensions and improved overall volume (250 lb max) for her. I tried looking in Greenland style, used to be at least one good fit there, but the link keeps sending me to the Danish boats.

Having a bit of trouble with some like Venture, can’t determine a useful cockpit size for her.

You can do a Small paddler filter at Perception’s web site under kayaks.

And there are older models, available used if you look around, that are good matches for a paddler her size. But you might find one or two of these at an outfitter, being tuned around as used boats that she could sit in. So start there.

#39

Tell your wife that the length of the boat is like the length of a pair of jeans, and has zero to do with how the jeans will fit her.

The kayak has to be a good width and depth for her to control it well, i.e. it’s gotta fit her weight and butt right. If it’s too big (Tsunami, etc) her body will have little contact with the boat and she will therefore have no ability to use her body to help control the boat.

#40

P.S. My current boat, which fits me well, is 16 feet long, but (here’s the key) only 22” wide and 12.5” deep. In contrast, the Tsunami 140 is 25.5” wide and 14” deep. That extra 3.5” in width is huge, even if it doesn’t sound like it.

#41

Another note: that used Eddyline Samba I linked to above is close to 14 feet long at 13’ 10”, but the width is only 22.5” and the depth is 12.5”. Rookie, who commented above, owns and likes one of these, and I believe she’s a bit smaller than your wife.

#42

@BobDoh said:
So what are some examples of a low-volume boat that would fit my wife.

That used Samba is a good example of a kayak for a small paddler. It has a 22" beam and maneuvers easily. If the seller is located nearby, definitely worth a drive just to have your wife sit in the cockpit on land so she can get an idea of what contact with the boat means.

As suggested above, it’s in your best interests to work with a reputable shop specializing in touring kayaks (not a box store) with experienced staff. Even better if they offer lessons and will supply the kayaks.

Here’s the link to the Current Designs paddler size and fit chart, in the event you come across some used CD boat. https://cdkayak.com/ChoosingKayak.aspx

#43

@Doggy Paddler said:
Tell your wife that the length of the boat is like the length of a pair of jeans, and has zero to do with how the jeans will fit her.

The kayak has to be a good width and depth for her to control it well, i.e. it’s gotta fit her weight and butt right. If it’s too big (Tsunami, etc) her body will have little contact with the boat and she will therefore have no ability to use her body to help control the boat.

All true. But it is much easier to find narrow kayaks longer than 15’ than in the shorter boats, which tend to be wide.

A used Romany or Romany LV would be a stable kayak that she can grow skills with. Width is about 21.5”, same as the also-commendable Tempest 165.

#44

Some manufacturers (like NDK and Venture) produce LV (low volume) models of their standard kayaks that are proportioned to fit smaller people better. Your wife should look at those if she has a chance. She would probably be happier in a kayak no wider than 23" beam. I’m a bit bigger than her (5’ 5" and 145#) and I like the fit of my 22" beam 15’ Venture Easky 15 LV. Unfortunately, they no longer import that model from England to the US but they do sell the 14’ Islay LV if you can find a dealer. An advantage to an Easky 15 LV ,if you can find a used one, is that the boat only weighs 46 pounds, 7 pounds less than the Tsunami 140. I have loaned my Easky to numerous female friends smaller than me and all of them really liked it – my brother is about your size *5’ 10" 175# and 33 inch waist) and he loves it too, says it feels like a “sports car” compared to other kayaks he has rented or his own bigger Necky Looksha 17.

Personally, I have found 15’ kayaks to be the most practical size for most any river, lake or coastal kayaking, have even taken the Easky in class 1 and 2 open whitewater. The only thing shorter boats are better for is small winding streams. Longer generally means the boat can be slimmer and faster, even lighter in some cases.

#45

So we went to Boston Paddler today. Going back tomorrow to try out 2 new Tsunami’s . I’m gonna try the 145 and my wife will try the 140. Both have rudders. We’ll get 15% off boats and 15% off all the accessories we need such as rack, paddles, PFD’s. Seems like the Tsunami is a popular well liked boat that should perform well for us in lakes, rivers and coastal waters. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the Perception Eclipse boats we used in Maine.

#46

Great - while you’re there ask to try out a few other boats - it’s a perfect opportunity to see what they feel like.

Three boats they have that might be interesting for your wife to try are:

Eddyline Fathom LV
Wilderness Systems Tempest 165
P&H Scorpio LV.

These are all designed for smaller paddlers. As long as you’re demoing boats it’s to your advantage to at least get a feel for some others.

You too! Try a few before you buy. Have fun!

#47

The Fathon LV is too expensive, the Tempest is not for sale, and the P&H is really heavy. We considered all those as well as others. The other two that might be a possibility is a used Fathom(not the LV) and a used Nighthawk 16. I sat in the Nighthawk and found out what it’s like to sit in a boat that is way too small. My wife fit it much better and the Fathom fit me really well. So we’ll see.

#48

Bob, even if those boats are out of your price range, I’m just advising you and your wife to try them out. If you’re considering dropping a few grand at the store they will likely be happy to accommodate you, and that will give you valuable knowledge going ahead in case you really like any of them.

For example right now there are 2 Fathom LVs for sale on Craigslist in your rough area. (I know because I’m constantly scouting used low-volume boats for my spouse & me.) If is demoed a Fathom LV and knee I loved it, that would make snagging a used one much easier.

#49

Second going used if you can, for lots of good reasons. Not the least of which is that what got you interested to start with was a paddle in coastal Maine. Those islands get sooo tempting, it is why my husband and l started kayaking.

Here is what it you may easily find you want, times two in your case, by about mid July this coming year. Assuming you find boats before the snow flies.

Really comfortable pfds. New there, because the built in flotation ages, with short backs. 100 bucks or so.

Lightweight paddles, 160 to 500 bucks new each depending on how you indulge yourselves. At least one spare paddle, which you will also end up wanting to replace with a lightweight one after the first time you forget something and you actually have to use the backup all day,

Clorhing that will take you into chillier water in a craft where getting wet is part of the equation. Like Maine where ocean temps stay around 60 on the warmest days. The nylon coated stuff is cheaper but tends to have a limited life span. The really comfortable stuff is more than you think you want right now. If you really love paddling you will likely change your mind.

VHF with weather alert, for anywhere offshore. Takes one time of being caught a mile offshore when an oops storm comes thru to value this one.

Skirts, neo best for warmth, coated material can seem less daunting. 80 or so either way.

Accessories that make all the diff, neoprene gloves, a neo hood to handle chills. Boots and shoes are a personal choice, l live with one pair of basic neo zipped ankle highs and one pair of mukluks, boots from A scuba shop, year round. I know a number of people who get fancier w footwear. Initial set of dry bags, go smaller sizes to start.

Rack system for the car, at some point.

Kayaking is a wonderful sport but doing it offshore in the northeast involves more stuff than inland small ponds. I haven’t mentioned a decent amount of what l carry but it it takes a little time to figure out why some of the stuff.

#50

Bob
Wish you were closer as there’s a Venture Easky 15 consignment and a Demo 2019 Venture Islay 14 fleet kayak at my place. Those are the likely kayaks in the budget range you’re looking at although it is about time for me to thin the demo fleet for winter.

See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
9 W. Market St.
Hyde Park, NY. 12538
845-229-0595 main
845-242-4731 mobile
Main: www.the-river-connection.com
Store: www.the-river-connection.us
Facebook: fb.me/theriverconnection

#51

It seems to me that you’re fixed on getting a Tsunami.

Again I’ll mention that Newbury Kayak has a used “Tsunami 140: Ex-demo, excellent condition. $750” I know how they treat their demos (gently). It’ll be a near new. I know you’re looking at the 145 for you but a half foot probably isn’t going to make a heck of a lot of difference in performance and it certainly won’t hurt your wallet as much.

Visit Newbury Kayak in Newbury, MA. You’re in MetroWest it’s an hour or so straight shot out either 128 or 495 (pretty much). Great people, good selection of new & used boats. They’ll work with you to find a good boat for fit/performance/price. You’re going to wind up spending a lot of money initially. As Celia mentioned there are a ton of other things to buy. It adds up. Don’t rush into it. Test a LOT of kayaks before buying one. Heck, rent a lot before you buy your first used one off Craigslist (in other words don’t rush). Buy it used if you can because you’ll develop your skills. What once felt scary will feel like it’s holding you back in a year or two and you’ll end up wanting another boat. I wish that I had done that route instead. The new Hurricane that I got a couple years ago? I took a $500 dollar hit when I sold that boat. My husband took an $800 hit when he sold his.

For the TLDR; crowd: Take your time, resist that urge to buy the first shiny thing. Try out a lot of boats. Go to more than one retail outfit (yep, they do differ). Save some money for accessories (paddles, PFD, gloves, etc). Buy used.
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@BobDoh said:
The Fathon LV is too expensive, the Tempest is not for sale, and the P&H is really heavy. We considered all those as well as others. The other two that might be a possibility is a used Fathom(not the LV) and a used Nighthawk 16. I sat in the Nighthawk and found out what it’s like to sit in a boat that is way too small. My wife fit it much better and the Fathom fit me really well. So we’ll see.

#52

The Scorpio LV has a listed weight of 55 lbs; the Tsunami 140 is listed at 53. Not sure if those numbers are accurate, but if so the Scorpio is very marginally heavier and will likely fit her better.