Go narrow if you can
My kids (now 6 and 10) have spent two seasons in Perception Carolina 12 XSes (formerly the Umiak). These are 21" wide. They’re fast, surprisingly maneuverable, and the kids can reach the water without banging their knuckles. They also can be found used or as blems for around $300.
23" is the widest you’d want to go if you want the kid pilot to have fun.
What’s an appropriate beam?
– Last Updated: Jul-27-10 12:52 PM EST –
Our Anas Acuta sea kayak (built for adults: my boat, and I'm 6' & 140+lbs) has a 20" beam. Scale that down for a youngster (say reducing all dimensions by 2/3rds to make it a 11'6" kayak)... and you might be looking at 14".
Before someone suggests that's impractical... the Gamma K2 racing kayak is 14.76 inches wide - and that's for adults!
Of course, little folk might sometimes be better off with even shorter and more manouverable hulls that keep the weight close to the paddler... and losing length might mean adding beam.... but I still can't reconcile myself to 20"+ for anyone small - just seems unnecessary.
agree
CD is of course in business to stay in business (e.g. be profitable) and the Raven is very likely not a profit maker for them.
But I always give kudos to a company who will make niche models like the Raven, the Rumour, the Suka, the Zone, etc.
Looking at it from the perspective of a family budget, there are not a lot of Ravens out there and not many deals to be had on a used one. So normally if a family wants to give a kid a Raven, they have to go new and more than likely need to order one new.
it’s a very cool boat and I enjoyed my time in it thoroughly. A great boat, and for the very small adult paddler as well… someone 5’3" feet or under, and 110 lbs or under which small feet (low deck) who wants to seakayak should give the Raven full consideration.
All the same options.
But, here was my search when it started last year for the same basic requirements:
http://columbiakayaker.blogspot.com/2008/12/kayak-for-paige-officiallyunofficially.html
deals
Used kids kayaks: 2 Umiaks in NE for $225 each and a Acadia Scout for $75
Since my daughter is three weeks old I’d be jumping the gun a bit if I bought one now!
Sea Kayaker did a review of kids kayaks several years ago, the Umiak was the favorite of all the reviewers. Yes the reviewers were kids.
not sure things scale linearly
I don’t know if this applies to touring boats, but whitewater boats do not scale down in proportion to the weight of the paddler. Example - Jackson Fun for a 165 lb paddler is 24.625" wide, 79" long. Jackson Fun1 for a 70 lb paddler is 20" wide, 63" long. In this scenario, the kid is 57% lighter, but the boat is only about 20% narrower/shorter. Granted, they might be building in some additional stability to give the little ones (and parents) some confidence. On the other hand, the volume reduction is about 53%, so maybe the trick is to choose whatever width/length preserves the design features while yielding a volume that’s in proportion to the paddler’s weight?
I can tell you from experience that a 21" wide x 12 foot boat is responsive yet stable for an 80 lb kid and “nearly impossible to edge or flip” for a 50 lb kid.
I can tell you for sure…
That a low-volume 19" wide kayak by 10.5’ WAS flipped by my < 50 lb. daughter.
Honestly, I think the paddle’s harder to figure out than the kayak for kids. This one (Bending Branches Cattail) simply was too long and dove when it was beside of her (no form - I refuse to turn these into “training/instruction trips” regardless of the voice screaming in my head!).
I’m hoping to have a new paddle for her in the next 3 or 4 weeks - something that’s close to a third shorter and smaller in her hands.
Thanks
Thank you all for some good suggestions. I didn’t realize there were so many models out there. Though a few are a decimal outside my price range (I should have specified the budget was $500 or less).
I will look into these and keep my eyes out for others.
This one is $250
on craigslist. Unfortunately, it’s missing the back band.
http://monterey.craigslist.org/boa/1862677397.html
kids Kayak
My 13 year old just outgrew his perception carolina 12XP and I will be selling it shortly. Where are you located at?
Think Pink
There are pink kayaks out there. Not sure they include the models you are looking at. But the Dick’s Sporting Goods store I drive by has a pink Swifty on display out front and the thread on this board about boat names is from someone with a pink kayak – a Necky Eliza from LLBean, I think.
Slight Correction
The “Names” thread refers to an LLBean Calypso that is pink. But I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a pink Eliza also.
CD Raven
I will chime in and say the CD Raven, which also is light enough to be carried without much fuss.
are you handy?
I built a stich and glue "JAM8 “yak for my 6 year old to plans I got of the net… ( Well, he built it and let me help if you ask him). Two shets of 1/8” door skin ply, some glass tape , resin and a weekend later, we had a boat. Finished boat is 7.5’, 29 wide, 32# and cost me about $50. The project time was fun and memorable for both of us. The boat is not a racing yak but paddles decently and looks OK. He used the snot out of it for 7 years then we passed it on. It’s still in use last I checked.
handy, but no time
I am handy, but have to time. If I even mentioned building a kayak to my wife, she’d ask if the plans came with a divorce attorney’s phone number. 
Also, we mainly kayak in a small stream that is loaded with beavers, and therefore dams as well. I cringe every time I see someone with a wooden boat in there. I’ve seen large scrapings of finish & wood on the dams. Ouch! Such a shame to damage a beautiful wooden boat.
NY
Putnam County, NY. Where are you?
Swifty?
Is the Swifty discontinued? I thought they were great boats, but haven’t seen any lately. That would be a good choice, especially if I can find pink! Thanks.
Swifty
Good boat for beginners, but bigger beginners in my experience. Most kids don’t have as much trouble with stability as we older people do. It’s harder for a child or smaller paddler to reach the water with their paddle and this can lead to tired arms and much whining, ultimately disinterest. Get a Scout, Umiak, Carolina 12XS, Raven, or other similar boat. Keep it as a hand me down, loaner, or whatever when she outgrows it.
What about bigger/older kids?
Hope this isn’t hijacking the OP’s thread. But, what about bigger/older kids that have outgrown the “kid-sized” models? Wasn’t sure what the next step up the ladder is.
Thanks,
Mike
SWIFTY/KIDS KAYAK
Swifty is available at Dicks made by Perception now, it’s a sit in right around 10 foot, but it’s more of an adult sized kayak. The ones below are available at Dick’s and Sports Authority, Wal-Mart on line, and REI My 5 year old grand daughter just got one, it’s stable, easy to paddle, and failty quick. Dicks only had blue ones, but they threw in a kids paddle for a package price of $99. Sports Authority at the time we got hers had only yellow for the same price w/o a paddle. They now have pink ones too.
It’s a Wave Jr by Manta.
Here’s a link to REI for the pic and specs, they carry the pro, the difference is the foam on the seat and sides.
http://www.rei.com/product/801041