Thanks for all the comments so far. I think I hit some nerves with my comment about paddling the Golden Gate Bridge. This was clearly a bad example. We did paddle the bridge a few months ago on a guided day-trip that was timed to work with the currents, and it was a day of easy and fun paddling, with enough swell and wind to make it exciting but not scary or overly challenging. But we are very cautious and would never do this or any other open water trip on our own - though we would do certainly do it in appropriate conditions with a knowledgable guide, and it would be nice to have a boat that would be able to handle it.
Other trips we have our eye on are Monterey to Point Lobos, and Pacifica to Half Moon Bay. Again, we’d only do these with a guide who is highly qualified and knows how to judge the local currents, surf, and weather conditions.
We would only paddle on our own in protected water.
But my earlier comments still stand, including that we’d like to find a boat that can handle windy or choppy conditions decently.
Maybe this just isn’t possible with a foldable/packable or inflatable boat, in which case, we need to decide what the best compromise option would be.
As for the comment about buying a traditional kayak and renting a storage location - we live in Oakland, CA and I’m guessing this will be cost-prohibitive, but I suppose I could be wrong about that.
Thanks again for all the help, and please keep the advice coming!
NDK makes the Triton in a 2 pc. I have a friend, who bought one recently. They plan to store it, in a toy hauler style RV trailer. They are costly though.
I would aim for a kayak that does what you want for the areas you are paddling on your own (not guided) - so the protect areas. For the guided trips, rent from the guide//company.
I’ve done the Pacifica-HMB and Monterey areas ones you talked about, and those are true coastal trips where I would only do with a regular (hard shell) sea kayak. The various options for apartment storable boats all have some sort of limitations that would make them not really good for something like those (with exception of a fiberglass sea kayak turned into a sectional).
Storage for boats often runs in the $50 to $100 a month range. There is a place in Oakland called Kayak Condo or something like that which rents, but I don’t have a link. They are on the estuary between Jack London Square and Coast Guard Island. Many marinas do rent space to kayakers.
Agree about a paddle board being a option. I added a few D-rings to my 11’ inflatable board to add a clip in kayak seat. I placed the seat on a 4" high cushion and it’s very comfortable. I can stand or sit and it paddles/performs very well.
Thanks everyone for the help. It seems like our best bet at this point is probably an inflatable, and we’ll plan to rent boats for guided trips for now.
Now the trick is figuring out which inflatable is best. As a reminder, our main requirements are that it be a double and have the ability to carry gear for an overnight camping trip.
The Saturn Ocean Pro looks pretty great. The self-bailing design & the fact floor rides above the waterline, plus the fins seem like it might give a make for easier & more efficient paddling. But it’s a bit overwhelming how many options there are. Would love any more advice that folks have.
I had the Aire Lynx II, which was incredible, and have also paddled the Super Lynx which has more room. This is NOT a vinyl pool toy. This is perfect for apartment living.
Look at Pakboats folding kayaks as another option. Their prices are reasonably comparable to hardshells, they are lighter (besides being far more portable, including for airline travel) and their XT touring line is suitable and seaworthy for open water (the solo Quest 150 and convertible solo/tandem XT-16). I have been paddling mostly higher end folding kayaks for 15 years including in the Great Lakes and coastal Pacific and Atlantic. Currently own 4 Pakboats: a Quest 135 (yellow one in shot below) and three older model Puffin solos (red one below is a 12’ Puffin that I modified with a Pakboat Arrow deck), and previously used an XT-15 that belonged to an ex-boyfriend. I took the smallest Puffin to England with me back in May to paddle on rivers there.
Folders can actually outperform hardshells in some rough water conditions because they absorb some of the wave force rather than being battered by it. The newer Quest models can also be paddled with or without the decks as a sit-inside or sit on top, which makes them quite versatile.
Glad I read about the Pakboats! I had the Puffin 12’ and it was a good kayak. Do you think the Quest 15’ would handle someone my size at 6-2/218lbs? Thanks
I seem to recall a guy who was 6’ 3" and 210# who reported that he had a Quest but I don’t remember if it was the 150 or the older 155 (really little difference in the two – the 150 has more features and is a bit easier to set up.) I’ll see if I can find it and send you the link (it was on another forum.)
You can also call Pakboat and ask them. They are a small outfit, based in New Hampshire, and very easy to talk to and have personal experience with their products. You may have to leave a message on the phone or send an email. Usually when I have emailed them over the years, the owner, Alv Elvestad, would answer my questions directly himself. He does travel (often to Scandinavia, where he has family ties) and leads kayaking trips so he is not always able to respond immediately.
Any thoughts on pros & cons? The Saturn is cheapest and seems great, but it has no return policy, unlike the Sea Eagle boats, so if we don’t like it we’re stuck.
Thanks again everyone for the advice. After much research, we’ve decided on the Sea Eagle 473rl. Now we just need to decide whether to get the basic package with AB40 paddles, or spend an extra $50 for the higher-end package that comes with AB50 carbon fiber paddles.
We definitely want to have some nice lightweight paddles. The question is whether the AB50 paddles are good enough that we’d be happy with them as our personal paddles, or if we should save the $50, get the basic paddles, and invest in better paddles elsewhere.
Lighter blades and heavier shaft are more beneficial than a lighter shaft and heavier blades, so full carbon blades are more beneficial than carbon shaft and heavier blades. It’s known as swing weight.
I definitely prefer full carbon paddles in the 21 to 22 oz range, but they are commonly over $400. Mine were all purchased used and the search required a great deal of patience.
The enjoy that new boat. The 393rl looks leak interesting to me.
Thanks, all - yes, we definitely want carbon fiber paddles. The question is whether we pay the extra $50 to get the ones w/ the boat package, or look for better ones. I guess I’m asking if the carbon fiber paddles offered w/ this boat are a solid pick, or if we’ll be disappointed with them and prefer to shop around & pick our own.
The boat comes with paddles by default, there’s no opt-out. But there is the option to get the basic ones, or pay $50 extra for the carbon fiber ones.
Well, $50 isn’t exactly a lot of money, so if I absolutely had to buy paddles with the boat I’d probably go with the “upgraded” ones to save half a pound per paddle.
But, I wouldn’t set my expectations too high. Kayak paddles should be sized to the paddler, both in terms of length (which depends on the paddler’s height, torso length, boat width) blade size (determined by the paddler’s strength and paddling style) and even shaft diameter (women usually prefer a slightly smaller shaft).
Oh, and a full carbon shaft won’t necessarily cause blisters. It all depends on how the manufacturer has finished them. The carbon shafts on my - and my wife’s - Werners are super smooth and are very comfortable.
