I’m on Frontenac’s mailing list. The fall sale starts on the 23rd.
Note: I have no relationship with them aside from drooling over sexy boats on their website.
@willowleaf said:
Frontenac Kayak Outfitters in Frontenac Provincial park north of Kingston is not all that far from you
Yes! I was looking at their website yesterday and have to go to Kingston on Thursday, so I’m planning to go then. Unfortunately the sale won’t have started, but all the boats will be there to see and touch. It looks like a great place! Thank you for those ideas!!
Watch out for NTP drool.
I wasn’t thrilled by Frontenac when I was there a year or two ago. Yes, they have a lot of nice boats. Very nice, high end pricey boats. Or at least, that’s what I was noticing when I was there. They are NOT right on the water, so a test paddle involves loading up boats and heading off to the local lake. This involves some inconvenience and forethought. Definitely not the same as having racks of boats right down by the water.
You owe it to yourself to visit White Squall just north of Parry Sound. They are right on a small lake and are very good at making you feel like an invited guest when you’re there. It’s a very relaxed environment and you can try out LOTS of different boats. They’re also a good choice for lessons.
Thank you all! I’ll be going to Frontenac anyway, since I’m practically driving past it anyway, and will keep White Quall in mind.
OK, I understand wanting quality but the bigger question is what boat is best for you?
Buy a cheap boat, maybe used, and start to paddle! Try some day paddles. Do some fishing. Maybe try and haul some stuff for a lunch out along the water. When you find what interests you look for something that fits that. Keep narrowing it down. I have four boats right now, the only one I’ve bought new is my first one, which was a cheap rec boat. I’m almost ready to spend the kind of money that a new boat will cost, but I’m needing to paddle some more boats and figure out what fits me best.
Fit is another thing you need to figure out. You want your eventual boat to fit you well so you have the connection to the boat you want.
Go to a local paddling pro shop, rent or try out a bunch of boats to see what you like and buy yourself a used one to save yourself money. Generally speaking used boats go for a good chunk off depending on condition.
Like always and in any field, avoid the cheapest and most expensive offerings. The most expensive offerings tend to be very focused, require a lot of preparation, care, training and maintenance, and usually trade versatility for absolute ability in just one or two things. The cheapest on the other hand tend to be of lower quality, very heavy and the plastic itself doesn’t last as long. Plastic boats of good quality can last 20, 30 years or more with minimal care. Fiberglass can go much longer (but is more fragile and requires periodic maintenance). Also the cheapest boats can be small, lack bulkheads or flotation and often are only stable for smaller adults or children and are poorly seaworthy.
FYI avoid something like this:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/sun-dolphin-trek-10-sit-in-kayak-with-paddle-tangerine-1297149?cm_mmc=feed--GoogleShopping--Product-_-1297149&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7oOt95LK5AIVxQOGCh2eVQSmEAQYAyABEgJpzfD_BwE
As always take the outliers of the price out of the equation but basically speaking a “good” kayak or canoe should sell (or have recently sold for) around $1,000, maybe more and these boats can often be purchased for $6-800 used depending on condition, sometimes less. If the brand new cost is $400, avoid it like the plague.
IMHO the Wilderness and Necky Kayaks as well as Old Town canoes are good “quality” brands very suitable for beginners that won’t break the bank especially 2nd hand. Both represent versatile, stable “family haulers” of good quality that are not expensive, are easy and stable to paddle and a great platform to have fun and learn your skills until you’re ready for something fancier. There are many good brands out there, just saying what goes in my area.
Keep a lookout for demo days. It’s getting cold up there now and several companies will be trying to trim inventory. Try a few and get one that is not quite comfortable for you. You will grow into it quickly.
@mogeton said:
Hi all,
I’m new to the kayak world and have been out only a couple of times. I want to buy my own but it’s become clear that I can’t figure out how to tell the difference between a budget brand like Pelican (the only one that’s obvious to me!) and any of the rest.
I want to avoid the budget brands because I’m the type of person who looks for longevity in a purchase like this. Can anyone point me to a resource that would help sort that out?
I live in Canada if that makes a difference!
Thanks for your help!
Mogeton, I’m new to Kayaking as well. I am close to buying my first Kayak and have recieved some great advice from some great people in the sport. My first question is what do you want to do, what type of Kayaking are you interested in, Sea Kayaking/touring, White Water, Lakes and other Flat Water areas etc/
Thank you everyone. I ended up sitting in some boats and trying some out. I liked a bunch, but couldn’t beat the end of season sale on a Riot edge at a local dealer, and in a comfy boat. I’m still not sure about whether its a “budget” boat, but it was in my budget for now, and I can take it into the calm local waters of the Kawarthas 
It looks better than the Pelicans. Wise choice. You have to start somewhere.
I have a paddling buddy who has a Riot Edge – it’s quite a nice boat and I think you made a good choice. Just make sure you don’t carry it on your roof rack with ratchet straps or leave it sitting out in the hot sun. She warped and oil-canned the hull of hers badly by doing both things and now it doesn’t track as well as it used to.
Thanks string and willowleaf!
Thats unfortunate about your friend’s boat no longer tracking.
What should I use if not ratchet straps?
I was warned about not leaving in the sun, so fortunately I have a shaded spot for it. For what its worth, the guy I bought from suggested that if you do accidentally get oilcanning, you may be able to reverse it by putting something inside to push it out, and it should go back to its original shape.
Thanks again!
Oh, excellent! Thanks! I have a few of those but didn’t realize using them was better than ratchet straps. Im guessing it’s because you cant really overtightened those?
Exactly!
You just want them snug.
Really great to know! Thank you! I’ve used ratchet straps in concert with the cam straps only once, so hopefully I didn’t do any damage. From now on I’ll only use the cam straps.
Thanks again!
It is also protective to carry your kayak upside down on the roof rack rather than right side up. The plastic does soften on hot days and even using cam straps you can notice dents in the hull if the boat has been on the roof rack rails for a longer trip. But the deck is not only less likely to dent but even if it does, it won’t affect performance. Minor oilcanning can sometimes be pushed out but in many cases it is permanent, plus the plastic has a “memory” and it will be vulnerable again. So best to avoid it.
I prefer to carry my boats upside down on the roof rack for several reasons. They drain while driving (you always get some water in them when paddling), they can’t fill up with water if you drive in the rain, I feel it is more secure to have the cockpit coaming between the rack rails in case the boat gets loose and slides and I feel the load is more aerodynamic, though that may just be my imagination.
Also always tie off the bow and stern to the bumpers of the car or to straps or rope loops under the car hood if there is no attachment point up front. Just a little extra security for highway travel.
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Lots more good advice on bow and stern ties at
https://forums.paddling.com/discussion/2938347/bow-stern-tie-downs