that’s too easy
and the boat is too good, for a $0 budget he’s gotta really scrape the barrel. I’m hoping he’ll find a totally trashed glass boat covered in ivy.
I don’t know about that
It fits his range of $500-$1,000, and it’s in nice shape, I demoed it not too long ago. Durable boat too and a decent learning curve.
Clay, you may also want to check into their rental program. And they also have a tuesday night paddle for getting out in a group.
Good luck!
Ya right, “no hatches and no rudder:”
– Last Updated: Jul-26-07 11:00 AM EST –
and you would take it over an Eclipse ?
Aren't you the guy that used to automatically tear apart the Eclipse, about six or so years ago because you had an allegiance to some other manufacturer ??
Cheers,
JackL
cheers
– Last Updated: Jul-26-07 11:34 AM EST –
I would definately take it over an Eclipse without hatches or bulkheads. My recollection was that the Alto had an aft bulkhead option but I could be wrong.
It's a better paddling boat for 175lb person. The original poster might be a bit tall for it or feel tippy but he's light in the Eclipse. Old Eclipses get hogbacked and are just plain too big in high winds if you don't have a lot of weight in them.
My criticisms of the Eclipse came from using it in rentals. The hard seat back complicated self-rescues. The cable clip rudder deployment line cuts skin easily. It works, the basic hull shape is good in composite but it's a big boat and the stern swings around too easily without weight or the rudder down.
An Eclipse is the most common boat to find next to some Neckys but it's a big sucker for day paddling and high winds.
I had no allegiance to any manufacturer, the fact Perception kept the hard seat backs in for YEARS pissed me off as I watched it complicate rescues in every sea kayaking class. You teach basic classes for a few years and wonder wtf the manufacturer is thinking when you bring up the problem and their customer service person says "I never had a problem".
then they changed the "no problem".
yost skin on frame
A guy near you built a non-folding Tom Yost skin on frame for not much money.
http://mikayaker.blogspot.com/
Great deal!
This really is a great deal–especially if you already have a pfd. You’ll still need a pump and a good paddle (don’t think of buying a nasty, heavy, cheap paddle), so you’ll be over your $1000 budget. On the other hand, you’ll be able to start paddling tomorrow!
demo/seconds
Demo’s and factory seconds can be really inexpensive and usually come with the factory warranty (double check though). If it is a second, find out why. Usually, it’s just a minor blemish in the color. But again, double check, paddle it and get all the details before handing any cash over.
Check the Cayuga 160 by Old Town
Its 1000 dollars and quite capable in rough conditions. Ive paddled one. Its fast.
Second the seconds!
My first boat was a demo and my current is a second. Both saved me a good amount of money but they were still a lot more than what the OP is hoping to spend. Fall is a lot more of a buyer’s market so if you’re patient you will see deals start to pop up for used and demo boats.
Already brought up, but the PFD, paddle, sprayskirt and a wetsuit will also cost money. Check places like sierratradingpost.com for last year’s models of PFD’s at about half price. They may have wetsuits too but probably not specifically for kayaking. These should work fine but may not be as comfortable as some others.