oh noooooooo. don’t get me interested in other things I cannot afford LOL
This sport is EXPENSIVE!
Those are actually pretty reasonable. Don’t go looking at Swift or Savage River: https://www.savageriver.com/
That pricing is pretty impossible for a guy like me. I wish I had bought some bitcoin back in 2017.
This sport is expensive once. When you have the basic equipment, paddles, PFD, dry suit, etc it’s not too bad.
UNLESS you repeat the process looking for the ONE. IT doesn’t exist. That said, I’ve enjoyed many boats and if you take care of them, you won’t lose much on resales.
That applies to well known brands with good reps .
Not big box specials.
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I got my 32 pound 12’ solo canoe used 2 years ago for $900. As has been mentioned above, you can look at the cost of a boat as more of a “Rental” since you can usually eventually sell them in later years if you want something different and they don’t lose a lot of value if you buy used and don’t trash them. I calculated once that I had spent over $12,000 on kayaks and canoes and their gear in the past 20 years but once I deduct what I sold the past ones for, I only have a bit less than $4000 invested in the 8 boats I currently own (and I plan to sell 3 of them this summer, which will shave another $1500 off that) So that comes to just $125 a year that my paddling hobby has cost me for all the fun I have had with it.
Most are these days. Bicycles make Kayaks look cheap. Some get you up front like kayaks & bikes, some get you over time like walking/running where you may go through $300 - $800 per year in shoes, and some like downhill skiing and golf get you both ways.
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My wife and I love our Eddyline Equinoxes. 14’, 45lbs, beautifully made, great initial and secondary stability and track extremely well. I have done up to six day trips with no problem. New ones are a bit over your budget at $1700, but used would be less. It is a great boat for beginner thru intermediate paddlers. Even advanced paddlers will enjoy the overall experience.
Don’t skimp on a paddle…it is as important as the boat. I recommend Werner paddles. They have models to fit your budget.
Enjoy paddling😀
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Welcome to a wonderful sport! I have a WS Tsunami 14.5” and just completed a 3 day, 2 night trip out of the kayak. The boat can handle 3 days of gear. I over packed which is understandable for a first trip. But if you are judicious on what you take and have a couple dry bags you should be able to do the trip you’re describing. Best of luck! Remember everyday is a good day to paddle.
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Buy used. Longer is better. Fiberglass is best with a cockpit. Practice wet exits and re-entries. Practice safety. Learn you strokes and how to brace.
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Echo that on the WS Tsunami 145 or 140, depending on your size (I have both). If you’re smaller go with the 140. They have roomy cockpits and tons of storage (especially the 145). They track very well on flat/open water, and yet I’ve navigated smaller streams with them as well. No need for a rudder or skag — have had no issues. Ive also had them on the Ohio River in 2-3 foot swells and did not get swamped. Very very capable boats that will make you look better than you are. lol! The seats are super comfortable, too!
Welcome to the sport and good luck!!
Just saw this… nice boat! Good luck!
My advice would be to visit some of the better shops in the Bay Area and try out some of the boats they have to sell, if they are too expensive, look for a used one on Craigs List. Maybe the outfit you were taking the class has less experienced instructors? There are very experienced shops in Sausolito and, Santa Cruz, and Moss Landing. Beware of advice from paddlers outside of the Bay Area as the conditions for paddling out of the Bay or doing coastal tours are far above the experience level of the people who are replying to your posts. It’s usually best to rent and take some more classes, and some organized trips with instructors before you decide what boat you want to invest in, then you can try to find a used one. Problem is used kayaks are quickly snatched up in the current environment, and I know folks who are buying them, and reselling for profit, so it’s definitely a buyers market. I know a few instructors in the bay area, some of them world champion paddlers, but most of them have gotten out of the business in the last year.
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[quote]Nothing against canoes, though. If I had the space for them I would definitely consider them.
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How are you with your camping gear? You a minimalist? Want to bring 2 of everything possible?
I think to get enough gear for a 3 day trip it’d have to be pretty long.
I have an old town solo sportsman that I’m going to use for camping this summer. I can put a big WP bag in front and in back, cross lash them down and they can be my flotation…and enough gear to be out a week. It’s a cross between a kayak and a canoe.
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