They are rec boats - there is a huge difference. Are you under the impression that either these has sealed bulkheads, perimeter rigging or a small cockpit? No. But you seem to be calling one of these, should you get it, a sea kayak.
I have great balance and can take a 1 by 6 board a bit offshore, assuming it'd hold my weight. It doesn't make the board a sea kayak.
You are confused about the purpose of the rolling discussion as well. Rolling is not just a cute thing to do - in deep water and waves it is the only self-rescue which might work. And you are talking about going to shore islands, which likely puts you beyond the distance from land that would allow you to swim to shore. Assuming you can't capsize is a good way to manage it.
It sounds like the folks in the shop are assuming that you understand the limitations of these boats and will use them suitably, for example assuming that you'll be within swimming distance of shore. What you are writing here does not sound quite like that.
Second suiram above. If you really think that a Pungo is a sea kayak, you need to get lesson before you spend money. Have them work you in on-water self-rescues, since you'd be alone, for a crash course in the boat features you'll need.
Yes, I'm a little confused as to the difference between sea kayak, recreational, touring and expedition! I'm on the sales sites trying to compare what each category of kayak does.
I know a roll isn't just a trick. I assumed it was just a way to right yourself if you tip over. I'd like to know how to do it if needed here. If not, I wouldnt pursue it.
Thanks for the insight. I'll continue to research. I am not sure now there's a kayak that suits my needs. I may just stick to renting.
It seems one kayak is good for calm water, one for ocean, another for camping and longer trips. I guess what I wanted was a kayak for island touring and mangroves that I could occasionally take out and launch at the beach too.
Skip the computer Drive over to Sweetwater and get a real lesson. If you are still that confused, you are not going to get it by looking at more web sites. You need to get in a boat, capsize and try to get back in before any of this is going to be clear.
It can be really hard if you are doing your research from manufacturers websites.
ANd then the advice you get from here is distorted by each posters perceptions based on their experience filtered by assumptions they make about your intents.
Rec Boats are wider and have larger cockpits and tend to not have bulkheads, or maybe only one. They may have bungee rigging on the deck but won’t have deck lines which are made from regular rope and are necessary for rescue techniques. They are meant for calm waters but there are half a dozen people here who will tell you about taking there rec boat to play in the surf. I have taken mine offshore, and remember one memorable swell that washed over my daughters deck leaving about half an inch of coaming being the only thing that kept her boat from swamping about a mile offshore. Within sight of land, but not close enough to swim towing a flooded yak.
Among the other types you mentioned, they are basically the same thing but the difference would be in how much cargo space they have which affects the dimension of the kayak. Sea kayak=skinny, fast, no cargo space, Touring kayak = wider than a sea kayak with more space. Of course that is a WAAAY simplified answer. To go offshore idealy your yak would have at least two bulkheads, deck lines aka perimeter lines (not bungee cording), and a cockpit small enough that the skirt can be effective. The larger the skirt the greater the possibility that it’s going to cave in (and come off the coaming) when underwater.
A full length sea kayak, 17 and 18 ft, can have a ton of storage. Our expedition length boats each have considerably more space than the mid-range 14-15 footers that are alternatively called transition boats or touring boats by the manufacturers.
All boats designed and featured to be used in dimensional water and open ocean conditions are sea kayaks. Some are bigger and can carry gear for a long trip, some are closer to 16 ft and/or more petite and have less space. But they are all sea kayaks.
I forgot to mention that I did look at longer kayaks. I loved the look of those and it did seem to have storage space. The only problem was I couldn't life it alone. I have a Subaru Outback and will be going solo mostly.
Some of the longer ones were really heavy.
Edit to add: $800 is about my budget. Otherwise, I would get a top of the line expedition kayak. Ha. :)
Looking at the you tubes posts, a rec kayak would probably suit your needs. But if (when) you want to get a bit more adventurous you will want to upgrade. The problem with boat recommendations on this sight is they tend to spiral up as time goes on until they are recommending $3K yaks with $500 paddles or don’t bother going. Everyone also recommends skipping the rec boat phase and spending the same money on a used “quality” kayak. It comes down to how much do you want to spend versus what’s available. As far as low end rec boats go, they are all pretty much the same, find one that’s comfortable to sit in that you can pick up and go forth and be happy. If you’ve got a little more cash go to the paddling shop and see what they got.
Boats get cheaper in a couple months and stay that way until next spring.
lighter kayaks That’s why we had previously recommended boats like the Venture Easky and Elie Strait, which at 46 lbs are simple to lift for most adults and LIGHTER THAN THE REC BOATS YOU ARE LOOKING AT. I’m a 61 year old 5’ 5" woman and have no trouble carrying the Easky and loading it on the roof rack of my fairly tall Santa Fe. In fact, a longer thinner kayak is usually easier to balance and carry with your shoulder in the cockpit than is a short wide boat. Try it at a kayak store or demo day and you will see what I mean.
The price differential is not all that great – the Elie is only about $100 more than an equipped Pungo and is a much more versatile boat.
Another thing not much mentioned in these discussions is that a 14 or 15 foot narrower touring kayak will paddle faster in a straight line with less effort than a wider shorter rec boat. Does this matter to you? The reaction I get from people accustomed to rec boats from rental fleets when I let them paddle one of my touring or sea kayaks is “Eureka! This kayak is so fast and easy to paddle!” Sometimes they are nervous because the kayak feels a little “wiggly” at first but they quickly get over that once they realize it isn’t going to capsize and they can sit comfortably in it to birdwatch or take photos as well as move along at a nice pace.
Bottom line, as we keep saying, you really need to get inside and try some different kayak models – there is no way to really explain the difference in feel to you. We’re spinning our wheels until you actually sit in these boats in the water and have your own “Eureka” moment. It may be for a rec boat or for a touring or sea kayak – no way to predict that.
I so wanted to see the Elie today! I went to 3 places locally and none had one. All the local places are pretty small. I may get to.Sarasota soon so I can check out the Elie. It's a little pricey.
Also, I'm trying to buy locally, within my own town. I will make an appointment to test drive some vessels!
Speed isn't important to me at all. I'm not worried about being tippy, though I don't want to keep falling out. But I've got good balance and am comfortable in the water so far.
At the risk of sounding like a tape recorder (yeah, I do love the boat) look at this shot of the Easky 15LV at Sweetwater. It's even the exact same color as mine (called "The Snow Pea" for obvious reasons.) Call me superficial, but I mean, tell the truth, is this not a sweet and sleek looking kayak compared to a Pungo?
I didn't "need" a kayak when I bought mine -- already owned 4 boats and had just stopped in to the outfitter's to pick up some Aquaseal -- spotted the green Easky on sale in the rack by the front door and it was lust at first sight, which quickly turned to love once I got her in the water.
Yes! That looks like a nice kayak! I like the specs and the weight is good for me. Unfortunately, it's way out of my price range. Is be saving another year to be able to get that one.
I did notice that the more expensive ones were lighter, nicer looking. But, I'll have to stay with my budget. My $800 budget includes paddle and car carrier.
Take Lesson & buy Used After testing out some kayaks on the water you will have a much better idea of what you need in a kayak. Then you could look around for a used boat in your price range. It’s not easy to wait but it’s better than buying a new kayak that you find does not live up to your expectations down the road.
You don’t lift boats You don’t lift the whole boat. You lift one end then slide it on top of a car, and get a cart to handle car to water’s edge. There are devices that make this easier - I weigh 135 and get 17 ft plus boats up on top of the car myself when needed that come in at half my own weight. But I use a roller and slide the them.
That said, willowleaf mentions plenty of reasonably light boats that can take you a whole lot further than a rec boat like the Pungo.