Wow, I thought I’d never find the end of this thread. Anyway, I feel compelled to add my two bits worth. Unknown, you should know that you are lucky to live in the NW in the event that you do choose to acquire a boat that doesn’t need a rudder, nor skeg. In my opinion, NC Kayaks–built in Tacoma, Washington–make the finest rudderless, skegless sea kayaks in the world. I happen to own one and it is my boat of choice whenever the wind, current and whatever seem to be working against you. Basically this boat goes where you point it with the least amount of corrective measures necessary. And here is a pointer that I don’t think many made too much of. Every kayak in a way is equipped with a rudder–also referred to as a paddle. Learn to use a bow rudder and you will reserve stern ruddering for surfing.
I do most of my paddling on the Columbia River and I highly recommend it, but before you jump right in, you should be aware that it isn’t always your benign, slow moving body of water. It can go from flat to ocean rough in a mater of minutes. Saturday I set out from the “Best Kayak Launch on the Lower Columbia”–so it says on the sign–and as I am often in the habit of, I didn’t think the river looked like it was bumpy enough to warrant a spray skirt. I made it about two miles before I decided I really wish I had put my skirt on before starting out.
One of the best features of paddling on the Columbia is that there is hardly anywhere that you are more than a quarter mile away from a nice friendly, sandy beach. Saturday, I was very happy to make a quick stop at such a beach. It’s amazing how much more secure one feels in the slop with the cockpit covered. In the summer, I rarely wear my skirt, but this time of the year, I’m not into getting wet. I should mention along with being superb trackers, NC kayaks are also extremely stable and very fast–just in case you wondered.
My other advice is to spend a lot of time at Portland’s kayak stores (Alder Creek, Portland Kayak Co. and Next Adventure’s kayak store) and don’t waste your time at Walmart, Costco and Whoever’s sporting goods stores. As you might already know, the boat is only the beginning; there is a whole boat load of other goodies that are a big part of it. Don’t settle for a cheap paddle and pfd.
I hope to see you out there on the Columbia someday. I’ll be the one in the long white NC without a rudder, or a skeg and probably not wearing my skirt.