There are no touring kayaks
for $550 new. Lower-end small kayak for short touring of a light person would cost $900-1300. Conduit 13 is discounted now, so this might be an opportunity, don’t know, didn’t try it. 13ft won’t have too good tracking (you asked about it), and poly kayaks develop oil-caning after a while so tracking gets screwed up again. But to get anything better, you have to go over $1200.
Half-decent paddle, spare paddle, skirt and PFD will cost you another $350-400 - I hope you’re aware of that. And another couple hundred bucks for throw line, paddle float, pump, etc. And sales tax on top of all this.
You forgot to tell how long “touring” - 3 days? Ok, may be. 10 days, in a 13ft kayak - don’t know, even for 150 lbs person with no fresh water on board. It’s more a problem of available room (volume) than carrying weight capacity. Carrying half of the stuff on deck - yeah, I’ve seen such travelers, and wouldn’t do this on fast rivers or open water.
What are you riding now?
sale
Dicks is having a big sale right now and at our location Columbus Ohio, they are offering a Rhythm 14 for 499. It has strap down hatches and comes in yellow and red. Might be worth a look.
sale
Dicks is having a big sale right now and at our location Columbus Ohio, they are offering a Rhythm 14 for 499. It has strap down hatches and comes in yellow and red. Might be worth a look.
Craigslist
I’d hit up craigslist. You’ll end up with a better quality boat for the money. I just bought a Prijon Seayak & and a Looksha 17 with paddles, life jackets, spray skirts, & a bunch of other accessories for $800. You may not get that lucky but deals are out there.
pelican pursuit 100
pelican pursuit 100 it was ok at first and still is ok i just want a faster boat
how is this kayak
was on sale today at dicks sporting goods for 299 will it be faster then my pelican pursuit 100
fIELD & STREAM 12’ EAGLE RUN KAYAK
Naw Man
Look for a used plastic boat. 15 - 17 feet. Be patient.
opps 399
ty
good advice everyone maybe i will just wait.my kayak sure does the job now .but i for sure hope to get a new 1 someday
Look for a used Perception Sonoma 13.5
on craigslist. I’ve seen them for as low a $500, but not in my part of the country in the midwest. You’ll need a float bag for the bow, unless you’re loading it with gear.
I agree with Kudzu !
jack L
I saw at least four different Kayaks
here under the classifieds that might be in your price range. Trying to help if I can
jack L
Thanks Jack
If I was dumb enough to sell a nice 16 foot boat and throw in a nice paddle for $600 there’s bound to be another dummy out there.
i need to hit lotto
lol i never play it unless its like 250 mill.its always expensive for fun stuff.but i will be patient
Agreed.
If I can build one (two, actually), anyone can build one!
Sad fact
Kayak touring is largely a middle class activity (for good reason: it’s an expensive hobby), and at a time when the middle class is being squeezed, it’s getting harder to do.
The alternatives, as this thread has shown, are to be a bargain hound and buy used, or to make your own stuff (boat and paddle).
If you go the latter route, you might end up with an SOF boat and a Greenland paddle. Grow a beard, learn some fancy rolls, and suddenly you’re the hippest kid in class.
im good at fixing stuff
but im preety bad at wood work i doubt i could build a kayak