Hello everyone!! I have been lurking about for a couple of weeks now and now its time to say HI:)

I've been kayaking since before Christmas and I passsed my 2* a couple of weeks ago.

I have a roof rack en route and I am expecting a few pictures of a potential new love of my life tomorrow.

So what should I look out for in my first kayak?? If it seems ok from the pictures I am going to see it next week. Can I ask for a test dive like I do when buying a new car??


I'm so excited but at the same time I am pertrified at parting with so much money and making a boo-boo!


Any advice would be very welcome


Thankies

Michelle

What kind of a boat is it, and what is your intended purpose?

Also, any decent store should have a demo available. If you are buying it used, just see if you can arrange it with the buyer.

All i know about it is that it is second hand and an RTM sea kayak - not sure of the model,do know it is plastic though. I am fortunate enough to live on the Causeway coast in Northern Ireland (but unfortunately there arent any kayaking shops within 100miles of where I live I'm sure!).I guess I plan to take it out on short coast trips and maybe the odd river, nothing too stressful yet.

The seller is sending me pictures of it tomorrow to see if firstly I like it then I should be going to look at it next week.

I usually have my dad to go look at cars and things with but unfortunatly kayaks are not his thing so I am a bit lost

Hey Michelle,
Congrats on the 2* firstly
if you're buying 2nd hand then absolutely you can ask to take it for a demo for a couple of hours. No seller should have a problem with that. You'll know yourself by looking at it if it's been looked after, if the fittings on the inside look relatively clean and unrusty, if the hull is covered with scratches etc.
For 2nd hand boat I'd expect to pay 1/2 - 2/3 of full price if under a year old and in seriously good condition... less if older or battered. When you get the pictures ask the seller exactly what model it is, then look up prices on shop websites to compare. coast and creek in ballymoney might be your closest.
Another option if you've recently done your 2* might be to ask the instructor or someone in the club / centre where you did your training to come with you and take a look?
Don't know a lot about sea kayaks myself so not much use to you there.
Muireann

Hi I see you are at the other end of the country to me! Thanks for the advise, just waiting for emails now No patience

I've been to coast and creek a couple of times but never long enough to make bossom buddies!! Prob will be in abit more next week when the student loan has to be "invested"

Make sure the storage areas don't leak, see if the foot braces slip at all, look for tears in the outfitting. If you can, just paddle it for a little while, and see if any water gets in, and if possible, figure out where. For the storage areas, the easiest thing would probably be to put some water in it and flip the boat over on land, to see if any water gets out.

OK I have got some pictures by email of it in the water, its a rtm ysak. I am taking a test paddle on Monday evening so I will bear in mind what you have advised. This is more exciting than buying new shoes

Have you bought yourself paddling shoes yet? And gear? Cos obviously it'll all have to match. And match the colour of your boat. And your car. Otherwise the photos will look all wrong! And emm... yeah that's when the fun starts!

I know the boat doesnt match- everything else i have is blue green or purple inclucding a blue car. I am debating this issue with clashing colours with my sister. More drama!

Cant really have a lumious orange kayak now can I (for the record my mum likes the colour but mentioned that is more from a "if you need to get rescued" point of view than a "its a pretty colour"

Here is a picture of me and gear and my favourite little boat to paddle (hat for heat,not style.)

Making sure that the boat will fit you is the #1 factor and then a test paddle. Also do your research if this boat is suitable for the type of paddling that you are going to be doing.

Check the integrity of the boat - make sure it doesn't have any leaks. We were teaching a rescue class last week and found out that one of our students bought a boat that's bulkheads leaked. If it has hatches, make sure that all of the hatch covers are in place and fit snuggly.

Wahoo - another woman on water!!! Welcome!

Cate
www.liquidfusionkayak.com
www.womanonwater.blogspot.com

PS. I am currently paddling a lava (orange) Valley Avocet sea kayak. It is colorful - especially when I wear my plum drytop and mango pfd. I am thinking about a lime green helmet and blue spray skirt to really be colorful.

Yeah I have paddled the club avocets quite a bit, I really like them.

I acccidentally bought the boat I pick it up on Thursday (if i can ever work out how to put the rook rack on!!)

I took a test paddle yesterday evening on a river. It seemed stable enough for me for a newbie boat. Turns easily enough an seemed to "go " quick enough for me at present. Fits snug, foot rests are a grand job even for wee short me!

Thanks for advce

M