what should i consider when buying a kayak?
461874
Length, beam, durability. The most stable are not always the fastest. And the fastest are not the most stable. Find a good combination of the two that fit your style of kayaking.
70957
It depends on whether you want a sit-on-top kayak or a sit-in, and also whether you want a recreational/touring kayak or white-water kayak. \nI am most familiar with recreational/touring kayaks. For sit-on-tops, I would recommend the "ocean kayak" brand. For sit-in kayaks, I recommend Dagger or Perception kayaks. They make a lot of models, with a large variety of options. Good luck! Kayaking is so much fun with both model types!
264003
Before you rush out a spend your hard earned cash on a board, borrow some of your friends' old boards or rent a board, if possible. Your board will take some punishment if you are learning and you want to be concentrating on surfing, not on the damage you are causing to your board. If you go out a lot, pick up a used board. It's cheaper than a new board or even renting. \n\nSince you are a beginner, I would suggest starting on a longboard. A longboard will provide stability in both paddling and standing. The dimensions of your board will depend on your height and weight. A 9' long board should be a good starting point. Once you become a little more experienced you can select what features you would like in a board. The type of waves you surf will also be a factor in deciding what type of board to pick up.
109918
Go to reputable shop. Think of the shop as a dating service and they will set you up so that you can pick your new love. Do not buy from the internet! Find the shop that will spend time to get to know you and your individual needs. Injury history and biomechanical issues will influence your choice. I agree with the other answer, ride before you buy. And though it is tempting, buy from the shop and not from the 'net! You get an education and countless perks and make actual friends. Well worth the few extra dollars. \nThe right frame will come to you and you will share many miles of freedom with your steed!
22599
If you're learning to surf, I suggest you rent boards for a while until you can tell the difference in different boards. Then you can make an educated decision on what kind of board you want without dishing out a lot of money on a board that you won't like or won't work for you. If you have friends that surf, borrow their old boards. At least it's free and a great way to experiment on a variety of styles. Be aware of what you like about different boards and how variations to the shape of the board will effect the performance (length, width, rocker, tail, fins, etc). That way when you get a board of your own you'll have some idea of what will work for you most of the time.
952858
A good internal frame expedition size backpack,($200) a stove($50), a tent($100-$300), some new synthetic clothing, a really good goretex rain jacket($300), some wool socks, some 5E wide hiking boots($150) and a life jacket or some dry bags if I have anything left over. I am already making a sea kayak, but If I didn't have one all the money would probably go towards that.
16259
Depends on what you want to be doing with the board. If you're just beginning, a medium sized board might be your best option. Something that comes upto your nose probably. Try a 167 board or so. Though I assure you when you buy a board, someone can give you more specific help on that, and it's best to go to a store and talk to someone, to find the right amount of flexibility for your weight, etc
1052817
if you're talking about capacity, it depends on boat to boat.\n\ngenerally speaking, most of the "middle of the road" kayaks (touring or recreational) can handle about 300-400lbs... I have seen larger touring (sea) kayaks that can hold almost 500lbs, but those are few and far between. There are also "pakboats" kayaks that have about 250lbs capacity.
86873
Most metropolitan areas have "Auto Trader", "Truck Trader", and "Boat Trader" type magazines that are published every couple of weeks and seem to be available everywhere.  You will find hundreds of bass boats in the typical issue with pictures and descriptions as well as location.  This is where I would start.  \n\nAs long as you are comfortable with judging the condition of a boat and the equipment that comes with it and don't care about a warranty, buying from a private individual will be the cheapest way to go.  \n\nInsist on an "on the water" test when you find a boat you are serious about buying.  If the seller declines, I would pass on the boat.\n\nGood luck in your search.
888472
ccs.com and activemailorder.com have great deals.  if your 12 you should definatly get a 7.5 or lower board width, and dont worry about plys, because your not gunna break your board.  Some great beginner board brands are Almost, chocolate, and a CCS blank deck.  I would definatly get an ALmost if i were you because they are amazing.  In the padding area, Protec is very good, but anything they sell on those sites i recomended will be good.  Also you will need trucks and wheels.  Tensor and Krux are great trucks, and Ricta, autobahn, are the best wheels, but wheels dont matter too much, except for wheel size.  If your going to be doing alot of vert skating and park skating then you want a bigger wheel.  anywhere from a 54-56 mm, but if your going to be doing street you will want a 49- 52....i myself have 49 mm Rictas.  Anyother questions you have i can answer.  Remeber one thing though, alot of skateboarding products, are about personal preference, how they feel to you, some people may hate your board and you love it or vice versa.
128597
The Cabela's Canoe is a nice sturdy/light version.  I have the 12 ft. and it stears fine, I have used it in lakes and low class rapids in rivers.  It will run you about $600
589974
Is it in great shape and is it reasonably priced? When looking to buy a used travel trailer make sure that you check the inside and outside for water damage. We bought one for a steal and found out why the first time it rained. If it has brakes on the trailer, hydraulic or electric, make sure that it will pass inspection first. Honestly your best bet is to buy new, the price difference isn't that bad and you'll have a warranty if anything leaks or breaks. We bought a Jayco pop-up sleeps 8, with bathroom, shower, fridge, furnace, hydraulic brakes, and air conditioning and paid 8,000 new. It has a lifetime warranty for mechanical failure and leakage. I hope this help you out and Good Luck!!!!
29230
The most popular kayak for beginners is probably "Pungo", by Wilderness Systems. It comes from 10 to 14 feet, with the 10 ft. called the Pungo 100, 12 ft. Pungo 120, etc. The taller you are the longer your boat needs to be. You can find them at most kayak stores, or request a catalog from wilderness systems online. They have a lot of choices, like colors, and special "angler" and "camper" features. Another popular model from Wilderness System is the Pamlico, which is a sit-on-top kayak, which weighs a little more. This company makes really popular beginner kayaks that have great stablity. Good luck with it.
1027464
Where are you looking? There are hundreds of extreme white water kayakers in BC (Canada)\nNot sure where you are, but check the sport store where you get your gear. They often have a bulletin board where you can connect up with a buddy.
144395
I don't know about brands, but features to look for are 1)Shock absorbtion in the padding 2)Wheels (it may seem like a luxury but you will LOVE them) 3)Waterproof 4)Price (you do get what you paid for)  Basically you need what is best for your most prized posession.  Happy playing!
140405
i always look at ebay motors...then my second step to find a boat would be a local police/sheriff auction the sheriff's harbor partol where i live has about three auctions a year...most vessels are not new though, but for instance i know that at the last one someone bought a 04 wave runner for under a grand...so look at that...after that i know an irs-repo auction is always a great bet...and if all else fails, go out to the most redneck area you can find, all rednecks have boats, and will sell them cheap ( i bought a 03 ski boat for 9 grand out in riverside ca. where as where i live orange county ca. the boat would be like 16 grand)\n\n\nhope this helps!!!
614264
Go to Walmart....Buy 4 or 5 of those strofoam tubes that kids play with at pools and beaches. They are hollow on the inside. Cut down the middle lieght ways and place the tubs around the edges of you kayak. Turn kayak upside down on the roof and secure it.