anyone love to kayak?

**MomK** · 07-01-2008, 07:12 PM

I'm thinking about buying kayaks for me and my 2 kids. Right now we have to rent them at a state park, and that limits the bodies of water we can explore.

Anyone out there own kayaks for lake kayaking? Any recommendations? Where do you go? What about kayaking with kids?

Thanks, MomK

**mustang80** · 07-01-2008, 08:22 PM

OOhhhh I love to kayak!

DH and I have our own kayaks. There are lots of rivers here in NJ to go. Our favorite one starts and ends at a campground. Just one transport cost.

Generally, you have an idea of rental costs. If you need transportation to the beginning of the "run" it's around $12.00 per kayak if you bring your own.

We just recently started taking our 16 year old. I'm afraid to take the youngest one yet, and the oldest has no interest.

I recommend looking at Old Town Kayaks. I have an "Otter". The bottom of the kayak is more flat, harder to roll over. I think the Perception "Swifty" has more of a peaked bottom.

My DH is large, about 6'5" and around 350 lbs. He got an extra long kayak, and Old Town "Loon". It's about 12 feet long, so it's more stable for his weight. My kayak has a weight limit of about 200 lbs.

It's so peaceful to kayak. Be sure to get life vests, and water shoes. Water bags are helpful if you get serious. Keeps cameras, cell phones, whatever from getting wet if you flip over, and they will tie into the kayak. REI has them.

LMK if you have any more questions. I hope this was helpful!

**champagnium** · 07-22-2008, 10:02 AM

I used to paddle competitively back in the day.
K1, K2, and K4, plus war canoe and C4.
I am thinking of getting back into it, but not with the racing kayaks (much deeper and narrower than recreational) since I don't think my butt would fit in one anymore

**tereansan** · 05-31-2011, 10:24 PM

Hi ! Do you have an Academy Sports and Outdoors store near by ?
They have some nice, reasonably priced sit on top, or sit inside kayaks, we bought 3 of them from there, and we have had them for several years and really enjoy them, 2 of them are pelican brand, and 1 is a heritage sit inside. The ones we own weigh about 40-45 pounds each, you can get smaller ones for kids too. Bass Pro stores have them also but their prices are alot higher.
We take ours everywhere, lakes, rivers, creeks, lots of fun !!
Hope this helps.