Kayak For Sale On Craigslist (2024)

FAQs

How long of a kayak should you get? ›

As a general rule, if you're a taller person, you'll want a longer kayak to accommodate your height. A longer kayak will also give you more legroom, which is important for maintaining good posture and avoiding cramps or stiffness on longer trips.

On average, a beginner takes at least 30 minutes to paddle a mile in calm, slow-water conditions. So in 2 hours, the paddler can cover up to 4 miles, which makes 3-5 miles the distance range that a beginner can cover comfortably in a day. The distance covered per hour reduces significantly when going upstream.

But do kayaks tip over that easily? Kayaks are generally safe to use and hardly tip over.

Everybody has heard of the 120 rule, which says if the water temperature plus the air temperature is over 120, you do not need any cold water gear. As with all rules, there are exceptions. You might have a random warm day in the winter where the temperature hits 70 degrees and water temperature is still at 40 degrees.

The width of a kayak is also a good measure of its stability: in general, the wider the kayak, the more stable it will be. So if you're a first-time kayaker, you will benefit from a wider kayak.

Bottom line: 6-12 years is a pretty typical range for the life span of a kayak. That's a huge range, you might say. And yes, that is true. An inflatable kayak might last you only a half dozen years; however, a well-maintained, quality kayak can last twice that or much longer - even a lifetime.

Kayaking and kayak fishing are ideal activities for older adults. Bending Branches ProStaff team member Bill Schultz is himself a senior and an avid kayak angler. He offers his best tips and tricks below.

The Bottom Line

The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 Sit-On-Top Kayak is our pick for the best overall kayak for beginners because it is a very stable vessel that will help novice paddlers feel safe and well-balanced even in variable water conditions.

Is a 10 ft kayak big enough for a 6ft person? ›

If you're tall then the amount of legroom you have is something to think about. When it comes to a recreational kayak, something between 10 and 12 feet would be ideal. And if you're opting for a touring kayak then boats that are as short as 14 feet should still provide you with adequate legroom.

In order to have a pleasant experience on the water, you'll want to make sure you fit inside your kayak well. For example, if you are 6 feet tall and 225 pounds, a 12-foot-long boat may be more comfortable than a boat that is 10 feet long. Adjustable footrests can help accommodate your height in your kayak.

The 50/90 rule states that: We expect zero flow speed as the tidal stream changes direction (slack water) One hour later, the flow attains 50% of maximum speed. Two hours after slack water, the flow attains 90% maximum speed.

depends on wind and direction of wind, as well as any water currents. But generally I kayak 2 miles in about 30 minutes or so.

No! Kayaking is a great sport for beginners since once you get the basic skills down, you can get started right away. Of course, if you are kayaking with harsh water or weather conditions, it can be dangerous. But this is not recommended for kayakers with years of experience either.

Rather than having to climb inside you just sit on the seat, swing your legs in and you're ready to go. I remember years ago at Canoecopia I spoke with several seniors who asked about SOT kayaks. I asked them where they planned to fish. They said they don't fish, but the SOT is so much easier to get in and out of!

“Beginners are fine paddling solo as long as they stay within simple situations, like near the bank in slow-moving flatwater, or on a pond,” Ammons believes.