Ocean kayaks??

[jgcable]

I have had an extreme interest in ocean kayaking for a while now. I notice that their are many different styles. Sit ins and sit on tops. For a beginner like me what should I be looking for??
I am athletic so I am looking for a kayak to hit the salt water in. Touring and conditioning mainly. I'm 5-8 and I weigh aroound 190.

[mm2002]

John, there are much better ways to have fun without having to be athletic. How 'bout a Jet boat???? Man, now that's fun!!!! The advantages are, you can go way way faster, and you can bring a cooler of beer along for those "cool down" times.

[jgcable]

John, there are much better ways to have fun without having to be athletic. How 'bout a Jet boat???? Man, now that's fun!!!! The advantages are, you can go way way faster, and you can bring a cooler of beer along for those "cool down" times.

Hey Mark, I'm not a twist of the wrist type of guy. My bikes have to be pedaled. Jet ski's look cool though. I would rather be paddling for my life.

[Wayniac]

John -
I have a sit-on top that is awesome... look into a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 or 160, or Malibu extreme... also the Fish-n-Dive is pretty cool and stable as well. Those iwll do well in wheeler salt marsh and off of Charles Island.. if you want to do more in the sound , I'ds suggest a sit-in. The Small Boat Shop in Norwalk might allow you to do demos, as well as buy closeouts..
Check out some reviews here http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/rev...ak_review.php?

[Soloist1]

One word "rentals". Try a bunch dude. Ocean you will probably want something in the 16' range. Sit in. Also look for dealerships that are located on the water. A lot of them will give you the chance to try stuff out.

[mm2002]

Hey Mark, I'm not a twist of the wrist type of guy. My bikes have to be pedaled. Jet ski's look cool though. I would rather be paddling for my life.

Oh no bro, I'm not talking about a 'lil jet ski. Those are for pussies.
I just sold my boat summer before last, and it had a 454 Chevy in it. Berkeley JGA pump with all the goodies. The only thing NOT fun about it was...the wife was scared of it.

[jgcable]

Mark.. do you own an oil refinery???

[jgcable]

John -
I have a sit-on top that is awesome... look into a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 or 160, or Malibu extreme... also the Fish-n-Dive is pretty cool and stable as well. Those iwll do well in wheeler salt marsh and off of Charles Island.. if you want to do more in the sound , I'ds suggest a sit-in. The Small Boat Shop in Norwalk might allow you to do demos, as well as buy closeouts..
Check out some reviews here http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/rev...ak_review.php?

I have been looking at them for a while now. I think I like the sit on top better only because I will be using it mainly in salt water. Not ocean... just bays and inlets.
I'll check out that place in Norwalk. Thanks!!

[Wayniac]

One word "rentals". Try a bunch dude. Ocean you will probably want something in the 16' range. Sit in. Also look for dealerships that are located on the water. A lot of them will give you the chance to try stuff out.

Yep - I think that shop I recommended will let him do that.. and they are on the Sound in an area similar to what he'd be 'yaking in. The Tarpon numbers are based on length as well - 140 = 14', 160 = 16' (what I have), They have a high weight capacity too - like 325 or so??

[CrazyTrain]

We used to use these down in the Fla Keys when I lived there...



We would get about 6 people and go out in the middle of the night and just party it up!

Good times.

[mm2002]

Mark.. do you own an oil refinery???

Why, ya need some GAS?
(just couldn't resist that one!)

[Baum83]

If you're looking to do longer tours, get a good sit-in. If you're just about to do short tours near the beach, get a sit-on-top - should be much more fun. If you're looking into doing some trick stuff, there's some very neat small sitontops available that are very much fun to drive.

Oh yeah. Sit on top might be easier in the beginning, as you technically may be able to board one out of the water.

[hgsmith]

Oh no bro, I'm not talking about a 'lil jet ski. Those are for pussies.
I just sold my boat summer before last, and it had a 454 Chevy in it. Berkeley JGA pump with all the goodies. The only thing NOT fun about it was...the wife was scared of it.

Holy shit...........I'd love to see you blow those cheap ass jet ski's off the water where I live. Nothin says a man with a 45 or a 454. Good god. Laughin my ass off. Were we talkin about rafting opps sorry

[jgcable]

A local guy has an Ocean Sea Scrambler XT for sale. Its 12' and from what I read it gets pretty good reviews. Its a sit on top. I am only using it for excersise pedaling up and down the coast line. I won't be going out into the chop.

[Baum83]

I'd say go for it. Take a test drive, see if you can sit comfortably and adjust it to your needs. It's also important to get a paddle with the right length. I forgot to mention, it's gonna be somewhat cold on that thing with the wind and whatnot if it's not warm outside, so you'll want to look into getting good neoprene gear as well if you don't already have any. Otherwise, a sit-in is definitely the better choice if you're going to do a lot of bad weather-paddling.