Buying a kayak when you live on the dry-side

While this is likely a total newbie question/statement here it goes...What is the best way to buy a kayak on the dry-side of the hill? 

I’d love a gently used or demo Trident 13, but after looking in the Coeur d’Alene, Spokane area, I haven’t found any local shops that sell the Ocean Kayak brand.  The OK site only lists the big box stores and a few rental places.  The big box stores have the boat (OK Trident 13), but I’m unlikely to find a demo or any sort of a “deal” at those places and besides I like to support the little guys who know what they are selling.  Most of the rental shops around here rent more of the recreational type boats and have already moved last year’s rental fleet.

So, with that said, is on-line my best option?  If so, is there one place or another that gives a square deal? 

Anyone on the dry side know of any places that I’m missing? 

Driving over the hill is an option, but I own an old Jeep, so it is a slow and painful one.


Any advice would be helpful.  This site has already been a huge help in helping me make the canoe to kayak transition…thanks a million.

NWKA friend and sponsor OutdoorPlay offers free shipping.  http://www.outdoorplay.com/

Another option is Far North Outfitters up in Bonners Ferry
http://www.farnorthoutfitters.com/index.html

I'm going to guess you won't find a lot of slightly used or demo T13's right now.  It's too new of a model and the wrong time of year for deals (fall clearances are better).

-Allen

I had good luck with Outdoor Play!! I bought my yak, my dads yak, and some gear from them. It only took two days to get it and the service was great.

Black Sheep Outlet up in Sandpoint has some pretty good deals... I'll make a trip out this week and take a look at their models and pricing.

I vote Outdoorplay.com as well.  Call and ask for Brian, he's top notch.  He hooked me up on my T13 and some of my other yak gear.  I still owe him a beer! 

if nothing else, online resources like craigslist [ we have a link here in our classifieds to it] and other public swap/auction/ebay forerunners will at least give you more options..

cannot say enough good about outdoorplay.com, service has been great.

think we have a regional dealer here in the membership for OK too, but forget the screen name right now.. he might be able to point you in a good direction via his contacts in your area if he cant help you from his office.

if nothing else, online resources like craigslist [ we have a link here in our classifieds to it] and other public swap/auction/ebay forerunners will at least give you more options..

cannot say enough good about outdoorplay.com, service has been great.

think we have a regional dealer here in the membership for OK too, but forget the screen name right now.. he might be able to point you in a good direction via his contacts in your area if he cant help you from his office.

That would be "Alkasazi". 

Not a dealer per se, but NWPaddler is the Northwest regional marketing rep for Ocean Kayak.

Oops my bad, I was still thinking "wanderingrichard" was talking about Outdoorplay still. 
I missed the switch.

yeh, that's the guy! thanx again , B.
rich

I'm new to the northwest so not sure how long a ride it is from where you live but I'm assuming when you say driving over the hill is an option you mean to the west side of WA.  If that is the case and you can make it to Ferndale to Johnson Outdoors' paddle shop, sometimes you can get a great deal on blems.  Only thing is you are at the mercy of what production turns out.  You can't really pick colors or anything like that.  Often the blems are only minor like a logo that is split.    I was in there about a week and a half ago to pick up my T-13 I had bought from a dealer and they had a T-15 that was a blem but I can't remember the price but I do remember it was at a significant savings. If you don't have any luck near you, give Dave Johnson a call in the shop and see what they have.