New here! Need some help finding a kayak.

So I have been looking into kayaking lately and wanted to buy one mainly so i can take it out to fish/crab. My budget is kinda low right now so i was looking more in the inflatable category and found a Sea Eagle 330 and it seems to have some good reviews on it, so before i purchase it can i get some feedback, other recommendations and tips. I would love it if you guys could help me out!

My personal opinion would be to just be patient and keep saving until you can get a decently used hard shell sit on top kayak, not only well it last longer and go more places but it's safer too...I waited several months watching on here and Craig's list until I found a used Malibu x-factor for 540$....best thing I've bought this year !!!!!.....good luck

Welcome Andy!

Keep checking Craiglist and this board. I doubt if a week goes by without somebody posting here about a kayak for sale. Are you set with other gear you need? I think most of us have found that the yak is only the most expensive part, but it is only part of the cost.

I know some people here have used an inflatable to fish from though, so if that is where you need to start from, you won't be the first.

Welcome.  I apologize in advance for tarnishing within these parts your first name.  Are inflatables preferred due to cost alone?  Or do you have space/transport issues to contend with, as well?  If you're sold on the $250 price point, and want an inflatable, I suppose that Sea Eagle would work.  provided it meets your fishing/trolling needs.  Crabbing may be a bit of a pain, but there are always rod-derived methods for crabbing.  Judging only by the looks of it, I'm guessing wind may be an enemy.  Especially on big open water.  But I don't know your intended use.  Floating town a river, casting for trout...seems like a fine vessel.  You'll be hard pressed to find a hard used boat at $250.  In my opinion, whatever gets you out there kayak fishing is the boat to go with.  just mind the limitations of whatever craft you get.

Costco sent me an email yesterday announcing the start of their back to school event. I know, already right?

With the back to school season also comes the time of year when some kayak shops that rent kayaks look to sell off some of their rental/demo inventory.

That's how I picked up my first yak "on the cheap." I bought a Heritage Redfish 14 from Alder Creek for $325.

Narrow your choices, talk to local shops, demo, demo, demo, and keep an eye on CL.

Welcome and good luck finding your first ride.

Welcome to the site. Keeping checking craigslist and look for sales at Dick's sporting goods, West Marine , REI, etc.

Welcome,

I'm new here too. I was a lurker for a while before I actually signed on. There is definately some sage wisdom on this board. Ask questions and chime in now and then. We all bennifit from The exchange of info. Good luck, and tight light lines.

Hank

Welcome Andy!

Keep checking Craiglist and this board. I doubt if a week goes by without somebody posting here about a kayak for sale. Are you set with other gear you need? I think most of us have found that the yak is only the most expensive part, but it is only part of the cost.

I know some people here have used an inflatable to fish from though, so if that is where you need to start from, you won't be the first.

This would be my advice too, I wasted a bit of money on boats that didn't work to well at first, yeah you could make do, but if you can scratch up 4-500 you can get a decent boat with rodholders, that will handle wind and big water, the inflatable will mess you up even in light wind for fishing/crabbing, I have a plastic I'll sell for 125.00, it's about 10yrs old.  A Pelican Viper, not set up for fishing but I caught a lot of fish out of it.  I'm not saying it's what you want but I think it will work better than an inflatable except for very limited storage.

My personal opinion would be to just be patient and keep saving until you can get a decently used hard shell sit on top kayak, not only well it last longer and go more places but it's safer too...I waited several months watching on here and Craig's list until I found a used Malibu x-factor for 540$....best thing I've bought this year !!!!!.....good luck

+1
Save and buy something you wont be tempted to replace for a while.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk