Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: buying a kayak

Posted By: Alex M
Date: Sunday, 31 October 2004, at 3:36 a.m.

In Response To: buying a kayak (brenda)

: Never done it but am looking for a new family time sport.
: We have a flatwater lake nearby that doesn't allow motors.
: What should I buy for a beginner and her family of 4?
: Inflatable ok?
: Brenda

Ifnflatalbes are either for fishing, or for whitewater serious guys, I think. Not much fun paddling them on flatwater. OTH, you defintely need something stabile with little child and without much skills. One option is foldable kayaks like Folbot. They are kayaks, and (I suspect) faster than open-cockpit heavy and short plastic kayaks, but they do have some internal floatation (sponsons inside the hull), and are very stabile. I think, you may use double GII for 3 of you, and single kayak for your teenager. They are convertible - large open cockpit that can be covered with a large spraydeck (I wouldn't call it a sprayskirt). With smaller child I would be 100% positive about GII, but it might accomodate even a 9-yrs old as a third person (but she wouldn't paddle). Assembling takes from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on model, but people normally keep them assembled through all the season, unless live in apartments. I had one a while ago, - this wasn't a boat for me, - too stabile :-). Their website is http://www.folbot.com , with a forum and "Sale" section. Used GII can be bought for 600-800, and sigles - for 500, I think. The older, the cheaper (lifespan of skin is about 15 or 20 years, then it needs to be replaced). Forum is dedicated to this only brand, so don't ask folks there to compare Folbots with hardshells or other brands - use your own judgement and independent sources. No affiliation with Folbot. A word of caution - I've stopped reading the forum, but their newest models Edisto and Cooper have mixed responses. Especially Cooper. Older models (Aleut, Kodiak, Yukon, GII) can be trusted more.

Messages In This Thread

buying a kayak
brenda -- Friday, 29 October 2004, at 6:49 p.m.

Re: buying a kayak
Scott Baxter -- Friday, 29 October 2004, at 9:43 p.m.

Re: buying a kayak
brenda -- Friday, 29 October 2004, at 11:10 p.m.

Re: buying a kayak
Scott Baxter -- Saturday, 30 October 2004, at 12:14 p.m.

Re: buying a kayak
brenda -- Saturday, 30 October 2004, at 3:57 p.m.

Re: buying a kayak
Bill Burton -- Sunday, 31 October 2004, at 12:58 a.m.

Re: buying a kayak
Brad Farr -- Tuesday, 9 November 2004, at 10:14 a.m.

Re: buying a kayak
Alex M -- Sunday, 31 October 2004, at 3:36 a.m.

Re: buying a kayak
brenda -- Sunday, 31 October 2004, at 9:59 a.m.

Re: buying a kayak
Bill Burton -- Tuesday, 2 November 2004, at 1:06 p.m.

Re: buying a kayak
Alex M -- Tuesday, 2 November 2004, at 4:37 p.m.

Re: buying a kayak
Alex M -- Sunday, 31 October 2004, at 3:51 p.m.

folding kayak comparisons *LINK*
Pamela -- Sunday, 31 October 2004, at 10:35 p.m.

Re: folding kayak comparisons
Alex M -- Monday, 1 November 2004, at 1:28 p.m.

Re: folding kayak comparisons
brenda -- Tuesday, 2 November 2004, at 6:41 p.m.

Re: folding kayak comparisons
Ed White -- Friday, 12 November 2004, at 4:06 p.m.

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