I am going to buy a kayak for casual day outings on a lake.  I know nothing about what I should look for in a kayak, other than the obvious: cost.  I certainly do not want to pay for features not really needed for such casual use.  I am 6'3" and 250 lbs, so it has to be able to handle someone that size.

As a follow-up, there is a used version of this for sale on craigslist near me.  Is this a reasonable choice for all around use.  Or if it is being used mostly to paddle, might it be a "barge"?

  (You need to Login or Register

Just like a canoe, the longer the faster. I would say 12' isn't bad but man that thing is heavy. I have a 13.5' and a 14.5' which seems to be fine for all the paddling we do, lake, river, stream and ocean. They are rotomold plastic I believe and weigh just over 40# each. It doesn't appear to be a barge and the retail price isn't too bad so, for the right price. I would generally not recommend anything from Dicks! 

don't know much about kayaks - we do an annual multi-clubs trip every March that includes all kinds of boats - short kayaks are always slow (some are really short ww boats, others rec boats).  most everybody with a kayak has some sort of touring kayak/sea kayak in the 14' range - they all do well enough.  Most are plastic and they are quite heavy (we do a bucket brigade "portage" over a couple of dams - they get really heavy towards the end of that.

You might want to look at Paddling.net reviews to get some ideas;  likely, you are better off buying a composite boat used than buying a really heavy roto-molded one.  You can search the classified on P-net while you'r there.

In general, not about the boat you linked from Dick's. That seems to have a huge cockpit.

More to kayak fit than just it's length and hull. It's more like buying shoes, since your legs have to fit under the deck and stay there. Nice if you can slide your legs in without having to sit on the back deck, kind of tippy like that. So test and see how long the opening needs to be. You can tell pretty quickly if it fits OK without getting it out on water. You'll probably still feel cramped up and need to get out every hour and walk around, but it gets better. Not like a canoe where you can move your legs around as you go. A higher deck in front will give you more room, but a less connected fit. Try used first, craigslist maybe. You'll probably be looking for something different after 1-2 years. Kayakers seem to change boats a lot. Course if you get a really cheap price you can always keep it for guests to use.

I think you would want at least a 14 foot model, you will find 12 is too small for your body size.  My brother has an Old Town Otter (now renamed to something else, by the Company) and he is about your size.  It has a semi-open cockpit which is nice for getting in/out and being able to move around a bit and for ventilation.  The tight cockpits can be quite warm under the deck on hot sunny days.  Pay attention to the shape and "lines" of a used or displayed plastic boat...if they are stored crookedly and/or in the hot sun they can deform somewhat.  Even a little bit off of perfect shape can be a constant paddling nuisance...you may have to adjust your steering course more often and crooked kayaks do not track perfectly straight and may be constantly veering off course when you "coast".

Correction:  My brother has an Old Town LOON.  The Otter is the smaller model. 

Speed is a length & width ratio.  A longer & fatter boat could be as fast as a shorter thinner boat.  There are some details over at   (You need to Login or Register in some threads if you're a performance nut.

Depending on your expected use you may want to look into sit-on-tops.  There are some that are quite nice and optimised for piddling about & fishing (if you fish).  The bonus is that you're not stuck in a cockpit & can dangle your feet as polyhumper bait while you enjoy a cool refreshing beverage.  Easier to get in/out too!
  (You need to Login or Register

Alternately, if you want to get into whitewater funtime there are a ton of options from playboats to expedition.

Or if you're interested in learning the 17 different kayak rolls there are ones good for that too.

Rent Rent Rent!  Rent as many different options you can find.  Nothing compares to personal experience when buying a boat to fit your personal preferences.

Cruise the garage sales?  You could win big.

If you are only using the kayak on a lake you may want to get one with a skeg (foot controlled rudder). This allows you to use a canoe paddle and break up the endless monotony of a 2 bladed kayak paddle. I have been trying to figure out the right kayak for myself for a while. I bought a 9' dagger kayak (similar to an Old Town Otter) and it is great in the whitewater but to go straight in flat water is challenging. I want to be able to cruise through whitewater and fish in the flat and get into inaccessible spots. Still haven't found the perfect combo and it may be a royalex solo canoe with a couple flotation dealies. The more research I do the more difficult it becomes to make a decision.
Jon

I am currently considering 3 options.

1. The field and stream: 12'x30", 60lbs, used asking $450
2. Elie Sound 120 XE: 12'x28", 50lbs, new $520 (20% off at rei)
3. Wilderness Pungo 140: 14'x28", 58lbs, used asking 600

FWIW my son sells kayaks for Spring Creek and his chosen favorite is a Wilderness Pungo.  He has also taken one on some of our week long camping/paddling trips which included some portaging.

Quote:

I think you would want at least a 14 foot model, you will find 12 is too small for your body size.

Thanks for all the replies, it helped. I followed the above advice and got the wilderness pungo 140 (used for $550).

---

Nice boat Azalea!  Did it come with the depth finder and rods too?  Great buy  ;)

No, but it did come with the rod holders.