The popularity of kayaking as an adventure sport is on the rise. It’s difficult to pass up the prospect of getting outside and enjoying nature while giving your upper body a workout. There are so few recreational sports that give that kind of opportunity, it’s no wonder kayaking is experiencing a growing status.

There are many water sports, but kayaking is a most personal experience. The water and you joining in a symbiotic connection that ranges from spiritual to oppositional in a matter of moments. But either way, kayaking is a growing adventure sport.

If the beauty of kayaking is already in your soul, you might be considering the purchase of a boat. There are some very expensive kayaks on the market. New equipment is the most expensive alternative. Did you know that a good used kayak can be bought at first-rate prices providing you with the quality that meets your needs and style.

First, you must decide what style of kayak you want. There are five classifications of kayak: general recreation, day touring, expedition, whitewater and surf. In each classification you may find rigid models, folding and inflatable versions.

Rigid kayaks are made of several materials. A plastic kayak is the most durable, least expensive and heaviest option. Wood kayaks are often beautiful. Many kayakers build wood kayaks from a kit, but they do need regular maintenance. The fiberglass kayak is the most expensive option and the lightest style. They can be damaged more easily than the other two options but are the easiest to repair.

You must give some thought to your needs to determine which class of kayak you should be looking for. If you hand the boat on your own, you may want to look for the fiberglass versions. If storage and transportation are tight, you could consider the canvas folding style or inflatable model. If your kayak excursions are all day touring affairs, you must consider on board storage capacity to take necessary supplies.

Inspect the potential purchase carefully looking for any damage that would preclude it from consideration. Check for uneven patches and divots in the hull surface. fiberglass repairs can be covered with paint so check for surface paint discrepancies. A patched inflatable kayak should be considered carefully as these repairs can be tricky. Plastic boats while very durable are very hard to fix. You will want to avoid a plastic hull that looks unsound or repaired.

Don’t be afraid to look at the big name high quality used kayaks. You may find a real bargain that is well worth the investment. Unless you are planning to compete, race or learn some tricks, a used kayak can be a better investment than a new one.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 19th, 2008 at 2:19 pm and is filed under Kayaking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.