First Time Getting A Kayak

[swagkid300]

hey i wanna get a kayak, but im wondering do i need a license or anything? can i just buy the kayak and go to any lake and use it?

 i have never been on a kayak before, how can i practise? and can anyone reccommend me a cheap kayak?

[Team_Dougherty]

In some states, PA is one, you will need a non powered boat permit to use it at any state parks or state owned ramp. If you launch from anywhere else no permit needed. Check with your local boat police website.

[buzzed bait]

If you are in Canada, it may be different....  In the Southeast, there is no permit required.  I would suggest trying a few kayaks if you can to determine what size, style, etc. you like.  Craigslist can be a great place to buy a used kayak

[Darren.]

hey i wanna get a kayak, but im wondering do i need a license or anything? can i just buy the kayak and go to any lake and use it?

 i have never been on a kayak before, how can i practise? and can anyone reccommend me a cheap kayak?

 

First, as Paul said, check with your local authorities in your neck of Canada.

 

In Virginia, you can pretty much go anywhere w/a kayak w/o needing a permit (other than fishing permit) unless specified by the "owner" of the body of water. I.e., local reservoirs here require you get either a yearly or per day permit to kayak (and/or fish) on them. So you'd need a fishing license, then a separate permit for kayaking.

 

Before I recommend even buying a "cheap" kayak, I recommend finding a local kayak shop where you can go in, ask questions of the staff, sit in various models, and perhaps even demo some on the water.

 

That's truly the best way to get your feet wet in kayaking. And cheap is relative, so you'd need to specify what kind of money you're thinking here.

[swagkid300]

In some states, PA is one, you will need a non powered boat permit to use it at any state parks or state owned ramp. If you launch from anywhere else no permit needed. Check with your local boat police website.

 

 

If you are in Canada, it may be different....  In the Southeast, there is no permit required.  I would suggest trying a few kayaks if you can to determine what size, style, etc. you like.  Craigslist can be a great place to buy a used kayak

 

 

First, as Paul said, check with your local authorities in your neck of Canada.

 

In Virginia, you can pretty much go anywhere w/a kayak w/o needing a permit (other than fishing permit) unless specified by the "owner" of the body of water. I.e., local reservoirs here require you get either a yearly or per day permit to kayak (and/or fish) on them. So you'd need a fishing license, then a separate permit for kayaking.

 

Before I recommend even buying a "cheap" kayak, I recommend finding a local kayak shop where you can go in, ask questions of the staff, sit in various models, and perhaps even demo some on the water.

 

That's truly the best way to get your feet wet in kayaking. And cheap is relative, so you'd need to specify what kind of money you're thinking here.

 thanks guys i love you all

[Marty]

Check your laws. Here in New York boats that are manually powered, i.e., non-mechanical, do not have to be registered.

[cmaher]

As suggested by other go to a kayak shop that offers demos and go test them out to see what you like. Some real nice fishing yaks are the Wilderness ride 115 and 135, Native Slayer 12 or 14, Jackson Cuda//coosa and the one I got is the Hobie Outback. The hobie is great to fish from not having to use the paddle for hands free fishing. I went to demo the Wilderness 115& 135 and loved those Yaks but as soon as I got in the hobie and was pedaling vs paddling I was hooked. I was shocked at the cost of the Hobie but it's worth every penny. One suggestion I have is whatever yak you buy put a rudder on it. A rudder will stop you from spinning around and keep you on track on windy days. On my hobie it comes standard with the rudder and I can control a drift along the entire bank of my lake on breezy days so I never have to paddle or pedal my yak. Rudder I feel is a must have. Hope this helps you out, do your homework before you buy.

[Tyler j]

May not be bad to take a boater ed course to know what to do in an emergency and such.