Cheap kayaks

[FishTax]

I'm looking to get a couple of cheap paddle kayaks to keep in the woods near the lake. Basic stuff, low budget, but functional enough and comfortable for up to 2 hours of use. 

Academy has a good sale right now, and I'm always watching FB market also. 

Any recommended brands or models, or anything you'd recommend avoiding from personal use? 

Keep in mind I have an old town 106 and am very experienced kayak fishing, these will just be for friends and kids.

[JayMac89]

I had a lifetime tenton before quickly upgrading to a old town pdl 106 myself.

 

Before getting the old town, I didn't think the lifetime was that bad. After getting the old town, I realize how bad that thing actually was. 

 

Didn't track well, which isn't a big deal if it's meant to keep in the woods for kids. 

 

With a little milk crate in the back it functioned well enough

 

The big thing for me was comfort. It wasn't very comfortable. Didn't feel stable enough to stand. I'm a life long surfer, very good balance. I wouldn't even think of trying to stand in that thing. Although it was a sit on top, it's very didn't from the old town. The seat isn't raised so your basically sitting with your legs straight. Like sitting on the floor. My rear would get sore. Threw a towel under the seat for some cushion. A kneeling pad would work better. 2 hours was no problem however. It was the around the 3-4 hour mark that I would call it quits due to comfort. 

 

Al in all, I think it fits your bill. I had fun in it. 

 

 

[MediumMouthBass]

Lifetime for on a budget, Vibe if you can afford a bit more.

Last year a few big corporate companies were having sales up to 50% off on both brands, not sure if this summer will follow the same pattern tho.

Check website deals for them weekly.

 

The cheaper kayaks are fine and will do good for most, but coming from a premium paddle fishing kayak and going to one of them will be a challenge, although the plus side is you wont feel bad when drilling holes into them and modifying them. Check out anchor/stadium seat upgrades, those 2 alone will make a huge difference.

 

And then decide on sit in vs sit on top, coming from an old town youd probably prefer a sit on top.

 

Check reviews and youtube videos before making any decision, before i got "real" kayaks last year i started off thinking about getting a kayak under $300, checked alot of options from Pelican and Lifetime. The reviews were very hit or miss on certain things/features.

[FishTax]

I was thinking under $500 price point, probably under $400. The seat is probably most important and I think I can get a stadium seat model around $400 on sale new. Maybe less used. Maybe I'll get a 'nice' cheap one for my wife, with good seat and such, and a really cheap one for kids. I'll definitely watch some YouTube videos. Pelican and lifetime are both in the target price point with various models, pelican stands out as better features from a quick glance but I need to research more. 

[Boomstick]

Cheap kayaks can serve their purpose of getting you offshore. Your storage and weight limit might be limited and you might be limited in rods, but a fishing trip on a kayak is still a fun day. You might find you only get out a few times a year and it’s good enough for you. In my case, I outweigh the weight limit on most cheaper kayaks.

 

I would definitely look at a sit on top for fishing. Pelican is probably a good brand in the price range. Lifetime and Sun Dolphin might also be worth considering.

 

Hope that helps.

[Alex from GA]

I just, this evening, bought a pelican trailblazer 100 nxt.  I have a fishing kayak that weighs 55 lbs that I can't handle anymore; a Perception Pescador.  The Trailblazer weighs 36 lbs and is 10' long.  The reviews are good and the price, with $20 off today, was less than $200 including tax and license.

[FishTax]

18 hours ago, Boomstick said:

Cheap kayaks can serve their purpose of getting you offshore. Your storage and weight limit might be limited and you might be limited in rods, but a fishing trip on a kayak is still a fun day. You might find you only get out a few times a year and it’s good enough for you. In my case, I outweigh the weight limit on most cheaper kayaks.

 

I would definitely look at a sit on top for fishing. Pelican is probably a good brand in the price range. Lifetime and Sun Dolphin might also be worth considering.

 

Hope that helps.

This wouldn't necessarily be for fishing. That's what my old town is for. This would be for wife, kids, and friends to go on lake. If fishing, one or 2 rod holders would be nice but there won't need to be tons of storage or anything. They'll be kept in the woods locked to a tree..

[Scott804]

Whatever you do, stay away from the bass pro brand ascend kayaks. 

[CDMTJager]

12 hours ago, Scott804 said:

Whatever you do, stay away from the bass pro brand ascend kayaks. 

You are not the first nor the tenth person I have read or heard say this.

[Bankc]

Lifetime and Pelican are probably your best bets. 

I bought a Lifetime Yukon (also sold at Dick's as the Teton Pro), and I really like it!  I've had that kayak for about five years now and I still haven't found the desire to upgrade yet.  I've made a ton of modifications to mine, but even straight out of the box it isn't too bad.  Stadium seat, stable enough to stand (if you have good balance, anyway), and plenty of room.  It tracks well enough.  But it's slow as a barge.  Well built though.  Probably a bit outside your budget, but if you're willing to push up to it, it's well worth it.  Especially since it's on sale at Dick's for $550 right now. 

 

One thing I would recommend is getting the biggest one you can afford.  Bigger is slower, but bigger is also more stable.  And if we're talking about inexperienced kayakers, stability will probably be the difference between "this is fun" and "this is scary and dangerous". 

[FishTax]

On 6/10/2024 at 5:03 PM, Bankc said:

Lifetime and Pelican are probably your best bets. 

I bought a Lifetime Yukon (also sold at Dick's as the Teton Pro), and I really like it!  I've had that kayak for about five years now and I still haven't found the desire to upgrade yet.  I've made a ton of modifications to mine, but even straight out of the box it isn't too bad.  Stadium seat, stable enough to stand (if you have good balance, anyway), and plenty of room.  It tracks well enough.  But it's slow as a barge.  Well built though.  Probably a bit outside your budget, but if you're willing to push up to it, it's well worth it.  Especially since it's on sale at Dick's for $550 right now. 

 

One thing I would recommend is getting the biggest one you can afford.  Bigger is slower, but bigger is also more stable.  And if we're talking about inexperienced kayakers, stability will probably be the difference between "this is fun" and "this is scary and dangerous". 

Agree on the brands and am leaning in that direction. I doubt the folks going with me will be doing much fishing, so I'm basically looking to be a couple notches above what they rent at the marina which is pure garbage as least as far as the seat goes. I think I'm going to get whichever one has a stadium seat at the lowest price point. I want my wife to be able to paddle around a couple of hours comfortably, and it needs to be light enough to carry down a trail in the woods. Not too worried about stability as she won't be standing except to get into it. 

[kjfishman]

If you want a quality kayak for the price of a cheap big box store kayak look for older Old Town Loon kayaks on Facebook and Craig's List. They are indestructible and often sell for less than $300.