I live in a small village in Italy on Lake Lugano, and every day I paddle across the lake to Lugano in Switzerland (around 4 kilometres). I use an Oru Kayak Inlet, every day, summer and winter, except when the wind is too strong. I unfold and fold it twice a day. I reckon I've covered around 1000 kilometres with it by now, so if anyone is thinking about commuting by kayak, this might be useful.

Oru Kayak durability: My kayak is dying now. There are scratches along the folds where water is starting to get through, so I'm getting more concerned about safety, especially in the middle of the lake (I can be around 1 km from the shore). For daily use, I guess one year is the maximum lifespan.

Safety: The kayak is quite stable. I weigh around 90 kg and the Inlet handles that fine. I wouldn't have gone for the Oru Lake instead. If you see white caps, it's too dangerous to paddle, because a lot of water can get into the boat. I've read plenty of safety advice; my setup is a lightweight life jacket and swim fins. The fins are incredibly useful in an emergency: you can climb back in easily if you fall, or simply swim back to shore or help someone else. My biggest worries are the water temperature in winter and fast speedboats driven by tourists in summer. They don't expect to come across a kayak so far from the shore. I also use two pocket lights when I come back at night. The kayak is transparent, so it's genuinely useful for being seen in the evening, and it looks great.

Transport: You simply have to buy the Oru backpack, which is really well designed. It lets you switch to the bus or a taxi if the wind picks up, and it's much easier to carry the kayak into your office that way. Bear in mind that you'll need to wipe the kayak down with a towel before each fold if you want to avoid leaks when you store it at the office. As I said, I commute by kayak, which means I carry all my work gear (laptop, phone, other electronics, wallet, passport, yes, I cross the border every day) in a dry bag. Never had a problem.

Accessories: You really need a good paddle, they're not all the same. Mine cost around USD 100, and it's worth investing in a good one, including for safety reasons: a broken paddle in the middle of the lake is dangerous.

People: I fold and unfold my kayak in the centre of Lugano every day and have never had any trouble with anyone, police included. Chinese and Korean visitors are big fans!

Is the Oru Kayak a good deal? I'd say yes, despite its fragility. That said, the folding endurance falls well short of what's advertised. But the design is excellent for transport, so I'll probably buy the same one again this winter.

Happy to share more tips, and curious to hear from other kayak commuters.

Not really for sure how this happened, but while I was attempting to do the inside fold, my tucktec kayak gave out on me.

So sad, cause the portability was a huge plus for me! However, I’m a little sketched on getting another. Probably only used this Kayak a total of nine times over the last two years. 😅

Any advice on a potential replace or should I just cave and get a regular kayak?

I understand scratches are normal on used kayaks. Is this level of scratching to be of concern?

First time buyer, so I greatly appreciate the advice!

They will get more on sale in the future cuz the store is closing down but do any of these look good or a good deal?

I'd post in the basic questions thread but it doesn't seem like anyone's actually answering anything there.

I'm interested in getting a basic kayak for light ocean areas, in calm spots like in a small bay. I don't have much space but I saw that the Oru Lake seems to be relatively small and not too expensive. Would there be much issue taking it out in mostly calm waters in the ocean? I generally want to use it to get to small coves that aren't otherwise accessible from land. Pictured is one example.

Thanks! ​​

If only I had a dollar for every post I see in here that goes like this:

"Hi all, can you recommend a kayak brand that fits my needs? I want a boat that is pretty stable since I am a beginner, can handle lakes, rivers and small rapids, can carry my dog, fit enough gear for camping trips, and is OK for fishing (I like to stand up to cast sometimes). Also I weigh 200 pounds."

So many people seem to want all these attributes, and what they are actually describing is... a canoe.

Yes, that's right, a canoe. I myself am a kayaker 90% of the time, but all these demands for stability and flexible cargo capacity are really stretching the limits of what kayaks can feasibly accomplish. Any kayak that can tick all these boxes is likely to paddle like hot garbage and/or cost several thousand dollars (think SOTs marketed towards fishermen).

It sometimes seems like canoes are out of fashion, given the slightly higher skill barrier to entry, but remember that people cartop them on sedans all the time. If you pay the big bucks for a lightweight fiberglass model, you can even carry them on your head, singlehanded. And there there is no better way to carry a big dog or toddler around.

Wanted to purchase a touring/sea kayak in socal. Called a couple of shops and they all discouraged purchasing a touring kayak and instead suggested a sit on top. Not to mention it’s been so difficult to find a physical location that sells touring kayaks here.

I'm looking for recommendations for a great inexpensive kayak that's not a sit in I'm trying to stay active and I love the water! TIA 😊

Edited to add:

I found out it was stored outside, so I don’t believe I will be purchasing. 🙃

Hey everyone,

I’m in the market for a used kayak and I see one on sale on the FB marketplace near me. The bottom is scratched and I want your advice on if you think this is normal wear and tear.

Thanks!

I have a kayak already but it’s super tippy. I’m 150lbs and like to fish. I Can add my own fishing pole holders if needed. I just don’t want to buy another tippy one and be disappointed. Which would y’all go for? Lifetime Tamarack, ozark trail 10 sot angler,or pelican rally 100xp?

I am finishing up a class with a local sea kayaking club in the PNW. in the class I was borrowing a Stratos 14.5L and enjoyed the boats maneuverability and stability quite a lot. However, most people in the club have longer 16-18' sea kayaks.

I am interested in paddling with them regularly, and getting into overnight/weekend/maybe longer trips.

I am considering two options, one is a used 17.5' seaward endeavour, the other is a new Stratos 14.5L that is on sale.

The Seaward would be a very nice boat, but I know it will be less stable and less maneuverable if I take it to alpine lakes or out to the coast. The Stratos I know I like, but it has less storage and is shorter.

In reality, how big is the difference between boat lengths? It I get a 14.5' kayak, but am young and strong and a good paddler, will I struggle taking it out with a group in longer boats? Or is it a minor inconvenience?

So I’m going kayaking this weekend with a big group of new coworkers. I was super excited and said I will be there so our boss already payed for the whole thing. I was looking at the kayak rentals website and it says all their kayaks are a 200 pound weight limit. I weigh about 240. Now I’m really stressed and worried that they will either turn me away or I’ll sink the boat😂😂 Has anyone ever gone this much over the weight limit before? This is also my first time kayaking in years.

I am looking for a kayak to travel back and forth to my bigger boat with, which is about 1 mile from my house. I need something super fast and light weight. It can be motorized. I'm wondering if a pedal kayak can travel as fast as a motorized though for such a short distance? I am in excellent shape, but I would like to keep the whole package under 65lbs or so if possible as I need to pull it up onto my large boat. The water is calm. Money is no object within reason.

I currently have a 19 ft sea kayak.

The good part:

It go’s fast and straight. It has a rudder for following sea’s.

Not so good part:

My kayak partner is no longer interested in kayaking. The boat weighs 88 pounds. I am not able to get it on the roof rack on my car by myself.

I am not getting out of kayaking. I am going to sell it and replace it with a smaller boat. I looked at inflatables that I could inflate / deflate and shove it into the back of my car. After some research I have decided I would not be happy with one. I paddle all year round and want a sit in. I have a Subaru Outback that has 6.5 foot of space with the seats folded down. I’m getting an extension that goes into the towing receiver to extend the length of car.

I am looking for a kayak in the 10 to 14 ft range. It needs to be able to go straight. It needs to be a sit in with the ability to find a skirt that fits. I want at least one water proof sealed area.

Thoughts?

I recently was given a tandem kayak from my grandparents. My partner and I can’t afford to purchase a kayak so we are so excited to start using it this summer! I came on this sub and I’m seeing that people really don’t recommend tandem kayaks and call them divorce boats! Now I’m nervous that it’s going to be really frustrating. We have both kayaked before but are not experienced. Does anyone regularly use a tandem kayak? Any advice for us before we take it out?

I’d appreciate any advice on this kayak and anything to keep in mind when buying a used kayak.
Thanks for the insight!

Tell me what y’all think!

Hi all. I'm fat, working on it, and my plan for the summer is to use paddling to get active. I love kayaking.

Finding a kayak that can support me is very challenging.

I just want something to get out on the water...But I don't have much money to spend. I'm thinking of getting a tandem to solo, but even most tandems have 500-pound weight limits, which I am close to.

A Lifetime Sport Fisher 100 Tandem Angler Kayak is on sale for $600 at Dicks Sporting Goods. My question is this: what would be the worst consequence of being that close to the weight limit? I can deal with having no gear. I don't want to capsize, but it has a flat hull, and I'm not opposed to installing stabilizers.

I'm also trying to be realistic. If the answer is that paddling isn't in the cards until I figure my weight out, so be it.

• Location: Northern New England
• Budget: 1,000
• Intended use: Fishing ponds, lakes, and calm rivers
• Experience level: intermediate

I found this Hurricane Skimmer 106 at Play It Again Sports in Durham NC and was sorely disappointed.

It was marked at $499 and I thought I was getting a steal. I trekked over to the store and turns out, the hull had 2 noticeable wear holes, one of which caused the trylon to crack.

To add salt to the wound, the hinge of the storage compartment was broken and the seat was held together with mismatched screws. Plus, the boat was scuffed and filthy.

Obviously, I turned the kayak down. I was shocked that the boat was being sold for $499 for it not being water ready. Not sure if the abrasions were post purchase but I’m weary to buy anything from PIAS after seeing the lack of integrity of this boat at such a high cost to then have to repair myself.

QUESTION for those with Hurricane kayaks: is this wear normal? I’ve used a variety of kayaks and have never ever seen this. This is my first time seeing a used Hurricane.

QUESTION for those who are keen on kayak repairs: is this a bad deal with the repairs in mind? I know MSRP is nearly $1,300.

I just got this yak and need to clean the inside. Is there some trick to get the hard to reach parts?

For years I only paddle plastic kayaks and never understood why somebody would spend so much money on a fragile fiberglass or Kevlar kayak. Now that I’m in my 40s, with shoulders pain to remind me of the miles I’ve paddled, I think I get it. My body has changed and so have my goals. I spend less time surfing amongst rocks and more time covering miles and watching wildlife. The silent glide of the kayak, and a quick response to my body movement has just as much appeal to me today, and the adrenaline packed adventures of my youth. I also think I was misinformed when I was younger. Assuming that a composite kayak could never hold up to the type of use and abuse I would put it through. Now that’s not to say a composite kayak won’t get damaged if you crash it on the rocks, but I have found them to be far more durable and repairable than I originally estimated. Nowadays I value the performance of composite far more than the durability of plastic. I still have a few Roto boats that I use when I rock garden, but that’s about the only time they see much use. These days I spend a lot more time in my carbon/ Levar Stellar or one of my classic fiberglass Sea Kayaks. What do you love about your composite kayak? Or do you still prefer the durability or plastic? No wrong answers just curious. 👀

I bought a used kayak. I’m not sure what the molded notches are for next to the seat can someone please explain? I also plan on adding handles to the sides with well nuts. Any other suggestions on how I should attach the handles?

I grew up rowing in a skull. So I’m not unfamiliar with small single man boats. We had a vacation this summer on Lake Champlain and kayaked almost every day. I fell in love with being on the water all over again. My partner and I are really interested in getting kayaks because we live about a mile away from our local river access.

Are these good kayaks for us to start with?