Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Considering buying a SIT-ON Kayak

  • 03-09-2013 9:14am
    #1
    Conology
    Registered Users Posts: 497 ✭✭


    Hi
    I'm considering buying a SIT-ON Kayak.
    I'm looking for advice on
    a) what I should be looking out for in terms of faults /weakness / flaws/
    b) what are the negatives in relation to a SIT-On v a SIT-In
    c) any other advice welcome too

    Thank you


Comments

  • #2
    NathanKingerlee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 304 ✭✭NathanKingerlee


    Sit On Kayaks are good for starting out, simple to use and stable. If you capsise you can simply right it and climb back on. Look for a sit on top kayak with a decent backrest system and a method to brace your feet in order to maintain powerful strokes. As they are just a lump of plastic there isn't much that go wrong with them.

    Their negatives are that you won't push your kayaking career in a sit on top; you are kind of limited to nice days in gentle sea/river/lake conditions. So if you are thinking about really getting stuck into kayaking, or undertaking big trips, this is not the boat for you. During winter, as you are exposed to the elements, you will get colder faster.


    With a sit in kayak (proper kayak) you will improve your skills quickly; with some tuition. Depending what type of proper kayak you get you can push what you do, either in terms of sea kayak trips or river kayaking. You will stay much warmer in winter months, being enclosed.

    One disadvantage is that while you can learn how to rescue yourself and others in the event of a capsise, there is more involved and more learning than simply righting a sit on top and climbing back on.

    With either type of boat though official guidelines say there should be a minimum of three people.

    Hope this helps. Here's a recent'ish blog about getting started with paddling and staying safe: http://tinyurl.com/p5wpfku

    Nathan


  • #3
    Conology
    Registered Users Posts: 497 ✭✭Conology


    NathanKingerlee wrote: »
    Sit On Kayaks are good for starting out, simple to use and stable. If you capsise you can simply right it and climb back on. Look for a sit on top kayak with a decent backrest system and a method to brace your feet in order to maintain powerful strokes. As they are just a lump of plastic there isn't much that go wrong with them.

    Their negatives are that you won't push your kayaking career in a sit on top; you are kind of limited to nice days in gentle sea/river/lake conditions. So if you are thinking about really getting stuck into kayaking, or undertaking big trips, this is not the boat for you. During winter, as you are exposed to the elements, you will get colder faster.


    With a sit in kayak (proper kayak) you will improve your skills quickly; with some tuition. Depending what type of proper kayak you get you can push what you do, either in terms of sea kayak trips or river kayaking. You will stay much warmer in winter months, being enclosed.

    One disadvantage is that while you can learn how to rescue yourself and others in the event of a capsise, there is more involved and more learning than simply righting a sit on top and climbing back on.

    With either type of boat though official guidelines say there should be a minimum of three people.

    Hope this helps. Here's a recent'ish blog about getting started with paddling and staying safe: http://tinyurl.com/p5wpfku

    Nathan

    Hi Nathan - thanks for the info. I'll be doing purely recreational stuff - nothing too serious.
    Any advice on what to look out for when buying second hand in terms of damage, types of structures that are more stable than others, essential bits that might be missing, extras I should get etc
    Thank you


  • #4
    Drop the Ball
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 80 ✭✭Drop the Ball


    I recently bought one of these SOT kayak's, I am a novice and I found them easy to use and good fun.
    http://www.islandersitontops.com/calypso.htm


  • #5
    NathanKingerlee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 304 ✭✭NathanKingerlee


    Hi Conology. Not really anything specific to watch out for. Second hand boat is fine to buy; but would suggest going for new when it comes to your wetsuit/buoyancy aid...

    Maybe avoid a second hand boat that has had any kind of repair job or plastic weld done to it though.


  • #6
    xt40
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 174 ✭✭xt40


    why dont you learn to paddle in a proper comfy boat with a spraydeck first and then see if you still want to buy a sit on top. If you do, the RTM disco looks to be the about the nearest thing to a real kayak. although expensive, It is narrow and has a sea kayak hull which equals good hull speed and the possibility to use a correct stroke technique,however you would still be exposed and get soaked/freeze very quickly.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement