Buying a kayak or a canoe

Tigerandahalf

I am thinking about buying. At the moment I am leaning towards a sit on top as it would be smaller, lighter and easier to transport. Plus it would be cheaper in case I don't use it too much. It would also be safer to get out of if anything happened compared to a sea kayak.

I have a few questions.
Will water get into the kayak and how do you deal with this - a spray deck?
I have a tri wetsuit. Would this be useful in the kayak. I guess I would need to get some type of shoe.
I see myself using it for a paddle on lakes and on the shore plus perhaps a bit of fishing.

The canoe would be handy so I could take other people and kids and would probably be drier. But the expense starting off would be too much.

What would I have to pay? I see stuff on donedeal between 350 and 500 eur.

Thanks

pullandbang

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I have a few questions.
Will water get into the kayak and how do you deal with this - a spray deck?

You don't deal with it, it just gets in - in buckets. The scupper holes will allow it to drain away.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I have a tri wetsuit. Would this be useful in the kayak. I guess I would need to get some type of shoe.

Get a dry suit. The wet suit will sweat you like the proverbial pig and chaff your skin from the constant paddling. Divers boots are very handy but old runners will suffice. A dry suit allows you to layer up or layer down underneath, depending on the weather.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

What would I have to pay? I see stuff on donedeal between 350 and 500 eur.

Thanks

€500 should get you a half decent second hand one.

Tigerandahalf

I see there is also canoe type kayaks. These seem to be shorter than the sea kayaks. However for safety reasons I would still prefer sit on top. Myself and my wife tried out the sea kayaks last summer. We were on the water for about 2 hours and it was enjoyable but a bit tough on the back.
If I can find a 4 - 6 week course over the summer close enough it might help me to decide.