Greg Manning
01-28-2009, 10:05 AM
I have a 13 and an 11 year old...looking for opinions on kayaks or a tandem kayak for them. Use will be farm pond and ICW, canals, and creeks. Way too many choices for me when I know nothing about kayaks.
Kayaking, Diving, Skiing, & Surfing Forum. - Help with kayak choice for kids
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View Full Version : Help with kayak choice for kids
Revo_1756
01-30-2009, 02:29 PM
Hi Greg,
Here are a few suggestions but just as buying a kayak for yourself you should find a dealer that will let you water test. Something to think about as far as a tandem .. most are too heavy to comfortably paddle solo so be careful on that selection for kids if they ever want to use it on their own.
Ocean Kayak: Frenzy or the new 2009 Mysto or Malibu Two tandem.
Malibu Kayaks: Mini-X or Pro 2 Tandem
Hobie Kayaks: Sport or Outback or the Outfitter tandem. You can look into the Hobie inflatables as well. They make a single and tandem inflatable. Hobie offers Mirage Drive pedaling and paddling kayaks.
I personally own a Malibu Mini-X and a Hobie Revolution and previously owned an Ocean Kayak Frenzy. Selecting a Kayak really depends on what you want to do with it. Select for your use or otherwise you may buy one you will regret purchasing and find yourself trying to sell it to get another. Will you be primarily Touring, Fishing, paddling for fun or planning excursions and long trips. The shorter kayaks do not have the glide of a longer kayak and thus cannot keep up with the sleek long kayaks without double the effort. You want stability and a wider kayak for fishing but you sacrifice speed.
A tip: in your web browser do a search for choosing a kayak and you will get numerous articles about the subject. Remember this, just because they are kids does not mean they have to or should use a 9' kayak.
If you plan any adventures more than 2 -3 miles you want longer than 9' preferably 12' or longer.
There are so many types and brands to choose from and prices from affordable to only the rich can afford.
You are making the right first move ... ASK! You can go to other kayak forums and ask for suggestions. I have found the forums a great place for answers, tips and suggestions.
I hope this is of some assistance for I can only speak from my own experience.
Revo
Here are a few suggestions but just as buying a kayak for yourself you should find a dealer that will let you water test. Something to think about as far as a tandem .. most are too heavy to comfortably paddle solo so be careful on that selection for kids if they ever want to use it on their own.
Ocean Kayak: Frenzy or the new 2009 Mysto or Malibu Two tandem.
Malibu Kayaks: Mini-X or Pro 2 Tandem
Hobie Kayaks: Sport or Outback or the Outfitter tandem. You can look into the Hobie inflatables as well. They make a single and tandem inflatable. Hobie offers Mirage Drive pedaling and paddling kayaks.
I personally own a Malibu Mini-X and a Hobie Revolution and previously owned an Ocean Kayak Frenzy. Selecting a Kayak really depends on what you want to do with it. Select for your use or otherwise you may buy one you will regret purchasing and find yourself trying to sell it to get another. Will you be primarily Touring, Fishing, paddling for fun or planning excursions and long trips. The shorter kayaks do not have the glide of a longer kayak and thus cannot keep up with the sleek long kayaks without double the effort. You want stability and a wider kayak for fishing but you sacrifice speed.
A tip: in your web browser do a search for choosing a kayak and you will get numerous articles about the subject. Remember this, just because they are kids does not mean they have to or should use a 9' kayak.
If you plan any adventures more than 2 -3 miles you want longer than 9' preferably 12' or longer.
There are so many types and brands to choose from and prices from affordable to only the rich can afford.
You are making the right first move ... ASK! You can go to other kayak forums and ask for suggestions. I have found the forums a great place for answers, tips and suggestions.
I hope this is of some assistance for I can only speak from my own experience.
Revo
Greg Manning
01-30-2009, 05:14 PM
Good info thanks!
barrell
02-01-2009, 08:58 AM
At 11 and 13 the kids are plenty old to paddle their own kayaks. We have found at our kayak shop that at 8 years old kids can paddle better then their parents. There are a lot of small singles on the market for under $300. They will enjoy the tandem but they will have more fun with their own singles and wont hook each other in the face.