Kayaks and folding kayaks: how to choose and buy at a good price
Choose a kayak for the water, not the colour
A lake and a fast river need different kayaks. An inflatable kayak is light, fits in a car boot and does not mind rocks, but it goes worse against the wind. A folding kayak with a frame is faster and good for multi-day trips. A rigid plastic sit-on-top is handy for fishing and beaches: it is easy to climb back on from the water. So first answer the question “where and how will I paddle”.
How it works through BlaBlaPrice
You create a request and describe the kayak you need, and outdoor equipment shops and private owners reply with price, kit, photos and delivery terms. The request is checked first, and you are told what is missing. Sellers see where their offer ranks, so they compete. Your phone number is hidden. Details are on the “How it works” page.
What to put in your request
- Type of kayak — inflatable, sit-on-top, folding, touring, fishing.
- Number of seats — single, double or triple.
- Material — rigid plastic, PVC or fabric.
- Purpose — fishing, trips, river rafting.
- Condition — new or used.
- Model, if you have already chosen.
- Kit — paddles, seat, rod holders, pump.
- City, delivery and a budget, if you want to state it.
Example: “I need a two-seat inflatable kayak for trips on lakes and rivers, PVC, with paddles, pump and seats, no patches on the chambers. Used, up to two seasons old. Perth, courier delivery. Budget up to $310.”
What to look at when choosing
Length and width decide speed and stability: a long narrow kayak is faster, a wide one is more stable. For fishing choose a stable, slightly wider one. Look at the load capacity: it must cover the weight of the people and gear with a margin. For inflatable models the layers of material, the density of the PVC, the quality of the seams and the valves matter. For plastic ones, the wall thickness and the stiffening ribs.
When you compare offers, check the kit. A kayak without paddles, seats and a pump may look like a bargain, but then you buy everything separately. For a used one, ask about its age, the seasons used, how it was stored and whether it was repaired. Check an inflatable kayak by inflating it, and a rigid one for deep scratches and cracks.
What the price depends on
The price depends on the material and thickness, the number of seats, the brand, the kit and the condition. Kayaks with a reinforced floor and extra chambers cost more, but last longer in hard conditions. For a first kayak a simple model is often enough, and you can add to the kit later.
Common mistakes
Buying without working out how you will carry it: a roof rack and straps cost extra. Taking a kayak too small for two people with gear. Not testing the pump. Buying the cheapest PVC without judging the thickness of the material. For calm water also look at rowing boats and inflatable PVC boats. For the water in general, see the “Boats and watercraft” section.
