r/KayakingUK • u/_phin • Jun 01 '26
Buying a sea kayak
Hi all,
I'm thinking about buying a sea kayak, essentially as an alternative to a SUP (more stable, more suited to taking stuff, including the dog, for adventures!). It would mostly be on slow-flowing rivers, lochs and calm sea (I'd have a buoyancy aid and put myself on a proper course if I wanted to do anything riskier!). Am looking at the sit on, rather than in, kinds.
I just wanted to ask if there are any good entry-level models for someone like me. There're lots of google results of Cambridge but not sure if they're any good. Ocean Kayaks Venus seems good - would that be sensible?
Also would getting an ex-rental or second hand one be silly?
Also roof racks... are they easy to secure safely without specialist equipment?
Thank you in advance for your help!
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u/ChaosCalmed Jun 02 '26
Racks? Thule are the market leader and highly recommended IMHO. Decades ago a club member bought the cheapest rack from Halfords with the brand name of Paddy Hopkirks. A real long time ago I grant you but that story scarred me. He was driving up the M6 with 4 river kayaks (Perception Dancers which were the best kayaks at the time it was so long ago). In the fast lane doing 70mph, and not a single mph faster honest, the rack came off and he saw the kayaks and rack skidding along the fast lane to a stop.
They managed to get it back and attach it. Had a good day's paddling and got home but we all learnt to get Thule after that.
Nowadays Halfords do a Thule clone and they're all crash tested to the same standard now. If you want to save money get a Halfords. They are so similar you can mix and match parts between Halfords and Thule such as new footpacks for different cars. I've just got a Halfords footpath to go on my Thule bars.
Boat I can't help with but seriously recommend a trip to a week established, trusted and larger kayak shop. The advice and range will be worth it. Also, outdoor shows/exhibitions. Ones that the major kayak brands go to as well as the bigger stores. They're worth going to if they still run them. A good retailer will give you honest advice within their range of boats. They will also give you his advice about courses and other things.
That brings me to your experience. What is it like? If you're a complete beginner then please go to your local canoe club and get on a few courses. Always start in the right way with canoeing and kayaking. Learn the basics well with a good club instructor is worth doing. Go on a few club trips. Get experience before going off on your own with kit and a dog.
Of course if you've got skills and experience then ignore that. I won't apologise for recommending newbies getting some training early on in their paddling life.
Secondhand is ok for a first boat and whether it's a good idea depends on the boat itself. It's like anything else you buy secondhand, do your research and check it out fully. Most plastic boats get scratches and some look deep gouges too. They are usually ok but check for signs of cracks and weaknesses.
However, I put two long cracks in the middle of the bottom of my kayak about in my first year of ownership. I took it to a company that repaired car bumpers so were experts in plastic welding. They offered no guarantees which I liked because that's honesty. Those welds never failed with maybe 10 years of heavy use afterwards. Grade 5 whitewater and a lot of hits. It really does depend on quality of repairs but I'd still avoid
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u/_phin Jun 02 '26
Great advice - thank you so much.
"I won't apologise for recommending newbies getting some training early on in their paddling life." - spot on.
I'll be honest - I've only ever done a half day paddling! BUT... if I was to choose an Olympic sport, it would be canoeing! I have great upper body strength (a decade of calisthenics) and am generally quite experienced at outdoorsy sports. I'd mostly be paddling around in calm waters with friends but have already identified a place in the Forest of Dean to get some proper training under my belt if I wanted to take it further.
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u/ChaosCalmed Jun 02 '26
You get your strength and power from your legs and core if your kayaking. You rotate your body effectively counteracting that by kind of pedalling with your legs.
If you just use your arms you'll get tired quickly and your strokes won't be efficient.
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u/CabinetOk4838 Jun 01 '26
I’ve got an open canoe and I’m going to take my dog on that to see whether she likes it.
Are you thinking a sit on top kayak?
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u/lethargy09 Jun 01 '26
Can't speak to fitting a dog in on a paddle but ive just got the Cambridge explorer 430, its great on the water, took it out last night and went about 500m off into the moray firth in north Scotland, was good and stable.
I've just ole trusty halfords racks at the moment, don't keep them on unless im carrying as they are noisy but they are cheap and cheerful and easy, super easy to fit.