Casual Kayak - Best for Beer Drinking

72MachOne99GT

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Wife has decided she’s down to purchase some kayaks for family activities.

I told her you guys were excellent reviewers and suggestion makers.

Basics:

100% lake, river, slow river use
8/5ish/1.5 year old boys.
5’7 wife
6’ me

Probably get a cheap 9’ sit-in kayak for my oldest. He did just fine last weekend when he hopped in a friend’s-kid’s kayak for the first time ever.

After that, with the other two boys being smaller, I think two single-occupant kayaks would work better than a tandem for the wife and I. (10-12’ kayak ought to have room for one kiddo to ride along in each)

After that, I’m looking to you guys.

Wife likely wants a 10’, and I think I’d like 12’ for the space and storage.

We are both very casual. And honestly, I don’t know if either of us have ever used a kayak. (I’m well versed in a 12’ 100# canoe)

Looking for suggestions or recommendations. As the title states, I want something big enough to carry a cooler with a dozen or more beers. I don’t fish and neither does the wife (the boys may later but that’s not important at their size).

I would prefer not to spend 700 each, but realize the jump from 10’ to 12’ is steep.

Hit me.
 

DaleM

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I have this one but my back went south and never got to use it. It is a SwitchBoats wingman. Check out the videos. Can be used separately and takes up to 6 hp motor on the transom.

Wingman - The Ultimate Stable Fishing Catamaran Kayaks from Switch Boats
Wife has decided she’s down to purchase some kayaks for family activities.

I told her you guys were excellent reviewers and suggestion makers.

Basics:

100% lake, river, slow river use
8/5ish/1.5 year old boys.
5’7 wife
6’ me

Probably get a cheap 9’ sit-in kayak for my oldest. He did just fine last weekend when he hopped in a friend’s-kid’s kayak for the first time ever.

After that, with the other two boys being smaller, I think two single-occupant kayaks would work better than a tandem for the wife and I. (10-12’ kayak ought to have room for one kiddo to ride along in each)

After that, I’m looking to you guys.

Wife likely wants a 10’, and I think I’d like 12’ for the space and storage.

We are both very casual. And honestly, I don’t know if either of us have ever used a kayak. (I’m well versed in a 12’ 100# canoe)

Looking for suggestions or recommendations. As the title states, I want something big enough to carry a cooler with a dozen or more beers. I don’t fish and neither does the wife (the boys may later but that’s not important at their size).

I would prefer not to spend 700 each, but realize the jump from 10’ to 12’ is steep.

Hit me.

OK Bozos, stop clowning around.
 

BOOGIE MAN

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Posts and likes are not mine.
 

Jefe

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Been using an inflatable quite a bit and love it. Intex Explorer K2 Kayak. Got it for $39 last year and the price has gone up to $90-250. Just search google for the best price. Comes with collapsible paddles, a foot pump, and carrying case and is easy to store/carry. Takes a few minutes to pump up

JYIUMY5.jpg
 

72MachOne99GT

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Been using an inflatable quite a bit and love it. Intex Explorer K2 Kayak. Got it for $39 last year and the price has gone up to $90-250. Just search google for the best price. Comes with collapsible paddles, a foot pump, and carrying case and is easy to store/carry. Takes a few minutes to pump up

View attachment 1656808

Im not sure I trust an inflated in small rivers. Seems like a log in the water or the wrong rock and you’re SOL.
 

72MachOne99GT

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I bought a used inflatable 12 footer. It's awesome.

Been using an inflatable quite a bit and love it. Intex Explorer K2 Kayak. Got it for $39 last year and the price has gone up to $90-250. Just search google for the best price. Comes with collapsible paddles, a foot pump, and carrying case and is easy to store/carry. Takes a few minutes to pump up

View attachment 1656808


Bump

Are you guys using these in open water, or on streams and small rivers?
 

98 Saleen Cobra

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for the love of god, please make sure you wear a life jacket any time you're on it.. sincerely your friendly USCG search and rescue coordinator lol

just got done pulling a 14yo out of the water who thought it would be smart going out in 8ft seas with a rip current from Hurr. Delta.. No life jacket..
 

Jefe

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Are you guys using these in open water, or on streams and small rivers?
Open water. I wouldn't risk it a river with rocks or branches that could puncture it, unless I knew for sure it was deep enough. It sits about a foot under water with 2 adults in it and the fin sits another 6" lower. Been using mine all over San Diego bay

Always wear my wake vest!
 

SID297

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for the love of god, please make sure you wear a life jacket any time you're on it.. sincerely your friendly USCG search and rescue coordinator lol

just got done pulling a 14yo out of the water who thought it would be smart going out in 8ft seas with a rip current from Hurr. Delta.. No life jacket..

That's the truth, but I'm more concerned about being run over by a weekend boater.
 

Lambeau

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Wife has decided she’s down to purchase some kayaks for family activities.

I told her you guys were excellent reviewers and suggestion makers.

Basics:

100% lake, river, slow river use
8/5ish/1.5 year old boys.
5’7 wife
6’ me

Probably get a cheap 9’ sit-in kayak for my oldest. He did just fine last weekend when he hopped in a friend’s-kid’s kayak for the first time ever.

After that, with the other two boys being smaller, I think two single-occupant kayaks would work better than a tandem for the wife and I. (10-12’ kayak ought to have room for one kiddo to ride along in each)

After that, I’m looking to you guys.

Wife likely wants a 10’, and I think I’d like 12’ for the space and storage.

We are both very casual. And honestly, I don’t know if either of us have ever used a kayak. (I’m well versed in a 12’ 100# canoe)

Looking for suggestions or recommendations. As the title states, I want something big enough to carry a cooler with a dozen or more beers. I don’t fish and neither does the wife (the boys may later but that’s not important at their size).

I would prefer not to spend 700 each, but realize the jump from 10’ to 12’ is steep.

Hit me.

Sent you a pm.
 

Jefe

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My buddy was just telling me that he paddle boarded his inflatable up the Colorado River towards the Hoover Dam last week. In the morning there is hardly a current and the water is glassy. They went up to some hot springs just below Hoover Dam and camped overnight. Every afternoon the Hoover Dam does a water release and they let that carry them back down to their car. He did say the water comes from the bottom of Mead which is around 50°. Can't wait to do this trip
 

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