WWYD? Re: Kayak

[mrs.jacinthe]

So, I'm training for that 8k OWS, right?  I've got a couple of almost-distance swims on the training schedule, so I can figure out nutritional needs and such.  R will be my kayaker for the event, so it stands to reason that he should kayak with me on my training swims.

I have several options.  First is to rent a kayak at the various locations.  My home training lake's ONLY rental facility charges $15/hour, so each training swim (I have 3 total) will probably require a 3 hour rental ... so $45 x 3 = $135, plus the $60 rental at the event.  Pro: I don't have to figure out where to STORE a kayak.  Or how to transport it.  Con: That's almost $200 just in freaking kayak rentals.  

Second option: Buy a cheap kayak from kmart (no, I'm not kidding) for $150.  Pro: Um, saving money!  Con: Have to store and transport the darn thing.  Might still want to rent a kayak in Vegas due to not wanting to haul it around down there.

Third option: Swallow hard and buy an entry-level inflatable kayak from REI for ~$500, plus paddle and life vest = $600+.  Pro: Takes up VERY little storage space.  Con: Would suck if it deflated during the race.  Kinda $$.

WWYD?

[shorewife]

We looked for used kayaks around us (jersey shore) for a while and the only ones we found barely sold for less than we could have bought new, so you might consider the option of buying and re-selling too.

[isabel]

What's your long-term plan? Do you want to do more of these races? Will you have good use of a kayak in the future?

Honestly, I'd be more inclined to rent one for this race. See how you feel about it and how much you want to commit to this. If you love it and really want to keep doing this, I might consider splurging on the inflatable option (assuming it's pretty sturdy and reliable), but that's a lot of money for what I'm assuming is your first race needing a kayak.

[trigal]

I'm with isabel. I would rent for this race. If this is something you want to keep doing, then go buy one.

Can you borrow one from someone?

[Susie]

I would probably rent for this race, unless you can borrow from someone.

My brother and his gf recently bought kayaks, and they spent almost as much on the roof rack for the car as one kayak. Roof racks are no joke! Unless you're down to shell out for that too now - and it doesn't necessarily sound like you are sure enough for that - I would not buy yet. The idea of an expensive inflatable kayak doesn't sound like a winner to me. For all the uses I can think of that I would use a kayak for, inflatable would not be my pick.

[chickadee77]

I'd buy a cheapie. Not inflatable. Hauling isn't a huge deal. You can use fun noodles and straps if you want to carry it rooftop for cheap, or if you have a pickup or SUV, you may even be able to fold your seats down and just let the end hang out the back window. I don't know your storage situation, but my H and I just have them hanging from the roof in the garage. You can always resell it, too, if you want.

[kams]

I'd go inflatable. Our roof rack for our SUPs was nuts $$$.

[mrs.jacinthe]

FTR - unless something goes *horribly* wrong (or I get KU this year), my longer-term plan is actually to attempt a Tahoe width crossing next year (so an 11 mile swim). Obviously we'd need to rent or borrow a regular boat for the attempt (a kayak is a NOT enough protection from the ginormous high-speed boats that some rich people tool around in up there) but I can do other training swims with the kayak.

That said, I just found a fourth option. The kayak place on our home lake offers a "membership" option which is, essentially, unlimited rentals (singles, tandems, and SUPs) for 6 months for $150. I'm thinking that's a better option for right now - then R and I can take a weekend here or there and just tool around that lake in a tandem.

Does that sound like a better idea?

[Susie]

Yup, I'd def go the membership route.