howdy!
I am about to move to CT, very close to the long Island sound and would like to start kayaking on the sound and local rivers and ponds. after having done quite a bit of research I have found the Tracer 165. I think its a good kayak judging by reviews, but as I am new to the sport I was wondering what others were thinking. In regards to my built I am 5'11'' 185 pounds and athletic. How often do I want to use it? i was hoping to replace my current morning jogs with a morning canoing cession, as the water is really close by.
Just ahead of time I would like to thank everyone for the help.

I have no idea on that boat but I checked it out on the net and it looks like a typical touring sea kayak. Stable, dependable but not too fast. If you are going to experience heavy winds, and want to paddle anyway, or paddle in the ocean, then get it. If you're mainly in flat water without excessive swell/chop, then I would say try something a little narrower and faster. Nelo make the best boats I think:

www.nelo.eu/

A lot of guys train with these K1's where I paddle. Including this years marathon world champion.. Just try as many as you can and speak to some people who actually own the specific boats you want to paddle. Don't just take my word. Hope this helped. Cheers

If you're a total beginner I would not recommend ICF K1 models to get started. These boats are hard to paddle. Better learn the basics in a less unstable model and then, if you can and want to, switch to an ICF K1 later.

BTW: unless you do not like running any more or have medical reasons or something I would not abandon all of your running sessions. Running is great for heart-lung capacity and endurance training. Alternating the training sessions keeps your exercises varied. Personally I like to do both (running and paddling). Consequently, I am not a top athlete in either but that was never the goal anyway.

To get started in kayaking try a flatwater boat with a rounded hull. These boats have less primary stability but more secondary stability and help you achieve proper flatwater paddling techniques. The square box-shaped touring kayaks (that look similar to sea kayaks) are easy to paddle but if you want to paddle a more sports-oriented style you may look for something like the Nelo Viper or the Moskito.

If you are going to paddle alone I would recommend a boat that you can roll, so a small cockpit is necessary. Especially if you're going to paddle in winter conditions rollin gis essential and could save you from a bad swim.

michielv wrote:

If you're a total beginner I would not recommend ICF K1 models to get started. These boats are hard to paddle. Better learn the basics in a less unstable model and then, if you can and want to, switch to an ICF K1 later.

There are many, many models to choose from. There are beginner models for sure. Just because Nelo make specialist sprint boats doesn't mean they don't also make slower, more stable models for beginners which are simple to paddle.

BTW feef22, these type of boats, the K1's, you cannot roll.

Howdy, thanks for the help thus far. Question in regards to the rolling, while i am very much interested in learning it and would like to buy a kayak capable of doing it, would you happen to know of a few \" beginner\" kayaks that are good for rolling, in the ocean and lakes? as i will have to purchase all the gear kind of simultaneously i was hoping to stay at no more then 1500 for my first kayak; do however not object to used kayaks.

I guess i would also have another question, number one how important is the life jacket (I'm a formal national swimmer and while not the best can certainly stay keep myself afloat) was however unsure if it may be required for rolling or something along the lines. And secondly would type of paddle would be recommended for a beginner, it should be said that while i am new to kayaking i do not believe that i will have problems in regards to shoulder strength or physical strength:roflol: ; thus was hoping to buy a paddle i can use for a long time.

AdrianTregoning wrote:

michielv wrote:

If you're a total beginner I would not recommend ICF K1 models to get started. These boats are hard to paddle. Better learn the basics in a less unstable model and then, if you can and want to, switch to an ICF K1 later.

There are many, many models to choose from. There are beginner models for sure. Just because Nelo make specialist sprint boats doesn't mean they don't also make slower, more stable models for beginners which are simple to paddle.

BTW feef22, these type of boats, the K1's, you cannot roll.

*grin* Yep, I totally agree, that's why I mentioned the Viper and Moskito as examples of Nelo boats that are easier to get started in.

@Feef22: if you're lucky you can find yourself a very decent bargain second hand. I recently bought a composite seakayak (with some small gelcoat dings, but nothing seriously I cannot fix myself) for 100 euro's (about 130 USD) . It even included a decent nylon spraydeck.

Usually it helps to look for a club and see if one of the members has something for sale.

The life jacket is also something that keeps you warm and I would highly recommend it. Even if you're a very good swimmer like you obviously are it is always possible to be swimming in unexpected conditions (cramps in icy cold water etc.). It does not have to be a NASA type thing with loads of pockets and other gear. A simple plain racing PFD should not set you back very much (around 50 USD should be possible, look for the bargain bin ).


As for paddles, that's a different story, more to come later, first I have to do some work here

I have a fair bit of experience sea kayaking but don’t even know where to start because you have a myriad of options and I’m sure you don’t even know exactly what you want at this point.

There are 2 things I want to share with you.

1) Get instruction before you even buy a kayak. If you live on the western part of CT hook up with Atlantic Kayak Tours (or some club with a reputation). Atlantic Kayak is a little north of NYC on the Hudson. They will teach you all the basics and they have a ton of boats to choose from. Once you go out a few times you will have an idea of which boat feels best to “learn in”.

2) The boat you want to learn in is more than likely not the boat you’ll want for the long term. Over the course of your learning curve you will end up trying many boats – from wide/narrow, long/short, rockered/straight, rudder/skeg/neither etc etc. Some boats are better for racing and others play better in the chop and so on…. Time will tell where you want to go with the sport. You also don’t have to spend all your $1500 on a boat at this time. You can buy a used plastic boat for well under that – check out local paddling communities and www.paddling.net for used boats.

Good luck!