Attention women with kayaks! I'm looking for a good kayak that is above all lightweight. Any suggestions?

Question

I'll be using it on bays, lakes, large creeks, sort-of-calm rivers, possibly some ocean (if I get brave, but only in order to get to a creek) probably not whitewater. So many of these kayaks now are sold online and although I'd rather see and sit in them, I'm hoping those of you who have seen, sat, and hoisted your own can give me some advice and opinion regarding the ones you have regarding weight, comfort, control, durability. I'm seeing a few of the kayaks made for women - 38 lbs. I've tried lifting a 45 lbs. one and it was doable, but I fear after a hard day kayaking, it might not happen since it needs to be hoisted high enough to reach the top of my van! Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

Do you live near to an REI store or other outdoors shop?

Some have paddle days where they bring a fleet of kayaks and canoes out to a local lake an let you try them out.  

Weight is important but so is the fit to you.

You may want to look at alternate loading methods.  

I am male but have a friend who is a small (5 foot), older (60s) woman.

She bought a cart for moving the kayak to the water, it straps to the end of the kayak so that she only lifts 1/2 the weight and rolls it along.

To get it on top of her suv, she found a rack with rollers on the back.  She can lift the non-roller end onto the back of the vehicle then lift the other end and slide it forward.  

There are also (relatively expensive) racks that do the lifting of the kayak from the side of the vehicle to the roof.

Unfortunately, she is still having reach issues  and is considering looking for a small trailer so that she doesn't have to lift it so high.  She is tired of stretching so hard to get it up there, and then again at night before she can put the SUV in the garage.  If her garage door was tall enough to get it in, then she could install the lift she has for storing it to lift it off the vehicle and store it in position.

Answer 2

Currently whitewater competition kayaks can weigh as little as 9 kilograms or 20 pounds. They may be as short as 3.5 meters or 11 1/2 feet. Some playboats are much shorter but will weigh more. If you plan to travel long distances you may want a sea kayak. Use 'search' to get information and prices for them. Try and find a local canoe and kayak group .

Loading boats atop a car or van is an art! You need a good instructor and a bit of equipment. Install a roller atop your van at the back. Hoist one end of the boat onto it. Push it forward. Always secure the kayak with non-stretch ropes or straps. Check your load after a mile or so.

Answer 3

I'm a whitewater kayaker, but messed around on flatwater before that.  You're soooo right: you need to find a place that sells boats and demo some.  I don't know where you live, but places like EMS, REI, and local places like Great Outdoor Provision Co (NC) have demo days.  I certainly wouldn't buy a boat just by word of mouth and pictures.  You really need to make sure YOU like it, that it fits your size, and it's comfortable...especially since you're going to be sitting in it for a few hours at a time.  Hop online and do a search of kayaks in your area and go into the store and ask them to pull a bunch down for you so that you can sit in them.  Ask the salespeople about the cool hully rollers (Yakima) that help slide your boat onto your roof.  

I know Liquid Logic just came out with an ergonomically designed boat for women: I say "Whatever works!"  You just have to get out there and try some.

Good luck! Have fun!