Upgrading to a Pelican Pursuit 100 or Old Town Otter Kayak?

Question

I've been kayaking with a Sevylor Tahiti Classic but finally got sick of having an inflatable and decided to get into hardshell kayaks. I've been looking at the Old Town Otter or the Pelican Pursuit 100 for about a few months now. Since i'm a college student with a small budget is one of these a good kayak to start out with?

They're priced around 240-270 bucks.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET???

Any suggestions or ideas?

Reviews about this kayak?

thanks~!

Answer 1

I would definitely get the Otter over a Pelican boat any day... I've seen too many of the Pelicans with horrible oil-canning in the hulls.  The Old Town plastic boats are much more durable and rigid.  That being said, if you're on calm inland water, you might want to look at a slightly larger recreational boat too.  Otters are fun for poking around in tight places, but being shorter and wider, they don't glide a heck of a lot.  

Depending on where you're at, I'd check Craigslist and Ebay.  You should be able to get a longer boat that's used and still stay within your budget .

Answer 2

well  no matter what which kayak you buy in a year or so you will want to get a differant one so buy the one you can afford right now

Answer 3

I don't really know much about the Pelican, but we own two Otters that we like to use on the lakes around here.  They're both about 5 years old and have held up to three kids (now teenagers) and I'm pretty impressed with them.  Keep in mind...this is for flat water only (VERY little current) and only mildly windy days.  Anything more than that, and the boat doesn't handle well.