Ocean Kayakin

[Boyiee]

Nice, I pulled a Sarah Palin and forgot the g in my thread title...

This is something I've been interested in for years, but never really went after. I remember as a kid seeing a guy effortlessly skim by just off the coast on a foggy day and ever since I've wanted to do the same.

Problem is, I have no idea where to start. I've done small row/fishing boats in lakes before, I've done speedboats and large fishing boats in the Ocean, and I know a lot about safety and rules on the water. I want to get a kayak and go out on the ocean, but no Idea where to go about it. I've looked up a lot of kayaks, learned about width/length/narrowness etc, but haven't really narrowed it down to what to get.

Do I need a class or some type of lessons? I was planning to go rent a tandem kayak (probably with sister) this week or next and do a 12mile trip down a river, to make sure I want to spend the money.

Any advice on where to start and all would be fantastic.

edit: I haven't fished in years, I noticed a lot of models have options for fishing like pole slots, this is something I may do at some point on a lake or river, but not hugely likely. It's not a must to be able to fish off of it.

[Cooleko]

You need a method of dropping the kayak off at your starting location.
You need a method of picking up the kayak at your finishing location.
Most people have someone drop them off and pick them up at a set time.
If it is your first time you need a life preserver.
If you desire to fish you need to get a pole, some bait, and a license.
Don't forget a small thermos and some snacks that will be waterproof and fit comfortably in the kayak.
Have fun!

[Takedown3]

i really want to get some kayaking in as well, i did it once with a bunch of buddies and it was a blast. it's a big investment to start so i'm hesitant about wasting money on something i might drop after 3 or 4 tries.

and i would only be doing fresh water, as i'm landlocked up here in ontario.

[Boyiee]

You need a method of dropping the kayak off at your starting location.

What kind of method would I need? I can transport it easy on the roof of my truck, but getting it into and out of the water I assumed was just by carrying it.

You need a method of picking up the kayak at your finishing location.
Most people have someone drop them off and pick them up at a set time.

I plan to do this alone so no dropping off and picking me up. Since I'd be on open water I figured I'd just have to carry it to the water, go out, and come back to the same location (whether thats by gps or whatever).

[Cooleko]

I was planning to go rent a tandem kayak (probably with sister) this week or next and do a 12mile trip down a river, to make sure I want to spend the money.

I had assumed you would be going 12 miles downstream a river. Which means you would either be doing 12 miles back upstream or changing back midway. Either way, good luck

[Boyiee]

Ah, yeah for the rental they bring it and you upstream and you make your way back.

I was referring to if I had bought a kayak for myself, I don't know much about where to launch etc.

[Elesirdur]

Well if you're going ocean kayaking, not river kayaking, you just strap your kayak to your roof, drive to some shore, launch, go kayaking, and come back to where your truck is. Transportation wise, ocean kayaking is more convenient than river kayaking. I can't imagine anyone dropping the kind of money required to buy a kayak without taking lessons first. If you're near the ocean, there will be places you can take lessons and rent from. Renting is pretty cheap (at least where I live, kind of kayak central, as is much of the Pacific Northwest) so unless you REALLY want to go kayaking all the time, it's probably cheaper to rent than buy.

Lessons are important for safety reasons. Managing tides and currents, knowing how to react when paddling in busy waterways with other vessels, being able to do a proper "Eskimo roll" with the skirt on (so you don't drown). You get all that kind of really valuable instruction that's for your safety, and will allow you to enjoy your paddling more in the future knowing that you're safer with knowledge.

[Boyiee]

I was hoping that launching and all for the ocean was simple... I knew you could launch from the beach, just hard to find forgiving surf I guess. There aren't tons of kayak places around here. None on the ocean that I can think of, and only a couple on rivers. The one place that I know of that offers lessons is a ripoff... Instead of making a course, they make several short classes that are all about 100$ per class, with, or without your own gear. I've been trying to find people to go out with, but I haven't been lucky, so I'll probably cough up the money for the safety and eskimo class and avoid the nonsense ones.

[oldoldman]

Kayaking in a Sit on Top doesn't require any lessons, just buy one and some pads to put it on top of you car, throw it in the water, go have fun and come back when you're done. There's really nothing to it.

Launch in a bay or inlet if you're worried about it.

[byebyeffxi]

I ocean kayak a ton. We general just take the yak to the beach, drag it across the public access and go at it. We normally use it to drop shark bait for big setups we have back on the beach. Getting use to rough seas and going through breaking waves can take some time, I highly recommend wearing a life jacket if you kayak from the beach if you aren't a strong swimmer. There has been numerous times a monster wave has wiped me out on the way in and you generally roll and fallout in front of the kayak and then it fills with water and comes at you sideways...aka a 300-400 lb equivalent of a log barreling at your face. This could easily knock you out. So yea, wear a life vest haha. Once you get past breaking waves it's really fun, big steady rolls are a blast to yak in. Another word of caution you may not have thought of; when you kayak past the breakers and get roughly 250-300 yards from the beach jelly fish are all in the water (at least they are here). You do NOT want to fall out and get stung out there. You would be in some trouble. I don't meant to scare you haha but be careful. Any other questions, etc.. PM me.

[oldoldman]

And for the love of god don't call it "yaking".