boat advice 4 noob!

[Artexman]

I'm just getting into kayaking, I'm 40 years old 5'8" 140lbs and would like to get a boat that I can grow into (skill that is) ... and after looking over many boats I'm leaning towards the Jackson Punk Rocker but being so new to the sport I just wanted you guys (the veterans) to let me know if my direction is ok or if I needed to start with something else in the way of a creek newbie.

Thanks for any and all advice.

[tominknox]

you will be quickly bored in a punk rocker, and better served with a hero.

A PR is a really good boat for small, very advanced boaters running very hard stuff. In the hands of a newbie, its a very stable boat, but a boring one. On anything except hard stuff, you will be quickly bored.

A hero is even more stable than a Rocker and gives the ability to surf a little and use the hull a lot. It is really easy to roll.

Since Arkansas has little hard stuff, you will be better served getting a boat that will be more fun on Class 2-3, yet still able to run anything if your skills advance quickly.

Also consider the Magnum, Burn, and Ammo. All are great beginner boats, stable, and still able to handle anything.

[Fish]

Probably a design like the Hero would be better for you, unless you plan on only running steep rocky creeks all the time (basically impossible to do around here). Assuming you're likely to be on class 2 and maybe some 3 for a pretty long time, one of the playboat/riverrunner hyrbids might even be better to start out in. Examples are the Fun, EZG, Juice, etc.

Good luck!
Fish