Help with first kayak

[kpowens]

I'm looking to buy my first ww kayak and feel kinda lost. I'm 6'5 210 lbs and having a hard time finding a used boat that I can fit in, any suggestions on which boats I should be looking for would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Kyle

[BEubanks]

Old school and long, but the Overflow X will handle your size with no problem. You could probably pick one up for $200-300 if you can find one. But like I say, definitely old school. Long displacement hull. I've had students in my class up to 350 lbs use that boat.

I haven't compared room with a Super Hero, but that would be worth a look for a more recent boat with a planing hull. Much more comfortable outfitting than the old Overflow, too. Some of our larger paddlers can add more wisdom from experience here.

[Wildwood]

There's one on Craigslist (Aug 13) for $300, with skirt.

Good luck!
Jan

[Crane]

RPM Max would work well, too... and someone was commenting not long ago that they had one stuck back... Now, if I could only remember... Crane

[DMG]

Ozark Mountain Trading Company had an Overflow a while back with hardly a scratch on it plus they were selling it with a skirt. You might give them a call. http://www.ozarkmtc.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

~Dave

[BEubanks]

Kyle, don't know where you're located, but you're welcome to try out the Overflow X if you can make it down to Arkadelphia. You could also likely try out several boats at Rendezvous. Outfitters will have new boats you could try on for comparison.

[Eric Esche]

There is a Savage V Skreem (mis-spelled as a Skream) for sale up in Missouri for $450 with skirt and a Werner paddle on Craigslist, that should fit you.

My personal experience with the Skreem is that it paddles better if you move the seat back 2 inches. My wife loves this boat as well and she is much lighter, so it fits folks from about 130 to over 230 pounds with gear.

Savage plastic is about the best you can ask for, as good or better than even Prijon plastic. Ask anyone who has played boat ball with me two years ago, and they will tell you hitting me was like running in to a - - log. It is a fast creek boat with a displacement hull that turns on a dime, or at least mine (Susan's now) does.

I think it would be a great beginners boat, but I will say that you have to custom fit the foam for it as nothing is adjustable like on some modern boats, but it is a design that will last you a long long time.

I have no connection to this boat other than hoping someone buys it before I find the money to. With my neck being what it is, I do not need to get another one, but have been salivating over it.

Eric Esche

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/1854792255.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kpowens]

Thanks to everyone for all the great info. I got to demo a few boats this weekend and am hoping to find something at rendezvous in a couple of weeks