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Pricestavern · 05-09-2011, 08:16 AM

My wife and I both have 14' Old Towne Nantuckets. The model is no longer made, but we love them. We paddle in lakes and harbors and out on Long Island Sound. Very stable, very dry.

A few things to consider:

You mentioned small surf in Florida - I'd go with a longer, broader kayak for stability. They are harder to turn (though not impossible) so get a rudder.

Kayaks come in various materials with corresonding weights and costs. Both of these aspects need to be considered when choosing.

Above all, after you've decided on the kayak you want - take it for a test paddle. Is it comforatable? Does it track straight (sometimes the manufacturing or the storage process can produce a slightly bent keel)? I know we thought we'd want a two-person kayak, but 5 minutes in it together proved we needed each our own!

We also have 2 sit-on-tops that we keep at the cabin in NH. They fit on the bow of our boat so we can take them all over the lake, drop anchor and explore. The sit-on-top layout means easy in/out from boat/water to kayak.

05-09-2011, 08:16 AM	#10
Pricestavern Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Valencia, Spain (formerly Rattlesnake Isle) Posts: 389 Thanks: 135 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts	Kayaks My wife and I both have 14' Old Towne Nantuckets. The model is no longer made, but we love them. We paddle in lakes and harbors and out on Long Island Sound. Very stable, very dry. A few things to consider: You mentioned small surf in Florida - I'd go with a longer, broader kayak for stability. They are harder to turn (though not impossible) so get a rudder. Kayaks come in various materials with corresonding weights and costs. Both of these aspects need to be considered when choosing. Above all, after you've decided on the kayak you want - take it for a test paddle. Is it comforatable? Does it track straight (sometimes the manufacturing or the storage process can produce a slightly bent keel)? I know we thought we'd want a two-person kayak, but 5 minutes in it together proved we needed each our own! We also have 2 sit-on-tops that we keep at the cabin in NH. They fit on the bow of our boat so we can take them all over the lake, drop anchor and explore. The sit-on-top layout means easy in/out from boat/water to kayak.