After renting a canoe and a kayak through the summer and fall season (including "borrowing" one once), I was on the edge to buy one for myself. I probably spent almost a hundred dollars on renting excluding ones in Canada.
The reasons:
- I don't want to keep paddling at the same lakes over and over. There are other lakes I want to explore but the rental is not available.
- I want to paddle anytime I feel like.
Preference:
- At the moment I prefer a canoe than a kayak because there is more room and I feel more comfortable on it. Maybe because I have put a lot more hours on canoeing. I still feel like a puppet when I paddle a kayak.
The Obstacles:
- I am quite small. No way I can lift any regular boat up above my roof w/out assistance or a loading gear. Maybe I should get a small ladder.
- According to my car manual, it suggests that a kayak should be less than 8 foot long. Darn it.
- My car has a tail right on the center of the roof. (It's an antenna.) I used to think it's cute. Now I keep glaring at it. (It's Volkswagen Golf if you must know.)
- Whether it's a kayak or a canoe it is quite expensive. If it is $400, I need paddle at least 50 hours during Spring, Summer and Fall to break even...compared to the rental rate of $8 per hour. Oh man.
Possible Options:
- An inflatable kayak (I don't do whitewater...well at least not yet.)
- A really light and short kayak or canoe.
Why don't they build something light like Sairy Gamp canoe these days ?
Well, I keep you posted what I decide to do.
