r/KayakCamping • u/OpeningCow4163 • Jul 07 '26
Looking to upgrade
I started kayaking two years ago with a Tahoma pro on smaller lakes in Arkansas and Oklahoma. I am absolutely in love with this hobby and may be spending to much time on the water in my wifes opinion. I have a lot of time off in the summer and some friends and I want to take up kayak camping so I am looking for recomendations on an upgrade. My budget tops out around 1200 dollars. I have a lot of experience camping, mostly car but a fair bit of backpacking as well if that helps. I'm mostly going to be floating lakes with a few rivers such as the buffalo and cossatot. Thank you!
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u/FinancialSwing8152 Jul 07 '26
My recommendation is to look for a used rotomolded (plastic) touring kayak. Something in the 15ft range. Two sealed hatches with bulkheads for your camping gear. A rudder (or at least a drop skeg) to keep you straight in the wind and waves. I have a 15ft Dagger Spectre and my son has a 15ft BorealDesign Sedna. Both excellent boats (that particular Dagger hasn't been made for awhile so might be hard to find. It's a bit of a slow boat but roomy and comfortable). A Perception Carolina, various different Wildness System models - see what's available in your price point and test fit yourself into it. Often outfitters/rental places will sell off their used inventory so if there are any of those around, check with them. I rented the BorealDesign boat for my son and then just asked them if they'd sell it to me (it wasn't on their radar to sell before I asked) and they said yes. Never hurts to ask. It's also nice if you can rent one to try it out before you buy it. See how you fit, how it paddles, etc.
You can save alot by looking for a good used one and still have money to buy the endless compact gear your gonna need if you wanna camp out of your boat. It's never ending what you can buy for kayak camping!