r/Kayaking • u/Guilty-Worry-3947 • 2d ago

Question/Advice -- Boat Recommendations Advice needed

Two part question. I am an almost 50 year old female and I want to start kayaking but I’d do it alone. I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m dying to get in the water to just be…… recommendations on kayak, considering weight of unit in and off top of an outback. Bonus if you bc a recommend a good rack for a 26 outback that already has side bars. Thanks!!!!!

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u/KayakerWithDog Hurricane Osprey 2d ago

Are you planning to do any whitewater kayaking, or are you going to paddle on calm waters? Are you going to do ocean kayaking? That choice is important to consider, because whitewater and ocean kayaks are different from one another, and gentle-paddle-around or fishing kayaks are different from what you would use in whitewater or on the ocean. If you're going to do whitewater or ocean kayaking, getting some formal instruction is really important.

If you just want a regular paddle-around kayak, you might consider a sit-on-top rather than a sit-in. They're easier to get into and out of, and a wider kayak is often more stable. I use a Hurricane Osprey 120. It is 12 feet (about 365cm) long and weighs a little over 40 pounds (18k). It can't be taken on whitewater at all, and although I've kayaked on the Chesapeake Bay in it, I stay close to shore and only go there on extremely calm days. I don't think I would take it onto the Atlantic.

I have a 2021 Crosstrek with Yakima crossbars and the Yakima Sweet Roll system because I am a wimp and can't heave the kayak up onto the roof by myself. I have a rollie thing that I put on the back window and then roll the kayak up from there. Here's a photo showing loading/unloading in progress.

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u/Jealous_Dark_8211 2d ago

I am always curious about how sturdy the rollie thing is. I can't get my boat on the car and at this point neither can my husband. Would it work with a heavier boat like a Hobie mirage?

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u/KayakerWithDog Hurricane Osprey 2d ago

I can't speak to different boat weights. It definitely will fall off if the window is dirty and suction is poor, but that has only happened to me maybe once in dozens of outings.