No matter your reasons, you want to be sure to buy the best quality used kayak you can find. There are a few things you should keep in mind when purchasing a used kayak. First, inspect the kayak for any damage. Check for cracks, holes, or anything that looks out of the ordinary. Make sure all the parts are in working order and that there are no missing pieces. Second, test out the kayak in a calm body of water before you commit to buying it. This will give you a chance to make sure it floats and that you feel comfortable in it. Finally, be sure to negotiate on the price. Used kayaks can be a great deal, but you don’t want to overpay for one. There are a few reasons why you might want to buy a used kayak. Maybe you’re new to the sport and don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new boat until you’re sure you like it. Or maybe you already own a few kayaks and you want to try out a new style for cheap. No matter your reasons, you want to be sure to buy the best quality used kayak you can find. There are a few
When looking for a used kayak, make sure to be a discerning buyer. Just because you aren’t paying money for a new kayak doesn’t mean you shouldn’t approach the search well-informed and ready to analyze what is for sale. Follow our guide on what to look for in a used kayak, and you will be able to start your search for the right boat with confidence.
Buy the Right Kayak for Your Paddling Preference
The design, materials, shape and weight of a kayak will differ depending on what type of kayaking it is meant for. In our Paddling Buyer’s Guide, we have categorized kayaks into recreational, racing and training, and touring categories.
Recreational Kayaks
While many recreational kayaks have a sunken cockpit with outfitting, some have open cockpits. These are referred to as sit-on-top kayaks. Recreational kayaks are wide and stable, making them great for beginners, children, and those nervous about being on the water. They are best for flatwater paddling and short trips.
Touring Kayaks
Touring kayaks are designed for longer trips than recreational kayaks. They are narrower and have more storage, including for food and equipment. They also have removable lids on hatches. Most touring kayaks are sit-inside designs, which track well in the water. Some have a skeg or rudder.
Racing and Training
Kayaks used for racing and training are typically narrower than those used for touring, and many are made from ultra-light materials like carbon. They are designed for speed and performance, though this comes at the expense of stability and storage space.
Give the Kayak a Once-Over
Jack Elliott of White Squall Paddling Centre in Southern Ontario states that you can tell if a used kayak has been well-taken care of by simply taking a quick glance. He suggests looking for frayed ropes, how clean the kayak looks, and any indications that it has been stored outside.
The seller’s care for the boat while not in the water is usually a good indication of how they have treated the boat in general.
Once you have given the kayak a thorough physical once-over, be sure to check for deformities, dents or weak spots by running your hands over the sides, hull and decks. In addition, look out for cracks and gouges. To see if the cockpit outfitting works appropriately, sit in the seat. If the kayak has ratchet straps, crank and loosen them.
Inspect the kayak by shining a flashlight inside of it. Take the hatches off and on again to see if they create a seal. See if the hull is warped by flipping it over. Make sure the bulkheads are secure and not damaged. The shape of the hull affects how it moves in the water, so any deformities will impact its performance.
A well-used boat is different from an abused boat. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference. “I’m looking for signs of wear and tear on the equipment, or any cracks,” explains Ross-Ross. “Determining what is actually broken versus what is just roughed up.”
Inspecting the exterior of the kayak
Handles
Some playboats also have handles on the bow and stern. Begin at the front of the kayak. Most kayaks have a handle that is used to pull the boat into and out of the water. Some playboats also have handles on the front and back.
The handles on a kayak are generally made of plastic or rubber, and are attached to a webbing strap. This strap is usually secured to the kayak with waterproof screws.
Test the handle to see if it is in reasonable condition and if the screw holes are still waterproof by pouring water on them.
The handles on a boat are not expensive and can be easily replaced. However, they can give you an indication of how the owner of the boat maintained it.
Top Deck
The ultraviolet rays from the sun degrade the integrity of rubber, plastic, and even fiberglass over time.
Do the deck and the bungee lines have significant discoloration? If you lift up the bungee lines, do you see tan lines in the reverse order?
Is there anything preventing the deck from lying flat? Are the corners dented or bent?
When examining a kayak, consider whether any damage present is consistent with the age of the kayak and can be repaired if necessary.
Bungee Lines
Check the tension of the bungee cords. Are there any frayed areas?
While bungee cords are inexpensive to replace, they can provide insight into how the owner of the boat regularly maintained it.
The bungees on this 10-year-old kayak are frayed and loose, which suggests that the owner hasn’t done much to maintain it.
A boat that is 10 years old and has tight, modestly used bungees suggests that the owner has done at least some maintenance on the boat over its lifetime.
Now, a 10-year-old kayak with brand-spanking new bungees could mean that the owner is trying to make the best of what they have. Not always, but sometimes.
Cockpit Coaming
The area around the edge of the cockpit is called the lip. If you are using a spray skirt, the rand/bungee of the skirt attaches tightly to the cockpit coaming.
Do any major imperfections in the cockpit coaming prevent your spray skirt from sealing properly? If so, the solution is not a simple one.
Hatch Covers
What is the condition of the hatch covers?
Do all hatches have covers?
The hatch covers on top of the kayak are exposed to UV light and will lose their elasticity over time.
To test if the hatch covers fit tightly, you can spray them with a garden hose to see if any water leaks through the seal.
Instead of using a mirror, try shining a flashlight into the dry hatch. If there are any holes in the rubber seal, you should be able to see the light coming through.
If you’re looking at buying a boat, it’s a good idea to find out how much it would cost to replace parts like the hatch covers. This way you can be prepared for unexpected repairs.
If the kayak you want doesn’t have a replacement hatch cover available, you may not be able to get one.
Stern Handle
-Do the handles match? -Are the screw holes in good condition? -Is the handle in good condition?
This is just another example that shows that the inspection is easy to complete.
Hull
To inspect the underside of the boat, flip it over on sawhorses.
Start at the bow, which is the front of the boat. This is an area that often sustains damage as paddlers plow into underwater hazards.
Be prepared for scratches. How severe are they? Are there any actual holes?
Is the bottom of the hull covered in a million tiny holes, like a field that has had a lot of explosives go off in it?
Is the plastic or fiberglass so degraded that a hole is about to appear?
Fixing small holes on fiberglass and inflatable boats is not difficult.
Fiberglass boats are prone to damage easily. Over time, the gel coat at the bow will start to scratch and the laminate will peel.
Repairing a rotomolded polyethylene boat is more challenging than other types of boats because nothing sticks to the material. These boats require melted polyethylene to patch existing holes. Such repairs are intensive and rarely pretty.
Inspect the hull for damage as you move down and to the sides. Damage may include nicks from roof racks, branches, and bumps.
Are there any existing or imminent holes?
Checking for holes in the stern.
Does this vehicle have a skid plate? If so, how much wear does it have? You can replace these inexpensively.
Has dragging the kayak without a skip plate taken a toll on the hull?
Serious damaged should be obvious, but moderate defects may not be apparent until you get out on the water The final question to ask is whether there are any significant deformations from impact, transport, or storage. Deformations such as excessive rocker, flat keels, or gunwales can prevent kayaks from tracking straight. Serious damage should be obvious, but moderate defects may not be apparent until you get out on the water.
Kayaks with hull deformation can be difficult to paddle because their shape is not ideal for moving through water.
Rudder And/or Skeg
The rudder is a blade located at the back of the boat that helps the paddler stay in a straight line and sometimes turn.
The skeg is a small flat blade that hangs down from the bottom of the kayak and helps it track straight in the water.
Are all of the external mechanisms operating?
Do the rudder and skeg move smoothly and all the external handles operating without major issue?
Intentionally directing warm water into the sleeve can help loosen the rudder lines that may be bunged up with salt or tiny debris.
If your kayak has been stored in salt water, then you may want to clean the salt off with CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust Remover).
You should also check the rudder blade and skeg for any damage from impact. If there is any damage, you will need to replace the blade. You should be able to source new parts for this economically.
Finally, check if the skeg box is leaking by pouring water into it while the kayak is upside down on saw horses. If there is a leak, water will dribble/run into the kayak and potentially out of the cockpit.
Skeg box leaks are difficult to repair.
Connection Bolts
Do the bolts that connect the fittings to the kayak need to be replaced because they are corroded?
If there are no rust-free bolts on an old kayak, it could be a sign that the owner didn’t take pride in her boat and didn’t maintain it well.
The inspection is now finished. Remember that a lot of the things that might not be perfectly operational can be fixed.
Remember that if you choose to extend an offer on a kayak, it will cost both time and money.
Try to Determine How the Kayak Was Stored
We will now discuss how the boat was stored. Poor storage can negatively impact the boat’s value and how well it works.
The ideal way to store a kayak is off the ground and out of the sun, so that the hull doesn’t deform. leaning it against a wall or supporting it on a rack will help prevent storage-related damage.
If you stored your kayak outside, it’s possible that water got inside the cockpit if you didn’t use a cover. Also, be careful of leaving your kayak outside for extended periods of time, covered only with a tarp. The tarp can trap moisture and cause mildew. To avoid this, tarps should be hung or suspended above the kayak, but not touching it, to allow for airflow.
Take the Kayak for a Test Paddle
The best piece of advice when buying a used kayak is to take it out for a paddle. You wouldn’t want to buy a car without driving it, and the same is true for kayaks.
The best way to determine if a kayak is seaworthy and if it feels good for you is to take it for a test paddle. If the seller refuses to allow you to do this, it may be an indication that there are problems with the kayak.
Once on the water, ask yourself:
- Is the seating comfortable? Would it continue to be comfortable if you were kayaking all day?
- Are your legs falling asleep? Do your hips and knees feel comfortable with the amount of space you have?
- How well does the kayak track?
- Are you noticing any leaks while paddling?
- Are the skeg and rudder cables working well? Do the pedals connected to each work? Does the skeg get jammed?
- Is the kayak stable enough for you?
- Can you maneuver the kayak to your needs? Is it fast or do you feel it’s holding you back?
