Demo days... ?

Anyone know of shops that have demo days for kayaks in/around the Santa Cruz/Bay Area?  I found one (Outback Adventures) but they say they don't have demo-days until April or so.

I'm looking to try out the X-Factor, T160i, Prowler 15 (and/or Trident version) and the X-13. (I know no one probably has them yet, but most shops are saying they'll have them either this week or next.)

At $50-$60 each, renting each, per day, individually will add up quick.

Ideas?

-mox

Aquan Sports in San Carlos will have a HUGE demo day sometime in June. Will keep you all in the loop.

Aquan Sports in San Carlos will have a HUGE demo day sometime in June. Will keep you all in the loop.

2.3 to 3 months out.  Ugh.

Hoping to get a yak and get going sooner than that.

-mox

Ideas?

Hook up with some of the guys on the board - they're awesome.  They've offered their rides to others, I don't see why it wouldn't be the same with you.  Do a little research and find who has what yaks and see if you can't tag along.  Or start another thread with a subject that suggests you want to test drive your specified models.  Other than the X-13, all the yaks you mentioned are owned by people on the board.  I'd offer but I don't have any of your desired yaks.  If you're ever interested in a Hobie Adventure, I'll let you test drive mine.

Michael

Where are you located Mox? When are you looking to test drive? Where are ideal locations to test out kayaks for you...

Providing some more info to the community, aids in your bennefit of testing other's rigged kayaks.

I for one have a P15 you're welcome to test paddle.

I've borrowed rides from some here and thank them graciously!

A lot of shops will wave your rental fee when you buy a kayak (assuming the both rent and sell kayaks).  If you can find a shop that has most of the models you want to try and that also has nearby access to some water, this might be a good way to go. 

1.) Let them know you're interested in buying a fishing kayak and which models you've been thinking about.  Tell them you've joined NCKA and have been reading posts and asking all sorts of questions.  It shows them that you've done your research and are serious.
2.) Ask them whether they will wave a rental fee if you buy your kayak from them.
3.) Ask if they'll take the rental fee off the cost of the kayak if you don't buy that day but come back in the near future to do so.
4.) Also ask them how many kayaks they'd be willing to let you test out for that single rental fee.  If they say only one, offer $5-$10 for a cleaning/restocking fee (again refundable at purchase) for each kayak you try. 

If they aren't willing to accommodate you like this when you're trying hard to buy a kayak from them, I personally don't think they deserve your business.  Find another shop and try again.

Alternatively, as many have pointed out try meeting up with some of the members here to try their kayaks.  I for one am always willing to let someone try my kayaks (but I'm in Portland, OR now).

Brian

Moxford,

I live in Santa Cruz and own a P-15 that I would be willing to let you test drive. I live near the SC harbor so that would be the easiest place to bring and test drive.  I'm really busy this weekend (fishing on Sat. and Easter dinner with family on Sun.) I can however show up to the harbor on weekdays after 5:30pm to show you the yak. Otherwise we could probably set something up for Sunday the 30th during the day. Let me know if you are interested.

-FF

This is the off-season and there isn't that much to do for the next couple months.  I'd try to get in on a group trip and borrow a kayak until a decent demo day.  If you fish with a bunch of us most folk will let you test drive they kayak, so you can try several in one day.  The P15 is somewhat overrepresented though...

Thanks to everyone who's responded so far!

I'm in the South Bay, San Jose area.  "Ideal" places would be Andersen, Coyote, Almaden Lake or Calero.  I get the impression that most on here are Santa Cruz, or up in the North Bay (or north of that) so I'm definitely open to driving.  I'm heading up to Rohnert Park on the 30th for a noon-4pm event, or I can hop over the hill anytime to Santa Cruz....

I'll check around at the local shops and see if they'll cut me a deal on the rental fees.

-Mike

We have a ton of south bay people on the site. I have a Cobra Marauder you can take out for a spin anytime you want.

Moxford,

Our Demo Day you asked about is scheduled for June 14th in Larkspur (Marin area).  We are hoping to do one in San Jose sometime after that.  I'll let everyone know when it comes up.

We have every kayak that you are looking to try in our rental/demo program.  We do have a program where $50 of what you spend in rentals will be credited to your kayak purchase.  For North Bay folks demoing is easy - it's all on-site.  For you being in the South Bay the best option is to rent the boats on the weekends from our Stevens Creek Reservoir location which will be opening in about 2 weeks - it's only $15/hr. and you can try all the boats you want.  During the Fall to early Spring the San Jose store is limited to take-away rentals. The other option is to take our Intro. to Paddling class which not only goes over important paddling skills and offers good info for newbies, but it's a great opportunity to try many kayaks out.  It's only $75, and $50 of it can be applied to a regular priced in stock boat.  So in short we do have many options for you, especially now that our Stevens Creek Facility will be opening.

As far as the Malibu Kayaks X-13 goes... it is supposedly shipping out to us next week.  They told us it would be here about a month ago, but it didn't happen obviously.

AquanFest 2008

Bay Area's Largest Paddlefest

Adventure Sport, and Environmental Fair

June 14-15, Leo Ryan Park, Foster City

NCKA will have a booth at this event - come and say hi 

MONTEREY BAY KAYAKS has May 10 demo day coming up next weekend!  Tell them Allen sent you.  I can'y make it this yer, but tons of boats to paddle.  I will check details and mnake aseparate post tomorrow,

Allen

Sunrise Mountain Sports will have their annual spring demo day at lake Del Valle in Livermore on Sunday, May 18th.  They'll have Ocean Kayak, Cobra, Wilderness Systems, and Hobie kayaks to try.  The last two years, a bunch of us fished in the morning and hit the demos afterwards.  It's always a good time!

Thanks to everyone who's responded so far!

I'm in the South Bay, San Jose area.  "Ideal" places would be Andersen, Coyote, Almaden Lake or Calero.  I get the impression that most on here are Santa Cruz, or up in the North Bay (or north of that) so I'm definitely open to driving.  I'm heading up to Rohnert Park on the 30th for a noon-4pm event, or I can hop over the hill anytime to Santa Cruz....

I'll check around at the local shops and see if they'll cut me a deal on the rental fees.

-Mike

I'm in Union City and own a Trident that your more than welcome to try out. Just watch for my post and let me know that you'll be there and i'll put it aboard. Frnak