New chick wanting to kayak!

I'm a small frame chick - 5'4, 115-120 and am interested in possibly buying a kayak.  Are there certain things in particular I should look for?

Any help would be great
Michelle

Welcome, you're in the right place.  Joal at Aquan ("Mooch" here on NCKA) is the man you need to talk to.  It's a drive from Fresno, but I'm sure he can hook you up.

There are lots and lots of places to find buying info, but the general idea is that you want to paddle as many boats as you can before you buy so that you can begin to discern what you like and don't like in a boat. You might find you dislike foot pedals and prefer molded in foot braces, or you might find that you prefer speed over stability, but as you learn what you like you'll be able to narrow in on a few kayak brands or models to focus on.

Also, you've hit the jackpot when it comes to nice groups of people that are willing to help. My wife and I asked a lot of questions here at NCKA before we bought and everyone was very helpful. Along those lines you'll probably find many people who will offer up their boats for you to test paddle if you're interested. We live in Vallejo and I have a Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 while my wife paddles a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140. If you're up for a test paddle we would be happy to let you go for a test paddle the next time we head out for a trip.

Finally, you'll want to start looking at what kind of paddling and fishing you are going to do. The kind of trips (long or  short), type of water (salt/fresh/moving rivers/lakes), or speed and stability you want will narrow your search quite a bit too.  As Backcountry suggested, talking to Mooch is a great start. He helped guide me and many others as we started to look for a boat.
Good luck and welcome!

You don't need a polybarge designed to keep a 300 pounder that's never paddled before, in their comfort zone. Unless you are thinking about standing and sight fishing, you really don't need a kayak wider than 28". You've got a much lower center of gravity than most guys, so a boat that might feel tippy to them won't feel that way at all, to you.

Think about lighter weight boats known for their efficiency in the water. Wilderness Tarpons, Ocean Kayak Prowlers, Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro. In general, longer boats are more suited for paddling longer distances. Shorter boats are generally more maneuverable, a plus in rivers.

Paddle as many as you can, prior to purchase.

if you want to go somewhere closer to take a look around first, FW in Fresno has a NCKA member who posts quite often (yakhopper)

Wholly crap you posted already! You need to get Jamie on here too.

Are you going to be in town on the 26th? We have a get together planned on the delta.

Sorry Mooch, she's married. 

-Brian G

Sorry Mooch, she's married.

Look'n out for my homies... that's how I roll.

Oh, I'm all about setting Mooch up 

'New chick' does have fishing experience and I would love to see her out fish the Mooch.

-Brian G

I'm willing to try and outfish anyone... even you Brian

oh, and that weekend is a Halloween party   Sorry boys!

Sorry Mooch, she's married. 

 

...just my luck

Backcountry...thanks for looking our for me....I'll buy u a beer sometime 

Sorry Mooch, she's married. 

 

...just my luck

........ Did he say hapily married????...

Welcome aboard,
Halloween party sound's fun.
The get together will be on sunday the 26th, if you were able to make it I have a few yaks you could try out. If not call me at Fisherman's Warehouse and we could see about letting you try at another time on local waters. Glad to see more women getting into the madness.
I may even have a couple of rigged yaks for sale.
 
Eric
(559)284-4299
 
Fisherman's Warehouse
4320 W. Shaw
Fresno, Ca. 93720
(559)225-1838

That would be fun! It would all depend on how I'm feeling the next day   I'll probably stop in there on Thursday sometime. 
Eric - are you there all day?

I'm at the Red Cross off McKinley and Fine, so not too far...

I'm usually in from Tuesday through Saturday from open till close with the exception of lunch around 1:00-2:00.
Also on Thursday Oct. 23 we will have a Kayaking Seminar from 6:15 - 7:30 hosted by Ricky Noel Mitchell of Paddle and Flies and Current Designs Kayaks.
Eric