Alright. I got into kayaking when I was around 12. I literally saw a kayak, docked in some guy's yard, and took it for a spin.
Want something to get experienced in kayaking, Pelicans are cheap and generally sturdy, good enough for your first few trips.
Sit-ins are unstable as fuck to get in and out of, but once you're in there it gets pretty comfy; they handle better and keep you dry.
sit-ons are simpler, easier to get in and out of, and generally more fun. Fuck sit-ons for ANY kind of trip, though. like, dick around on a lake, sure. Anything else, fuck no. rapids'll have you soaked in no time.
Find a used Pelican, make sure it's got a rib underneath, it'll help to keep you on track in cross-currents... flat bottoms spin on a dime, but are generally reserved for the more experienced (waaay unstable)
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>>304812I ran rapids, lakes, the Saint-lawrance and a good bit of portage with my Getaway SE 180. Pelican brand, but not 100% sure about the model number. It'll do the job, just avoid rocks and shallow water, and get used to it on open water before trying out long trips and rapids.
Also, a paddle leash, whistle and a kayak skirt (what the fuck are they called in English?? Une Juppette, Câlisse.. sorry, frenchfag) are a good investment.
40-50 pounds of gear isn't too tough to handle. find a sit-in rated to your weight, your gear, plus 10-20% as a rule of thumb and you'll be golden. Less is certainly doable but not ideal.
A kayak's storage space is going to be behind you inside it, in front of you (in between your scrawny ass legs) and in two tiny waterproofed compartments on top.
to be honest, I'd say fuck it and waterproof everything in my pack and strap it on top, ghetto-style. I don't have any experience with Sit-ons for anything like that though, staying dry is kind of the golden rule of anything /out/.
Best of luck mate, it's not anything tough to get into. it's pretty much as simple as it looks.
