New to the area... Looking for a vessel!
 

Hey guys, long time lurker here. I moved recently to Orange County, CA from the UK. I just sold my kayak back home and I'm looking to get out on the water mainly in Newport Harbour.

I don't have the biggest budget ($250-$350) and I'm not expecting anything special for that price, would something like this suffice for fishing and the occasional leisure session?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sun-Dolphi...addle/32333500

If any of you guys have any better suggestions id be more than happy to listen, along with any general tips of the area!

Hopefully I'll see some of you guys out there soon! Thanks

Welcome to the colonies and to the forum. I'm no expert, but I think you would do better buying a used kayak rather than a new cheap one. I recently saw a post on the buy/sell section of this forum for a 13 foot Ocean Kayak Prowler for around $400. It's a fine yak that does well on the open waters. Disclaimer: I happen to own one myself. I'm sure others with far more knowledge and expertise than I will join in.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=28255

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...uctId=11279269

I know this may be out of your budget range but Dick's also has some decent kayaks for a decent price. Give it a look and welcome to BWE :cheers1:

Thanks for the links, I'm willing to stretch the budget so these are all great help! (Just don't tell my wife)

Hahaha! I'm in the same boat. This hobby is as addictive as a schedule I drug. We are doomed.

Shit that's a good deal for a first time boat. Wonder how seaworthy that thing is.

I agree, save up for something used and good rather than going with something that's new and not so good. My first kayak was a Prowler, I paid $700 for it, I didn't want to get into anything expensive because I wasn't sure if kayaking was going to be my thing...............seven years later I'm going on my third kayak.

Makes sense, mind if I ask the main differences between a good kayak and a bad one?

how a kayak is molded and material (density/strength). Also, consider peddle vs. paddle.

Sit on top is probably better than sit inside kayak models. Longer and wider is more stable. For fishing deck space and rod holders are nice to have. So are nice features like compatibility with bait tanks and fish finders.

OEX this online store is a great place to start to know what is your style of kayak. then you can decide budget new or used, etc. I think you ought to buy a kayak bent towards fishing. You're gonna have fun with it.

I've got a Malibu Stealth 12 that's in very good condition that I was looking to sell for $500.00. It's got the bait tank already plumbed, an anchor trolley, Trac rails, and new side hatches. Normal wear and tear on the bottom, minor scraps. It also has a transducer for a Lowrance Elite 4 HDI, but I've got the head unit on my Malibu X Factor.

I've used it mostly in Newport Harbor, Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Last year I took it out on the Islander to SCI. It worked out great, very stable even in the high wind and large swells we had in the morning last year on that trip.

Would you be able to show me some pictures? Thanks!

Welcome Sir g!

I moved over from London last year. Nice change in weather hey?

x2. Great kayak at a very good price. For your price range, it can't be beat. Good in both the bays and open ocean.

Thanks for the info! Very helpful stuff

Just a little bit! Good to see I'm not the only one out here!

I can make you a deal on a Bass Pro FS12T. It is a very stable yak but not especially fast, you can stand up in it though and it has a great seat. It is not quite a year old.

Try Sports Chalet
 

Welcome to the States. Lived a few years in N. Yorkshire myself, and my lovely bride is from Southwest London.

Check out Sports Chalet. You might get lucky and catch a nice deal on an Ocean Kayak as they increase their percentage off sale as they go out of business. Might just drop one into your upper band.

Scott

Could I see some pics? Thanks!

Gonna check out those sales! Thanks for the tip

I'll take some tomorrow and post them for you.

Thank you! Appreciate it

Where in OC are you? Find some other kayakers nearby and it may help get you set up

Didn't realize the British expats on here. I came over when I was 2. Family is from Blackpool, kinda like the Venice Beach of England. Yeah, we aren't the classy Brits.

I'm in the city of Orange, only just got my car so I can get to the beach a lot more now!. I'm from Manchester, I would go fishing in blackpool with my grandad all the time...Great memories.

Bound to let the rentals go
 

A little short ? Depends what you can find. Burbank has of had a couple in the yum yum flavor.

Sure, no problem. Send me a PM and give me your email address and I'll send you some on the water photos.

here are three pictures of the yak, it is on a trailer parked next to some roses but it gives you an idea about what you are looking at

Turn off those lights - it's like Blackpool Illuminations in here!

Welcome
John (childhood in Yorkshire)

Welcome.

There are lots of great deals on craigslist. (and some bad ones).

You might want to check out OEX Sunset Beach, and even rent some of the models there.

Generally I would say if you are looking for good and used and not terribly expensive, you might want to focus on these four brands:

Malibu
Cobra
Ocean
Hobie

(There are other good brands but these are good brands that have sold a ton of good kayaks in the SoCal market over the years, and there should be a lot of out there for resale).

And you probably want to be looking for a model that is particularly designed for fishing.

OEX (at least the Mission Bay store in SD) sometimes has sales on "blemished" Malibu kayaks. Which you should also be aware of if you are buying used. A Malibu "BLEM" will be have those letters stamped into the plastic near the stern (starboard side, I think). They should be great kayaks, but don't thinking you are getting a great deal without checking to see if it's a blem.

If you are wanting to fish within the harbors (harbours) and bays only and depending on your size, you might consider these Malibu Mini-X Fish and Dives. These are blems (described in the ad as seconds).

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/spo/5558152747.html