When searching for a canoe or kayak it can be quite confusing with the large number of boats to select from. The search begins for the one boat which is the best one for you. The reason there are so many boat models to choose from is because of the different needs of all the many paddlers out there. No two paddlers are alike.

Some boats are small, some large, some are sporty, some just basic. There are boats that will fit your needs it just a matter of finding them. “You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.” And if you are new to paddling you don’t really want to spend a lot of money without knowing for sure what you will get. So you need to take a test drive.

Where To Find Demo Days

Try Before You Buy !

You would not buy a pair of hiking boots without trying them on first. Why should a canoe or kayak be any different? The great thing about the paddling business is that your local outfitter wants you to try out a new boat, because they know you will love it and get one.

Most good outfitters offer test paddling in one form or another. Many outfitters sponsor an event known as a Demo or Paddle Day, where there are many different boats to try out with the help knowledgeable staff helping to guide paddlers to the right boat for you.

Most of these events will have representatives from the boat manufactures on hand, demonstrations, workshops and sometimes on-site sales. These events are a good chance for a well-prepared would-be paddler to try a bunch of boats in an organized manner and help you make a decision.

Since Demo / Paddle Days usually only occur once a year. Many good outfitters either have a boat rental program, where you can apply the rental fee towards to purchase of a new boat. Others have their own offsite paddling spot where you can take a boat and try it out. Other ways to try out a boat is to take lessons or join a tour. This would allow you the chance to paddle a boat in real conditions for more than just an hour (rather than a few minutes at a demo day). Connecticut Paddling Outfitters

Preparing Yourself

However you plan on trying out your boat, make sure you make the best use of the opportunity. Give some thought into what you are looking for. Do your homework and research. So when test day comes, you’re well prepared.

Determine Your Needs

Determine what you would like to do with your boat.

• What will you use it for? Recreational Paddling, Touring, Whitewater, Ocean Paddling, or Fishing? Are these some of the possibilities? Ask about what boats are made for what activities.

• What is your budget? How much do you have to spend?

• Where are going to store the boat?  Your garage, your apartment, what type of storage space do you has access to?

• How are you going to transport your boat? Does it have a roof rack, is there a way to tie down the boat? Is the boat to long for your vehicle?

• One Man or Two? This is an important question for buying a kayak. Can a tandem kayak work as a one-man kayak? Yes, a few can. Can you fit your small child into a solo kayak with you? Yes, a few can. Tandem kayaks can be great fun for families and couples. If you are planning to paddle together most of the time then a tandem is the right choice. If you plan to go solo most of the time and only go tandem once in a while you’re better off buying a solo kayak or two, or renting a tandem for the occasional trip.

Sit-in or sit-on?

If you want to dive into a sport with very little training or experience then a Sit-On Top is the best choice. Sit-on tops are much easier to get into and use. Sit-on tops are also great for fishing and surfing.

If you want something more challenging which needs some technical skill then a Sit-in is your choice. Sit-ins require some training and safety gear.

Doing The Basic Research

Do some basic research. Find out what boat brands are available from your local outfitters. Specialty dealers who only focus on paddling are the best bet. These outfitters will have the most knowledgeable staff and the best selection.

With most chain sport stores, big box stores, and the internet, you will not be able to “try before you buy”. With some stores you might be able to buy, try and return, if you do not care for the boat, double check thr stores policy before you purchase the boat.

Once you’ve made yourself familiar with the brands at your local outfitter, if it’s possible see if you can make arrangements to test paddle a couple boats. When you make your initial trip to the outfitter with all your research in hand you can take a close look at your possible candidates, pick the  brains of their knowledgeable staff, and then narrow the choices.

Get the catalogs for each brand in question. Links to kayak makers can also be found in our Paddling Manufacturers section of our website.

Make a list of all the pros, cons, price, etc of all your potential boats… You want to gather and get familiar with as many facts, figures, dimensions, weight capacity and as much  terminology as possible. 

The Big Test

At The Outfitter –

You should be able to “Test Sit” in your choices right on the show room floor. This test will tell you whether you will fit into the seat. If you are a large or tall person you should do this before you even consider trying out the boat out on the water. If you are trying out a kayak you need to pay special attention to the backrest (aka kayak seat), if the kayak you are looking at has one. Take the time to adjust it properly to fit you.

Out On The Water –

Once you hit the water, pay attention to how your choices perform and how you feel in it.

The first time you’re out on the water the boats may feel tippy, even if it is a wide tandem. The more boats you try out the less tippy they feel. Do not just base the choice of your new boat on if it feels tippy. After paddling your new boat for a few weekends that feeling of tipping over will fade away.

After trying each boat out, sit back and take the time to make some notes, what did you like, didn’t like. Compare all of your choices. The features are important, which boat moves better, what accessories does it have? Are there handles to make car topping easy? Is there a place to mount a fishing pole holder? Is this boat comfortable, more comfortable than the others? A demo day will be a whirlwind of kayaks, renting one at a time will be a slow process. Notes will help you remember.

Be sure to try a variety too. Try out a long sleek kayak, even if you are a recreational paddler, at least just to get a feel for it. See what it is like to paddle a surf or white water kayak. Are you dead set on a sit-in-side kayak? Try a sit-on-top at least to broaden your mind.

Some things to try on the water during your test paddle: (A pre paddle lesson will really help prepare you for these tryout sessions.)

Paddle In A Straight Line. Try paddling in a straight line at a good speed. Does the boat keep straight? Which direction is the wind blowing? (Try a different course.) Does the boat move through the water efficiently enough for you? Stop paddling and let it glide. Does it still stay on course, does it keep moving or stop? Turn the boat 180 degrees around to test its agility. Will it maneuver in the spaces you need it to? If you plan to paddle open waters, tracking (keeping straight) and glide will be important. If you plan to paddle in confined waters, like wetlands and small rivers maneuverability is  important.

Rock The Boat. You do this to test the boats stability. Try your bracing skills. (Be prepared to get wet!) Hopefully if you fall in, not too far from shore, and you can test how easy it is to re-board the boat. Remember, all boats get wet, but just how wet?

Car Topping.  You should also try to test load the potential boat onto your car. That is great if you are able to borrow the boat or rent it for a test paddle. Car topping can be a big hurdle. There are techniques and devices that can will help greatly. Ask about them at the outfitter.

Two Very Important Accessories

When you test your potential new boat you will probably be loaned a very basic, no frills PFD, and probably the wrong size too! This could be the same for the paddle as well.

Your PFD and paddle are very important accessories.

Make an effort to try and get the proper sized PFD and paddle before taking out the boat. The PFD can and will affect your comfort in a boat, while paddle size will affect the boats performance. However, in most cases there may not be a choice.

If you are serious about purchasing a boat then your first initial investment will have to be in your own PFD and paddle before testing any boat out.

The only drawback to purchasing a paddling in advance is that the paddle size is to some degree determined by the width of the boat you are trying out and then planning to buy. Do the exact same research and homework on selecting a paddle and PFD as you did with your boat..

Making That Final Decision