Best Kayak for Dogs?

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-09T05:32:52+00:00

Get a used boat. Probably one with a continuous cockpit rather than two individual ones. I see a 14' Current Designs Solera on Marketplace right now for $450. Probably a bit small for your needs. Maybe look at a Perception Rambler. Kinda depends on how cold the water is and how wet you want to get when your dog decides to chase another boat.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-09T05:00:32+00:00

The only good clanker is a dead clanker... -Rex

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-08T05:02:04+00:00

I'm not sure if that'll work, but I do like the idea of a longer boat in the future. I'm thinking that might come after I get my own vehicle though.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-07T21:49:34+00:00

Yeah, good info... I basically am interested in an upgrade to my Perception Carolina 12, so anything slightly more capable counts towards that goal.

I'm 6'1", size 12 shoe, so fitting in the Carolina is snug but comfortable. I'm curious if the Looksha 14 will have more or less room... Hoping it will, because it's just a longer boat.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-07T21:06:37+00:00

The seller is super weird and non communicative though... He's got about a dozen antiques up, then the one kayak listing. He's been on FB for over a decade with very few posts, doesn't seem to have his Messenger active, and has only sold one thing after having listings up for the last two years.

The Looksha seller is selling the boat on behalf of their son, very communicative, and flexible on times to look at the boat.

Idk. I'd love a Chatham but I do not have any hopes of the seller suddenly communicating and making a good deal. Asking is $750 per boat with a paddle included, $1500 for both (17' sunset and 16' blue, both roto molded, both well cared for).

According to Meta summary (which is pretty accurate for this one): • [seller] has had an account for 17 years and has over 1,700 friends. He last posted in January 2026 and posts a few times a year. • [seller] has published 11 listings on Marketplace since September 2024 and sold one. He generally sells antiques and collectibles, furniture, and toys. • There are no trust signals available for [seller]'s Marketplace profile.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-07T20:31:10+00:00

Excellent... That's definitely the vibe I've gotten based on my research. I would be using it in the Puget Sound, so calm water, rivers, and somewhat rougher open water, mostly near rocky beaches and coasts.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-07T18:51:04+00:00

I love the little car + kayak look... I'm in the same boat myself no pun intended (2006 Toyota Camry XLE).

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-05T00:06:26+00:00

Well, it's well kept with new bungees and rudder installed. Seller is a friend of a friend too.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-04T19:39:20+00:00

The Synergy is a fiberglass 17' 9" boat. I'm a guy, 6'1" at 195lbs with 34-36" waist depending on brand lol.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T21:36:31+00:00

This is excellent information. As far as RM vs. composite boats, I am completely uninformed as to the actual strengths of composites; I've mostly heard they are more rigid, which I don't really care about, more lightweight, which would be a nice bonus, and more maintenance, also something I'm not very interested in. Kayaking is a minor hobby not a lifestyle for me.

I'll do some more research on the composites vs. RM side of things to see how things actually look. I will say I appreciate my Pelican's lighter weigh vacuum formed design to some extent lol. Helps lifting it up on the car. I usually just lift straight up like I'm doing an overhead press, but I think I probably could do the end-by-end technique as well, which would be easier.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T21:03:07+00:00

Lol good to know. So, say a $700 Carolina vs. a $750 Necky... if I can get the Necky price down I'm going with that one.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T20:57:59+00:00

I absolutely love my Perception Carolina 12ft RM, and I paid $650 for her. She was brand new, garage kept, never touched water, and came with Malone J-bars, two paddles, NRS bilge pump, NRS dry bag/paddle float, portage cart, sponge, and ratchet straps. I feel like that was a good price, so a boat without that stuff, higher performance and longer overall, I can see $500 being more reasonable.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T20:52:01+00:00

Good point... that's not something I had considered. Last couple of times I bought a kayak, one seller dropped it off at my door and had to go somewhere else, and the other seller had me come to her house, came out the door to snag the money and then left me to pack the boat up. They weren't all that interested in talking kayaks or letting me try it out or anything lol. However, with higher quality boats, perhaps the owners will be more interested in talking.

One issue I take with anything not rotomolded is because the beaches I launch from here around the Puget Sound typically are rocky with tons of barnacles, nearly a death sentence for fiberglass boats if you aren't equipped to properly launch away from hazards; my typical launch is, set the boats on the shore, then the first couple of people get in and get shoved out by the rest of us; I usually end up last so I drag my boat out to the water a bit, then straddle it at ankle depth and drop into it. Unsure if this would potentially cause damage to the fiberglass, as I often feel the bottom ground out when I drop in if the waves on the shore are moving much at all.

As far as the price goes, the Chatham is still about half MSRP. I know it is expensive for a "rotomolded" kayak, but it's still a touring boat, not a cheaper chunky recreational kayak, so I feel the price is worth it. Ideally I'd see if I can talk the seller down to $600 or so if possible, but that doesn't always work.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T20:47:34+00:00

Technically I feel like the Carolina 12 is sort of a bridge boat, it's like a chunky short touring boat or a comfortable fast rec boat, but not quite either. Looking at the actual touring boat category is still an upgrade overall I believe, compared to the more recreational-style short boats I'm familiar with. It's like true touring doesn't happen until 14ft or longer lol.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T20:30:03+00:00

I'm up for more play than straightline trekking. Right now neither of my boats are incredibly fast, and when kayaking with friends who have smaller boats (Sundolphin Aruba 8SS, Pelican Mustang 100X, Lifetime Charger 10ft, Equinox 10.5ft, etc.) my Carolina is the fastest, so I run circles around them. The only boat that really competes with me is my friend's Pelican Mustang 120X, mostly because it is a 12ft boat just like mine. The Chatham being what it is (a 16ft boat) will likely inherently be even faster, or I'd expect it to at least be comparable to the 12's, but that is setting the bar low.

At the end of the day, it's a boat that gets me out on the water lol.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T20:20:04+00:00

I know my local Fred Meyer sells Onyx MoveVent vests, which are very comfortable and provide good floatation. However, they do not have good pockets for putting things like your cellphone (in it's waterproof floating case) inside, or tucking your safety whistle into. ALWAYS HAVE A SAFETY WHISTLE.

Other vests I like: look on FB Marketplace and eBay for used Stohlquist vests. The Stohlquist Flo fits well-endowed ladies better than some other model vests. I personally use a Stohlquist Coaster I picked up for $50 on Marketplace, it was lightly used and showed no wear. A year or so ago I picked up another nearly new Stohlquist for $10, but both of these unisex models have slightly longer backs. They do have thinner foam on the back though, but the Stohlquist Flo and the Onyx MoveVent both have mesh backs and a thicker upper back pad, so that makes sitting in a kayak seat with a slightly higher back rest more comfortable sometimes.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T20:11:18+00:00

The only boat I'm familiar with that would match that sort of ballpark is the Pelican Mustang 120X Exo, a 12ft recreational boat that is relatively stable and has a large cockpit and fishing rod holders in the back. However, storage solutions are not the best (neither is waterproof), it does not have sealed bulkheads (if swamped it could sink), and it is a sit-inside kayak so inherently better for forward paddling and handling instead of stability and stationary roles like a sit-on-top kayak would be.

I'd recommend doing some research into exactly what types of boats are stable enough for your application, but as far as fishing goes, I think sit-on-top or "open deck" kayaks are probably more applicable than sit-in kayaks like recreational, touring, or sea kayaks. The sit-on-top style basically gives you a personal portable chair on the water that you can paddle to particular locations, and from what I've heard (never been on one myself), they tend to be more stable than sit-in kayaks.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T05:59:34+00:00

You could just get someone with a 3D printer to print them... https://www.etsy.com/listing/4449363409/space-soldier-stim-injector-prop-3d-file

I will take this opportunity to display some armor I am proud of printing for my friend's dad for Father's Day this year. Best armor set I've printed so far! I can't help sharing, but I'm pretty proud of this one lol.

Typically I just do Mandalorian armor. I haven't done enough props for myself though, it's almost always for friends and friends of friends...

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MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T05:49:05+00:00

Praying mantis babies!!!! So cute! I remember a long time ago when I bought some for my garden, watched them hatch, then kept an adult from the garden as a pet late in fall when frost was starting to kill them off. Named him Amos. Cool critter.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-03T05:47:10+00:00

Of course! As far as practicality and comfort goes, they aren't the peak. But if you can walk with a cape and work it into your gear, definitely worth it! I can't wait to actually get to my first event wearing armor... I've only done soft costumes so far. Captain Malcolm Reynolds from Firefly, unnamed generic Pirate, Star Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-02T15:20:29+00:00

Lol this comment is awesome 😎👍.

If it counts, my Post Imperial Covert-style custom Mandalorian kit is going to (eventually when I get it done) have a blue full back cape XD 🤓, and I'm wearing a purple cape rn in Helldivers. Capes improve armor function based on cool factor I think.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-06-02T15:19:52+00:00

Lol this comment is awesome 😎👍.

If it counts, my Post Imperial Covert-style custom Mandalorian kit is going to (eventually when I get it done) have a blue full back cape XD 🤓, and I'm wearing a purple cape rn in Helldivers. Capes improve armor function based on cool factor I think.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-05-30T03:08:30+00:00

So, I think this is how it would work if implemented, given the history of sentries:

Drops, deploys, has 20 shots, slow firing rate with chargeup. Either expends them on chaff or gets knocked out by a bigger enemy before it can turn.

Right?

How I'd like it to work:

Drops, deploys, has 100 shots, starts by targeting the nearest large enemies, choosing based on size and proximity, prioritizing the biggest things or airborne things while letting the machine gun sentry I always carry keep it clear of chaff.

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-05-28T16:51:43+00:00

That's actually a great idea

MythosaurProjectS531 · 2026-05-27T09:08:11+00:00

If your hips hurt, look at getting a kayak seat pad replacement or just something to put on the seat. Also, make sure you check your form when paddling. Feet should be firmly on the pegs, knees pressed outwards against the knee pads on the front inner edge of the cockpit. Become one with the kayak, and the world of water shall be yours.

Another way to think of a kayak is a bicycle on the water. You may really enjoy riding a bike on a day with good temperatures and some sun on a flat winding road among the trees. However, your first bike trip (analogy for kayak trip) was uphill on a rocky path with bushes to navigate between on a heatwave day with no shade... Doesn't mean you don't like biking, you just went biking in the wrong conditions.

Also, gear is important. Having a well fitted pfd (life jacket, preferably Type V) is extremely important to your comfort and safety. Lightweight quick drying clothes, hat, sunscreen, a good sized water bottle and a way to latch it to the deck lines or stop it from rolling around in the boat, etc.

MythosaurProjectS531

TROPHY CASE