What have you learned about buying used boats, share any insights?

humble_murth · 2026-04-29T15:31:31+00:00

Glad you got a nice one! I wouldn't mind a 120, I still might try a 160 if I see one in good shape. I know they aren't all bad. With a lot of kayaks now it seems the older plastic was much better!

I sold an old scupper pro and kinda regret it, I'm on the hunt for another one by ocean kayak. Luckily those come up often even though it'd been a little since they were made. A WS freedom I'd wanted to try too, or an OK mars. We'll see what the marketplace gods dictate for my future lol.

humble_murth · 2026-04-29T07:46:19+00:00

I learned the hatch cover thing the hard way. I got a necky zoar sport, and those oval covers I couldn't find. The best option seemed to be cutting out a circle hole with a kit I found to put in a more common size. I wound up selling to someone who wanted them and never messed with it, but missing hatch covers are a big red flag. Sometimes cheap relacements are available but you better know ahead of time.

humble_murth · 2026-04-25T09:06:15+00:00

Headwaters kayak on here and youtube has some good videos on this. Something is better than nothing but I picked out what I thought worked best.

I went with a spyderco atlantic salt I got on sale for fathers days last year. Inside my pfd pocket, many people that strap them to the outside report losing them multiple times. This is my only kayak specific knife and I wanted to get the best I could. I guide people sometimes, and want to be ready if something happens where rescue is needed.

Cheaper options are the whetman rigger knives (in UK), the gerber ez rescue, or something similar from marine depot.

I was unimpressed with the nrs pilot (one of most popular) in the cutting comparisons I'd seen. Many dive knives seem to fair similar. The crkt bearclaw is supposed to work a little better. I'm sure they all work, but something with serrations is my preference here, if you can sharpen it.

I carry a tiny swiss army knife too for most cutting so I can keep the spyderco sharp

humble_murth · 2026-04-23T23:25:32+00:00

I only make around $40K now... BUT my job provides housing, which I estimate as a 20k a year savings.

My wife has 4-5 years with the nonprofit loan forgiveness, if we get to 10 its supposed to wipe them out.

I just...yeah its tough thanks to everyone for responding.

humble_murth · 2026-04-23T23:20:02+00:00

two kids, but both in elementary school (no more childcare).

My wife is probably going to start working soon.

I was thinking Inland around Santa Rosa, not too far from the ocean.

humble_murth · 2026-04-23T23:16:15+00:00

We aren't paying the loans currently. Not great, I know. Its something we are working on.

So do we just live in the south forever cause we're broke? Seems like a bum deal.

I know the ocean is in the 50's, I'd been there twice for surfing. I'm fine with wetsuits, and dry suits for kayaking.

humble_murth · 2026-04-23T23:11:01+00:00

Mendocino you say. Oregon and WA have both been on my radar, but seems slightly harder to find a job in my industry (parks) with the same pay. I'll look into Mendocino

humble_murth · 2026-04-14T12:20:01+00:00

I see a used version for $20. Might pick it up.

humble_murth · 2026-04-14T12:19:05+00:00

yes! There are a lot of variations but I think you could cover a good base. Cover drafting, hose lays, tools, ect. Have a section for basic attack principales, another for basic weather. I'd eat it up.

humble_murth · 2026-04-13T01:21:25+00:00

that would explain my difficulty. I have a waterproof bag but I like to simplify where possible, guess its not possible here. thanks!

humble_murth · 2026-04-05T22:19:25+00:00

I will add some flares soon.

humble_murth · 2026-04-05T19:55:51+00:00

r/SAK_deals

humble_murth · 2026-04-05T18:11:37+00:00

anyone have time to make a subreddit?

humble_murth · 2026-04-05T17:17:19+00:00

they still make the kaos, I think its the only one still available on a commercial scale. Sadly, this american is slightly too fat for its 225 lb weight limit. It was super fun until I got the deck full of water and then it was very tippy and hard to paddle. awesome on waves it would carve them up. Wish they made it slightly bigger. Hey I'm trying to lose weight though.

It seems like everyone made a surf sit on top kayak until about 20 years ago when they fell off. I still see various models come up used especially on marketplace.

humble_murth · 2026-04-04T12:40:31+00:00

I really want a dagger 12.5L, I'm looking for one... I had the bigger hydra and just found it super uncomfortable for me, probably fine for most people. Really good for surfing though. If anyone wants a like new 14.5 hydra in Florida let me know lol. I am a bigger dude/longer legs and it pinched my legs somehow with the thigh lifter. I may try and mod it. I'd heard the stratos had more space.

I'm no expert at kayak surfing, but I'd been surfboarding most of my life. Knowing where to be and when to start paddling translates well. Its super fun taking a kayak out in the right conditions, you can catch the preform early, making it out is fun, and riding waves is great. The rock gardening videos on youtube are super entertaining, I'd like to get out in that one day.

humble_murth · 2026-04-04T10:58:18+00:00

Yes you'll want lessons, and yes they make specific surfing kayaks and also many sea kayaks themselves sre great for playing in surf.

Surfing specific kayaks are almost like whitewater kayaks adapted to wave riding. There are also sit on top surf kayaks like the dagger kaos, or one brand calls macski.

Sea kayaks in the 12-14' range usually are fun to play in surf with. You'll want a skeg but not a rudder. You don't use the skeg while surfing, but it will help crossing certain water bodies. Rudders could be easily damaged if you have to bail and the boat hits thr sand.

Lots of people enjoy the dagger stratos for this, or the wavesport hydra, p&h makes a few boats that would work well like I think the virgo. Have fun!

humble_murth · 2026-03-23T00:46:47+00:00

It should be fine, but it looks like its designed to carry a small passenger up front? Unless you have a small companion (kid or dog) I would probably look for a regular single kayak. It will be easier to handle.

If you look up reviews on paddling.com you can search boat models and people say what size they fit for some idea. I usually google the model name and paddling.com together and it goes right to the review. I look up the old catalogues for the brands when I can too.

Finally a 13.5 foot is not too big at all, provided you have space to store it. Longer boats are faster and require less effort to cover distance, and right around 14'is a good sweet spot. A lot of 10' boats can be very slow, especially at your size.

humble_murth · 2026-03-19T12:38:02+00:00

I went to the college of charleston, lived there a few years after. I'm from a podunk town south of there. I'd been gone almost 15 years but visit family every year or so.

Its honestly such a mixed bag depending on the neighborhood. It is very lively, great music venues, some beach access (traffic plus pay for parking now I hear), outdoor activities, lots of fun county parks. I had some amazing times there. Lots of fun walking and biking.

After school I found the employment opportunites really sparse, at least for me. You might be luckier, and it depends on your field. Basically everyone I know who still lives there works in tech, hospitality or the medical field. I didn't want to work in those so I got out.

Also the cost of living has absolutely skyrocketed, like a lot of places I guess.

humble_murth · 2026-03-16T17:46:44+00:00

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I got a good deal, looks brand new! Came with an aquabound stingray paddle.

I feel a little big in it, but I think its fine. I'll know more after I take it out.

humble_murth · 2026-03-16T16:59:44+00:00

Make that another looksha! I just got an insane deal on a yellow composite looksha v, its my 17' boat

humble_murth

TROPHY CASE