Should Your Next Kayak Be Used?

From the Headwaers Archive. Swap Photo from our Demo Sell Off in 2019

I am writing this after participating in a spring kayak swap in Redding, California. We had between 40 and 50 customers throughout the day, with about a dozen of us selling our used kayaks and gear. The used equipment and the customers gave me significant insights into the current paddlesports market. I observed many high-end sea kayaks and touring kayaks being sold at surprisingly low prices, yet most customers were interested in the more basic sit-on-tops or recreational kayaks. It was evident that it is entirely a buyer's market. To sell something, you had to be ready to negotiate. I also noticed many enthusiasts are leaving the sport, with only a few newcomers taking their place. This is one reason I believe the used market is the best place to purchase a kayak this year.

If you've been following me for a while, you're aware of my interest in used kayaks. Over the past 20+ years, there have been numerous remarkable designs that deserve recognition—kayaks that have stood the test of time. Recently, I've noticed these kayaks appearing more frequently and at increasingly lower prices. It's an excellent opportunity to save money or expand your collection. If you're new to the sport and considering purchasing a budget option from Costco or Dick's, you might want to consider buying a used kayak instead, which could offer you much more value for your money. Here are some of my latest discoveries from the used marketplace.

2008 Atlantis Titan. This Canadian sea kayak was hand made for PNW kayak touring. Long fast and incredibly stable, this kayak was meant to get you and your gear across serious oceans and bays. New they sold for $3500+ I picked this up for $500. I put roughly 3 hours of time into cleaning it up and making it functional. It’s been dream for touring around on my local lakes.

2020 Delta Kayaks 12.10. Another Canadian made kayak. This one is a smaller recreational touring kayak made from ABS plastic. It’s feels more like a pocket sea kayak than a recreational kayak. New these go for $1495 and I was able to snatch this one up for $400!

2019 Hobie Adventure Island Tandem. This boat is expensive new! I’ve always wanted one but could never begin to justify the $8799 to buy new. I found one barely used with toms of accessories for $3000! Our family will use this all summer at Whiskeytown

The Current Designs Raven is arguably the best performance kids kayak ever made. Current Designs manufactured this kayak here in the US until a few years ago. New they sold for $1199 we found this at a Swap Meet for $200!

One of my favorites are on top of all times is the Necky Dolphins. This high performance sit on top was made for lakes and oceans. It's fast like a touring kayak, but has the easy going nature of a sit on top. It handles rough water and chop better than most modern sit on tops on the market. I happen to stumble across two of these locally that were original owners and in great shape. I got both for $350.

This is just a small selection of boats I've picked up over the past year. You might be wondering, “What does Dan do with all these kayaks?” That’s a valid question. Some are used in videos like the Delta 12.10 review. Others, such as the Hobie Adventure Island or the Current Designs Raven, remain in the personal fleet as long as the family enjoys them. However, most of my used kayaks get cleaned up, fixing all the broken parts, and then reselling them to customers. I love the idea of providing the perfect kayak for someone advancing in the sport. Someone who may not want to buy a brand new kayak but would benefit from better performance than their budget would typically allow.

If you’re interested in a used kayak but not sure where to start, feel free to shoot me a message and I’m happy to help you get on the right track. Or if you want to check out my Used inventory, reach out and I’ll send you a current used kayak list.