Totally SCORED!!!

[adventureduo]

Picked up a Kayak yesterday. Totally scored.

Went to REI to pickup a table....... pulled up and they were having this huge blowout sale.

Everything was outside and there were tons of people everywhere. I didn't really even want
to screw with going in. But Yosh talked me into it. Good thing too.

Been looking for a Kayak for a while now.... cheapest ones i can find on craiglist have been
around $400.00. And they haven't been exactly what i have been wanting.

So we walk in and on my left is a brand new kayak.... with a big SOLD tag on it

I ask the guy if there's any others like it? He said, there might be one left in the back.

Well i walk back there and guess what? one left! 11 footer, ocean kayak, ...... so i check out
the tag. $350!!!! Then i wonder, how good of a deal is this? Check the normal price and its
over $659!!!!!!

I then tell Yosh, i'd be stupid to pass this up!

After standing in line for nearly 30 mins (well worth it for $300 off!)

I find out this sale is for REI members only. I promptly ask. "how much?"

It's only $20. to join.

I go ok, it's totally worth it to save that amount of money right?

Well get this.

When you sign up for REI membership, you get 30% off any item on your receipt.

I said, "can i use that 30% on the kayak?" they say, "yep"

That's another $104.00 off!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I ended up paying $250.00 for the kayak!!!!!!!!!!!!! and it's a $600 ocean kayak!!!!!

So lucky!

Here it is.. Oh yeah and its perfect cause i can take Dixie out!!!

http://www.adventureduo.com/2008/03/...ean-kayak.html

[Jonathan Hanson]

Nice! You will have so much fun with that.

[SLOwag]

I remember those "sale lines" at REI, they loop around the entire interior perimeter of the store...but I also got some nice gear when I lived in SoCal. Got racks?

[DaktariEd]

Excellent "score" indeed!

[Bergger]

Nice! Yeah REI is awesome. We just got two memberships a few weeks ago and have been using this months 20% off quite often. Got a few pairs of boots and some Yakima Outdoorsman Racks. The Flagship store here in Denver is amazing! However I have found that on some items they are cheaper online. I bought my Yakima stuff online for $10 cheaper, used the 20% coupon code to save more then had it shipped to the local store for free. It's a great company, great customer service.

[Streakerfreak]

Great find! That is a great boat. I had used that boat a few times when I use to be a guide is Southern Florida. That was the most popular kayak I sold there. You made a great choice and if you had passed that up for $250, someone would have had to slap you.

You will love it and it is just right for your needs. Now remember, I don't know if you bought paddles or not, but don't skimp on those.

I am glad you finally found the right one.

[adventureduo]

Thank guys for the great words, i figured for the price i couldn't go wrong. Thing is long!!! The last one i borrowed from Andrew Walcker was 9 feet.. this one is 12!!! Barely fits on the rack!



I hear you on the "dont skimp" part..... So Phil, what paddles do you recommend? I passed on getting them at REI because they're prices seem higher than anyone else sometimes.

Also, what makes a great paddle? vs a crappy one?

[Streakerfreak]

A lot of factors go into what makes a paddle great or crappy. We have a pair of Aquabound Sting Ray 230cm paddles. I bought them for around $100, which I feel is just about what the average person should spend.

Stay away from metal shafts. They are too heavy. The Aquabound paddles we have are carbon. You may think that a pound or two in difference between a metal shaft and a carbon paddle is no big deal, but try saying that after a day on the water. Your arms and your hands will be thanking you.

There is some good info in this link

http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Ka...dleChoice.html

Also check out the Aquabound website. http://www.aquabound.com/
There is some good info on choosing a paddle there.

Just like buying a kayak. Go to the stores pick up all the paddles. Check them all out, see how they feel in your hand, and then if you find one you like see if you can get it online for a lower cost. You both need to try them in hand though as whats good for you may feel weird for her.

I tend like Aquabound, some Bending Branches and Werner Paddles which tend to be very pricey, but are very nice.

[adventureduo]

Alright thanks. I picked up a set and carried them in line with me when i bought the kayak... they were super light and were about $79.00. I figured i could just get them somewhere else cheaper or used.. so i put them back.

I will check out those links and grab something this week.

thanks for the 411.

PS. i might just ask Andrew what brand/model he had. They felt great and they were super light.

[grahamfitter]

Great find! You will have fun. Remember if you sit in the front there is a tendency for the rear paddler to stop paddling and let you do all the work so be sure to work on your rear inbound splash stroke.

Cheers,
Graham