A recreational kayak is normally made of polyethylene, plastic ABS or composite material. They are 10 to 12 feet long and have 27 to 30 inches wide at the cockpit. They’re perfect for the beginners and other people who enjoy paddling on the relatively calm water. The most obvious advantage of recreational kayaks is that they’re quite a bit cheaper than touring one’s due to its material. Show
Recreational kayaks are also a couple inches wider than their touring counterparts, which give them a little extra stability. This is a nice feature not only for beginning paddlers but also for anyone who loves to fish or take photographs from their boat. It’s a “comfortable” experience on a recreational kayak. Back to the main topic, best recreational kayak under 500 dollars. Actually is between 300-500. (If you are finding something cheaper you can see my another article Top 7 inexpensive recreational kayak under 250 and 8 Cheap Recreational Kayak Under 300) Normally, I won’t recommend you buy a new kayak mainly based on its price. But I know sometimes, price does matter. When I was a student, the only kayak I could afford is the one under 200 dollars(Nowadays, it’s really hard to find one under 200 on the market.) So, that’s the reason why I write this article, I can totally relate to that kind of situation. In the rest of the post, I’ll review the top 8 inexpensive recreational kayak under 500 on the market in 2018. Here are my picks for the top 7 recreational kayaks under 500 in 2018. Remeber, the prices may change at any time. You should check the final price yourself.
I’ll give you a brief intro for each kayak and I find some of the most informative reviews from all of the shopping websites. Name of the kayak Current price weight capacity Emotion Guster 10 Angler Kayak $349.99 275 lbs Pelican Tidewater 100X Angler Kayak $379.99 300 lbs Dagger Zydeco 9.0 Kayak $449.99 220 lbs Future Beach Trophy 126 DLX Angler Kayak $449.99 300 lbs Old Town Heron 9XT Recreational Kayak $499.99 300 lbs Lifetime Tamarack 120 Angler Kayak $449.99 275 lbs Perception Swifty Deluxe 115 Kayak $499.99 325 lbs Emotion Guster 10 Angler KayakINFO: Built with the angler in mind, the Emotion® Guster 10 Kayak boasts high-performance, function, and comfort all in one! With three rod holders and plenty of storage space, this boat is the perfect companion for your next fishing trip. The UltraLite XL padded seat adjusts to suit you, plus it folds down for convenience. A molded-in bottle holder, paddle keeper, and toggle handle round out the awesome features of the Guster Angler. FEATURES:
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Good reviews from customers: I’ve had a few kayaks and I always need to use them a few times before I get a feel for them. This kayak is as good as any I’ve had and better than a few. I’’m really enjoying this one and would recommend it to anyone. It’s solid and responsive. Now all I need to do is catch a fish. I’ve banged it around and still looks like a. Champ. Took it out in the Ocean last week and never had so much fun! This is a great boat! I have owned mine for a couple years now and have loved it! It’s definitely one of the more stable sit inside kayaks lifetime makes. And its great for fishing! Bad reviews from customers: None. The price right now is $399.99, you should check the current price on Dick’s.com Pelican Tidewater 100X Angler KayakINFO: The Pelican® Tidewater 100X Angler Kayak has all the essentials for fishermen and kayak enthusiasts. With rod holders- four flush-mount and one swivel- this kayak combine practical with enjoyable and comfortable. This Tidewater features the removable EXOPOD storage compartment that’s convenient for your next fishing trip. FEATURES:
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Good reviews from customers: Awesome stability and tracking. I would like to see some hatches to store dry bags and be able to mount a battery for my fish finder, run wires …etc. Front and rear hatches would be a huge plus. Other than that it is an awesome kayak and I would definitely recommend it to others Bad reviews from customers: This is a sit-on-top kayak with a two-piece hull. Hull is sealed and should not hold water. After about two hours in the water, noticed increased difficulty in paddling. Upon taking a kayak out of the water, and pulling the drain plug, I emptied an estimated 2-1/2 to 3 gallons of water from hull sealed interior. I did find it to be a stable platform for fishing and will look for ways to make hull leak-proof. The price right now is $399.99, you should check the current price on Dick’s.com Dagger Zydeco 9.0 KayakINFO: The Zydeco design has been completely overhauled for even more maneuverability and faster acceleration than ever before. Now with even more premium features not found in average recreational kayaks, the Zydeco 9.0 offers a comfortable but dialed-in cockpit design that’s roomy enough for relaxation without sacrificing the performance capabilities offered by smaller cockpits. The CFS-R outfitting rounds out the experience with amazing comfort and multi-adjust options for better fit and function.As the more compact of the new Zydeco family, the 9.0 is lightweight for easier carrying and cartopping, while the shorter length offers increased control for twisty environments. And the super-sleek aesthetic looks great on both the roof and river. FEATURES:
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Good reviews from customers: I was looking for a decent Kayak that I could fit into the back of my SUV safety. This worked perfectly and is very light considering most standard size kayaks. Makes recreational kayaking fun easy transporting. I bought this kayak last summer and it’s perfect for the use I got it for paddling on local lakes. It’s short enough to be very maneuverable, so I can explore in and out through the numerous willow trees that were swamped in the shallow water around the edge of our lake when the water rose- so much fun! Also because of its short 9′ length, it just fits catty-corner inside my Forester (with back seats down and front passenger seat all the way back) so I don’t have to muscle it on and off the roof of my car to transport it. And it only weighs 36.5 pounds, so I can lift it by myself. Bad reviews from customers: Three minor concerns: My hip became little numb after 4-hour kayaking. After stop paddling, the kayak rotates to left or right if the last stroke before stopping is strong. I really want to have dry hatch although I use a dry bag. I recommend this to who is looking for a light, plastic, affordable, stable, and decently fast kayak. The price right now is $449.99, you should check the current price on Amazon.com Future Beach Trophy 126 DLX Angler KayakINFO: Perfect for the avid angler, the Future Beach® Trophy Deluxe Kayak delivers a smooth, stable ride. From the multi-chine hull to the adjustable, cushioned seat back, this boat optimizes your open water experience. The Deluxe offers coaming pads for extended padding and comfort while reeling in your next big catch. With two flush mount rod holders and a built-in tackle box, the Trophy DLX delivers on all levels! FEATURES:
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Good reviews from customers: The kayak is easy enough to carry, tracks well, and is stable. With my gear and my size, I’m closer to the weight limit than I care to be, but no worries. Once I leaned too far and some water poured in, but she didn’t dump me. It’s actually fairly hard to tip over. I took this out twice already and had a blast both times. I was surprised how well it cuts through the water. It is overall rather comfortable being 5’7″ 210lb. The stability is on par what I thought it would be. Bad reviews from customers: Anything more than two hours will start to burn your back. I do like the kayak but it’s just very uncomfortable for a long day. The seat isn’t very good and the tackle box that comes with it will break within the first few uses. The price right now is $449.99, you should check the current price on Dick’s.com Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Heron 9XT Recreational KayakINFO: Beginning and recreational paddlers who want a little extra out of an entry-level kayak will like what they see in this model. Sit back and relax in the adjustable Comfort Flex seat with added padding that delivers cushioning for long hours on the water. Stern hatch for storing your daily essentials. Adjustable foot braces and thigh pads ensure boat-stabilizing control. Other highlights include: paddle keepers, cup holder, and comfortable carry handles for easy transport. FEATURES:
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Good reviews from customers: WATER USAGE- This can vary based on your situational comfort level and experience but, as I said above, we have taken ours on calm lakes, windy lakes, calm and slightly choppy ocean water, rivers, and small waterfalls. WEIGHT- While I can carry my Heron 9xt over my shoulder (I’m a mid 20s female, active build, 160lbs/5’8″), I find it a little heavy to lug very far on my own. Since we have two kayaks and two of us (he’s a very fit 185lb 5’9″ retired Marine, late 20s), we set the kayak’s side by side and carry both by the handles, one of us in front/one in back. This works great, and it’s pretty easy to carry one on top of the other for a short way if you come to a narrow path. CAR LOADING: I *can* load the kayaks on our car top Yakima racks by myself (we mostly use a Ford Escape), but they are a little heavy for me, so I prefer help. TRACKING/STABILITY- When we first got these in the water, we had a terrible time with them both pulling to the left. After paddling for 20 minutes or so, however, both our arms fatigued and we more or less evened out. We quickly determined it was because we are both right-armed, so our left arms were slacking in the paddling! After a few trips of really pushing our arms to get stronger, we evened out just fine! Maneuverability is GREAT- after some practice, we had no problems easily coaxing these kayaks where we wanted to go. Stability was a little shaky starting out in comparison to rental kayaks we have used in the past, but we have since tried tipping on purpose (practicing emergency exits and mid-water re-entry), and we found it incredibly hard! They feel a little tippy, but it’s an illusion. You’re perfectly stable in these boats! SEAT- While the seat is FAR more comfortable than others we have sat in, after an hour or two our bums do start feeling it a bit (an expected trade-off when spending long periods on the water). A little more padding would be nice! But the adjustable back support is strong and wonderful! I prefer mine further forward, and he sets him farther back. The height of the backrest is great for us (both of us are under 5’10’), and surprisingly comfortable for my 6’2″ dad (he’s in his 60s and thought the seat was GREAT for our 20-minute paddle!). FOOT SUPPORTS- The adjustable foot supports provide AWESOME increased stability for more intense paddles or just a nice way to relax and float the day away. I do find it incredibly difficult to adjust while on the water, but on land, it’s a piece of cake. Adjusts comfortably for kids and tall adults alike! DURABILITY- After lots of love (and a little calculated situational abuse), these kayaks are still running strong! They have rowed over logs/underwater snags, been grounded on a sharp rock in rivers, and once we got bashed onto some underwater coral that wasn’t friendly. The coral left a scratch scar on mine, but the material doesn’t seem any weaker. We are VERY impressed with the material performance! Bad reviews from customers: Tracks terrible. As soon as you stop paddling it makes an immediate u-turn. While paddling you have to paddle 3 times on one side to the 1 on the other side. The price right now is $499.99, you should check the current price on Amazon.com Lifetime Tamarack 120 Angler KayakINFO: For a comfortable day on the water, choose the Tamarack Angler Kayak by Lifetime®. Great for fishing trips and recreational paddling alike, this boat features a flat, stable bottom with deep hull channels for excellent tracking and superior stability. You’ll love the storage hatches and paddle cradle, while the footrests adjust to accommodate all size paddlers. FEATURES:
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Good reviews from customers: It is very stable and tracks well. I have had no problems at all in the 8 months of using it. I use this kayak in the San Diego Bay and Ocean off of San Diego. I have not noticed any issues with the ocean swells. This kayak is built to last. Bad reviews from customers: This is a nice looking kayak but as far as quality it fails miserably. The hull cracked on the first trip out. I started the return process but didn’t finish it in time. So now I’m stuck with a kayak with a nice hole. The price right now is $499.99, you should check the current price on Amazon.com Perception Swifty Deluxe 115 KayakINFO: Perfect for new paddlers and seasoned ‘yakers alike, the Swifty Deluxe by Perception® delivers an awesome performance! A stable hull and awesome tracking keep you on the straight and narrow when you set out on the open waters without sacrificing quick maneuverability. Molded-in rod holders and a 10” hatch make the Swifty Deluxe perfect for fishing as well. Get out and enjoy the water in the Perception® Swifty Deluxe! FEATURES:
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Good reviews from customers: Kayak tracked well due to the built-in skeg and was very stable in the wake of power boats. I deliberately floated parallel to the waves and never felt like I was going over. At first glance, I wasn’t thrilled with the seat back. It seemed very basic and showed some cost-cutting. But it adjusted well and gave good back support so I’m OK with it. It looks like some vertical supports can be added so I may try that in the future. I will also lengthen the front single strap along with some deck fittings to make it more usable. Bad reviews from customers: This new swifty mold is not as fast and does not track as good as the old mold. This deluxe pulls to the side pretty bad. The video is talking about the previous model, perception Swifty 9.5 Kayak. They do have lots in common. The price right now is $499.99, you should check the current price on Dick’s.com The Top 7 recreational kayak under 500. Name of the kayak Current price weight capacity Emotion Guster 10 Angler Kayak $349.99 275 lbs Pelican Tidewater 100X Angler Kayak $379.99 300 lbs Dagger Zydeco 9.0 Kayak $449.99 220 lbs Future Beach Trophy 126 DLX Angler Kayak $449.99 300 lbs Old Town Heron 9XT Recreational Kayak $499.99 300 lbs Lifetime Tamarack 120 Angler Kayak $449.99 275 lbs Perception Swifty Deluxe 115 Kayak $499.99 325 lbs ConclusionHope you find this article helpful. I try to collect the newest information for you. But if you find anything in this article is wrong or outdated. Please leave your comment below, I will update as soon as possible. Is a sitSit-on-top kayaks excel as fishing kayaks. They're more open, allowing you a wider range of motion. They have more room to store gear and other necessities while on the water. Their enhanced stability makes them a great platform for fighting fish. What type of kayak is best for fishing?Pedal-powered: Kayaks with pedal propulsion systems allow you to “paddle” with your feet so your hands are free for fishing. This eliminates one of the biggest challenges with kayak fishing: managing boat position with a paddle in one hand and a rod in the other. What is the best length for a fishing kayak?Length and Weight Most fishing kayak manufacturers produce boats in the 10- to 14-foot range. If you're under 200-pounds, you'll probably be comfortable in a 10- or 12-foot kayak. But if you're on the bigger, more-to-love side, go for a longer kayak. How do I choose a sitLet's break down some of these factors to make your buying journey a little easier.. Size. Kayaks come in several different lengths, ranging from 6 feet to 16 feet long. ... . Price. ... . Maneuverability. ... . Weight Capacity. ... . Type of Water. ... . Type of Fishing. ... . Customization.. |
