Kayaking has increased in reputation as an adventure sport. The chance to get outside and enjoy the outdoors while experiencing some great exercise is hard to ignore. The sports that give you a good workout of the upper body while still being recreational are few and far between. Hence, the uniqueness of kayaking.

There are many water sports, but kayaking is a most personal experience. The water and you joining in a symbiotic connection that ranges from spiritual to oppositional in a matter of moments. But either way, kayaking is a growing adventure sport.

If you are already smitten with the sport of kayaking then it might be time to purchase a boat. A kayak can be an expensive investment and a new boat is the most expensive alternative. Just like a good used car, a good used kayak can be purchased at an reasonable price giving you high quality at entry level pricing.

You first need to determine the style of boat you're looking for. Kayaks fall into five general classes: surf, whitewater, expedition models, day trip and general recreation. Within each class you can probably find inflatable, folding and rigid models.

Rigid model kayaks are usually made of wood, plastic or fiberglass, even Kevlar. A wood kayak can be made from a kit and can have a warm, old-world feel but they do require routine maintenance. Plastic kayaks are the heaviest but most durable. If they should become damaged, the are the most difficult to repair. A fiberglass kayak is the most expensive alternative but is the lightest of the rigid models. It is also the easiest to repair.

You must give some thought to your needs to determine which class of kayak you should be looking for. If you hand the boat on your own, you may want to look for the fiberglass versions. If storage and transportation are tight, you could consider the canvas folding style or inflatable model. If your kayak excursions are all day touring affairs, you must consider on board storage capacity to take necessary supplies.

Just as you would a used car, always inspect a used boat carefully. Look for any damage that may need repair or damage that has already been repaired. Plastic kayaks are tough, but since repairs are difficult you may want to steer clear of any suspicious body work. Fiberglass is easy to repair so look for paint patches and check the soundness of the repair. An inflatable boat repair can be tricky and should be considered carefully before purchase. An inspection of the hull looking for uneven areas or divots is important to determine overall safety.

Look for the high end big name kayaks on the used market. You could get lucky and find a really high quality boat at a fraction of a new kayak price. This approach can get you a boat that is better than you could have afforded if buying new and makes a better investment. If you don't intend to race the boat, then a quality used kayak can really put you in some great equipment.