If you love kayaking, at some point you might have considered buying your own kayak rather than keeping on renting one every time you go kayaking.
So, you already know the kind of kayak you are looking for in terms of size, weight capacity, and type of kayaking you will be doing.
If you are like most people, one thing you might never have considered or given much thought about is when you need to buy the kayak.
Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong time to buy a kayak. Knowing when to buy a kayak goes beyond saving you a few bucks.
Buying a kayak at the right time ensures that you get the most value for your money by getting an even better kayak.
Best Time of The Year to Buy A Kayak and What to Consider
When you are buying a kayak, whether new or used, the last thing you want is to discover that you could have gotten a way better deal after you’ve already made the purchase.
Generally, kayaks are not cheap especially the new ones. As such, it matters when you buy one so, timing your purchase to fall within the best sales of the year is more ideal.
So, when is the best time to go kayak shopping? Well, this will depend on a lot of factors but generally, the best deals are usually towards the end of the kayaking season which falls in late August and early September.
During this time retailers are looking to clear the leftover stock, which only means one thing – plenty of discounts and deals for the taking!
Another time to get the most value for money if you want a kayak is during Memorial Day and Christmas holiday.
During these periods, kayakers will also be selling their used kayaks for half the price or even less.
So, let’s expound further on the best time of the year to get a kayak so that you are ready to make a purchase as soon as the deals start streaming in.
Seasonal and Monthly Deals
If you are looking for a kayak and want to spend as little as you can, seasonal deals are always coming up.
Spring and fall are some of the best times to purchase a kayak. Spring season is when new kayakers are beginning to buy kayaks.
The fall season is when kayaking slows down which means that kayaks will not be as expensive.
When it comes to specific months, April and August are usually the best time to buy a kayak. December and January would also be a great time to buy a kayak.
As mentioned earlier, always be on the lookout for holiday deals. Christmas and Memorial Days are known to be more pocket-friendly holidays to buy a kayak.
When Is the Best Time to Buy A Used Kayak?
If you are looking for a functional kayak but don’t want to spend too much, a used kayak is your best option.
Online marketplaces from Facebook, Craigslist, to eBay are full of people looking to dispose of their old kayaks.
While you can buy used kayaks all year round, there are specific times when you are likely to get better deals.
Winter months and towards the end of the kayaking season are the best times to purchase used kayaks.
During this period most people are thinking about purchasing winter gear and so most of them will be selling their summer gear such as kayaks to buy them.
You are therefore likely to get one of the best deals during that time. When you are buying used kayaks, always consider buying from a seller who offers a warranty.
However, that is not always possible especially when you are buying from individuals. As such, make sure that you see the kayak before you purchase especially when you are dealing with an online seller to make sure that the kayak is in good shape.
So, What Should You Consider?
- Weak spots, dents as well as cracks on the kayak. If the cracks are just on the surface, then they shouldn’t be an issue. However, if they are deeper and larger, it could point to structural damage and you might want to consider another seller.
- How the kayak has been stored. Ideally, improper storage especially in the sun can lead to all manner of damage including warping of the hull. One way to spot such damage is to look out for bleaching on the polyethylene hull.
- If it’s possible, ask the seller to allow you to take the kayak for a quick test in the water. Why? This is to ensure that the kayak is comfortable, tracks well, and doesn’t have any leaks.
Still on the subject of purchasing used kayaks, consider rental shops. Such shops usually sell their old stock at discounted prices.
With rental shops, you can be sure that the kayak you will be getting is of good quality since rental shops usually service their kayaks.
Local dealers also sell older models at discounted prices especially towards the end of the kayaking season.
Manufacturers also sell older models which might actually be cheaper than buying from a local dealer.
So, before you make a purchase, call a manufacturer to find out if they have any older models that they are selling.
When Is the Best Time of The Year to Buy A New Kayak?
Not everyone is interested in buying a used kayak and for good reason. With old kayaks, you might end up with a kayak that has a lot of damage that could see you spending even more on repairs.
So, while new kayaks are more expensive, they are usually the safer choice especially if you are a beginner.
With new kayaks, however, you want to get the best deal possible. Buying a kayak especially a new one is always a serious investment; therefore, you need not be in a hurry.
The best time to purchase a new kayak is always towards the end of the kayaking season. During this time, retailers will be getting rid of their old season stock to make room for new stock.
They will therefore be clearing off the shelves by discounting the prices. Unfortunately, unlike when you are buying items that have heavy retail markup like cars, kayak prices don’t drop that much during such sales.
So, always keep an eye open for such deals because they don’t last long. If there is a clearance sale at a certain retail shop, go for it.
If you are purchasing from a big box store, start browsing during holidays or towards the end of the kayaking season.
Local specialty stores also have demo sales on new kayaks. During demo sales, new kayaks demoed for a day usually sell at discounted prices.
Another thing you need to look out for when you are buying a new kayak is the shipping cost. For brick-and-mortar stores, you won’t be charged extra if you pick up the kayak yourself. They do, however, charge a delivery fee if you go that route.
Online purchase on the other hand will always come with additional costs in terms of shipping. This will usually be between $50 to $150 so, go for the cheapest if you are looking to save your money.
Kayak Type and Pricing
There are so many types of kayaks that all determine when you buy one. Entry-level recreational kayaks, for instance, are sold all year long and there are always deals going around that you need to look out for.
Fishing as well as touring kayaks on the other hand are a different case. Since they are more specialized, they are therefore more expensive which means that deals are rare.
At the end of the day, regardless of the type of kayak you want, one thing you need to keep in mind is that buying a kayak mid-season or at the beginning of the kayaking season will always cost you more.
If it’s possible for you to postpone the purchase until the end of the season, you will definitely save a lot.
Conclusion
If you love kayaking, then you know that kayaks don’t come cheap. If you are looking to owning your own kayak, you must therefore have the budget for it. However, you don’t need to break the bank just to own a kayak. There is always a good and bad time to purchase a kayak. Purchasing a kayak during the kayaking season will cost you more. On the other hand, purchasing one towards the end of the season or during special holidays like Memorial Day or Christmas is more ideal. If you want to save even more, consider buying a used kayak during such months.
