Kayak Buying Season: What You Need to Know
Are you interested in buying a new kayak? This can be a fascinating process. You’ll be slicing through the water in style with your new kayak.
It takes time to select the perfect option, ensuring it’s the right fit for your needs. When is the best time to buy?
The best time to buy a kayak if you’re looking to get a great deal is during the off-season, especially around Christmas and Memorial day. During peak paddling season, the prices are typically higher, meeting the higher customer demand. However, you can still find great deals second-hand through the marketplaces and yard sales if you are diligently looking at this time.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Kayak?
If you’re looking to score a great deal on a kayak, you’ll want to check out the deals offered around Christmas and Memorial Day. Throughout May and December, there will be scores of deals that you can choose from.
You can also consider shopping after the peak paddling season is over. In the United States, this is primarily in August, so you can start shopping for deals in September at the earliest on the inventory that didn’t sell over the summer.
It’s also possible that there may be leftover inventory from the holiday sales that retailers need to get rid of in January. This may include further sales. You have to keep your eyes open.
The only problem with waiting for an off-season deal is that the selection will be sparse. Everyone will have picked through and taken what they wanted, leaving the least desirable options.
When Is the Worst Time to Buy a Kayak?
In the United States, peak paddling season is typically from June through August. This period is when kayaks will be in the most demand, so what do retailers do? They raise the prices to meet that demand to make a profit.
This is the worst time to buy a kayak if you are trying to save some money. However, if you don’t mind second-hand goods, you can get a great deal on a used kayak. Many people will upgrade and be willing to part with their high-quality castoffs.
You’ll have to diligently scour the marketplaces and yard sales to get lucky during these peak price times.
How to Get the Best Price
You can go about getting the best price on a kayak in several ways. You can even use some of these strategies together to ensure that you find the best deals.
Shop Private House Sales
When people hold moving and yard sales, you might get lucky and find a perfect kayak for sale at a reasonable price. For various reasons, the owner will have to put their prized vessel up for sale, and it’s an excellent time for you to swoop in and claim your deal.
Get Email Notifications
You can sign up for email notifications from your favorite kayak manufacturers. You’ll get messages directly to your inbox whenever they have deals or release new models. Then, you can do further research to determine if the models on sale fit your needs.
Attend Retail Shows
Expos are a great place to learn about new models coming out on the market. You will be able to get all the information you need to decide which model is the one you want and then follow it up with research to find the best deals when you’re ready to purchase.
Check the Marketplace Regularly
Online marketplaces can be a viable place to find high-quality used kayaks. You will have to dedicate time to searching and be prepared for competition from others looking for a great deal.
Quick Tips
It takes time to buy the right kayak. You don’t want to waste your time and money on making the wrong investment, so follow these tips when making your purchase decision.
Choose Your Kayak Type
Kayaks aren’t one-size-fits-all. You need to know what kind you’re in the market for. Start by deciding the primary activity you’re going to be doing. Is it cruising down the whitewater rapids? Fishing? Calm paddling down a lazy river?
Once you know what you want in the kayak, you can start narrowing down the type of kayak you want. You’ll have more than one type of kayak to which you’ve checked your decision. If you have more than one idea, that’s OK, too.
Pick Out Some Models That Draw Your Eye
Now that you’ve picked out the type (or types) you are interested in; you need to choose two or three models to consider. There are many variables that you can consider when choosing, including but not limited to hull design, storage, length, width, and seat design.
Make a list of features that are most important to you. Five to ten should do it. Find the kayaks that check off most or all of the boxes.
Read User Reviews
Now it’s time to read the user reviews on the models you selected. Try to find reviews that put the models in conditions similar to your own. At the same time, remember to take all user reviews with a grain of salt.
Test Locally
Many kayak retailers will allow you to test a kayak locally for a fee. You can request to rent the kayak for an entire day to get a feel for whether or not you will be able to paddle it.
Conclusion
Buying a new kayak can be a really rewarding experience. You will have a new model vessel to travel through your favorite places.
By shopping at the correct times and being diligent about looking for the best deals, you can find your new kayak for the most affordable price.
