[Paddlewise] Cost of Kayaking ( was Costco)

Dan Volker wrote:
"If cost is the real driving force, then we have a responsibility to newcomers to
help them find good used boats."
----------------------------------------
As a beginner, I'm finding that the cost of accessories and training is more of a
problem as buying a boat.  For example:

Drysuit:    $300 (Gortex - $600)
Paddle:    $100
PFD:        $ 80
Fleece:    $100
Spray Skirt:  $50
Booties:  $35
Gloves:   $20
==============
Total    $685 - $985

Certainly the above list is not complete, and I suppose we could safely add in
another $100 for hat, paddle float, whistle, wet suit for the summer, and
miscellaneous other items.  So the cost of accessories bumps up to $800 - $1100.
That is, of course, if we don't buy top-of-the-line equipment.

Now let's add some classes from a local kayak shop:

Basic kayaking:  $55 (assisted rescue)
Intermediate kayaking:   $55  (self-rescue)
Braces and Rolls  $40
======================
Total    $190

Now maybe we want to rent boats for a while in order to see what we like, and to
get some  more practice. Let's say that we do 10 rentals from a local shop, and
that we use the boats in the river behind the shop, thus delaying the need to
purchase a $200 roof rack:

Daily rental $30 x 10 = $300

In summary:
Accessories  $800 to $1100
Classes   $200
Rental   $300
====================
Approximate total:  $1200 to $1500.

Remember, at this point there isn't even a boat, and after all that expense you're
basically a beginning paddler who can drive the  boat more or less in the right
direction, and who probably won't drown if you fall out of the boat.

Now let's say that I choose not  to purchase any accessories, but rent boats and
accessories from a local kayak dealer:

Daily rental (all equipment and boat) $45 x 10 = $450

Combined with the classes our total (without owning anything) is $650.  But as
soon as I purchased a boat, I'd still have to buy $800 of accessories.

If I don't rent anything, but purchase boat, accessoring, and training, I spend
about $2000 minimum.

I could go on, but what's the point?  It's expensive stuff, no matter how you look
at it.  Even if someone *gave* me a boat, I'd still spend $1000 just on
accessories and classes.  And  all this just to do little day trips on the river.
Is it any wonder why some people skimp on safety, when doing it right is so
expensive?

jim

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