Re: [Paddlewise] Ease of renting a kayak in Montana

>So, please report what you would expect to happen if I showed up at
your
>local kayak rental facility and asked to rent a kayak for the day.

You'd be hard pressed to find a kayak retailer/rental facility in
eastern or central Montana.  Billings, maybe.

There are several rental/retailers western Montana.

Bozeman-Northern Lights Trading Company-$500 check deposit plus rental
fee ($25/day)
    Basically tell 'em where you're going, and you're out the door.  A
few basic verbal
    questions to answer. Minimum 1-hour drive to a lake of any size so
you're required
    to have or rent a good rack.
    Sprayskirts and PFD's included.

Missoula-Canoe Rack-rental fee=$25/day
    Tell 'em where you're going, and you're out the door.  If you're
going on the river, they
    just let you go.  If you're going to a lake, they tell you to stay
near shore unless you know
    what you're doing.  If you mention you're going to Flathead Lake,
they'll query you a bit
    more on your skills, and really make sure you know about wet
exiting, rescues,
    hypothermia, etc.  Free demos on Bitterroot River.  "Try before you
buy"  Sometimes
    they're a bit too nice--I've seen them rent out boats to people with
no roof rack, just
    strapped (padded) to the top of a topper.

Missoula-Trailhead--rental fee is $25 or 30, IIRC.
    Smaller rental selection than Canoe Rack.  I have never spoken with
them about rentals,
    but I know they rent out boats to encourage future sales.

Polson-Bear Dance Outfitters--don't know about rental prices
    I've just spoken with these folks about paddling in general, but I
got the impression
    they'd let you rent their boats if you had an inkling of what you
were doing.  I think they
    allow demos on Flathead (2 blocks away) if they have a free staff
member.

There are 2 guide services on Flathead Lake, but I don't think they
allow rentals unless you're taking one of their trips.

Paddlewisers can show up in the veritable sea kayaking mecca of Missoula
and use my boats for free.

Shawn

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