>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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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