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As above. I'm wanting a kayak, paddle, deck, ba, etc etc and the two closest shops to me (that I know of) are in Bournmouth and Brighton. I've rung up both asking about availability of the boats on their web site before making the 1hr 40min drive to either and both times I got young shop lads who frankly couldn't GAF and I put the phone down both times none the wiser ("there might be some of those kicking around the back - you can 'av a look when you come down") . I've emailed both and no response. Having a deja vu moment all over again like walking into a few lbs I know!
So are there any kayak shops out there - either real world or virtual who are worthy of my toy money?
Where are you based, for a start?
Hampshire - hence Bournmouth and Brighton being my two closest.
I'd be happy to travel (going the length of the country in 2 weeks) for the right place.
SBZ - that's one of the shops I've tried. Got the answerphone for most of yesterday and young lad (well sounded young) earlier without much of a clue.
Actually not far off what I was after - the P&H scorpio.
Both Marsport and Berkshire Canoes in Reading might be worth a look, if they're not too far out of your way. Marsport have a good pedigree in racing boats and have always been great when I've spoken to them.
Thanks Pyro - I'll look them up now.
We bought our boats from [url= http://www.whitewaterthecanoecentre.co.uk/ ]Whitewater in Shepperton[/url]. They were very helpful and tolerant of what at the time were real beginners questions. They have a small lake out back and the Thames out front and do hire and demo kayaks.
Oh - a website with nice pictures and everything - I'm interested already!
The shop is much better than the website suggests.
Are you looking at a glass or plastic kayak. Have you paddled the Scorpio or looking to try one from the shop before buying?
I think realistically as Sea kayaking will be sport number 3 or 4 on my frequency list CoreLite type plastic boats are where my spending should stop if buying new. Also I'm anticipating being more than a bit rusty and landing solo on some rocky highland spot in a plastic boat might make me less nervous than in composite!
Regarding demoing - would be nice but a bit like bike demos I'm not sure what you gain from a quick outing. It will all feel unfamiliar again. The reason I plumped for the Scorpio is based on some good reviews (it won the best plastic boat test I read), the descriptions sort of sounding like the stuff I want to do, and P&H having a reasonable rep for quality.
convert - its a good kayak, I have paddled a glass version and liked it but went for a Valley Aquanaut in the end. You say rusty so guessing you have kayaked before and have found www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk
If going any distance get a VHF and the knowledge to use it as well 🙂
[url= http://www.aswatersportsequipment.co.uk/ ]AS Watersports[/url] on the Quay in Exeter have been very helpful. The kids had a great time testing last summer.
DB - thanks for the link- worth a read through. Yes paddled before but not sure the internet was invented when I last did much! (slight exaggeration but not by much!). With another sport hat on I've got my yachtmaster ticket so fortunately got vhf/flares and a bit of nouce as to what can go wrong at sea.
Returning to my original post - I still can't believe neither shop I have contacted has bothered to respond to my friendly enquiring email requesting stock availability and asking when in the week would be best to travel down and find them vaguely quiet. I've got £2K+ to spent on a boat and clobber - usual retail mark up in this industry is 30% so that's £600+ profit. First to reply would probably have got the cash. Either they are proper busy and can afford not to gaf, or they really don't deserve to be in business. Definitely going to move on to recommendations above.