Average Cost of a Kayak

Kayaking is one of the most popular (and most fun) summer and spring activities you can do. While renting a kayak can be fun for a day, owning your own kayak gives you endless fun all sprung and summer long. Kayaks however are not the cheapest thing to buy however. Depending on the type of kayak you want (or need, based on what you want to do with the kayak) will determine how much you spend. For the most part however, you should expect to spend between $150 and $6o0 for a kayak.

Average Cost of a Kayak: $388

The average cost of a kayak from Dick’s Sporting Goods is $388 and $200.50 on Amazon. That average price however covers a wide range of kayaks including inflatables all the way up to ocean sport kayaks Kayaks available in Dick’s range across a wide variety of styles whereas those on Amazon skew more toward beginners, thus the large average cost difference.

The price of your kayak is going to fluctuate depending on the number of people it can hold, the material it is made from and the durability of those materials. The material and shape of the kayak is usually correlative to what you will be using the kayak for ultimately. Kayaks built for rougher conditions such as out in water are going to be costlier because they are made of more sturdy materials. How much should you be spending on a kayak?

Cost of a Beginner Kayak

Beginner kayaks generally have a few common features, such as a large cockpit to make it easier to get in and out and storage room. Beginner kayaks also tend to be a bit heavier (and thus more stable) than more advanced kayak models. A beginner kayak is generally going to cost between $200 and $350. We personally recommend investing in one of these if you intend on turning kayaking into a summer sport you plan to do at least a few times per year. Anything cheaper is not going to last particularly long. A beginner kayak in this price range will last you at least several summers assuming you properly take care of the kayak.

Inflatable Kayaks

If you are just looking for some temporary fun, then you could consider an inflatable kayak. Inflatable kayaks are less than $100 and can be a source of fun for a few times over a summer. To be clear though, we do not recommend going with an inflatable if you plan on using your kayak for sport, trips or over the long run.

Cost of Different Types of Kayaks

There are numerous types of kayaks to choose from and they each have their own unique price point. In general there are fishing kayaks, ocean or touring kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, white water kayaks and a canoe-hybrid kayak. Each serves a different purpose and generally are a step up from a beginner kayak. Here’s what you should expect to pay for each:

Fishing Kayak: $300

If you are in the market for a fishing kayak, then you should expect to pay a little bit more than a typical sport kayak. A fishing kayak generally come with a deep cockpit with a seat back. They also come with storage and holes to place your fishing rod. You should expect to pay at least $300 for a quality fishing kayak.

Touring/Ocean Kayak: $1,925

Touring kayaks are going to be the most expensive of any kayak you can buy. These kayaks are long, made of sturdy materials  meant to last for long trips and rough waters. If you are new to kayaking and what to get into trekking right away, be prepared to spend some money.

White Water Kayak: $1,059

White water kayaks are also a bit pricey compared to a standard beginner kayak, though still a bit cheaper than touring kayaks. These also serve a very specific purpose – going down rapids. The design of these kayaks make it so you can navigate the rough waters in a safe way. If white water kayaking is a hobby you want to take up, be prepared to spend nearly a grand.

Summary

We’ve gone over several types of kayaks, each with different price points. In summary, if you are in the market for any of the following kayaks, here’s what you will likely need to pay.