Im buying my first Kayak and cant afford a high end yak. Will the Third Coast Avalon 120 make a good starter boat?

Seems like it would be a decent kayak. Weight is good for transport at 68lbs. It also has fairly good dimensions for paddling. Don't think Id try standing in this one and it does have a limited weight capacity. Most of what kayaking or canoeing boils down to is what type of fishing are you doing and where are you planning on using it.

I hear you on the high end kayaks? Think some of them have gone nuts, kinda like a newer trucks.

I appreciate the input. It's funny how if you own a Hobie or other high end yak there would have been many responses to my post. It's sad there's clicks in every hobby where you don't fit in if you don't buy the specific brands. It's a shame I most likely won't fit in with the rest of the yak community but I don't have money flying out of my pockets. Thanks for your time.

I waited for a long time for the right used yak that would fit the majority of what I wanted to do and one that came with many extras that I would have had to spend money to add on. I'm a disabled vet so I am far from having the money even for some of the high end base models, like $1500 shy. I am not disappointed and got something really special for around the price point of the Avalon.


I still need stuff for it and have only had it out for one serious trip so far. (I need to get a better roof rack and some load assist stuff so I can go by myself if I choose to or at least not bother anyone I go with). I know where you are coming from and not sure I would by a yak for $5,000 plus even if I was "Bill Gates" rich.

Back to the Avalon though. I think it would be a great yak. The one thing that I think would be necessary for bigger lakes or the coast is either a rudder or a skeg. Here in Texas something to help it track and or buck the wind is all but mandatory. I tried all kinds of yaks last summer and ones without a rudder/skeg usually had poor performance even on ponds bigger than twenty acres or so if winds got over 5 mph. But you can save to add that or if your fairly handy you could build and add your own. Another thing is a good paddle, its your motor in the Avalon. Paddles are also way expensive these day too in my opinion but a light paddle with good stiff blades of carbon or wood reinforced glass would be the ticket. I have seen some in the $150.00 range. Again this is an item that can wait.

Not sure about the kayak, but I like my Toyota Avalon. Is the kayak "near luxury" a "Lexus without the badge" like the car? Or is it the Grand Marquis of the current olds' generation for yaks?

The Third Coast Avalon 120 is on sale at Academy for $499. It would be a good entry level fishing kayak. The layout looks the same as the Perception Pescador 12.0.