How about a light (under 50lbs?) kayak for under $1000? The lighter and cheaper the better.

Light and cheap don't mesh..

I can think of some deckless kayaks that come in at 10-30 lbs. But not as cheap as $1000.

Imagine portaging with a Sixteen.

http://www.hornbeckboats.com/boatgallery/16foot/16foot.htm

quote toddhunter: "How about a light (under 50lbs?) kayak for under $1000? The lighter and cheaper the better."

If you don't mind building it yourself you can get under 45lbs. However I bet with additional material costs you will be up near $1000. Still, it was a fun project for me.

Just bought a Perception Sonoma 14.5 foot used on Craigs list. . .looks brand new. Paid $600 for it. It weighs only 35 pounds. There are a lot of kayaks out there in the 35-45 pound category that you can pick up used for $400 to $800. I drove to Nashville (3 hours) to get it.

quote markaroberts: "Just bought a Perception Sonoma 14.5 foot used on Craigs list. . .looks brand new. Paid $600 for it. It weighs only 35 pounds. There are a lot of kayaks out there in the 35-45 pound category that you can pick up used for $400 to $800. I drove to Nashville (3 hours) to get it."

That would work for me. Let me know when you're selling!

I got my first kayak in "96 and have been paddling them since. Like other things there are many options and I suggest you work with a reputable dealer who has personal experience on the water. I would avoid the ultralight poly boats. They are lighter for size, but poly warps under UV and lighter poly boats are just thinner and warp sooner. Other materials are more expensive, but you get what you pay for.
I am looking forward to the canoe again. Have you considered single canoe rather than kayak? I will rent a canoe rather than bring my kayak back to the BWCA. The portages and always having to double or triple portage is just too much price for the advantages of traveling faster and in windy conditions.

quote bhouse46: "I got my first kayak in "96 and have been paddling them since. Like other things there are many options and I suggest you work with a reputable dealer who has personal experience on the water. I would avoid the ultralight poly boats. They are lighter for size, but poly warps under UV and lighter poly boats are just thinner and warp sooner. Other materials are more expensive, but you get what you pay for.
I am looking forward to the canoe again. Have you considered single canoe rather than kayak? I will rent a canoe rather than bring my kayak back to the BWCA. The portages and always having to double or triple portage is just too much price for the advantages of traveling faster and in windy conditions."

I'm not sure what the advantage is to a one person canoe. Saw someone using it and it looked a lot more difficult to move than the kayak i was using. Is it lighter? Or is it that you prefer to rent?

on the water i prefer the kayak hands down. portaging a kayak involves pulling out the gear and packing it over and then the boat that really does not balance well. If I were to do a big lake or go in only a couple simpler portages I might still use my kayak, but for any deep travel the portage issue outweighs the water advantages. I would rather own than rent and probably will make my next purchase a single canoe. Toting a boat from my home in Des Moines with wind drag and gas prices and wear and tear of life in the bwca, perhaps renting isn't such a bad idea.