I know, i know, I should save up and buy right once. I just wanna get something in the next week or so I can just get in the water. The local dicks sporting goods has a blemished Coleman Hooligan 85 I can buy for $170. I thought about buying it but I might try and find a lower price range($200-$300) kayak on Craigslist.What models/brands I should look for or avoid? Are there any designs I should avoid? Thanks.

I'm 6'1'' 235lbs. I'm bulking and will probably be around 245lbs in the next couple months(for kayak size purposes).

anyone?

what type of water are you going into lake, river, ocean?  makes a difference try this for starters

http://www.directboats.com/kabugu.html

Going to be hitting rivers mostly.

Are they large rivers with fast water or big slow moving rivers?   When I first got into kayaks I bought two.  An Old Town 2 person 16' kayak and a one person 9' Swifty Perception.  Both were needed since I did both types of water.  The Old Town was great for lakes and big rivers, though I did use it in places that it wasn't designed for from time to time and the Swifty was for smaller faster water.  The big kayak was efficient and fast on bigger water, though not as fast as a Dagger or other higher performance type kayak, but it was also more stable and forgiving, perfect for a beginner.  The Swifty was also more stable than a dagger type but could turn on a dime, downside to that one was it was slow on big water or lakes.  For a starter boat get something a little more stable and forgiving but not too expensive, meaning it may be a little heavier, a little klunkier.  If you like it, you can upgrade in a few years.  If you don't you aren't out much money.  

On another note, get a good paddle that fits you, don't skimp on the paddle!

This is all pretty new to me. I just did the Current River a few weeks ago and cant stop thinking about going again. The Current River is my only reference point really. IIRC it has some milder stage 2 and an average flow around 4mph. I'm not trying to limit myself but will most likely wont be hitting anything super advanced with this kayak. I would like it to have adequate storage space so I could do long, multi-day trips.

Do you have any recommendations for a paddle?

Thanks for the help folks.

I would suggest an Old Town Loon.

I don't think they make them anymore but you can find used ones in decent shape.

I have the Loon 138 and I'm 6'7" and it still has plenty of room for gear. Very wide and stable.

Not the fastest thing on the river...think of it as a suburban.

For a paddle I have the Agua Bound Sting Ray Carbon...was under $200 and is fine for me...it's amazing the difference a good paddle makes.

Scrambler xt angler

It's a sit on top and all  but Unflipable.

I wouldn't shoot rapids with it however

In the last month or so I bought two yaks. First one I got at Bass Pro Shops was the Old Town Rush. It is all open on the inside and no bulk heads. I am pretty new to this as well and I really like the boat. The seccond one I got was a Coleman Rebel that was on sale at Dicks. It is similar to the Rush, but it is wider and more stable. Both have foot pegs. I had to buy everything for the Rush, but the Rebel came with paddle, vest, and a float bag incase you swamp the boat.

What they cost me

Rush $299, Paddle $50, PFD $25, 30L dry bag @ wally world $5

Colman $250

Yeah I just bought one earlier this week.
Very stable and lots of storage

I would suggest getting a used one off of craigs list.

I grew up canoeing, but have recently jumped into kayaking and really enjoy it.  We have a small 12 acre pond so I figured a small kayak would be fun for the kids and fishing.  We first picked up an inexpensive Pelican sit-on-top.  Not a lot of room for gear, but good for toying around.  I ended up trying Bass Pro Shops 12 foot Ascend angler kayak and really like it…it’s a sit in and has more room for storage.  

We just returned from a week in the FL Keys and did a kayak tour and rented some as well.  Most common was Wilderness Systems and Ocean Kayaks.  The tour guide said her husband was a big guy (body builder type) and much prefers sit-on-tops for access.  However, that really depends on your use.  For rougher class rivers, you’ll be much better off with a sit-in which gives you a lower center of gravity and better stability.  Also, you’ll get more wet with a sit-on-top just by design.  I think many are right that you should keep an eye out on Craig’s List.  I want a Wilderness Systems, but looking on Craig’s List as I really don’t need it right now.  I’m also considering Bass Pro’s 12 foot Ascend sit-on-top angler as I prefer slow water fishing from an SOT.  I can tell you that kayaks are a blast and I’m really enjoying them the more I use them.  

ROCK6

I just picked up 2 Heritage Featherlite 9.5 kayaks last night for $350 each.   They're considered beginner yaks and are supposed to be very stable.  Going paddle shopping today, looking at the Carlisle Magic something or other for $80/ea.   Can't wait to take them out tomorrow!

Friend bought the hooligan and immediately bought a perception pescador 10. The hooligan is a slow boat that changes direction with every stroke. I was paddling a children's six foot SOT and the hooligan couldn't keep up. Now I'm back in my Episea and the pescador can't keep up.

If you're going with friends, make sure you have similar boats or it won't be fun.

For your size, up to class II and want it for multi-day trips I would recommend you search for a used Wilderness Systems Tsunami 125. They are about $1k new, you may be able to find one for $500 to $700. The seating system is one of the best I have tried, the boat is somewhat fast and stable and can handle a bit of gear with bow and stern bulkheads.

Check the recommended capacity of the big box boat before you buy them.   You are a big dude.

I once kayak camped out of an Old Town Otter and it almost looked like a submarine on the surface with me being the conning tower.

If you are doing slow (no rocks) and want to move fast you want to build a CLC 18.   You will not be disappointed, except while you are sanding.

This weighs 40 pounds.