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On the water

Gear that has actually been wet.

Kayaks, trolling motors, batteries and tackle — written up by someone who paddles most weekends and does his own maintenance. Including the repairs, which is usually the part nobody writes down.

Find gear by budget How I judge kit
  • Two decades on the water
  • Gear used, not unboxed
  • Repairs included
  • No manufacturer sponsorships

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Start with the boat, or the problem

The whole site, in six shelves.

Kayak & Canoe 118 articles Trolling Motor 35 articles Boat 40 articles Fishing 29 articles Battery 24 articles Accessories 28 articles

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Quick answers

What are you looking for?

Type a boat, a motor, a price or a species — every buying guide on the site is in this list.

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Method

How I judge kit

Marine gear is sold on specifications that mean very little once there is wind and chop. These are the questions that decide it.

01

How does it behave loaded?

An empty kayak on flat water tells you nothing. Tracking and stability change completely with gear and a passenger.

02

Is the rating honest?

Thrust, capacity and run time are quoted in ideal conditions. What matters is the number you get in a headwind.

03

What breaks first?

Every piece of kit has one. Knowing it beforehand is worth more than a star rating.

04

Can you fix it yourself?

Parts availability and whether the job needs the boat out of the water.

05

Cost per season

Not sticker price. A cheap battery replaced every year is the expensive one.

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Buying a first kayak Length, width, tracking Trolling motors Thrust, shaft, mounting Batteries Run time and charging Pontoon projects Building, grills, anchors Outboard repair Carbs, fuel, winterising Rods & tackle Spinning, casting, line