Looking to Buy a Kayak in Nashville? Try Renting One First…
Kayaking has exploded as a hobby in the past few years and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fun, relaxing, relatively inexpensive and easy way to spend your free time. But before you go buying up some kayaks of your own there are lots of things you will want to consider. For instance, do you have room to store a kayak? What kind of water do you plan to kayak on the most? How will you be transporting your new boat? Do you know the safety basics? We could go on and on!
3 kayakers paddle in their rented River Queen Voyages kayaks to the downtown Nashville skyline.
Lucky for you, we have a solution to all of your problems and then some: River Queen Voyages kayak rentals! When you go kayaking with RQV, we take care of all of the details so you can focus on enjoying your time on the water. Before putting you on the water, we’ll give you a free Kayaking 101, explain some essential safety tips, and answer any questions about the kayaks. Plus, you will get to try out our preferred kayak— the Jackson Rivera, made right here in Tennessee— and see if that’s the style you might want to buy someday. (But after your 5-star experience with us, you likely won’t want to kayak any other way again!)
Buying a kayak can be a great experience— trust us, we have over 50 of them! But, it’s not the only option, and may not be the best option for you! Here are just a few reasons why River Queen Voyages recommends doing one of our downtown Nashville kayak rentals before buying a boat of your own.
Learn your kayaking style
Renting a kayak allows you to try out different types of kayaks before making a significant investment. This way, you can determine which type of kayak suits your needs and preferences before making a purchase. We love how sturdy and comfortable our Jackson Rivera kayaks are, but maybe you want something more lightweight! You won’t know until you try.
Save money
Renting a kayak is usually less expensive than purchasing one, especially if you only plan on kayaking occasionally. Renting allows you to enjoy the activity without having to commit to the expense of purchasing your own equipment. It’s not just a boat you’d be buying! Think, paddles, lifejackets, a roof rack, replacement parts, and so on… It can add up!
Forget about kayak storage and maintenance
When you rent a kayak, you don't have to worry about storage or maintenance. Kayaks can take up a lot of space and require regular upkeep, so renting can be a hassle-free way to enjoy the activity without having to worry about these logistics.
What you need, when you need it
When you rent a kayak from an outfitter, you open your access to different types of kayaks, which can provide a greater variety of experiences. This can be especially useful if you're a beginner, as you can experiment with different types of kayaks to find the one that best suits your skill level and preferences. A tandem kayak might seem like a great purchase…until you find you much prefer a solo paddle! Renting a kayak ensures that you don’t tie yourself down to just one option.
The freedom of convenience
Renting a kayak is often more convenient than purchasing one, especially if you don't have a lot of storage space or transportation options. Like River Queen Voyages, most kayak rental companies offer drop-off and pick-up services, making it easy to enjoy the activity without having to transport the kayak yourself. Let us do the hard parts!
Finally, if you love kayaking but buying your own boat doesn’t make sense, get an RQV Season Pass! There are so many options, you’re sure to find whatever works best for you. See you on the river!
