Best Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) for DWS

Anyone have any advice or insight about a setup for deep water soloing?

Looking at getting something inflatable to access various lake cliffs here in the US, no ocean waves to worry about. It could be just me or my gf and dog too.

I can imagine some of the pros/cons of kayak vs SUP and the obvious tradeoffs...

Choose something too fast (i.e. narrow) and the system will probably be too wobbly to get in/off comfortably...

Choose something too stable (i.e. wide) and it may take too much effort if the cliffs are a couple miles away...

They're not cheap so any lessons or experience is welcome! Thanks!

I've never tried DWS with it, but the Intex Excursion Pro Kayak has served me, my partner and our dog well. It's taken quite a beating and holding up great. Even some river floating and scuffing about on the rocks. At $280, it's super affordable compared to other options. Here's a link to it on Amazon.

B McG wrote:

I've never tried DWS with it, but the Intex Excursion Pro Kayak has served me, my partner and our dog well. It's taken quite a beating and holding up great. Even some river floating and scuffing about on the rocks. At $280, it's super affordable compared to other options. Here's a link to it on Amazon.

That is a lot cheaper than the options I've seen so far! You're not worried about your dog's claws scratching or ripping it?

Look up the kayak self rescue "cowboy scramble" on how to get back into your kayak from the water.  You would want to practice in shallow water first because it can be really tiring.  If you have a partner in another kayak (with a spray skirt) you can do a T-Rescue with them that is not as tireing.   Without sealed bulkheads in it, it will be nearly impossible to get back in when you can't touch the bottom.

Rotomold kayaks will be more durable that a vacuum formed or fiberglass kayak.  Either the Wilderness Systems Pungo 12 or the Dagger Stratos would be a good kayak.  The Stratos is in between a sea kayak and a recreation kayak and will be more comfortable to paddle longer than the Pungo with is a recreation kayak.  You get what you pay when buying a kayak.

The instability in a sea kayak is what makes it more stable in rough conditions.  Be aware that cliffs make the waves bigger near them.  The energy from the waves has no were to go and reflects that energy back out making the chop unpredictable.

Gabriel Seitz wrote:

That is a lot cheaper than the options I've seen so far! You're not worried about your dog's claws scratching or ripping it?

No concerns with my 50 lb dog in it. It's not like a cheap pool toy or anything, very thick PVC or Vinyl or whatever it is. 

SUP all the way for DWS. I traded in my two kayaks for SUP. Way easier to get on the rock and much more efficient travel on the approach.  Also, nice to lay and chill after a burn an no need to wrestle yourself back into the boat.  I'm trying to think of a downside since the switch and I got nothing.

I bought this one. Only SUP I've ever been on so I won't "recommend" it. But it treats me well and was cheap.

https://www.als.com/kxone-paddleboard-adventure/p?skuId=797509

Tower 14’ explorer is a  great inflatable sup. It is 8” inches tall. It’s huge and works really well for just about every flat water adventure.  Very durable easy to get on / off. With bungee and or Velcro everything stays on board. I’d highly recommended