Sarah and Emma delivered some of the absolute best customer service I've experienced. Indian River…read moreMarina & Kayak is family-owned, and you can immediately tell that these two know their stuff!
My friends and I drove all the way from Long Island, NY, to Clinton, CT, specifically to demo kayaks and I would absolutely make the drive again. I mean we drove over 2 hours! I recently picked up kayaking as a new hobby and am now apparently at risk of becoming a kayak hoarder. I wanted to test the Perception Carolina 12.0 and 14.0, while my friends were interested in trying Eddyline and Stellar kayaks.
Sarah and Emma helped us get in and out of the kayaks, made sure we were properly geared up with our life jackets, and answered every question we threw at them. We were able to paddle out on the river and toward the bay, which gave us an opportunity to actually see how the different kayaks handled on the water. I specifically wanted something that could handle choppier conditions in the bay and, eventually, cross the Long Island Sound so we can avoid paying the tolls. (I'm kidding. Please don't do that based on this Yelp review.)
One thing I really appreciated was that they didn't just try to sell us whatever we initially had in mind. When I asked about a Wilderness Systems kayak, they encouraged me to actually sit in the cockpit and see how it felt. I'm glad I listened because I realized I didn't love the cockpit nearly as much as the Perception. Being able to compare everything in person and then actually take the kayaks onto the water made a HUGE difference.
I also couldn't decide whether I preferred the Carolina 12.0 or the 14.0, and at no point did I feel pressured to make a purchase or choose a kayak before I was ready. Sarah and Emma were completely fine with us taking our time, testing different options, asking questions, and going home to think everything over. I really appreciated that. When you're making an investment in something like a kayak, it's nice to be able to make an informed decision without feeling like someone is trying to close a sale.
Then Sarah told us that Stellar kayaks can be customized with different color combinations, and that opened an entirely new can of worms. We went there trying to decide which kayaks we wanted and left trying to design the prettiest kayaks possible before placing our orders. Sarah took our information, explained the payment options available to us and how the process would work, and never made us feel rushed or pressured. Once we finally stop changing our minds about our color schemes, Sarah will be getting a phone call from us ASAP!
While we were demoing, I also saw other customers coming in to rent kayaks, and I thought the rental prices were very reasonable. They offer both new and used kayaks for sale, along with rentals, and there's a showroom where you can take a closer look at the different boats.
Another detail that really stood out to me was how well they cared for their equipment. After each kayak was returned, Sarah and Emma cleaned and dried it right away. Even the rental kayaks looked well cared for. That kind of attention to detail says a lot about how a business is run.
For anyone planning to visit, there is plenty of parking, and they also have a clean changing room available. If you're planning to demo or rent, bring water shoes, a towel, and probably a change of clothes especially if you're anything like me and somehow manage to get soaked.
Sarah and Emma were friendly, patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly generous with their time. We had such a great experience that the two-hour drive didn't bother me at all. Even if I lived farther away, I would still make the trip because customer service like this is worth traveling for.
Now we just need to figure out our kayak colors...and apparently I need to figure out whether I'm Team Carolina 12.0 or Team Carolina 14.0.
I can't wait for our next trip to Clinton and will absolutely be returning to Indian River Marina & Kayak. Whether you're looking to rent, demo, buy your first kayak, or accidentally start a kayak collection like me, stop by and check them out. I highly recommend them!
