"There is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats," says the obviously wise Water Rat in Kenneth Grahame's book Wind In The Willows. Had Rat really known his boats though, he might have gotten more specific and suggested touring kayaks over any other for messing about in. Why? Because they boast all the qualities a man or woman desires--in a boat that is. Touring kayaks are fast, sleek, graceful, sturdy, elegant, and fun to paddle. Longer than their maneuverable cousins the river kayaks, you can sit yourself in the cockpit of a touring kayak and paddle fairly easily in a straight line. With a lower profile and a sealed top deck, unlike the canoe, touring kayaks stay drier in choppy water and are less influenced by cross winds. Since you are sitting lower in the water than in a canoe, kayaks can be narrower while still feeling stable, meaning there is less boat to push through the water translating into less paddling effort for more speed.

Putting together a complete and quality paddling ensemble including kayak, paddle, personal floatation device, and other nifty and recommended accessories will run you between $1500 and $4000, depending on your tastes and budget. Read on for my outfitting recommendations:

Kayak
Not all touring kayaks are created equal and in order to ensure a good match, you must know yourself before you know your kayak. If you're more inclined to drive fast cars, pedal the flashiest bike and boast about the megahertz qualities of your computer, you'll desire different boating features from the person who prides himself on arranging his pens in his pocket protector according to color and use.

Dagger's Sitka is a 17-foot 10-inch long paddling arrow designed for paddlers with more aggressive tastes. At $2,300 for the fiberglass version or $2,700 for the Kevlar, the Sitka screams performance with a narrow hull design and a unique integrated rudder system.

If your tastes lean toward the more quiet life, then opt for a plastic rotomolded model such as Perception's Aquaterra Chinook ($1,250). At 16-feet 1 inches long and with a wider profile, the Chinook promises years of stable and reliable service.

Spray Skirt
When a man dons a skirt, he better well have the right attitude--women don't have this issue. True, you'll always look silly out of the kayak when wearing a spray skirt, but if that skirt is named the Kilt ($90) from Northwest River Supplies you can take solace in knowing you've draped your waist in high performance. Made of high-density neoprene with a specially designed rubber rand, your boat and you will stay dry and happy. For those times when a wet exit is required, the reinforced release strap adds a nifty safety touch.

Paddle
There are so many paddle types and blade shapes on the market that buying a paddle becomes a very personal decision indeed. However, if I were to recommend one paddle that you won't go wrong with, it would be the Werner Point Crossover ($110). The Crossover offers an adjustable feature allowing you to change the feathering (angle) of the blade. Length varies depending on your height and the width or beam of the kayak--a qualified salesperson will be able to help immensely here.

PFD
If you're on the water, in your boat, and have a hope that you might float, wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device). The Stohlquist Silhouette ($90) is a panel style Type III PFD that is as comfortable as any I have worn-- key if you plan on paddling in it for any length of time.

Dry Bags
The goal is to create a fabric, plastic or vinyl bag that will keep your gear dry when sitting in a puddle of water all day or when you inadvertently dump into a surging ocean while still allowing for relatively easy access. I like the ones offered by Cascade Designs, Voyager or Seattle Sports. Prices range from $50 to over $100 depending on the size and features. Be sure to buy your kayak first, and then fit the bags according to the amount of space available in your boat.

Clothing
When paddling, you basically become an amphibian--existing in a world that sways between dry air and a good soaking. To stay comfortable, you need to calculate the temperature of the water and add to that the temperature of the air. From 100 to 120 degrees, you'll want a "farmer john" style wet suit made of Polartec Thermal Stretch (by Henderson Aquatics), a paddling jacket (prices range from $75 to $125 ) and perhaps an insulating Polartec Thermal Stretch vest (by Henderson Aquatics, price around $75) or underwear layer underneath. Above 120 degrees, you'll do fine with just a pair of paddling shorts, the vest and your paddling jacket.

Nifty Add-Ons
If you are inclined to dip your paddle into less traveled waters, a deck-mounted compass is advised. Suunto offers a multi-mount kayak compass, the Pilot ($40) which is easy to attach and detach. Paddling shoes, such as the Water Moccasin by Adidas ($65) are great for those with a penchant for getting into and out of their craft to explore tidepools and other rocky beach wonders. Should a fog settle down and you need to be found, there's nothing better than a good signal whistle and the ThunderStorm ($5) is as loud as they come.