I hate to be a nitpicker on this. However a nine year old, in a kayak, by himself, under windy conditions, strikes me as a less than ideal situation. Kayaks are affected by the wind just like canoes.

Youngsters get tired easily, and they don’t tell you until it is too late. I say this from experience with my own kids as well as a Scouts Leader. You or your wife will find yourselves towing the nine year old in his kayak more often than you would like. Then, after your son has gotten tired, cold, and discouraged, several times, and suffered the humility of telling you he can’t do what you expect of him, he might grow to hate paddle sports. I apologize if I sound harsh. But, I have seen this happen.

Take it slow. Build, borrow, or buy a craft the two of you can paddle together. I recommend a canoe because you can let him develop his confidence paddling at the front while you “assist” at the rear position. Later when his is 13 or 14, stronger and more water wise put him into a Kayak.

Don

: We have done the canoe when my first one was 2.5 year old. It's ok to do
: rivers Class I and II but on lakes when the wind picks up a canoe is out
: of control. When my son reached 4 years of age he was too big for the
: canoe and kept moving too much for us to control the craft safely. I'm now
: thinking of building the Wineglass wherry as a transportation for the
: youngest while the older son and wife could tag along in their kayaks.
: We're talking lakes right now.