I agree with G-steed that you should get some instruction before buying another kayak. Besides learning better paddling technique (that will make the sport more enjoyable and keep you from having stress injuries) it will teach you basic safety procedures and introduce you to some features of kayaks that will help you make a better selection.
Unless you just like to sit in your kayak in small ponds, I would advise against the so-called "recreational" kayak models. For one thing, most are not very safe -- they lack bulkheads (the walls at front and rear that keep the whole hull from flooding in a capsize.) And they are "one size fits all" which means they really don't fit anyone well, especially very short or very tall people like yourself. Also they are wide and tend to have flat bottoms. Beginners mistakenly think this is a good thing because it makes the boats feel 'stable" sitting in flat water. Unfortunately, this "stability" makes them more likely to flip over if hit by a wave, wind or boat wake. Also it makes them slow and awkward to paddle -- you tend to hit your knuckles on the gunwales (sides.) Rec boats also tend to have oversized cockpits which means you get more waves and paddle drip filling the boat with water -- it is hard to find sprayskirts that fit them and when you do they are so large that water just collects on them and can make them implode and soak the boat anyway.
But if all you do is go out for an hour or two in small ponds, they are OK for that, but they really don't have the performance and versatility of a touring kayak. I think a day touring kayak around 14' to 16' is the best choice for most people. Due to your height, you would find a better fit in most longer boats. Buying used is an excellent choice -- you can get twice as much bang for your buck. Craigslist is a great source of kayaks in most areas -- I have bought and sold at least a dozen boats in the past 10 years through CL. However, it would be a good idea to go to a good kayak outfitter or one of the better chains like REI, EMS or L.L. Bean and have a qualified salesperson show you some of the features of touring boats first so you get a feeling for what the boats look like and how they feel. Those outlets usually offer intro classes and sometimes have "demo days" out on a nearby waterway where you can test paddle various models.
Once you have an idea what you want in a kayak here's a checklist of what I would recommend you look for:
- plastic kayak (inexpensive fiberglass boats can be risky if you don't know how to evaluate damage)
- touring style from 14" to 16' long and 23" to 25" wide. If you are over 200 lbs go for a longer boat because you need the extra displacement.
- sealed bulkhead walls in front of your feet and behind the seat
- you don;t NEED one but a retractable skeg or rudder can be handy for river paddling and windy lakes to keep you tracking straight,.
- one or more hatches -- check to make sure the covers fit tightly
- a medium cockpit, about 18" to 20" wide and not more than 39" long.
- the bottom should not have a completely round profile (this type is a whitewater boat which is not what you are looking for). It shoudl have a slightly vee-shaped keel so it will track well and be stable in waves and wind.
- perimeter deck lines -- non-stretchy cord around the outside hull -- this is to help you climb back into the boat if you capsize
- adjustable foot pegs -- you will need to climb in the boat and make sure you can fit your legs and feet inside due to your height
- beware of large dents in the hull, called "oil canning" which means the boat was stored in the sun, got soft and flattened. A small dent isn't bad but a major flat spot will affect performance.
- inspect the plastic to make sure it doesn't have cracks or feel dry and brittle -- this will happen if a boat is stored out in the sun and there is no way to fix it. Don't buy a boat with this kind of damage.
Some models to look at on line to see what style I am talking about are these below:
- Perception Carolina 15
- Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145
- Venture Easky 15 or 17
- Elie Strait 140
Look for used boats with similar style and dimensions. These will be comfortable for someone your size and will be stable yet narrow enough to paddle smoothly without a lot of effort and will track well. Common and good used brands to look for are Perception, Aquaterra ( Perception's old brand for their touring kayaks) and Dagger. Cheaper brands I would avoid are Future Beach, Old Town (they make good canoes but not so great kayaks) and Pelican.
There is a ton of good information on boat use and selection at the free paddlers' website : http://www.paddling.net
They also have classifed ads on there selling used boats all around the country.
Happy paddling!