Kayak

Different Types of Kayaks

Kayaks can be used for casual recreation, exercise, fishing, expeditions, and more. Designs are available for single passengers or multiple passengers, as with tandem kayaks. Kayaks can either be designed to accommodate passengers sitting on top of them in open areas or inside a cockpit with a kayak cockpit cover. Kayak cockpits also come in different sizes, with larger cockpits making it easier to get in and out of the kayak. Kayaks are constructed of a variety of materials, such as lightweight vinyl and rubbers used in inflatable kayaks, ABS and other rigid plastics used in hard-shell kayaks, and even polycarbonate used in transparent kayaks. What you intend to do with your kayak will help determine which kayak to buy based on factors such as stability, length, construction material, passenger capacity, seat location, cargo storage, and other available features.

What to Consider When Choosing a Kayak

In general, a 10- to 12-foot-long kayak is ideal for recreational use on calmer water. For rough water rivers, a kayak from 12 to 14 feet made of durable plastic is ideal with cockpit seating to make it less likely for passengers to fall off. Longer sea kayaks from 14 feet and up are ideal for touring and longer paddling trips. Longer kayaks tend to move straighter and faster in the water than shorter kayaks because they also tend to be narrower. Because shorter kayaks tend to be wider that also means they are usually more stable for beginner paddlers and easier to turn on the water. Although they generally do not offer as much passenger and cargo capacity as a canoe, kayaks tend to have a lower center of gravity than canoes, making them more stable and easier to handle in a wider range of water conditions. If transporting and storing the kayak is a main consideration, shorter kayaks, folding kayaks, or inflatable kayaks are the best option. Additional kayak features include seats, foot braces, storage hatches, kayak paddles, fishing accessories, life jackets, and more. Many accessories are also available separately.

Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable kayaks are typically made of vinyl, rubber, or PVC and eliminate the need for boat storage, roof racks, or kayak trailers. They can simply be deflated and placed in the trunk of a vehicle. And because inflatable kayaks tend to be wider than hard-shell kayaks, they are also generally more stable. However, they are also generally slower than a hard-shell kayak and are more susceptible to sharp rocks, branches, or other objects in the water. Drop-stitch inflatable kayaks are designed to have flatter inflatable chambers, which make them more rigid and similar in shape to hard-shell kayaks. Pumps, oars, and other accessories are sometimes included with inflatable kayaks.