How To Choose A Kayak

As is the case with any decision, choices must be made. This is also true when you decide it is time to get a kayak or replace an existing one. Buying a kayak is an investment – it will determine the kind of experience you will have while in the water and, even more importantly, how safe you are!

This, of course, depends on the kind of kayaker you are, whether you regularly explore the ocean or prefer to do some kayak fishing in your favourite lake. Every preference will suit one purpose more than the other. Therefore, identifying the purpose of the kayak is key to narrowing down the number of options you have. Purpose, in this case, can be termed as “How and Where the kayak is to be used.” Answering these questions helps narrow in on the right kayak for you.

Will you be kayaking on relatively flat water spots such as ponds or lakes? Or will you be looking to go kayaking out in the ocean and perhaps need to break waves as you paddle out?

Does your destination have a specific water temperature? Do you prefer paddling with speed or retaining a sense of stability and the sense that you will not tip over?

To Sit-In or Sit-On-Top?

As far as broad kayak categories go, going for either a ‘sit-inside’ or a ‘sit-on-top’ kayak will be the first choice you need to make. There are pros and cons to either of the two.

• Sit-on-Top

Sit-on-top kayaks are seen as more user-friendly. The reasons behind this may be attributed to the fact that they are stable and fairly easy to grasp. It’s relatively easy to get in and out of sit-on-top kayaks without the feeling of being enclosed or confined and you don’t need to learn safety manoeuvres such as eskimo rolls.  They have scuppers, which are small holes through which any on-board water drains which are covered by scupper-plugs, which can be released to drain any on-board water.

The ease of use for sit on top kayaks makes them a hit with leisure kayakers as they can hop in and out of them quickly, making them great to play with. Kayak fishermen also prefer sit on tops because of the increased stability of these kayaks over sit-ins and also because of the amount of gear that can be carried.

The caveat with these kinds of kayaks is that you usually get wet, which means there is a preference for warmer water conditions.

• Sit-In Kayaks

For people wanting to spend long hours out exploring areas far from land then sit-in kayaks are usually the go to option. They suit cooler water and rougher environmentsas they keep the kayaker dry and they normally are designed for specific purposes .

The downside to Sit-In kayaks is that they usually require a bit more training and experience to handle. You are recommended to do a kayaking course that teaches you basic manoeuvres such as eskimo rolls.

Sit-inside kayaks come in different variations as pertains to their shape and size. Deciding on the kayak's length and width is important. Sit-inside kayaks can be broken down into 3 categories:

1. Sea Kayaks: These are designed to be fast and be able to deal with all sorts of conditions. They are long and narrow, usually 4.5 to 5.5meters long, with small cockpits designed to be used with a skirt for the purpose of keeping out water. The cockpit, though small, allows you to use thigh hooks to grip the boat with your legs, giving you more control over the kayak. The caveat here is that compared to wider recreational kayaks, these are a lot less stable. The cockpit is also a little confining for some people, though they are generally easy to get out of should the kayak flip. For sea kayaks, it is advisable to take a sea kayaking course and practice close to shore before you paddle out far, with one key lesson being that you get to know exactly what to do in the event that it capsizes.
2. Recreational Sit-Inside Kayaks: These are wider, shorter and have large, non-confining cockpits. They are usually 2.5 to 3.7 meters in length.
3. Touring Kayaks: These are the middle-ground between the recreational kayaks and sea kayaks. These offer a great compromise of performance, stability, and comfort. They are usually in the 3.6 to 4.5 meters in length.

Length vs Width

                As we have discussed the length and width of a kayak is a key part to determining the type that you want. It is a general rule in the kayaking world that narrower kayaks travel faster but are less stable than wider kayaks, which are slower but more stable and the longer the kayak the easier it is to maintain a faster speed.

Accessories

                How much gear your kayak can hold becomes increasingly important as you start wanting to venture into particular niches. For example for a fishing kayak having rails and mounts is handy for securing rods, fish finders, flags and a host of other gear. The maximum carry weight is an important metric which you should study if you are planning on kitting out your kayak with lots of accessories.

To Paddle or Pedal

While most kayaks require a paddle, some make the use of pedals to achieve motion. These types of kayaks are becoming increasingly popular, with the legs providing the power to propel through the water. One of their advantages is that your hands are left free to do other things like fishing or just holding on to items you may have with you. Some pedal kayaks also allow shallow water use making them dynamically applicable in many situations. These kayaks have a rudder that is handheld and helps with directional motion while in the water.

However, even pedal kayaks ‘force’ you to make a choice. Propeller or flipper? A kayak with pedals allows the kayaker to propel the vessel with a rotating propeller. While flippers rely on stepping motions to push and propel the flippers underneath the kayak.

Propeller kayaks have the benefit of forward and backward motion whereas flippers propel the kayak in one direction. On the plus side, flipper kayaks require less energy to maintain high speeds and are popular choices for using in the sea. So, the choice between a propeller pedal or a flipper comes down to preference.

With all these different kinds of kayaks available, the choice is up to you, the kayaker. Do you know what you want? If so, then your next adventure awaits!