Choosing a kayak

 
 

In a nutshell, kayak hull types can be described in a few basic categories. Some manufacturers provide boats that may be ‘transitional’ between categories but consider the compromises that these transitional boats have to make when you shop.


Recreational-These are boats intended for the occasional paddler. THey are generally wide and relatively short. They provide a stable paddling platform and are frequently less expensive than other types of boats due to their large market-share. Either sit-in or sit-on-top models are popular. Due to their width, these hulls give up some efficiency moving through the water in exchange for stability. They are designed to give the occasional paddler the best possible experience. In this category, specially designed fishing kayaks have become popular. These provide additional outfitting for fishing rods, tackle boxes and even depth finders.


Touring- Touring kayaks are long and sleek. Their design minimizes drag in the water to provide efficient long-distance paddling. Often built from light-weight composite materials, they provide a platform meant to travel. These boats usually have built-in storage compartments for camping gear. Since they are designed to move fast and straight, these may not be the best boat for use in small rivers and lakes where frequent turning is needed. They are the boat of choice for paddling the ocean or sounds.


Whitewater- These boats are designed for the rigors of fast-moving water. They are characteristically short to provide maximum ease of turning and maneuvering. Three subcategories of whitewater boats include:

  1. •River-runners, meant for down-river travel are good boats for the beginner or the experienced boater looking for a medium volume boat with good ability to negotiate difficult features. These are fairly forgiving boats that provide good stability.

  2. •Play-boats are the shortest of whitewater boats and displace very low volume. They are designed for surfing, spinning, playing hydraulics, and vertical moves like cartwheeling. Because of their very low displacement they are also less forgiving of less-than-optimal technique and skills.

  3. •Creek boats- Designed for paddling high-gradient streams with tight maneuvers and big drops, these boats provide high volume and easy turning (for their size). Because of the rounded ‘displacement’ hull intended to move easily through strong side currents and over rocks, they provide less primary stability that the flat ‘planing’ hull of many play-boats and river-runners.

Hull Types

There is a bewildering array of kayaks available on the market today but with a few simple choices, you can narrow down the range of boats that will be right for your paddling needs.


First, think about the areas you’ll be paddling. Lake? River? Calm water? Whitewater? Ocean? Very different hull types will provide different experiences and benefits depending on the waterbody.


Second, consider the distance or time you’ll be spending in the boat and any associated needs for carrying camping gear, etc. Modern composite materials available can shave pounds off the weight of boats and make long-distance paddling easier, but come at a premium cost compared to less expensive but durable polyethylene hulls.

Sit-In or sit-on-top? Your choice.


Sit-in kayaks provide a little lower center-of-gravity and are thus slightly more stable for their length-width. With an attached sprayskirt, sit-in kayaks are dryer and warmer that sit-on-tops and can provide better protection for gear. They are more difficult to empty of water and reenter if capsized.


Sit-on-top kayaks are easy to enter and exit. If you need to be getting in and out of your boat a lot, this is the choice. Because of the higher center-of-gravity, thee boats tend to be slightly wider and thus less efficient for long travel. Optional knee straps available with many sit-on-tops will provide much greater stability to the paddler learning to handle their boat. If you paddle in cooler months, these boats will not provide the protection that a sit-in ‘decked’ boat will. Sit-on-tops are relatively easy to reenter after a capsize.