Choose a Kayak That’s Perfect for You
7-minute read/26-minute video
The biggest question to answer when you get into kayaking is: “How do I choose a kayak that’s perfect for me?” There are more options than you may think, but don’t worry, we gotcha covered!
(Photo by Five2Nine)
Choosing the wrong kayak can mean an experience that’s un-fun, uncomfortable and even unsafe. But with sit-ons, sit-ins, recreational, touring, fishing, pedal, inflatable, folding, modular, plastic and composite choices (plus a few more!), how do you decide?
Watch Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting in the video below from Paddle TV, or keep reading to learn how to choose a kayak that’s just right for your needs:
What Type of Paddling Will You Do?
If you know you’ll limit your kayaking to flatwater—small lakes and ponds or very slow-moving rivers—you’re really not limited in your choice of kayak.
If you plan to paddle on large lakes susceptible to strong wind and waves or on fast-moving rivers, a sit-on-top kayak is a great choice. Not only are these more stable, it’s impossible to swamp one. If you do flip, it’s a matter of turning it back over and climbing back on.
Sit-inside kayaks are a different breed and require a couple of features for safe paddling on large lakes and fast rivers:
- The ability to use a skirt. The cockpit needs to be on the small side and have a combing that a kayak skirt fits around. A skirt stops waves and splash from getting into your boat.
- At least one bulkhead. A bulkhead divides a kayak into separate sections. If it swamps, these bulkheads are filled with air instead of water. They make it much easier to deal with a capsize. A kayak with multiple bulkheads is even better.
How Portable Does Your Kayak Need to Be?
To own a full-size hardshell kayak means you need to have a place to store it and the means to transport it. You’ll need (preferably indoor) space for a boat between 10 and 18 feet long and a rack system or trailer for your vehicle.
If you don’t have those two things, consider a portable kayak. Some options are:
- Modular kayak—Comes in several sections that fit together into a watertight whole.
- Skin-on-frame kayak—Includes a strong lightweight metal frame and a flexible skin.
- Inflatable kayak—Inflatables come in various shapes and sizes, from basic flatwater boats to high-performing designs suitable for whitewater and touring.
- Folding kayak—Somewhat like Origami.
Portable kayaks have their downsides, including price (some are quite costly) and performance (most don’t perform as well as a similar hardshell). And while quality portable models are very durable, they can’t compare with a quality hardshell kayak. Finally, portables don’t offer the same comfort level as a nice hardshell.
Sit-inside hardshell touring kayaks offer great performance, speed and comfort
What Size and Weight Does Your Kayak Need to Be?
Another limiting factor is the length and, especially, the weight of a kayak you consider buying. A 16-foot boat takes up a lot more space than a 10-foot boat. And two 12-foot kayaks can have a weight difference of dozens of pounds.
Know your weight limit for transporting to the water and lifting to the top of your vehicle.
A kayak’s weight is mostly dependent on the material it’s made of. Plastic roto-molded kayaks are super durable, but also the heaviest of your options. Plastic thermoform kayaks are somewhat lighter and perform better, but aren’t quite as durable.
Composite kayaks can be made with fabrics, epoxy, carbon, Kevlar…even flax and cork. These are all lightweight and high-performing, and also quite durable. The downside with composites is the price—they can cost a few times more than plastic boats.
Do You Want Stability or Speed?
A kayak’s stability and speed are influenced by its length, width, rocker and hull design.
The longer the kayak, the faster it is. Shorter kayaks are slower. The width of a kayak affects its speed, and also its stability. The wider the kayak, the slower and more stable it is. Narrower kayaks are faster but less stable.
Rocker means the curvature of the hull from bow to stern. The more rocker a kayak has, the more maneuverable it is. That’s why whitewater kayaks have the most rocker of any kayak.
Whitewater kayaks have a lot of rocker for ultimate maneuverability (photo by Casey Bryant Jones)
Do You Prefer a Sit-On or Sit-In Kayak?
Sit-on kayaks (or sit-on-top) are generally extremely stable. Fishing kayaks are almost always sit-on models. Sit-ons tend to be more comfortable than sit-ins. They have plenty of legroom and give you the ability to move around. Some have very comfortable frame seats that can be slightly raised, which makes them even more comfy than sit-in boats.
As we already mentioned, sit-ons can’t swamp. They have scupper holes that drain any water out. And finally, it’s much easier to get on and off a sit-on kayak than in and out of a sit-in kayak. If accessibility is a high priority for you, a sit-on is a good choice.
The biggest benefit of a sit-in kayak (sit-inside) is its performance. Because your center of balance is lower, the kayak can be narrower. This gives you better maneuverability and faster speed. Sit-in kayaks also offer more touchpoints—seat, hips, thighs and feet—so you have better control overall than with a sit-on. If you want to kayak on aggressive water like ocean waves, a sit-in is your boat.
There are other advantages of sit-in kayaks. One is they offer much more protection from wind and water than sit-ons because you can use a skirt. And a sit-in kayak will be quite a bit lighter than a sit-on kayak of the same length. Kayaks made with the lightest materials are more often sit-inside models.
Do You Want a Tandem or Single Kayak?
Do you plan to paddle with others? A tandem kayak can be a great option. It means just one boat instead of two. A tandem paddled by two people is faster than two single kayaks paddled by the same two people. You can bring a child along or a beginning paddler and enjoy your time together despite uneven ability levels.
A tandem kayak can be a great option (photo by Forged from the Wild)
Tandems are available in both hardshell and portable models.
There are a few downsides to tandems:
- If both paddlers don’t have the same paddling goals, you’re likely to experience some relationship friction.
- Tandems are longer and heavier than single kayaks for storage and transport.
- Tandems are less maneuverable than singles.
Pedal or Paddle?
Pedal kayaks have become more popular in the last few years, especially among kayak anglers. Many love having their hands free to cast and reel while they maintain their ability to move their kayak. If you plan to hold a camera or drone controller much of the time, consider a pedal-style kayak.
Many kayakers with back or shoulder issues love the comfort of a pedal model. They’re also faster than paddle kayaks if you love to cover more distance in the same amount of time.
Of course, pedal kayaks have their downsides too. First, they cost much more for the same boat than a paddle kayak. Second, they don’t work in shallow water or water with a lot of aquatic vegetation. Third, the pedal system isn’t very maneuverable. Fourth, a pedal kayak is heavier than the same paddle model.
If you decide to buy a pedal kayak, you still need a paddle. You’ll need it as a backup in case the pedal system fails, in case you find yourself in water thick with vegetation, or in spots where you need to maneuver easily.
A Few More Considerations
Do you want to be able to go kayak camping? If yes, you’ll need a kayak designed to hold extra gear in its storage areas and offer enough weight allowance.
Will you want to bring your dog along? If you do, you’ll need a boat with the space and stability to handle the size and weight of your dog.
Do you want to paddle backcountry waters that require hiking or biking in? Then a packraft is an option to look at. These are ultra-lightweight inflatables that can stuff into a backpack or bikepack. They’ve really opened up the world of wilderness long-distance travel.
Ken paddles a kayak that’s a hybrid between a sit-on and sit-in
We hope this has helped you narrow down your kayak options! Now, find your way to your local paddleshop where experienced staff can help you fine-tune your choice.
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us here: 715-755-3405 or [email protected]
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