Choosing the Right Kayak

General Recreation Kayak: A recreational kayak is for those who want to get out and paddle around on calm water without paddling for long distances. These boats are easy to maneuver and rather stable, perfect for the beginner. Recreational kayaks are also good for activities such as fishing, scuba diving and paddling with small children.

Touring Kayak: Touring kayaks are longer and narrower than recreational and whitewater kayaks. They are designed to slice through open water very efficiently, thus enabling the paddler to travel faster and with less effort. If you plan to paddle over large lakes or in the ocean these kayaks are perfect. Since these kayaks are typically long and thus harder to turn, touring kayaks are often offered with rudders on them to aid in maneuvering the kayak.

Whitewater Kayak: Whitewater kayaks are used primarily on rivers and streams with fast flowing water and rapids. Whitewater kayaks are shorter than touring kayaks because this helps them to turn quickly and easily and maneuver around rocks and other obstacles. Longer whitewater boats are typically designed for general river running, kayaks designed for steep creeks are usually shorter with a lot of volume, and whitewater playboats for playing around in rapids are shorter with less volume

Which one should I get? So to determine which kayak is best for you, you first need to know what kind of water you will be paddling on. You also need to ask yourself other questions about your paddling objectives. Here are the most basic questions to ask yourself:

Where do I plan to paddle, on small lakes, swift moving rivers, large open bodies of water, or whitewater rivers? What are my primary reasons for buying a kayak, relaxation, exploring, excitement, exercise, or all of the above? How do I plan to use my kayak, just for paddling or to facilitate other pursuits such as fishing and camping? Do I need a one or two person kayak? Once you have the answers to these questions you will need to know the basics of how kayaks work. Factors such as length, width, shape of the hull and the rocker all affect how a kayak will perform in the water.

Length
The length of a kayak should give you an idea of how fast it can go. Longer kayaks generally can travel faster than shorter kayaks and are easier to paddle in a straight line. Shorter kayaks tend to be more maneuverable, they turn more easily which is great if you are avoiding rocks or paddling into tight places. Touring kayaks are usually longer than the other types because they are often used for trips that will require paddling over a distance in wide open water and for carrying gear. Whitewater and general recreation kayaks also vary in length based on the handling characteristics desired of each model.

Width
The width of a kayak is an important factor in stability and speed. The wider a boat is the more stable it will be when getting into it, paddling, and getting out of it. While a stable boat is nice, wider boats have two main drawbacks: speed (or lack thereof), and the increased effort required to paddle it. The wider the boat, the more surface area is in contact with the water thus making it slower. Wide kayaks, because of their stability, tend to follow the surface of the water. In calm water when you tilt, the kayak doesn't tilt much. This advantage in calmer conditions can be a disadvantage in long trips over rough water, as the kayak reacts to the ever changing slope of the wave tossed open ocean, quickly fatiguing the kayaker with its extreme motions. A more "tippy" kayak ignores most of the motions of the passing waves.

Many kayak manufacturers offer several models of each kayak category. Some specialize in only one. There are many different manufacturers to chose from. Every kayak has different capabilities and characteristics. The best way to choose a kayak for your own use is to paddle as many of them in as many different conditions as possible. Rent several for extended day paddling. A kayak purchase based on a 15 minute test will likely lead to some disappointment. When you finally find one that pleases your eye, your mind, feels right and doesn't bust your wallet, a whole new adventure awaits.

What is the best boat? Every boat is different and there is no best boat for all paddling conditions. Any boat is a trade off, features that work well in one set of conditions can compromise performance/handling in another set of conditions. You have to know what type of paddling conditions you want to paddle in before selecting a boat.

Multi-day expeditions dictate a different boat than morning explorations of an estuary or surf-zone excitement or teaching others to kayak.

One fundamental trade-off in boat design is tracking vs. turning. Generally a boat that tracks well (goes straight) does not turn as well as a boat that does not track well. There are varying degrees of these two characteristics in all boats, and some boats that track well can be made to turn better if you are willing and able to lean them when you turn, but if you're going to be turning a lot, buy a boat that turns, if you are going straight all day, buy a boat that tracks.

Another characteristic to consider is the initial stability of the boat. Initial (or primary) stability is the ease with which a boat starts to tip. Low initial stability will make the boat feel 'tender' or 'tippy'. A boat that is tender to sit in is going to be much more difficult to fish or take pictures out of, so if that's what you want to do, consider a boat with more initial stability. A boat with very high initial stability will be more difficult to handle in big waves, because it will tend to try to sit flat relative to the water rather than the horizon. The consequences of this tendency are left as an exercise for the reader.

Another thing to consider is the final stability of the boat. Final (or secondary) stability is the ease with which the boat tips all the way over. High final stability is desirable for any boat, but it may take some time to develop the balance and skill to take advantage of it.

Paddlers are all different. A boat will perform/handle differently for a tall person than for a short person, and for a heavy person than a light person. The fit of the cockpit will vary from boat to boat. A person's requirements for a boat may change as the person's skill level changes. Often, a person with advanced skills will be interested in different boat features than a person with beginner/intermediate skills.

How much of a consideration is the weight of the boat? If you need to haul the boat on and off the top of the car, carry it any distance, or portage, this is an important characteristic. Lighter boats also tend to feel livelier in the water and are faster, although this is not as much of a consideration when you've got 300 pounds of boater and gear in the boat. In general, plastic is heavier than fiberglass is heavier than exotic materials like kevlar, carbon fiber, etc., but there are exceptions.

How important is the durability of the boat's construction? If you want to drag your boat over rocks or drop it off a pier, this is an important consideration, but even if you don't abuse your boat, it wears in normal usage as well, so consider durability in your selection. In general, plastic stands up to abuse better than fiberglass, but is harder to repair. Keep in mind that in fiberglass construction, heavier is not necessarily stronger.

How much should I spend on a boat? ( USA prices) Buy a boat you can afford, but if you find a boat you really like which is too expensive, it may be worthwhile to save your pennies until you can afford it. If you have a fixed price range you are interested in, it may be a good idea to only try boats in that price range, so you are satisfied with what you get. Plastic boats run $700-$1500, Fiberglass $1300-$2800, other materials tend to cost more. Sometimes you can find boats sold used for less, especially if a shop or outfitter is selling old boats from their rental fleet.

What should I look for when I'm trying a boat out? The best way to choose a boat, and the only way to determine its paddling characteristics, is to try it, and you should take opportunities to try as many boats as you can to decide what you like. Many shops have demo days, and symposia are good opportunities to try boats. Try to find an opportunity to paddle in the conditions you are planning on using the boat in. Also, consider how the boat handles when it is loaded as well as unloaded. Things to think about when you are trying the boat are:

Does it feel comfortable just sitting in it?

Lean the boat onto it's side. Does it stop leaning or keep going and tip over? Is there a point where the resistance to leaning increases?

Paddle the boat into the wind, across the wind, with the wind behind you. How easy is it to keep on course? Does it turn into the wind (weathercocking) or out of the wind excessively? How fast is it?

How easy is the boat to turn?

These things test some of the fundamental characteristics of boat handling: Speed - a function of length, width, and hull shape. Tracking - ability of the boat to go straight.

Maneuverability - ability of the boat to turn easily.

Initial or primary stability - effort it takes to lean the boat off of an upright position.

Final or secondary stability - effort it takes to tip the boat over. Typical trade-offs:

Tracking vs. Maneuverability Initial vs. Final Stability

Speed vs. Stability

About the Author

Scott Locorini is the owner and founder of Adirondack Exposure. He is a certified kayak instructor and licensed guide. To learn more check out the website http://www.adirondackexposure.com