What kayak to buy? It is the first question people ask and one of the hardest to answer. Beginners have to choose the perfect model for them. But that is the trick in finding an ideal boat suited for their particular needs. With tons of companies designing hundreds, if not thousands, of different kayak models, there is a canoe for every type of paddler and every paddling style.
If a person cannot decide, they can always buy two. There is no better way to learn this activity than take your loved ones or one of your friends. This article will guide people through everything they need to consider before making a purchase, from finding the perfect size canoe to deciding whether they need a skeg to pick the right store to buy from.
The first thing people need to do involves doing some self-reflection into what kind of kayaking they enjoy doing and even what kind of kayaking they want to do in the future. People need to start with the who, when, what, how, and where. Once the user has answered these questions, they can narrow their selection based on the boat fit and their budget.
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Why and where do you plan to kayak?
Knowing where you want to go kayaking and what type of activities you want to do on your boat will help determine what kind of model you need to get. For instance, if a person paddle on big seas or open waters, check out touring models, which tend to be narrower, longer canoes with smaller cockpits.
If the user paddle on quiet rivers or protected lakes, they can purchase a shorter and more maneuverable recreational boat. Anglers, birdwatchers, and photographers will appreciate the broader hull models’ stability, the accessibility of larger cockpits, and the sit-on-top designs.
Users who want to go on rough and open waters might want to purchase an ocean-play canoe with a lot of rockers. Camping and touring enthusiasts will benefit from its higher volume, longer waterline, and its two to four hatches for more storage space.
What if users have desperate paddling interests?
Sometimes, there is no satisfaction to this question other than purchasing or using two boats. What type of water will the user be 80% of the time? There is no single canoe that can do everything well. Get something that is suitable for your needs most of the time. The remaining 20% of the time, you can rent or borrow from fellow enthusiasts. So, what is touring and recreational canoes? Listed below are various types of kayaks people are most likely to find in-store or online.
Types of kayaks
There are various types of canoes people can use in this kind of activity. They are designed for certain water conditions, activities, or trip lengths. There are also differences within these categories people will need to consider. For instance, do they want a model that can carry two people? Do a sit-on-top or sit-inside model better for their needs? Should they go with an inflatable design or a hard-shell vessel?
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Recreational vessels
Recreational designs are suitable for paddlers who spend their time on slow-moving rivers or calm lakes. They usually wider and have a flatter hull compared to their touring counterpart. Because of this, it gives them better stability. But its extra width will also mean that they will drag more in the wind and water.
It makes them a little slower compared to other models or designs. Recreational vessels are usually ten to twelve feet in length. It may translate into better maneuverability, as well as worse efficiency and tracking compared to longer ones.
Sea and touring vessels
Sea and touring canoes are usually fourteen to eighteen feet in length. It makes them longer than most models. The long waterline of these vessels lends itself to better tracking. The only drawback of these designs is they have inferior maneuverability, or they are harder to turn. Their length will also allow the user more storage space for multi-day or overnight trips. Touring kayaks are also narrower and can sit lower when in the water. These features will enable touring vessels greater efficiency and speed as it cuts easily through water and wind.
If the user is on the fence between purchasing a touring or recreational model, they need to decide how far from the shore they want to paddle. For people headed further from the shore’s safety, they need at least two bulkheads to do a self-rescue. They need a touring model even though they are usually a recreational paddler. For additional safety, also check perimeter lines, as well as grab handles on the stern and bow.
Fishing vessels
Models used for fishing are designed to be more durable and more stable, less on speed. They usually have a lot of storage space for fishing gears and tackles. Not only that, but they also have specialized features like rod holders, bottle holders, anchor lines, and mounting brackets, among others. Some even have trolling motor mounts or pedal-drive systems so users can reach their fishing ground a lot faster.
How to purchase the right kayak size?
Buying a boat is like buying a pair of shoes. If a person wants to run, they need proper running shoes. Slippers are comfortable to wear around the house, but they are pretty sloppy if used for sprinting. Loose-fitting boats are like slippers. The tighter it fits the user, the greater its performance.
That is why, when it comes to purchasing the right kayak size, the best thing people can do is to sit on the actual boat and check if it fits perfectly. People can do every research available, read online reviews like Sun Dolphin review, find the right boat, check it in the store, and sit in it and if it is the wrong fit; it is either too small or too big for them.
That is why, before buying one, make sure that the back band, backrest, outfitting, or seat are adjustable and comfortable. Test paddle the vessel loaded. It may fit or handle well without things in it, but if the user plan on going on a trip with the hatches full, it can feel like a different boat. According to experts, the most stable kayaks are the most boring ones. A lot of people, especially people new to this activity, pick boats that are most stable and not the one that suits their needs or what is best for them in the long run.
