Choosing the Right Kayak

By Connie Perry and Judy Nevil,
Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company

With the numerous manufacturers and hundreds of kayak models available, how do you know which one to purchase?  Determining what you want to do and what type of water you plan to paddle will help you evaluate the type, length, and material that will best suit your needs.  Here’s the basics and latest industry developments that will help point you in the right direction.

Types of Kayaks

There are three major categories of kayaks: white-water, recreational and touring.  Whitewater kayaks are specialized boats designed specifically for fast-moving water or surf conditions and are covered in a separate article in this guide. Recreational kayaks provide confident fun on the water, while touring kayaks are designed for travel over distance, time and/or rougher water conditions.

Recreational Kayaks

Even the most apprehensive of paddlers find recreational kayaks simple and fun because they offer a stable, easy to handle, and very affordable option. A midpoint between whitewater and touring, they are perfect for lazy rivers, as well as smaller lakes and ponds or along protected shorelines of larger bodies of water. Ranging in length from around 9 ½’ to 14’, they are wider than their touring counterparts. The cockpit of a recreational kayak tends to be a large, making entry and exit easier. Some have very open cockpits that provide room for the larger paddler, the fisherman, birdwatcher or photographer with all of their gear, a paddler plus a small child or pet, or for individuals with physical limitations. A stern storage hatch, which is found in all but the most basic models, provides gear storage for day use or the minimalist weekend outing. Recreational kayaks have greater “initial stability,” the degree to which the boat resists that feeling of tippiness when at rest upon the water.  While increasing confidence and comfort, it is also a desirable characteristic for paddlers who will be sitting in their kayak for long periods of time.

Touring Kayaks

As the sport of kayaking has grown, touring kayaks have grown vastly in popularity. Their longer length (usually topping out at 18’) and narrower width (approx. 21 to 25”) yield a straighter tracking, more efficient craft that significantly reduces paddler effort when traveling greater distances or contending with stronger wind and wave conditions. Touring kayaks have better “secondary stability” (resistance to capsize) than recreational models.  The more rounded hull de-sign of the touring kayak allows more continuous sur-face contact with the water as it leans to the side, whereas the flatter hull of recreational kayaks actually loses water contact as it leans. Touring models usually have both a bow and a stern hatch which offer more gear storage for extended trips and serve as flotation chambers that keep the kayak above the water’s surface in the event of a capsize.  An important safety feature especially in cold water, this allows paddlers to re-enter the boat on open water. 

Importance of a Good Fit

A touring kayak that’s too large for the paddler can be compared to wearing the wrong size shoe:  If it’s several sizes too large, it’s difficult to walk, much less tackle tougher demands such as running, dancing, or hiking. With smaller cockpits, narrower width and less volume, touring kayaks provide better physical contact between paddler and boat, which results in better con-trol. Most touring models include thigh braces along the inside of the cockpit, which further enhance control in turbulent conditions or when leaning the kayak into turns.

Rudder VS. Skeg

Many models offer a rudder system that is designed to compensate for the effects of wind and waves. Attached by cables to the foot pedals, rudders simplify course adjustments and reduce correction strokes. Greenland or British style boats offer a drop down skeg which aids with tracking but lacks the turning benefit or ability to continually alter course provided by a rudder. Responsiveness to turning in this style kayak is a function of hull design and paddler skill. Generally there is less “drag” with a skeg than a rudder, and paddlers retain their solid foot bracing. 

Kayak Materials

Polyethylene (PE):

A tough, resilient plastic that can withstand years of use and is of moderate weight and price. 

Thermoplastics

A result of increased demand for lighter weight kayaks, Thermoplastics are not as light weight as fiberglass or Kevlar composites but have a tougher exterior surface than PE and represent a mid-point between PE and composites in terms of price, weight and durability.  Similar to composites in performance, Thermoplastics have less flex then PE. Check out Eddyline’s Carbon-lite, Current Design’s TCS, and Perception and Dagger’s Airalite constructions.

Composites

Fiberglass, Kevlar and Graphite are all used, often in combination, to produce the lightest weight options.  An exterior gel coat offers abrasion and UV protection, but is less impact resistant than PE or Thermoplastic and is intended more for flatwater use.  In addition to reducing weight, these materials produce a stiffer, harder shelled hull and dramatically improve glide, but add significantly to the cost.

General Rules of Recreational and Touring Kayaks

• Regardless of type and material, increased length will yield better tracking and efficiency, and can increase paddler capacity. 
• A shorter kayak will maneuver more easily but will tend to wander and will require much more effort to cover distance in open water.  To retain the capacity and stability of longer boats, they are wider creating more resistance moving through the water.
• In general, there is a direct relationship between weight and impact resistance, but an inverse relation-ship between weight and cost.

So What to Choose?

Ultimately your selection will depend on your in-tended use and your priority of the topics above, but should include an element of your personality and comfort on the water as well. We offer the unique opportunity to test paddle several boats to make sure you select a great boat for YOU.  Whether you come to one of our stores or to Paddlefest, we’ll assist you to make sure kayaking becomes as much fun for you as for all of us.