Recreational Kayaks

Let’s talk recreation kayaks. Many may not even know what types of kayaks fit into this category, myself included. So I did some researching. Turns out, according to Wikipedia, “A recreational kayak is a type of kayak that is designed for the casual paddler interested in recreational activities on a lake or flatwater stream; they presently make up the largest segment of kayak sales.” Hmmmm, wouldn’t all kayaks technically fit this category? My answer would be yes, so what I have decided to do is to discuss some of the things to look for when purchasing your “recreational kayak."

Use

Begin by determining the type of water you will be paddling most frequently. Big lakes? Small ponds? Rivers? Creeks? Inshore saltwater? Offshore? Technically all could be considered “flatwater” if the weather is ideal, so answering these questions will help in narrowing down your choices. For instance, if you’re paddling a small pond or creek, a shorter kayak may be the way to go. Big water? Bigger kayak. You will want something that will track straighter with a possible rudder for battling winds or heavy current. Consider a kayak longer in length and bit narrower when in open water. Stick with something shorter and more maneuverable if you find yourself in narrower, twisting creeks. Personally, I find that a 12 foot kayak is a great “in-between” length that could accommodate a variety of waters.

Type

Once you have determined the water type you will be paddling, start focusing on sit-on-top or sit-inside models of kayaks. And of course there are pros and cons to each. So when would you want to choose a sit-on-top (SOT)? Well let me tell you the benefits of each, beginning with SOTs. As a Florida paddler and avid fisherman I prefer the SOT style of kayaks. Why? Well, they typically come a little wider, thus being more stable. SOTs are perfect for a fisherman in that aspect, but also great for a novice kayaker who’s just looking for a few hours/couple miles out on the water. That stability and open cockpit also makes it an ideal vessel for climbing in and out of even in deeper waters. Here in Florida, we are always looking for a chance to swim and cool off, so it’s nice when we can do it while paddling, too. They are also self-bailing. What that means is if the kayak has an influx of water that floods the kayak, it self drains. It also means that water is capable of pushing up through the scupper holes, making it a wetter ride then its sit-inside counterpart.

So with all that talk about SOTs and how great they are, what about sit insides? Well, they too have their place. Being inside the hull of a kayak offers not only a drier ride, but protection from the elements. I find these to be a popular style in areas that may see colder temperatures throughout the year. They also provide a lower center of gravity which will aid in stability, since they typically come in narrower widths. Their downside is the inability to get in and out of easily while on the water. And in the case that you do flip over and your cockpit fills with water, you will have to seek high ground and work the water out.

Hull Design

One of the biggest factors that determine a kayak’s performance is in the hull design. You can go short/wide to long/thin, but the truth lies underneath. I could go on and on about chines, rockers, primary & secondary stability and hull designs, but I’ll stick to some basic designs for you to look for. Rounded hulls tend to provide a “torpedo” shape, thus making them the fastest and most maneuverable kayak hull style out there. This is due to the lack of water resistance. From there we will move to v-shaped hulls. These hulls are speedy and track through the water exceptionally well, but feel more “tippy”. Flat hulls are probably the most popular used hull design in the kayak manufacturing world. The reason being is that this particular hull design offers a great balance between speed and stability. This design is seen from everything from fishing kayaks to whitewater kayaks and everything in between. From there we will hit the pontoon style hulls. This style is the ultimate in stability. Where stability reigns supreme, speed suffers. They track decent, but take energy to move.

So there you have it: A quick, down & dirty guide to choosing a suitable “recreational kayak”. Hope this helps. I want to leave you with one last piece of very important advice: demo, demo, and demo! All this information is only a guideline. To be sure you’re making a competent decision, paddle before you buy! The last thing you want is buyer’s remorse. Any kayak specialty shop should be more than happy to let you paddle any particular model before you buy; take that advantage! See you on the water!