Getting Started

 

Whether you’re a fitness buff, adrenaline junkie or just want the freedom to jump on a boat and enjoy days on the water, kayaks provide fun and adventure for everyone. No longer a fringe activity confined to specialists, recent advancements in ease of use have brought the pleasure of kayaking to more people than ever before. People are discovering kayaking as a unique way of connecting them to the environment.

 

Kayaks come in a blizzard of styles and materials for any conceivable taste. The two largest segments are sit on top kayaks and sit inside kayaks. In a traditional sit inside kayak the paddler sits on a seat underneath a deck; on a sit on top type, the entire boat is underneath the paddler’s body. Branching out from these two families are whitewater kayaks, touring kayaks, tandem kayaks, fishing-specific kayaks, expedition kayaks, surf kayaks, women-and kids-specific kayaks, and more.

 

Kayak Anatomy

 

Bow – the front of the kayak.  Stern – the back end.

Hatches – storage areas with covers.

Cockpit – the area where the kayaker sits.

Combing – in a sit inside kayak, the combing is the flared edge of the cockpit top. The spray skirt or cockpit cover fits over the combing.

Bulkheads – on a decked kayak, the walls inside between the cockpit and hatch are bulkheads. They make the hatch area watertight, thereby providing flotation and dry storage. Additionally they add structural strength to the kayak.

Pillar – a column usually under the bow deck which provides support.

Foot braces or foot pegs – adjustable foot rests.

Foot wells – molded in foot braces on a sit on top kayak.

Foot pedals – similar to foot braces, except pedals move to control the rudder.

Thigh braces – on a sit inside kayak, these are fixed braces underneath the cockpit rim allowing the thighs to grip the boat.

Thigh straps – straps that allow the thighs to grip the boat. More common in sit on top or inflatable whitewater kayaks.

Skeg – a blade that can be lowered under the stern to improve tracking

Rudder – a blade that can be lowered and turned using foot pedals. Used primarily to counteract for current or wind.

Spray skirt – a nylon or neoprene device which the kayaker wears that fixes to the cockpit rim. Keeps water out of the cockpit. Used only on sit inside kayaks.

Cockpit cover – a nylon cover for storage that goes over the cockpit.

Perimeter lines – lines ringing the kayak.

Deck lines – lines on the deck of the kayak. Used to attach gear.

Hard chines – sharp angles running lengthwise along the hull of a kayak that aid stability.

Flare – the curvature outward of the side of the hull. Greater flare helps stability.

Keel – a pointed area running lengthwise under the boat that helps with tracking.

Rocker – the amount of rise between the bottom of the kayak and the ends. More rocker means the boat will turn faster and will also ride over waves, but at the same time increased rocker means tracking is reduced.

Wetted surface – the more wetted surface on the length of the boat, the faster it tends to go. A kayak with more waterline will be faster. So racing kayaks will have more vertical bows, to extend the waterline.

Scuppers – drainage ports on a sit on top kayak.

Seat pan – the part of the seat you sit on.

Displacement hull – a kayak hull that sits partially below the water displacing water.

Planing hull – a kayak hull that is designed to plane easily. Common in certain whitewater kayaks and surf kayaks.

Capacity – the amount of weight a kayak can safely support.

Volume – in gallons, the interior size of a whitewater boat.

Edges – the hard angles where the bottom meets the side of some whitewater models.

Initial stability – the stability of the boat when you’re sitting in it and the boat is properly aligned.

Secondary stability – the stability of the boat when it is floating on its side.

 

Kayak Construction Materials and Processes

 

You can still buy a good wooden kayak. But these days there is a universe of materials used to build kayaks in every performance category. Your choice will depend on forgiveness, durability, stiffness, weight, and of course price.

 

Wood is used for a narrow niche of kayaks. Some are sold as kits. Wood is very beautiful and long lasting. It requires more maintenance than some of the other choices.

 

Polyethylene is the material most seen in recreational and whitewater kayaks. It is very durable and cost effective. It is heavier than more advanced materials and isn’t as stiff. But its durability, cost effectiveness and even its flexibility are properties that have their place. A more flexible kayak will be more forgiving.

 

Composite – These boats are made of woven fabric and resin. Examples are fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon. The deck and hull are made separately and seamed together. Composites are stiff and more delicate than polyethylene. The stiffness means they are responsive to paddler input – so if the paddler is experienced and knows the correct moves when the situation calls for it, they’ll feel satisfaction of the boat that moves with them. Conversely the boat will also respond to incorrect movement or wave action and this might be unsettling for the inexperienced. Also, composites are very expensive and more likely to suffer expensive scratches on rocks or barnacles.

 

Thermoformed – Like with composite models the deck and hull are made separately and seamed together. The material is extruded plastic.

 

Rotomolded – Used with polyethylene. Powdered plastic is poured into the bottom side of a mold and then the top is attached. The mold is then put into an oven where the powder melts, and the molten material is and rocked/rotated until the entire boat is formed. Then the mold is removed from the oven and cooled. When finished the boat is a single piece of plastic.

 

Blow Molded – A mixing machine combines polyethylene, color dye, and UV stabilizer. This blend passes through a series of funnels into an extruder. From here it passes into a melt accumulator. During the process the material is melted, homogenized, and its density increases. The molten mixture is forced over an adjustable tool, into the mold. The tool forms the mixture into a tube, and its settings affect the wall thickness of the kayak to be made. Once the tube of material has reached its final length, the two halves of the boat mold are closed around it and air is blown into the middle through a series of needles, until the tube expands and lies against the inside of the mold. The mold is then left to cool before it is opened, and the finished hull can be removed.

 

PVC – This material is found in most inflatable kayaks.

 

Sit Inside Kayaks

 

Sit inside kayaks are what most people picture in their minds when they hear the word “kayak.” All sit inside kayaks have decks. The paddler sits on a seat inside a cockpit, and the legs brace on pedals/pegs underneath the front deck.  There are endless varieties from recreational to touring or whitewater. They come in tandems and some have skegs or rudders. Touring models have hatches where you can store gear for extended trips. Recreational models will be wider for stability and sport generously sized cockpits for easy entry and exit. Touring varieties will be long and narrow for speed. Whitewater kayaks will be shorter with lots of rocker (upswept bow and stern) so they can maneuver in chop and current.

 

Because much of your body is inside the boat, sit inside kayaks provide some protection from wind, waves and splashing. So, they are preferred if it gets cold. For even more protection from spray and water paddlers frequently wear a spray skirt. The skirt’s “tunnel” fits around the paddler’s torso. The skirt has a shock corded fringe which fits around the cockpit combing.

 

Because sit inside kayaks do not automatically drain, water collects in the hull either from paddle drip, rain, splash, etc. Spray skirts are recommended for those preferring a dry ride. Sit inside kayaks can swamp. All sit inside kayaks have flotation, but paddlers must carry a bailer or pump to empty the water in case the kayak swamps.

 

Sit On Top (SOT) Kayaks

 

Sit on top kayaks are kayaks where the paddler sits on a cockpit on top instead of inside. Their cockpit and gear storage wells are self draining. If a SOT does flip over, it only needs to be righted, and it will self-drain. In rough conditions such as surf or whitewater, the water will drain out of the scupper holes.

 

Sit on top kayaks are perfect platforms for warm days and warm activities like swimming, fishing, or snorkeling. You can paddle the kayak to your destination, and then jump off and on. Among other uses, recreational sit-on-tops have quickly become the boat of choice for coastal kayak fishing and scuba diving. Their wide stable design provides a perfect platform for loading scuba gear or fighting the big one. The range of use for these boats goes far beyond sportsman as they are the perfect boats for anyone looking to have a good time. Equally at home on small lakes, local rivers and ocean bays, recreational SOT’s provide enjoyment for people of all ages and paddling ability.

 

Most sit on top kayaks come with a method to store and secure gear. Straps or bungee cords keep things lashed to the boat. Many also have hatches for dry storage, too. Longer versions even have rudders.

 

Recreational Kayaks

 

Pretty much everyone begins their kayaking career in a recreational kayak. Whether sit inside or sit on top models, recreational kayaks are designed to be fun, safe, stable and easy to turn – in other words, these kayaks are forgiving enough that beginners gain confidence and want to come back for more!

 

Most recreational kayaks are intended for mild rivers and casual trips on lakes, ponds and bays. However, some of the sit on top models work well in surf and moderate whitewater.

 

Sit Inside Models

 

Single seat recreational sit inside kayaks are wide to enhance stability and relatively short, to aid turning. Most are under 11 feet in length with the longest about 14 feet. Recreational sit inside kayaks such as the St. Croix Sunchaser I have generous cockpit space to ease entry and exit – as some novice kayakers feel claustrophobic in a tight cockpit. The bigger cockpit also accommodates a wider range of body types. There are models with thigh braces, hatches and deck rigging, and some even have accessories for fishing. More advanced models have skegs for straight line tracking, or rudders to aid tracking in wind and cross-currents. Rudders are not intended as a primary steering mechanism. These more advanced models are sometimes called “transitional touring” kayaks. They are narrower than entry level models and have many of the characteristics of pure touring sit inside kayaks such as upgraded seats, bulkheads, hatches and increased speed.

 

 

Recent introductions to the sit inside market are children’s and women’s kayaks. One characteristic these have in common is lighter weight.

 

Tandem sit inside recreational models run about 14 – 16 feet in length. All have one seat for the forward paddler and one seat for the aft paddler. However, there are two cockpit choices. Open cockpit tandems like the St. Croix Sunchaser II have a long open cockpit – no deck between the fore and aft paddlers. Some open cockpit tandems have an optional middle seat for a child. Tandem cockpit models have a separate cockpit for the forward and aft paddlers separated by a deck.

 

Sit On Top Models

 

Single seat sit on top recreational kayaks are also wide for stability, and they are generally eight to 15 feet in length. Shorter models usually have more rocker. Seating arrangements vary greatly. Some have no adjustable seat, just a molded-in area. Others have a seat back that can be adjusted. Then there are seats with padded backs and bases. Today, there are even fully hinged seats for sit on top kayaks, and a number of after market custom seat suppliers has developed. For foot positioning, some have molded in footwells, while others have foot pegs, and ruddered models have pedals.  Most sit on top kayaks have storage in the form of gear wells with straps or shock cords. Some have watertight hatches. Many models also sport optional thigh straps.

 

Tandem, triple and even quad sit on top kayaks are available. Such models can run up to 18 feet long. Tandems are wider than their single paddler relatives. Tandem models are fun for team building and speed. Some outdoor guides use tandem sit on top kayaks for tours in tropical regions.

 

You can paddle a sit on top kayak in cold water or rain – you just need to wear the right clothing. For cold water, we recommend a wetsuit. For rain, we recommend splash pants and a dry top.

 

Fishing Kayaks

 

Sit On Top Models

 

In the past few years, single sit on top kayaks attracted the attention of fishermen. They could be seen modifying existing sit on tops for trolling or fly casting. The fact that kayaks could reach areas where motors could not attracted fishermen in droves. Since sit on top kayaks are so stable, fisherman sometimes sat sideways dangling their legs while fishing, or even stood up to cast. Not to miss out on an opportunity, kayak manufacturers soon offered fishing specific models complete with rudders and kayaks that could be tricked out to suit any fisherman’s taste. Soon bait buckets, nets, multiple rod holders, battery compartments, paddle holders and even fish finders found their way onto sit on top kayaks.

 

Sit Inside Models

 

Still, many fishermen like being inside a cockpit. So to tailor to their needs, kayak designers came out with modified sit inside models fitted with fishing rod holders like the St. Croix Sunchaser I and Sunchaser II. There are even a few “Canaks” which look like canoes but have a single middle seat and are paddled with a kayak paddle – these are fishing specific as well.

 

Touring Kayaks

 

Touring sit inside kayaks range from day touring kayaks up to 15 feet long, to sea touring kayaks, which are designed for extended journeys, generous loads and possible difficult weather.

 

Sit Inside Models

 

Touring sit inside kayaks are stable and long. Their length helps with load capacity, but also means they are fast – they can cover lots of ground. They are also designed to track well in wind and current – but this means they won’t turn as quickly as shorter kayaks. Sea kayaks are narrower than recreational kayaks as it’s expected that the paddler has previous experience and will be comfortable with the sensation. Their cockpits have smaller openings. It’s assumed the paddler has some training with Eskimo rolling or wet exits. All models will have thigh braces, hatches, watertight bulkheads and deck rigging. Some models have skegs for straight line tracking, or rudders to aid tracking in wind and cross-currents. Rudders are not intended as a primary steering mechanism. There are some with a day hatch, which is a small hatch behind the paddler for day use items. Touring sit inside kayaks can be found in a variety of lengths from 12 feet to over 19 feet.

 

Tandem sit inside touring kayaks are less common. One reason is that, although they are longer, the storage capacity per paddler isn’t as generous. These kayaks cover even more ground because two are paddling. They have two cockpits with a deck in between and can be up to 23 feet long.

 

Sit On Top Models

 

There are few true touring single sit on top kayaks. Though some longer sit on top kayaks are used for extended trips in tropical waters, most are intended for recreational or fishing purposes. Their width, which gives these kayaks stability, renders them much slower and therefore the paddler tends to become fatigued more easily. Nevertheless, amazing extended trips have been completed in tropical waters with sit on top kayaks. All of these kayaks will come with scuppers for the paddler and the gear storage wells. Some will have dry hatches. Gear needs to be carried in dry bags and secured in case of capsize.

 

Tandem sit on tops are often used by outfitters guiding tourists in tropical waters. Two paddlers can move the kayak swiftly. And because one can jump off to snorkel or swim, they are very convenient in this environment.

 

Whitewater Kayaks

 

Whitewater kayaks are designed to be maneuverable in current and rough water. They have to be able to stay on the surface, above raging hydraulics and squirrelly eddies.  Whitewater kayaking involves much more quick athletic activity than other kayaking. And, it is very lower body intensive as well as upper body. These days, most whitewater kayaks are under nine feet in length and are sit inside models.

 

All whitewater kayaks are built tough. Most are made of polyethylene due to its durability. Their cockpit is by far the most feature rich of kayaks because an exact fit is paramount. An exact fit for hips, buttocks, knees and feet translates into additional purchase to deftly maneuver the boat in tight spaces using the lower body. All whitewater kayaks have lots of rocker so they can ride rapids and turn quickly.

 

River running and creeking whitewater kayaks tend to have higher volume, more rounded and longer hulls because they are intended to have buoyancy and speed to punch through rough water situations.

 

Playboat/rodeo whitewater kayaks are shorter and often have flat hulls with hard edges. These boats can linger in one spot on the river and spin, surf, or cartwheel as they can more easily get up and surf on top of the water and their short length makes them easier to spin.

 

Inflatable and Folding Kayaks

 

The fact that these kayaks are super portable has two distinct ramifications. First it means those with limited space can now carry and store a kayak. Second, it opens up really new exploration possibilities – think about carrying several kayaks on a seaplane in Alaska!

 

Inflatable Kayaks

 

No longer beach toys, contemporary inflatable kayaks offer performance and durability worth noting. While the old toys are still available a few extra dollars buys a serious performance craft.

 

Intlatables offer a number of advantages. First, they stow away smartly. For those with limited storage they open up the possibility of kayak ownership. Second, they are more easily set up than folding kayaks. Third, an inflatable doesn’t need to be carried on an expensive car rack. Fourth, they are forgiving in rivers, and offer more flotation and self rescue possibilities than a sit inside kayak.

 

The inflatable kayak market ranges from touring models to whitewater versions. The whitewater designs will have lots of rocker and thigh straps for extra purchase. The floor has scuppers and self drains. Because their buoyancy keeps them right on top of the water they are an excellent introduction for novice whitewater paddlers. Touring models will be a bit longer, and narrower. Some have two flotation tubes attached with a frame.

 

Folding Kayaks

 

Folding kayaks are the modern descendents of the skin-over-wood-or-bone kayaks of prehistoric times.  They are light and pack small enough to fit in a car trunk or sailboat locker. They are made of a variety of materials. The frame is a combination of aluminum, magnesium, polyethylene, and polycarbonate. The hull skin can be one of several materials including duratec or hypalon.  

 

An important performance characteristic of folding kayaks is forgiveness. The frame and skin absorb some of the energy of wave action. This makes the boat feel more steady in the water.

 

Things to keep in mind when looking for a kayak

 

What’s your intended paddling venue? Flat water, rivers? Will you bring pets or children? Perhaps you’re thinking of overnights or fishing? Are you an adrenaline junkie looking for action or maybe you seek contemplation? Are you considering surfing or scuba diving? What design of kayak will help you reach these goals?

 

Things to consider in choosing the best kayak for you are stability, speed, capacity, performance in your specific conditions. Longer kayaks will be faster and track straighter; shorter will be more maneuverable, and wider will be more stable.

 

Check to make sure that your gear will fit in the hatches or on the deck. Compute your weight and that of your cargo. Is it within the kayak’s maximum load as stated by the manufacturer? Some boats come with hatches and others with storage wells.

 

Then think about how you’re going to get that boat to the water. Will you be driving to the put-in or using over-land portages during your paddle? A big kayak can be painful to carry.