WHAT TYPE OF KAYAK IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
To know which model of the kayak to buy, you should first ask yourself some questions. Understanding the actual need to use, it becomes easier to know the best type of kayak for you.
- How much are you willing to spend? Prices can vary widely depending on size, type of material, type of kayak and brand. Know what type of kayak you need so you can compare the prices and see which one fits in your pocket.
" Where will you use the kayak?" Will you paddle in calm waters like lakes and rivers? Or will you use it to catch rapids and use it in rough seas?
- How far will you go? Will you make long crossings, which includes several days? Or will you go for a few miles? Depending on how long you will be paddling you may need to store groceries and equipment.
- Will you paddle alone, in pairs or in groups? There are several types of kayak that can accommodate more than one person, so before you buy it, it is good to know if you are going to paddle on your own or prefer to have one or more people.
- What is your experience with kayaking or how much do you intend to dedicate to the sport? With such a large number of formats and models of kayaks, if you are already experienced or will take the sport seriously, it may be worth spending more money on this purchase than buying a low-performance kayak that in the future will hinder your evolution as a practitioner. But if it is just for recreation, there is no need to spend streams of money on a kayak that you will not know how to draw your full potential into performance.
After answering these questions, it will now be much easier to know which type of kayak is right for you. Let us show you the possibilities of kayaking (types and styles) that you can buy and based on your answers you will be able to find the one that is most appropriate.
Kayak styles
Sit on Top: The Sit on Top is the kayak where the person sits with his body fully on the kayak deck. They are common in hot countries such as Brazil where you will not have problems getting wet with the paddling and there is also the possibility that you can take a dive to cool down and then come back up without any problems (it is not the case of the sit inside). They are generally wide, which gives a lot of stability to the person on top, so they are very used for fishing, recreation, and photography.
Sit Inside: This type of kayak has a cockpit, in which the rower stands with his legs under the deck, that is, inside the kayak structure. Many of these kayaks give the possibility to use a kind of skirt that are made to cover the cockpit area, avoiding the entry of water. This is a great advantage when it comes to paddling in icy waters, as the person does not get wet as much while paddling. The sit inside usually has the most efficient hull design for sliding in the water, more space to carry equipment and allows greater use of body movements to control it. Its features make the Sit Inside the most recommended for those who want to cross and/or down rapids/waterfalls.
Types of Kayaks
There are several types of kayak and each one is designed for a certain need, we will show here which are the most common:
Kayak Recreation: This kayak is recommended for beginners or for those who need stability in the paddling. They are generally wider to ensure stability and not too long, which facilitates cornering but makes it difficult to row straight. Usually, they do not have much space to store equipment, so they are not used in crossings that last more than a day. It is a good request for those who are starting and do not want to spend a lot of money.
As this type of boat offers stability, it is very used for fishing (there are several models designed especially for fishing: with spaces to attach the rod and in some, you can pedal instead of going to row), photography (due to stability) and short crossings.
Oceanic Kayaking and Tourism: It is made for long crossings in the open sea and guarantees stability in difficult conditions. It can also be used to cross lakes or rivers without rapids. Your hull is shaped to increase support in waves or rough waters. The ocean kayak has more space to store equipment/food, which makes it a good partner in expeditions of more than one day. Lastly, because it is longer and has keels or rudder, it is much easier to be able to paddle in a straight line with speed, even with currents and side winds.
The biggest difference between tourism and ocean kayak is that the latter is larger than the first, so ocean kayak makes it possible to make a larger crossing since its storage capacity is larger and it is easier to maintain the course in a straight line. While the tourism one is smaller, it is much easier to maneuver and is usually used at smaller crossings.
Whitewater kayak: It is kayak used to go down rapids, so it is shorter, less stable and has no keels. They are easy to maneuver and agile. The cockpit is very tight and was designed to keep you in the kayak even under the most severe conditions. Its hull is made of a material resistant enough to withstand the possible normal blows of a rapids descent.
Final considerations
Length of kayak:
- Short: They are easier to turn, to maneuver and are slower. It does not have much storage space, so they are not suitable for crossings.
- Long: They are more difficult to turn and maneuver, but are faster. Recommended for longer distances, for having more storage space and facilitating the straight path.
Kayak width:
- Wide: They have greater primary stability and facilitate the movement of entrance and exit. Because they are heavier, they do not reach great speeds.
- Thin: They are more unstable, lighter, they can walk in a straight line more easily and more efficient at the time of the row.
Materials
The kayak can be made from various materials like plastic, kevlar, carbon fiber, fiberglass and even wood. Although not performing like the kayaks manufactured in other materials, plastic kayaks are simpler and cheaper. So for those who do not know whether they will take the sport seriously or are going to use them in extreme conditions, our recommendation is for you to start with a plastic kayak.
Kayaking for two or more people
Be careful when buying a kayak of this type when doing so make sure you have a company every time you paddle, as it will be almost impossible to sail with only one person in a kayak that was designed to carry two or more. So we advise you to buy a kayak for each, and if any partner arises, it is better to rent an extra.
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