Everything You Need To Know About The Different Types Of kayaks

River kayaking is undoubtedly an enthralling sport, and if you’re just getting into it, it might be confusing to figure out what type of river kayak you need. Kayaks come in different shapes and sizes, and it’s pertinent that you understand them properly before purchasing your unit.

A quick search on the internet, and you’ll be bombarded with too much information, making it even more confusing. This article provides an in-depth analysis so that you can choose the right one for yourself.

Sit-On-Tops (SOT’s)

This type of kayaks is one of the most popular river kayak as they are very user friendly. An advantage of SOT’s is that you won’t feel confined to them, and they are easy to get in and out of. On the water, they also offer excellent stability.

SOT’s are also self-bailing, allowing water to drain through scupper holes. Generally, SOT’s are suitable for rough waters, warm environments, and cautious paddlers. On the downside, you’re sure to get wet while paddling on a SOT.

The Feelfree Dorado 125 kayak is incredibly durable and offers impressive stability on the water.

Sit-Inside

If you don’t want to get wet while paddling, sit-inside kayaks will be your best bet. They also move faster than SOT’s and are very suitable if you’re going to paddle in a river with cold waters.

Compared to SOT’s, sit-inside kayaks come in a wide variety of sizes and offer large storage space. Their downside is that this type of kayaks tends to tip, so it can be difficult to recover your balance if your unit flips.

If you’re looking for the best sit-inside kayak, the Old Town Loon 126 Kayak offers excellent comfort and performance.

Recreational Kayaks

With increased stability and excellent maneuverability, recreational kayaks are ideal for kayaking on saltwater, flatwater streams, and lakes. Generally, they come with a wide hull and are typically less than 12 feet long.

For easy access, recreational kayaks feature a large cockpit and a small area to hold your essentials. Due to their excellent stability, recreational yaks are suitable for beginners. However, if you’re thinking of kayaking for long hours, they might not be the right choice for you.

Along with your kayak board, you must have a durable and lightweight paddle like the Werner Tybee Hooked Leverlock FG Kayak Paddle

Inflatable Kayaks

Generally, inflatable kayaks are great for recreational purposes, but you can use some of them for white water kayaking too. Before you use them on the water, you’ll have to inflate them through an electric or foot pump.

Inflatable kayaks feature a sturdy and wide hull, making them suitable for calm waters. Inflatable kayaks are very portable as they fold easily, and some can even turn into a backpack for you to carry. A drawback of inflatable yaks is that they are high-maintenance, and even a tiny hole can make them unusable.

The Advanced Elements StraitEdge Angler Pro Kayak features multi-layer material for increased durability.

Touring Kayaks

Touring kayaks have a design suited for touring long distances. They range between 12-24 feet long and generally feature one or more internal bulkheads to ensure large internal storage. They also come with a skeg or rudder to aid steering and compensate for tidal or wind movement.

The narrow beam and sleek frame of touring kayaks allow them to move quickly while reducing physical strain, making them compatible with long journeys. At the same time, they can also be challenging to maneuver.

If you’re going to tour long distances, ensure that your paddle is up for it. The AquaBound Manta Ray Carbon Kayak Paddle is tough, sturdy, and easy to use.

Fishing Kayaks

As the name suggests, this type of kayaks has the best design for fishing. Typically, they feature pontoon stabilizers, a flatter hull, pole rests, and even pedal-powered water wheels so that you’ll have a firm grip on your fishing pole.

Fishing kayaks are available in both sit-on and sit-in styles. In comparison to touring kayaks, they’re lighter and shorter, therefore – easier to maneuver. They also come with large storage spaces for you to store your catch. However, they are slower than most other types of kayaks, and you’ll have to put more effort into paddling.

The Feelfree Lure 10 Version 2 Kayak comes with plenty of features to make your fishing session more efficient.

Conclusion

When you go kayaking, you must take the appropriate yak and equipment according to your purpose. There are different kayaking styles, and the right gear ensures that your kayaking session is safe and efficient especially for the river kayak.