Outdoors

If you are choosing your first kayak there are lots of different alternatives to think about. The first thing to take into account will be the material and you can choose from rigid plastic, inflatable plastic, wood plus some other materials such as graphite composites, Kevlar and carbon fiber. When you’ve decided on the type of construction you prefer you will need to consider a few factors before you buy your kayak.

1) What type of kayaking will you be doing for the majority of the time?

Kayaks can be made for different locations such as ocean, fishing, whitewater or long distance kayaking. You will need to think about the type of kayaking you’ll be doing for the majority of the time and pick a kayak that is appropriate.

2) How experienced are you?

If you are new to this sport a kayak that is easy to get in and out of is typically the primary concern. Most beginners are concerned about their ability to easily to get out of the kayak so usually don’t want a snug cockpit. An ideal alternative for beginners is a ‘sit-on-top’ type that has a recessed seat. Beginners mostly like better a kayak with excellent initial stability with very low ‘tippiness’. Veteran kayakers will almost certainly prefer a kayak that has superior final stability that will cope more easily with wilder water.

3) Transportability and Weight

One of the main concerns problem with kayaks is that you need to find somewhere to store them, take them to the location and launch them easily. Folding and inflatable kayaks are far easier  to transport and store but if you are going to buy a hardshell kayak try to buy one that is as light as possible.

4) Comfort and Storage Capacity

If you will usually be using the kayak for brief periods storage space isn’t going to be a concern but if, on the other hand, you will be going on longer trips you should ensure there is room to hold all your equipment. Also make certain that there are comfortable seats. Whether you favor a tight fit or more space that allows you to move may be dependant on on the sort of paddling you’ll be doing. For long tours more space is preferable so that you can stretch, change postion or move around. If you will be doing whitewater kayaking a tight fit is usually preferred.

5) Stability

How easily a boat stays in an upright position is known as the initial stability. The tendency of a boat to tip is is referred to as the final stability. Boats have either initial or final stability, they can’t have both at the same time! Beginners usually have a preference for a boat with decent initial stability because a kayak with good final stability may seem unsteady to them and they may well be worried that it will overturn. Those with more experience who aren’t afraid of overturning generally prefer a kayak with good final stability. A stable kayak, though fine for beginners, is inevitably slower.

6) The Length of the Kayak

The length of the boat is directly related to it’s ability to move in a straight line and turn easily. A shorter kayak will be more maneuverable and a good deal easier to turn whereas a longer boat will track much better.

7) Cost of Kayaks

Obviously your budget is going to be quite a major factor determining which kayak you’ll buy. A an entry level kayak made from plastic will probably start at about $300 while other more sophisticated plastic models may be as much as $1600. Folding kayaks start from about $1200 and may reach $5000 for a high quality tandem kayak. Inflatable boats can be bought for around $20. Kayaks constructed from composite materials are a lot more expensive.

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