What type of kayaks are there

Sit-on-top kayaks do not have a closed cockpit, so they are easy to get into and out of. They are usually wider than most, so they have good primary stability. They are nice for fishing because all of your gear is easily accessible. They have a huge disadvantage of sometimes being a wet ride, if you are careful you can stay dry, but most of the time you will get a little wet from splashes, which is nice in the summer, not so nice in the winter.

With some practice you can enter some of these kayaks while floating in deep water, which is nice if you go for a swim, intentionally or unintentionally. Recreational kayaks have a closed cockpit, but it usually a fairly large opening, Large enough to put a small child in there with you. They are shorter than touring kayaks, usually 10 feet or less.

They are nice because in the summer you can leave the cockpit open for a nice cool ride, but in the winter you can use a skirt and have a dry warm trip. They are significantly cheaper than touring kayaks and since they are shorter they are easier to store and transport. A kayak that does not track well will turn to the right when you paddle on the left and vice versa.

Generally the longer the kayak the better it tracks. Some recreational kayaks get better tracking by the use of a skeg or rudder. Touring kayaks are usually 12 feet or longer, they generally have smaller cockpits. They are also narrower. The smaller cockpit also has thigh braces in it so that if the kayak rolls over the paddler uses his thighs and hips to roll himself back upright.

They are very fast because they are so narrow and long. Most touring kayaks use a rudder to help them turn. They are difficult to store and transport because of their length. These kayaks are more often used on long trips across large bodies of water and are not as useful for the family on an afternoon trip to the lake where a recreational or sit-on-top would be better. Pedaling kayaks are great for people who have back or shoulder problems because the only time you need to use your arms is when pulling into shore.

The greatest disadvantage to these kayaks is the price. There are 2 pedaling kayaks that I know, and both are great. One type uses a propeller and you pedal it like a bicycle. Consider this the ultimate all-in-one guide to the many kayak types, crucial differences between them, and recommended uses! We may receive a commission if you click a link on this page and then go on to purchase something, but at no extra cost to you.

Learn more here. With so many different kayak types available, it can be tough to get a handle on which kayak is the right choice for you. Having a virtually limitless number of options can be a good thing, but it can also make the process a bit overwhelming. Kayaks differ based on their construction and materials, hull design, anatomy and parts , intended use and paddling environment, number of paddlers they can accommodate, and means of propulsion.

And all the different kayak types, as varied as they are, exist for a reason. Some are designed for stability and maneuverability; others prioritize efficiency. And some focus on specific activities, such as fishing, kayak camping , and running rapids. Someone who lives in a small apartment may have unique requirements and expectations, too.

The same goes for those who like to travel and hope to bring their kayak along for the ride. They exist for a reason — because someone somewhere needs a specific type of kayak that can handle the particular type of environment and conditions.

You have several different types of kayaks to choose from based on the construction and the materials used for making them. Rigid or hard-shell kayaks are the largest category of kayaks available on the market.

There are tons of designs and features to choose from — but what they all have in common is the rigid hull. Again, this is an insanely broad category — but the Perception Flash 9. Inflatable kayaks are made from hard-wearing, puncture-resistant PVC and synthetic rubbers, such as Hypalon and Nitrylon. Foldable or collapsible kayaks bridge the gap between hard-shells and inflatable kayaks. These high-performance collapsible kayaks are stiffer than inflatable kayaks while retaining the same level of portability and convenience.

And their handling and performance are comparable to that of touring hard-shells. Still, if you like to hike and travel a lot, folding kayaks — like this Oru Kayak — should be right at the top of your list. While there are many different types of kayaks, all of them — regardless of the specific features and intended uses — fall into one of the two categories.

Sit-on-top — or SOT — kayaks are designed so that the paddler sits on top of the deck , on a kayak seat , or in a molded-in seating area. SOTs are the preferred type of kayak in warmer climates. Find more suggestions in my best sit-on-top kayak reviews! Sit-inside, also called sit-in kayaks — or SIK for short — follow a more traditional design, with the paddler sitting inside a closed cockpit.

A closed cockpit — usually paired with a spray skirt — is what they all have in common, though. It protects the paddlers from the elements and splashing water, keeping the inside of the cockpit dry and warm. That makes SIKs the preferred choice for colder weather, rough waters, and long-distance paddling, where efficiency is a priority.

As long as you choose the correct paddle size that works for your body, paddling style , and the kayak itself, you can propel just about any kayak out there. If you decide to go with a paddle-propelled kayak, check out my round-up of best kayak paddles for a few highly recommended options!

Kayaks with pedal propulsion systems are serious game-changers — especially for anglers and those who get tired of paddling way too quickly. Cons: The same length and narrow beam width that allows a touring kayak to cut efficiently through the water makes it far more difficult to make tight turns.

This makes them unsuitable for narrow watercourses or those that feature a number of bends or switchbacks. Learning to evacuate and re-enter a touring kayak requires taking lessons from a professional instructor, as you have to learn to disentangle yourself from the spray deck when exiting underwater.

A variant of the touring kayak, the sea kayak has a higher rocker the curve from bow to stern that helps it crest into oncoming waves. It also has a narrow, V-shaped front profile.

This design makes them able to deal with rougher waters, but at the expense of stability. Pros: The sea kayak is easier to control, tracks straighter, and is less likely to be swamped by waves than a standard touring kayak. This makes it specifically designed for journeys on coastal waters.

Modern sea kayaks are designed to carry large amounts of equipment. For example, expeditions of two weeks or more, in environments ranging from the tropics to the Arctic, can be taken in sea kayaks. Cons: As with the day-touring kayak, the sea kayak is designed to excel in one environment and loses many of its advantages when taken out of that environment.

Whitewater kayaks range from 4 to 10 feet in length and are specifically designed to move quickly down fast-flowing, rocky courses. They are typically made of hard-wearing rotomolded plastics. Playboats: Playboats are the shortest whitewater kayaks. They have a scooped bow and blunt stern, making playboats highly maneuverable and robust. By utilizing the speed gained by traveling through rapids, these boats are used to perform technical tricks in a sport known as rodeo boating.

Pros: Playboats are highly agile and their hulls are very resistant to damage. They excel at navigating steep, rocky waters that have fast-flowing water. Cons: Because of their design, playboats are inherently unstable and their scooped bow makes them slow in open water.

Creekboats: Creekboats are longer and have more volume than a playboat. They are used to run narrow, low-volume waterways. Pros: Due their stability and buoyancy, creekboats are more multi-purpose. They can be used on larger rivers. In this scenario, their greater volume allows them to navigate the flatter stretches and their stability will enable them to negotiate rapids.

Cons: While they are multi-purpose, creekboats are not built for comfort or long journeys. They also do not have storage space. Based on the skin-on-frame boats used by the Inuit and Greenlandic cultures, the technology behind folding kayaks has seen significant advances in recent years. New materials allow for full-length touring boats to be packed away into a small suitcase.

They are light enough to be carried with relative ease. This makes them the perfect solution to storage and transportation issues associated with longer, non-foldable touring kayaks. Pros: Folding kayaks are unique in their ability to fold down into a portable package.

They are lightweight and allow those without significant storage space to access kayaking. Cons: The materials used to keep the kayak light are not as durable as a standard kayak hull. Folding kayaks are prone to cracking after extended use. Due to the need to fold flat, there are no internal bulkheads in a folding kayak, meaning less storage space and more opportunity for the kayak to flood.

As kayak fishing becomes increasingly popular, more kayaks are being made with features such as pole rests, a flatter hull for stability, pontoon stabilizers, and even pedal-powered water wheels that let you keep your hands on your fishing pole. This type of kayak comes as both a sit-in and sit-on style. Pros: Designed to be shorter and lighter than traditional touring kayaks, fishing kayaks are easier to store on a car rack and maneuver in and out of the water.

Most models also offer storage space where you can keep your catch. Cons: Because of the need for portability and a stable platform to cast your line, fishing kayaks are slower and require more energy to paddle than touring kayaks.

Designed for short journeys or day trips, they lack the storage and comfort you may want for longer excursions. Designed to fit two or more people, tandem kayaks are a great way to share kayaking with another person.

They are also ideal for taking younger or less experienced kayakers out on the water, so they can practice their skills. Pros: Tandem kayaks are ideal for beginners looking to get experience and for introducing children to the sport while under supervision. Tandem kayaks tend to have more storage space available which is helpful for longer trips. Cons: Tandem kayaks are heavy, usually anywhere from 75 to pounds. Even if there are two of you to help with the lifting, getting a tandem kayak into the water or stowing it on a car rack can be difficult.

Kayak diving was popularized in the s in California and is a popular alternative to using a powered boat to reach diving hotspots.