Kayaks come in a wide variety of different designs and sizes. So, before you head out on the water, decide which type of kayak best suits your budget and your needs.
Inflatable Kayaks
Easy to use, lightweight, and incredibly safe, inflatable kayaks offer a cost-effective and highly portable alternative to traditional hard-shell kayaks. Made from high-quality woven fabric coated in vinyl, rubber, or PVC, these awesome little vessels come in solo or multi-rider versions and are slim and nimble by design.
Popular for use in whitewater sports and on lakes and calmer rivers, they feel sturdy on the water and are easy to maneuver. Cut through the water using your oars, and when you are back on dry land, most inflatable kayaks can be folded up small enough to stash in a backpack.
Bottom Line: Easy to use, reliable, and ready to go in just a few minutes, an inflatable kayak is a great way to enjoy the water without worrying about the expense of a hard-shell vessel.
Hardshell Kayaks
These tough and sturdy kayaks are made from traditional materials such as wood, plastic, fiberglass, or composite materials and are ready to go the minute you reach the water. Generally considered safer than their inflatable counterparts (although this isn’t necessarily true), a hard-shell kayak is a worthwhile investment for those who like to spend a lot of time in the water.
Their ergonomic design and solid construction lend themselves to offering a higher degree of control over the boat as you kayak, and if you are planning on kayaking out on the ocean or in whitewater environments, hard-shell kayaks may be your preference.
As strong and durable as they are, hard-shell kayaks can also be quite heavy, and some may even need 2 people to carry them from the house to the car and then down to the water.
Rustproof, puncture-proof, and designed to cut through the water with ease, a hard-shell kayak is an excellent choice for more experienced kayakers or those who plan to enjoy more extreme adventures.
Sit-Inside Kayaks
These traditional-looking kayaks have an open cockpit that allows the paddler to actually climb in and sit inside the hull with their legs stretched out under the deck.
Some paddlers cover themselves with a “skirt” to keep the water out, and because they offer better protection from the elements, these types of kayaks tend to be popular in cold water areas.
Bottom Line: These hard-shell kayaks are designed to remain incredibly stable out on the water, and even in the case of an occasional flip, you can still pull yourself out of the hull of the boat quickly.
Sit-on-Top Kayaks
User-friendly and perfect for water lovers of all abilities, these types of kayaks are very easy to get in and out of in an instant. Designed to be incredibly stable out on the water, a sit-on-top kayak comes with scupper holes that allow the water to drain right through them, giving you a self-bailing option when you need it.
Sit-on-top kayaks are also easy to slide on and off as you please, making them perfect for use in warmer water where you may want to hop off for a quick swim. Some sit-on-top designs can also double up as a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), and these fun and easy-to-use kayaks are a great choice if you don’t mind getting wet while you’re on the water.
Solo or Tandem
While some kayaks are just big enough to carry a solo paddler, others have enough space for 2 or even 3 people to ride together. While the common misconception may be that a tandem kayak will simply offer more space for solo riders, buying bigger may actually affect the way you ride on the water.
Solo kayaks are lightweight and easier to maneuver than their 2-person counterparts, and some couples even prefer to use individual kayaks when going out on the water together. Tandem kayaks, however, are considered to be more stable on the water but can be harder to get to grips with.
Hot Tip: If you do opt for a tandem model, choose one with moveable seats so you can both be comfortable.
Shape
The shape of the boat determines how stable the kayak will be and how well it will perform in different settings. Shallow V hulls, for example, offer incredible secondary stability and are useful for paddling in choppy water, while boats with rounded, hard, or multi chines offer exceptional edging and tighter turns.
Rocker boats have an upward curve of the bow and the stern that helps to control just how well the boat maneuvers in the water. Heavily rockered boats are preferable in rough conditions, while those with a minimal rocker track are better suited to gentle paddles and long-distance touring.
Length
As a general rule of thumb, wilder rivers and waterways will generally require the use of a shorter kayak to keep you afloat, while longer vessels are more suitable for ocean kayaking.
Skegs and Rudders
Due to their design, most kayaks will naturally want to turn in the wind. With the addition of rudders or skegs, you can make it much easier to travel in a straight line.
Skegs are useful on longer journeys and use their depth to offer greater control, while rudders are activated by the use of foot pedals and can also be used to steer the kayak.
Storage Space
Most kayaks have a small amount of storage space available that can be used to carry your fishing gear or personal items with you on the water. Sit-on-top models tend to come with molded holders for rods, paddles, and other accessories, while sit-in models generally offer more storage space for dry bags and tackle underneath the deck.
Bottom Line: Inflatable models will obviously offer far less storage space but may come with D rings or bungee cords for attaching coolers or basic essentials.
The shallow V-chine hull offers better maneuverability and tracking while giving you increased secondary stability. This kayak is made for the recreational paddler looking for better performance.
The cockpit is designed for comfort and maximized space, and inflatable I beam floors add stability. Removable skeg provides exceptional directional movement. Cargo net to store extra gear, and grab line on both ends of kayak; Inflatable seat with backrest