Explanation of
Kayak Types
by Paddling.net
Casual Recreation
These kayaks are basically like a touring boat except they are quite
often more user friendly. They are often good boats for kids or for
those just getting into the sport. Easy to maneuver and perfect for
quiet waters and slow to medium moving streams. These boats will lack
some of the efficiencies of a touring kayak and are usually less
expensive. Many of these boats are shorter than 15 feet in length and
have very little room for gear.
Downriver
These boats are suited to traveling quickly down a river. Their
straight tracking is ideal for speed but makes turning a bit of a
chore. Often times these boats are less than 15 foot in length and very
sleek. The shape and design makes these boats somewhat difficult to
paddle and a bit tippy.
Folding Kayak
Folding kayaks are one of the newest designs to hit the market. Their
unique design allows these kayaks to be taken places that conventional
kayaks can not be taken. Most folding kayaks consist of a frame and a
skin. The skin is some type of fabric that fits over the frame of the
boat to create the outer shell. Easy to store and convenient for travel
folding kayaks are quickly finding their way into the market.
Sit-on Top
These kayaks are excellent play boats. Their unique design leads to
excellent stability and ease of use. Paddlers need not worry about the
fit of a cockpit or being able to get out in an emergency. Their stable
layout and flexibility makes these boats popular among fisherman and
families with children. These boats are often slower and slightly more
cumbersome than a touring kayak but if you are just looking to have fun
on the water and not take long trips you will never even notice.
Sea Touring
Touring kayaks are meant for longer trips across open waters and thus
can carry a fair amount of gear suitable for kayak camping trips.
Improved efficiency makes these boats faster than the casual recreation
kayaks but also slightly more difficult to paddle (still not very
difficult though). Often times these boats are longer than 15 feet
providing very good directional stability and sharp bows to help cut
through the waves. Sea touring kayaks are probably the most popular and
a definite step up from most casual recreation boats.
Specialty
Specialty kayaks range from one end of the spectrum to the other. If
you're looking for something special, or a bit unusual then you better
check here. From 3 person kayaks to kayaks with sails, these boats are
all listed under the specialty category.
Wave Skis
These kayaks are built specifically for paddling in the ocean. Wave skis
are generally short boats designed to take a lot of surf. Many of these
kayaks are sit-on top models.
Whitewater Play
These kayaks are built for whitewater fun. Generally short boats with
the utmost in maneuverability they are at home on whitewater rivers
where many other kayaks can not go. Rounded curves make these boats very
forgiving and allow paddlers to get in and out of eddies and through
rough waters. These boats do not track very straight but that is not
what they are designed to do.
Whitewater Touring
Whitewater touring boats are a combination of the benefits of a touring
boat and some of the features of a whitewater boat. These kayaks are
high capacity boats that are also designed to be fairly responsive on a
river. These boats do fill an important niche but unless you plan on
doing some real whitewater tripping you would probably be better off buying something else.
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