Which Kayak To Choose

First you should decide just how you will use the kayak. The water body you’ll use it on is significant, if you go for a smooth brook you have one option, if you go for a narrow winding stream then you have another choice while if you go for an ocean you have some other option and the list keeps growing.  You need to also think of the goal of buying the kayak, family outings, downriver racing, slalom racing, day trips, overnite camping trips, or fishing.

There are various aspects you need to think about before buying a canoe.  Some important aspects you must consider are listed below :

1. comfy seat.
Look for good back and hip support, and take the kayak out for a try before buying.  If the seat is not cosy, you will regret later .

2. Cockpit or sit on top.
Sit on top canoes are superb for amateurs who fear being trapped in a cockpit, and for fishing.  And they won’t swamp if it rolls.  While, cockpit kayaks are great for those that loves wild currents flowing against them.

3. Fishing kayaks.
Fishing canoes should be 12 – 16 ft long and wide enough to be stable and as mentioned earlier, is better to have sit on top sitting arrangement.

4. Weight issue
The kayak for a 150 lb male will not be the right size for someone 220lb.  Weight is an important issue for river kayaks as it is about stability.

5. Slalom kayaks.
Also called whitewater canoes, these are shorter, with a tighter turning radius for navigating more “active” waters

6. Touring kayaks.
Also called sea kayaks and these are best for travel on open seas and lakes.

7. Experience matters.
Stick with the long established canoe manufacturers for the best tradeoffs of stability and performance.

8. Hire a kayak.
If you can hire different models, you may have a far better feel for what works best for you.  This is ideally one sensible idea before buying a canoe.

River kayaks are very private and I will advocate you try many types in many conditions.  For me, a season pass to a kayaking centre is the most cheap approach because I do not have to store or transport the boat , I will use a new state of the art kayak each year and test many various designs.

Learn more about river kayaks.