Basics of Buying a Kayak

One fine summer day we slipped our kayaks into the sparkling clear waters that would become the object of our pursuit for the next week. The jade-green river was calm and glassy here, and the boats swished their wakes so cleanly that the water seemed to crack with the intrusion.

The kayaks glided down the river with amazingly little effort, and the rhythmic movement of a double-bladed paddles made our progress all the more enchanting. The mild stretch of whitewater we met downstream was crisply negotiated, and a few of us practiced our rolls, just to be sure we still could. When we eventually reached the take-out, we were ready to return immediately and start all over again.

On that trip we were reminded that kayaking is truly an intriguing and personal endeavor. The adage that you don't sit in a kayak, you wear it, is true. Contrary to popular misconception, kayaks are relatively easy to paddle, and you don't need a high level of experience to run mild waves or whitewater in them. Except for a few radical designs, kayaks are not uncontrollably tippy, and with their low center of gravity, most of them are quite stable after you gain a little experience.

What Type of Kayaking Will You Do?

There are almost as many kayak models on the market as there are destinations for the sport. So, the first step in purchasing a kayak is to identify your needs. Do you want a racing kayak? One to tackle rapids? One to take touring for a week in the wilderness? How often will you use it? How much are you willing to spend? After you've considered these and many other questions, the next step is to study the differences among the myriad choices.

What Are the Different Types of Kayaks?

Kayaks can be divided into four general categories: Recreational kayaks are all-around boats designed for mild river trips and other casual use on bays and ponds. They are generally wider and shorter than touring kayaks, which makes them easier to turn but more difficult to travel in a straight line).

Touring kayaks are often designed for extended wilderness trips and all the gear they entail. These long kayaks are very stable and have good carrying capacity, but because they track well, they do not turn as easily as shorter boats. They are sometimes called sea kayaks, though they're certainly not restricted to the ocean. Some models are designed for day touring, offering less storage space in exchange for lighter weight and improved maneuverability.

Whitewater kayaks are designed with exceptional maneuverability to negotiate rapids. They are shorter, and can have rounded bottoms or flat planing hulls, and more rocker (upturn in the ends) to deal with waves. They are not enjoyable for touring, because they are difficult to paddle in a straight line.

Downriver kayaks are specialty boats designed to travel quickly through the water, and they are most often used for racing. These boats are very long and narrow, making them tippy and not well suited for novice paddlers. Their straight keel allows them to track efficiently, but they're difficult to turn.