About Kayaks

A kayak is a small, portable canoe that is propelled by a double-bladed paddle. Styled after the Eskimo or Inuit kayak, the traditional kayak design had a lightweight frame covered with a watertight skin, with one or two openings left in the center to seat its occupants. Today, there are numerous styles and designs to suit amateurs and professional kayakers alike.

History

The rough definition of kayak is "hunting boat." The first recorded use of the term "kayak" was by inhabitants of the extreme Arctic regions. Their kayaks consisted of wooden, handmade frames that were covered with animal skins and painted designs. Since then, kayaks have attained widespread use within cultures located near or on lakes, oceans or other bodies of water--cultures in which kayaks are used as a means of hunting for food.

Function

The design of any given kayak is tailored to suit the particular water conditions it will be sailed in. Ocean-worthy boats require a long, sleek design that makes it easier for them to slice through sometimes rough waters. Kayaks that are used to traverse river rapids will require a shorter frame for maximum maneuverability, with the ability to "roll" if the boat is turned upside down when going through the rapids. Usually, the seating arrangements in these two types of boats have the passenger sitting or kneeling in the bottom of the boat. This not only affords more stability, but being closer to the water allows for deeper stroke patterns that facilitate better speed and maneuvering.

Types

Kayaks that are designed for leisurely paddles around a calm lake or pond are usually also built for comfort: To that end, they usually have a slightly raised seat. On the other hand, since the raised seat also causes the boater to sit higher, it lowers the stability and balance of the boat on the water. This also reduces the capacity of the boat to maintain high speeds.

Features

Polyethylene is the most popular material used in the construction of modern kayaks. One of two production processes is typically followed. The first is the linear process, or roto-molding, which involves the use of a two-piece mold and plastic pellets. The second is the cross-linked process, which involves sandwiching a thick foam core between two layers of polyethylene. This second process makes for a stronger, more durable boat, albeit at a higher cost than roto-molding.

Considerations

The most expensive material for making boats is a composite material made from carbon, fiberglass or Kevlar. The production process involves applying hand-fitted layers of cloth to a mold and pouring a coating of resin over this, forming a firm shell. This production process creates a kayak with a lightweight structure that is also highly durable. These types of kayaks are, unsurprisingly, among the more expensive models.