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Step 1
Decide what kind of paddling you will do. If you plan to spend most of your time on the ocean, then you don’t want a recreational boat, you want a sea kayak that can handle rough seas and strong winds. If you plan to paddle fast moving rivers with Class II rapids or greater, then you need a whitewater boat. If you want to enjoy lazy rivers, small rapids and short lake paddles in calm water, recreational kayaks are your best choice.
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Step 2
Determine what kind of material you want the kayak to be made of. There are three types, plastic, fiberglass and wood. Plastic is the most common material used in recreational boats. It is the cheapest but also heaviest. It is durable but once damaged, plastic boat cannot be repaired easily. Fiberglass is more expensive and much lighter. It is easier to damage and easier to repair. Wood kayaks are generally much more expensive but can be beautiful in appearance. They are generally sea kayaks however.
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Step 3
Assess the fit of the boat. Make sure there is sufficient room in the cockpit to get in and out easily. Check the comfort of the seat and determine if there is enough room for your hips and legs. Recreational kayaks generally have more open cockpits and are roomier overall.
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Step 4
Look at the bottom of the boat for the amount of rocker. Rocker is the degree of curve in the hull from bow to stern. More rocker makes the boat easier to turn, whitewater kayaks will have the most rocker and sea kayaks the least. Recreational boats are in between.
