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Step 1
Determine your needs. There are dozens of different types of kayaks, each with their own range of quality and difficulty levels. Assess whether you'll be using the kayak for lazy river floating, ocean paddling, racing or any other number of possible uses. Think about the kind of water you'll be kayaking in and the distances you plan to paddle through.
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Step 2
Choose according to your experience. Olympic sized wooden boats are not for inexperienced kayakers. Similarly, if you have some good kayaking experience then an inflatable recreational kayak might be too sluggish for your needs. When choosing a kayak think about how much kayaking you've done, how efficiently you paddle and how much experience you have with kayak rescue drills.
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Step 3
Think about price. The range of kayak prices is huge. Inflatable kayaks can set you back as little as the price of a good meal. Fiberglass or wooden boats, however, cost significantly more, but perform to standards that are as high as their price. Plastic boats are generally good middle ground options since they represent a small investment but are durable and versatile.
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Step 4
Check out the accessories and features. When choosing a kayak you should pay attention to details such as rudder, bulkheads for sea kayaks, portability and durability of the boat.
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Step 5
Take a ride. There's only one way to make the final choice when choosing between kayaks, and that's getting the boat on the water. Spend as much time as you can in a few different kayaks to see what works best for you. Pay attention to how the boat performs and also how you feel. Notice if you feel any pain or discomfort, especially in the thighs and lower back, as you paddle on different boats.
