How to Choose the Right Kayak

Choosing the right kayak for you can help lead to a safe, successful kayaking trip.

For the avid outdoors person, the difference between the right kayak and the wrong kayak means surviving a set of rough rapids intact. It could also mean the difference between a fun, successful trip and a good dousing or broken kayak frame. Selecting the right kayak might seem daunting because so many options exist, but once you learn how to identify the one for you, you can boat with confidence.

Instructions

1. Choose among recreational, touring, whitewater and downriver frames. Recreational and touring kayaks have longer, wider frames that provide a balance between stability and comfort on calm waters. Whitewater and downriver frames provide narrower and shorter frames that allow you to navigate rough waters.

2. Select the appropriate length for your skill level. Shorter, narrower kayaks allow faster turning, but they require more skill. Longer, wider kayaks provide high stability for novices.

3. Compare the shapes of the kayak bottom. Rounded or v-shaped bottoms let kayakers perform quick pivots and turns. Flat-bottomed kayaks offer greater stability but less maneuverability.

4. Compare the volume requirements. Volume indicates a kayak's space, and manufacturers measure kayak volume in gallons. Smaller kayaks range between 50 and 100 gallons. Larger people might require a 100- to 200-gallon kayak.

5. Compare construction materials. Look for a heavy-duty polyfiber (plastic or fiberglass and plastic) that can absorb force from sudden impact without denting or breaking. Aluminum kayaks provide a lightweight alternative to polyfiber kayaks, but they work better for touring or recreational kayaks.

6. Compare prices. Polyfiber kayaks cost $250 to $3,000. Aluminum kayaks cost $500 to $1,500.

References

• Canoe Kayak: Basics of Buying a Kayak
• Camping Life: How to Buy a Kayak
• Kayak Online: Choosing and Buying a Kayak

Resources

• Buy Kayak Gear Online