Last year, we asked you what you’d like to see us carry that we didn’t
already have, and an overwhelming number of responses returned, “Kayaks.” Well,
we listened, and we’re PSYCHED to be launching our newest category of
backcountry gear – paddle
sports! Defining the experience To choose
the right kayak, think about what you want your kayaking experiences to be like.
Let your dreams run wild, and then temper them with the reality of your
abilities, commitment, and nearby water. To help you zero in on your ideal boat,
we divided our kayaks into three groups: sit-on-tops,
recreational,
and multi-day.
Tandem, or two-person, kayaks are also included in these groups.
Sit-on-tops For carefree fun in the sun nothing
beats sit-on-tops. Here are some of the qualities that define them: Stable, easy
to get in and out of, simple to paddle, and great for surfing at the beach or
down a river. They're great as warm water workout boats, good for traveling to
snorkel and dive spots, and less expensive than sit-insides. On a sit-on-top,
you are exposed to weather and will get wet. (This can be good or bad, depending
on water temperature and weather.) Sit-on-tops are generally not as comfortable
as sit-insides for long trips, and the high stability and user friendliness come
at the expense of speed and maneuverability. Shorter sit-on-tops, such as the Islander
Hula, are better for surfing, while hard-tracking sit-on-tops,
like the Islander Makai, are easier to paddle longer distances.
The Makai also has room to store dive gear and a change of dry
clothes. Multi-day Kayaks
Also known as sea
kayaks, these boats are designed for fast paddling across long distances of
open water. These boats are fully decked and usually paddled with a spray
skirt cinched around the boater’s waist to keep water from
entering the cockpit. Multi-day kayaks are usually designed for speed – they are
long and narrow – and novices may find them too tippy for comfort. Accomplished paddlers embarking on trips
that last a week or more prefer kayaks such as the Halifax,
Kodiak,
and Eclipse.
The long, narrow shape of these boats favors fast passage over long distances
providing plenty of storage. They are also designed to handle challenging
conditions on open seas.
Boaters with shorter torsos – Ladies, this
means most of you – should consider kayaks with lower decks near the cockpit,
such as the Shadow.
A lower deck will allow you to paddle with a less fatiguing paddling angle, so
you can keep up with your taller companions.
If you are interested in
exploring the fascinating world of rock gardens, tidal pools, and ocean surf
during your expeditions, the agile Avatar
is the boat for you. If you are a big river adventurer, consider the aptly named
Yukon,
which trades a little speed for improved handling in a river
current.
Recreational Kayaks
This segment of boats
is a continuum of designs that range from more relaxed forms of multi-day sea
kayaks to drier versions of sit-on-tops.
Casual paddlers looking for
overnight capacity often choose kayaks that are shorter and wider than our
multi-day kayaks. These boats are easier to handle and feel less tippy, but
retain good hull speed, glide, and rough water handling. Perception’s Carolina
Series come in a range of sizes to fit different paddlers.
Prijon’s Calabria
is more specific for flat-water trips in bays and lakes.
Continuing through the possibilities, we find
that kayaks get shorter and wider. Generally, shorter boats are easier to
maneuver and are less affected by wind, but they are slower. Wider boats are
more stable, but require more paddling effort. For the pleasure of movement
across water, lean toward long and narrow boats such as Sonoma
13.5. For fishing or hunting, look for highly maneuverable boats
that offer a stable platform, such as Dagger’s Blackwater
series or the Prijon
Capri.
Kayaks like the Sundance
and the Swifty
have small decks for a dry ride, and the large cockpits are easy to get in and
out of and allow for freedom of movement. Both have high stability for relaxing
floating and mellow paddling.
Tandem Kayaks
Not many
activities are as fun as tandem kayaking. Tandems go faster with less effort and
less expense. And partners get to be together the whole time. (That may be good
or bad!) The Acadia
II is great for half day paddles in warm weather, the Capri
II is a fully decked kayak for day tripping in any weather, and
the Excursion
is a full-on, open water, expedition tandem kayak.
Other
Considerations
Some kayaks are especially well suited to quickly go
from your garage to your car and then into the water. If you want to add
paddling to your training mix, this is a prime concern. Look for smaller,
lightweight boats like the Sonoma
10. Also, remember that you need to store your kayak when you are
not paddling. Ultra-long boats may not fit easily into your garage.
The
boat is just one of several kayaking essentials. You will also need a paddle
and a life
jacket, and for some types of kayaking, a spray
skirt |
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