Choosing your First Kayak

WITH the kayaking scene exploding in recent years, choosing your first kayak can be quite stressful. The many variables include the different types, sizes and brands of kayak as well as what is most suitable to the water you plan to use it in.

I have been lucky enough to have owned four kayaks so far of varying types, brands and sizes, so here are a few tips and tricks on what you might need to consider before and after making your first purchase.

Types of kayaks

There are two main types of kayaks on the market: sit on top and sit in kayaks. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so it is an important choice to make. Sit on top kayaks feature an open cockpit where you, as the name states, sit on top of the kayak.
The major advantage of sit on top kayaks is the versatility of what can be done with the open cockpit and the biggest disadvantage is anything in the cockpit will generally get wet.

These yaks are usually better for rougher conditions and are favoured by most people due to their ease of use and stability on the water. Sit in kayaks allow you to sit inside the cockpit. A major advantage of these yaks is they are in most cases very light and easy to transport, while their downfall is a lack of stability on the water. They are great for calm waters such as creeks and rivers.

Sizes

With so many different kayak sizes available, this is probably one of the most important things to consider when making your purchase. A longer/slimmer kayak with more curved edges around the beam is better for open water conditions because it will handle the chop better than one that is shorter and wider with a fairly flat bottom. Anything around the 3.1m mark is a very good all-round kayak and offers a great place for beginners to start.

Due to its size it will be capable of doing a bit of work in open waters in flat conditions, while it is also excellent for fishing in rivers and creeks. You will hear the words ‘tracking’ and ‘stability’ all too often when people talk about their kayaks. These terms refer to how straight the kayak stays when you paddle it and how stable it is when on the water.

Larger/longer kayaks or more accurately those with a larger length to width ratio usually track better and are most likely more efficient through the water, especially if they have a decent keel. This comes into play when you are planning long day trips and need to conserve your energy, but if you are just looking for a recreational kayak and one to use with the family then this isn’t as important.

A lot of new kayakers think wider is better, roomier and more stable. All yaks are stable, but there are really two kinds of stability: primary and secondary. When you first sit in a kayak you experience primary or initial stability, otherwise known as a lack of ‘tippyness’.

A wide, flat-bottomed kayak would have extremely good primary stability, with almost no tip at all. But at some point, particularly in rough conditions, flat kayaks are prone to capsize, and will do so without warning. This is why most good kayaks avoid flat-bottomed designs unless made purely for recreational family fun.