Whitewater kayaks are much shorter, some almost half the length of a touring kayak. Most range from five to nine feet long, and are about two feet wide. This allows for a flatter hull, which means more balance and better control. In the whitewater, you’ll need it to quickly maneuver around rocks and turn yourself around when you get knocked off course.

The first thing you’ll want to look at is the kayak’s rocker. This refers to the curvature from one end of the boat to the other, or from bow to stern. You can best gauge this by viewing the boat sideways. The larger the curve is, the faster it will turn, and the better you can navigate it through the rapids. The curved ends won’t get caught in the waves, as a traditional kayak’s pointed end will.

Next, you’ll want to look at the hull shape. Whitewater kayaks come with two types of hulls. Planing hulls sit flat in the water and are therefore more stable. They’re great for riding along waves and have a softer edge, which minimizes tipping. Displacement hulls are more rounded, which makes them easier to tilt to one edge but also makes them more prone to the push and pull of the water.

If you like layboating—performing tricks in the water—you’ll want a shorter, flatter, and wider craft. This gives you maximum maneuverability, better speed control, and the ability to force the boat underwater when you need to. These boats will also have higher side walls to keep out incoming water, which can slow you down.

Don’t forget to look at the interiors. Although design differences lie mostly on the outside, the interior defines your comfort and therefore your level of control. In most cases you’ll have to trade off one for the other, as you have to be snugly seated to be able to control the boat. Find a good middle ground—you want to be able to maneuver, but you don’t want to be too locked in to enjoy the experience!

There are many different types of kayaks designed for the ocean, and they vary significantly according to the requirements of the paddler. For instance, they can carry one or multiple kayakers, and still have enough room for food, water and other supplies like tents, safety equipment and first aid equipment.

In terms of design, there are two primary types of ocean kayaks, which are folding kayaks and rigid kayaks. Rigid kayaks use sturdy contemporary materials like carbon fibre or fiberglass, removing the need for an internal frame. Folding kayaks have an internal frame made of material such as aluminium, which is then covered with specially designed waterproof materials. Folding kayaks are easily disassembled and transported.

The shape and size of the sea kayak will also vary considerably according to the make and model of each individual vessel. They can range from 10 feet to 24 feet long, and can be as narrow as 21 inches or as wide as 36 inches. The length of a kayak impacts its ability to travel in a straight line and the width impacts stability. The size of an ocean kayak will also determine how much storage space is available.

In addition, the design and shape of the hull, stern, bow and deck will influence factors such as stability and speed. For instance, if an ocean kayak has an upturned bow, the vessel will be able to cut through choppy ocean waves more quickly. Also, the hull might be equipped with a rudder to aid steering.

There are also different styles of paddle to choose from. A kayaker can utilize the spoon shaped blades of a European paddle, the much thinner blades of the Greenland paddle, or the wing paddle, which is designed specifically for racing.

Kayaking is an extremely popular pastime, and paddlers might set out for just a few hours or for many months. If you have the right ocean kayak and enough experience, you can paddle almost anywhere.

Of course, fishing from a regular kayak might prove difficult, due mainly to the issues of balance and stability. Reeling in a troublesome fish will be made even more difficult if your kayak is rocking back and forth. Therefore, getting yourself a custom made fishing kayak, which is designed specifically for the task of kayak fishing, will improve the experience remarkably.

The two primary specifications that kayak fisherman look for in their kayak is stability and comfort. Stability is important because reeling in a fish often requires a great deal of movement and fishermen do not want to worry about falling out of the vessel. Comfort is significant as they might be fishing for several hours.

What are some of the differences you might find in a fishing kayak compared to a regular kayak?

A kayak designed for fishing will often be much wider, to create increased stability. They can have wide beams that are nearly a metre in width. Many of them even have outriggers which provide the vessel with enough stability to both paddle and fish while standing.

Fishing kayaks can also be propelled by the foot rather than paddles. In a traditional kayak, you cannot propel the boat and fish at the same time, but many customised kayaks allow fishermen to drop a line while propelling the boat with their feet.

Several designers will cover the kayak in numerous specifications designed to aid the fisherman. These might include rod holders or mounts for their equipment.

The range of fishing kayaks on the market is enormous. Some of the most popular kayaks include: the K-Largo, the Pro Fisherman, the Navigator XF, the Marauder XF, the Fish N Dive XF, the Tango Angler, the Tempo Angler, the Ocean Quatro Angler Deluxe, the Prowler 13 and the Prowler Elite 4.5.

Each model has its own unique specifications. To give one example, the Navigator XF has been built specifically for taller people who wish to fish from their kayak. It has larger specifications and increased stability measures for people with a higher centre of gravity.

An inflatable kayak, which is also known as a ducky, is a sea-vessel which can be inflated or deflated, and is usually made of PVC, neoprene, or cloth that has been coated in polyurethane. They generally use low air pressure and are more suited to the calmer waters of lakes or rivers. Originally they were non-rigid (hence the suitability to calmer waters), but recent developments have led to rigid frames being combined with the inflatable structure, creating a more seaworthy model.

So what are the positives of the inflatable kayak?

The most obvious attraction of these kayaks is that they are easy to transport. This is particularly true of non-rigid inflatable kayaks. These are compact and lightweight sea-vessels which can be stored in a small carry-case and inflated within minutes. If you get an electric pump rather than a hand pump, then minimal exertion is required.

Apart from the obvious advantage of being portable, it is advantageous in that it is stable, very easy to manoeuvre and has a very small turning arc, making it perfect for both beginners and advanced kayakers.

Okay, so what are the negatives?

The main downfall of this type of kayak is that they are generally much slower than traditional kayaks. Inflatable models create more drag in the water, and do no cut through the water like traditional models. Therefore, they tend to also require more effort to paddle, due to this increased drag. Contemporary models, which have combined rigid frames with the inflatable structure, are able to cut through water more easily, but still tend to create more drag than traditional carbon fibre or fiberglass kayaks.

What will an inflatable kayak cost you?

If you’re looking for a new kayak, the price you pay depends on the model and the brand name. For instance, the Inflatable Dragonfly XC Kayak is a cheaper non-rigid model suitable for recreational kayaking, and will cost around $US600. However, the Inflatable StraightEdge2 Kayak will cost closer to $US2000, because it is a two-person kayak with an aluminium frame.

It is important that you look at all the variations of kayaks for sale because most kayaks are function specific. For example, when looking for a kayak for sale, you should ask yourself whether you wish to use it for white-water kayaking or still water kayaking. A sea kayak or an ocean kayak is built for calm seas and lakes, and have a focus on storage space, single directional paddling and comfort. On the other hand, a white-water kayak is designed for churning or turbulent water, and therefore these vessels rely on being mobile and easy to manoeuvre.

Of course, it doesn’t stop there. Kayaks for sale range in size, can have a capacity of one to three people, and have a range of storage capacities and hull shapes. The width of a kayak will impact its stability, and the length will have an influence on how well the kayak travels in a straight line. They are also made from a wide variety of materials, such as fibreglass, carbon fibre and aluminium. You will also have to choose between different paddles, such as the Greenland paddle, the European paddle or the wing paddle.

As you can see, it important to decide what type of kayak you want, because a wide range of makes and models exist. You must also decide which brand is for you. Some of the more popular brands which service the global sport of kayaking include DAG, Hurricane, Barracuda, Dagger, Cobra, Riot, Point 65’N, EXO, Prijon, Ocean Kayak, and Old Town, to name but a few.

You must also figure out how much cash you are willing to spend. The price of kayaks for sale will vary significantly, depending on the make, the brand, and also whether or not you buy first or second hand. You might pay up to a thousand US dollars for a new kayak, but second hand, properly functioning vessels can be bought off eBay for under a hundred US dollars.

As the name implies, the primary point of difference with the sit on top kayak is that the paddler sits, exposed, on the top of the vessel, rather than within it. They were primarily built for wave riding, as the paddler can more easily evacuate the vessel. However, they are also very popular among fishermen and scuba divers, because occupants of the kayak can easily enter and exit the water and change their seating position.

These kayaks come in a wide range of makes and models for you to choose from.

You might choose a recreational sit on top kayak. Most are very wide, leading to increased stability, and hence they are perfect for kayakers of all skill levels. For instance, a Riot Escape Kayak will be relatively slow, but is stable and maneuverable.

You could also go with a sit on top touring kayak. These are vessels designed specifically for longer journeys. For example, the Cobra Explorer Kayak has a polyethylene hull which is light, stable and has minimal drag, which is perfect for extended periods of paddling. The storage compartment at the rear is also much larger than many other models.

Racing sit on top kayaks are also available. These tend to be lighter and not as wide, having been built specifically for speed. They also tend to have excellent tracking. To give one example, the Ocean Kayak Sprinter Racing Kayak is a sit on top model which is definitely not for beginners – but if you want to win this is perhaps one of the fastest models on the market.

If you wish to paddle with a friend, then a double sit on top kayak will suit your needs. Tandem kayaks tend to be larger, with enough storage space for two people. You could paddle in a tandem DAG Tribal Kayak or an Exo Shark II Double Kayak.