| If you are buying your very first kayak there are many | | | | on longer trips you should make sure there is space to |
| different alternatives to consider. The first thing to | | | | carry all your stuff. Additionally check that the seats |
| consider will be the construction material and you have | | | | are comfortable. Whether you prefer a tighter fit or |
| the choice of rigid or inflatable plastic, wood plus other | | | | more room that allows you to move may be |
| materials such as graphite composites, Kevlar and | | | | dependant on on the type of boating you will be doing. |
| carbon fiber When you've determined the type of | | | | For long tours more space is usually preferred to allow |
| kayak material you prefer you will need to consider a | | | | you to move around, stretch and change positions. If |
| number of things before you buy your kayak. | | | | you will be doing whitewater kayaking a tighter fit is |
| 1) What type of kayaking would you be doing for most | | | | probably better. |
| of the time? | | | | 5) Stability |
| Kayaks can be made for different locations such as | | | | The ability of a boat to stay in an upright position is is |
| whitewater boating, ocean boating, fishing or | | | | referred to as the initial stability. How easily a boat tips |
| long-distance touring. You will need to think about what | | | | is is referred to as it's final stability. Boats have either |
| type of boating you will be doing for the largest part of | | | | initial or final stability, one or the other, not both! |
| the time and pick a kayak that will be appropriate. | | | | Beginners often favor a boat with decent initial stability |
| 2) How experienced are you? | | | | because a kayak with good final stability will seem |
| If you are new to this sport a kayak that is | | | | unstable to them and they may well be fearful that it |
| straightforward to get in and out of is generally the | | | | will overturn. More skilled kayakers who aren't scared |
| primary concern. Most beginners are worried about | | | | of turning over generally favor a kayak with excellent |
| easily being able to get out of the kayak so wouldn't | | | | final stability. A more stable boat, though excellent for |
| want a snug cockpit. An excellent alternative for | | | | beginners, is inevitably not as fast. |
| beginners is a 'sit-on-top' model with a recessed seat. | | | | 6) The Length of the Kayak |
| Beginners generally like better a boat that has | | | | The kayak's length is directly related to it's ability to |
| excellent initial stability and that has very low tendency | | | | move in a straight line and more easily turn. A shorter |
| to tip. Experienced paddlers will most likely look for a | | | | kayak will be more maneuverable and much easier to |
| boat with good final stability that will be more stable | | | | change direction whereas a much longer boat will |
| rougher water. | | | | track a good deal better. |
| 3) Weight and Transportability | | | | 7) How Much Do Kayaks Cost? |
| A major concern concern with kayaks is that you | | | | Obviously your finances are a major consideration in |
| need to find somewhere to store them, take them to | | | | deciding which kayak you'll purchase. A beginners |
| the location and launch them into the water easily. | | | | kayak made from plastic may start at approximately |
| Folding and inflatable kayaks are much easier to store | | | | $250 whereas more advanced plastic kayaks can be |
| and transport but if you are set on buying a rigid kayak | | | | over $1500. Folding kayaks start at about $1400 and |
| try to buy one that is as light as possible. | | | | can reach $5000 for a high quality two person kayak. |
| 4) Storage Capacity And Comfort | | | | Inflatable kayaks can be found for as low $250. |
| If you are just going to use the kayak for brief periods | | | | Kayaks constructed from composite materials are a |
| storage space is not a concern but if you will be going | | | | lot more expensive. |