Each has its benefits and drawbacks for maneuverability, durability, and cost. Kayaks are made using various materials and methods, including wood, composite/glass construction, rotomolding (where plastic is poured into a mold), thermoform (where a plastic alloy is coated with acrylic), and inflatable versions made from poly-based fabric. If you’re planning on taking it camping, fishing, or on picnics, all that gear will add to the weight your kayak will need to carry. Keep in mind what you’ll be doing with the kayak now and five years from now, advises Kevin Fonda, owner of Adventure Kayak Tours. Weight capacity is an important consideration. He also advises practicing what you’ll do if the boat tips over and self-rescue close to the shore before you get out into heavier water. “It’s a safety consideration that makes the boat float high in the water and allows you to self-rescue if you tip over.” Some recreational kayaks won’t include this feature. Be sure to decide which type of paddling you'll most frequently do to narrow down the process from the get-go.ĭan Crandall, the owner of The River Store and Current Adventure Kayak School and Trips, both out of California, advises looking for boats with internal bulkheads. Will you be traversing flat water? White water? Ocean waves? Or will you use them in rivers, lakes, and the ocean? There are kayaks for each of these uses. Think about where and how you plan to use the kayak. What to Look for in a Recreational Kayak Type "The more, the merrier in the Perception Tribe 13.5 with a three-seat configuration for up to two adults and a small child or pet." "Reviewers applauded the versatility of this tandem kayak, saying it transitions from camping to fishing to a day-outing kayak with ease."īest for Families: Perception Tribe 13.5 at Amazon "Built sturdy enough to take on rapids, the Old Town Heron 9XT tracks seamlessly through calm lakes."īest Tandem: Ocean Kayak Malibu 2XL at Ocean Kayak "With its aluminum rib-frame technology, this is a hard-charging inflatable that rivals hard-shell kayaks in stability."īest for Lakes: Old Town Heron 9XT at Old Town "This day touring kayak has universally useful features and a drop-down rudder to help the kayak maintain a straight line while paddling in river currents."īest Inflatable: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport Inflatable Kayak at L.L. "It moves seamlessly through the water and is specially designed for sitting or standing, which anglers love."īest for Rivers: Old Town Sorrento at Amazon "Oru's foldable kayak is clutch for road trips or putting on a plane."īest for Fishing: Vibe Yellow Fin 120 Kayak at Dick's Sporting Goods "This compact yet comfortable kayak comes in at a just-right price for beginner paddlers or those who don't want to drop their whole vacation budgets on gear." "Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 has several crowd-pleasing features that equip it for everything from casual paddles to overnight adventures."īest Budget: Old Town Vapor 10 at Backcountry ![]() With the addition of the WindPaddle, a self-launching, pop-up sail by Casiera Designs Inc., I am enjoying the rivers more than ever.Best Overall: Wilderness Systems Pungo at Amazon The Spring Run at DeLeon Springs State Park was a great place to practice with the sail. The Swifty is very stable and much faster than I thought it would be after reading the reviews that said it was anything but "swift.". ![]() My new Werner Kalliste bent-shaft paddle weighs 1-1/2 pounds - half the weight of my old paddle. The day after I bought the Swifty, I tried it on the Silver River. When using the Westy van, either boat fits inside with the bed open. I also use a stripped-down kids' stroller. I solved this problem by placing a piece of polar fleece fabric under the foam block carriers and sliding the boat up and off over the trunk at the back of the car. I can carry the Swifty the 7/10th of a mile on the converted golf bag cart down to the river launch, but it is not very easy to get it on the car roof and back off. I put two eyebolts on the front fenders of my Toyota Echo for tying the boat down, and use a tie-down strap across the middle and fastened to the the seatbelts on the inside of the car. ![]() My Puffin Pakboat is still assembled since one of the gunwales bent after trying to assemble it during the winter. It is made of polyethylene and weighs 39 pounds and is actually 9' 5", but I loved the color. After receiving a grand opening sales brochure from Dick's Sporting Goods listing the 9-foot Swifty kayak, I thought I would just go and look at it after I read the reviews of the boat online.
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