Considerations When Buying a Kayak
If you are choosing your first kayak there are a lot of different options to consider. The first thing to decide on will be the kayak material and you have the choice of inflatable plastic, rigid plastic, wood plus some other materials such as Kevlar, carbon fiber or graphite composites. When you’ve decided on the type of kayak material you favor you should think about a few factors before you make a purchase.
1) What type of boating will you be doing for most of the time?
Kayaks are built for different situations such as long distance touring, fishing, ocean or whitewater kayaking. You will need to think about the type of kayaking you’ll be doing for the majority of the time and pick a kayak that will be suitable.
2) How experienced are you?
If you are a beginner a kayak that is easy to get in and out of is usually the primary concern. Most beginners are worried about easily being able to get out of the kayak so wouldn’t want a close-fitting cockpit. An ideal choice for beginners is a ’sit-on-top’ type that has a recessed seat. Beginners mostly have a preference for a kayak with excellent initial stability with low tendency to tip. Skilled kayakers will almost certainly prefer a boat with superior final stability that will be stable in wilder water.
3) Transportability and Weight
One of the main concerns concern with kayaks of course is that you need to store them, transport them and launch them easily. Folding and inflatable kayaks are much easier to store and transport but if you will be purchasing a hardshell kayak look for one that is as light as possible.
4) Comfort and Storage Capacity
If you are just going to use the kayak for brief periods storage capacity is not an issue but if, on the other hand, you will be touring for longer you would be advised to make certain there is space to hold all your equipment. Also take care that there are comfortable seats. Whether you like better a tighter fit or more space that allows you to move may be dependant on on the sort of boating you will be doing. For long tours more room is preferable in order to let you move, stretch and change position. If you are doing white water kayaking a tighter fit is probably better.
5) Stability
The tendency of boat to move away an upright position is known as the initial stability. The boat’s tendency to tip is is referred to as it’s final stability. Boats have either initial or final stability, not both! Beginners often prefer a boat with decent initial stability because a boat with good final stability will more than likely seem unsteady to them and they may be anxious that it will tip over. More skilled kayakers who aren’t afraid of turning over would favor a kayak with good final stability. A more stable boat, while fine for beginners, is usually not as fast.
6) Length of the Kayak
The length of the kayak is directly related to how well it will track straight ahead and more easily turn. A shorter boat will be more easily maneuvered and much easier to change direction whereas a much longer boat will track a good deal better.
7) How Much Do Kayaks Cost?
Of course the cost is a major consideration in determining which kayak you’ll purchase. A beginners kayak made from plastic can start at approximately $200 while more sophisticated plastic models can be as much as $1500. Folding kayaks start from around $1400 and could go up to $4000 for a high quality two person kayak. Inflatable boats can be found for as low $300. Kayaks made from composite materials are a lot more expensive.
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Choosing an Inflatable, Folding or Rigid Kayak - Which is the Best Choice for You?
When you are selecting your very first kayak might want to first think about the type you will be buying. Would an inflatable, folding or rigid kayak be your best option? You will have many questions and will need some information to help you make the best choice. There are a confusing number of different types so we’ll consider the different types of kayaks in the shops.
The Different Types of Kayaks
* Rigid – made of wood, plastic, carbon fibre, Kevlar
* Inflatable kayaks
* Folding kayaks
Materials Used in Rigid Kayaks
These are the sorts of kayaks that most people are familiar with. The least expensive option here is to buy a plastic model which, however, is the heaviest. Plastic models are fairly robust and sturdy but are nearly impossible to repair if they are severely damaged. Somewhat more costly is a fiberglass construction which will be lighter and easier to repair but also is easier to damage. Further production materials include Kevlar, carbon fiber or graphite composites which are much lighter but often much more expensive. While less popular, wood boats are available, especially in kit form to assemble yourself. Though wood kayaks are easier to repair they do require much more upkeep than the other types of kayaks.
Features of Inflatable Kayaks
Inflatable kayaks are of course easy to store and transport. They are among the least expensive types to buy, easy-to-use and the performance is up to that of the rigid kayak. Inflatable kayaks are also very buoyant and stable so easily stay upright, which makes them ideal for the beginner. They can be used for calm water, in the surf even on whitewater so they are very versatile. You may perhaps be unsure about their sturdiness but if you don’t choose the cheapest but purchase a good quality inflatable kayak it will be as strong as a rigid kayak. For many people, unless you are a serious competitor, an inflatable kayak will be the best option.
Some Features of Folding Kayaks
Folding kayaks are generally much pricier than the rigid type but they are very long-lasting, tough, stable and flexible. They typically have a wood or aluminum frame enclosed in material. Although they are more expensive they usually have a higher secondhand value and have a longer useful life than many of the other types of kayaks. On the other hand they do suffer a bit from lack of speed and performance is usually inferior to a rigid kayak.
The majority of folding kayaks use different fabrics for the hull and the deck. Decks are generally made from a cotton/hemp blend or a man-made material. The materials usually used for the hulls is a synthetic material such as polyurethane, PVC or Hypalon which covers a synthetic cloth such as Dacron. Folding kayaks generally have air filled chambers in the hull to to help prevent capsizing.
In Conclusion
Once you have decided between a rigid, inflatable or folding kayak you now need to think about where you will be using it. Again there are lots of choices between recreational, fishing, whitewater,ocean and more. The type you purchase will depend on what locations and situations you will be using it in. For additional help in choosing the right kayak and some good deals visit Cheap Kayaks for Sale
