Why no kayaks? my friend challenged.
I’ll admit I was stumped. Was this a trick question?
He persisted.
Why is there nothing about kayaks?
He’d caught me off guard, but even if he hadn’t I’d still have needed context to answer. I eventually realized, though, I didn’t have a good answer. It turned out he wanted to know about kayaks. He planned to acquire one and took exception to the fact that there was absolutely nothing about them on Arkansas Adventure Guide. What could I say? He had me! Canoes? Sure! Rafts even, but no kayaks. I readily acknowledged my bias toward open boats but promised him this deficiency would soon be cured.
First things first, fellow adventurers. At the risk of insulting your intelligence…
This is a kayak.
This is a canoe.
Now that that’s out the way…
Wait a minute Deuce, what’s the difference?
You know, it’s actually surprising how many casual observers don’t realize there is one. Witness the never ending chorus of friends asking me how many kayaks I have (none actually) or where I went kayaking last weekend (I didn’t – ’cause you know – I don’t have any kayaks). What I find even more amazing is the number of folks who believe oar is just another word for paddle and row is also just another word for paddle (the verb), but we’ll save that for another article. We’re here to demystify the process of buying a kayak, and that’s it – Kayaks 101!
So, where to begin? Let’s talk terms. We need to know the anatomy of a typical kayak before we can start to think about what kind might be best for you.
Hull Design
This one sounds simple, but there’s actually quite a bit to unpack because hull design plays the largest role in determining a kayak’s intended use.
Planing or Displacement
At the most elemental level there are two types of kayak hulls – planing and displacement. Planing hulls are designed to glide along the top of the water (given the requisite speed) while displacement hulls are, well, not. There’s a little more to it than that, but remember, this is Kayaks 101. For the most part displacement hulls, which present more boat underwater, are more forgiving.
Rocker (Kick, Continuous or None)
Canoe or kayak (or for that matter paddle board) – it doesn’t matter. There will be rocker (usually). What is rocker? Great question! It’s the degree to which the ends rise vertically from the middle. Imagine a kayak sitting on level ground. How much daylight can you see under the bow and stern respectively? That’s rocker, and the amount designed into the hull is the greatest determinant of maneuverability (yes there are other considerations, but Kayaks 101!). Lots of daylight? That’s a whitewater kayak. A little daylight? Recreational. No daylight? Probably a flat water or touring kayak (again, there are exceptions).
But not so fast! There are two kinds of rocker; kick and continuous. Continuous rocker is self-described; a linear continuation that begins at the bow and runs along the entire hull to the stern, thereby forming a curve with no disruption. Kick rocker, which has a much cooler name, is the opposite; with a well-defined beginning and end and a flat section, generally under the cockpit. While both are designed for whitewater paddling continuous rocker is the more forgiving of the two, which brings us to the next term.
Chine
Chine refers to the point at which the sides of the kayak meet the bottom. Generally speaking the softer the chines the more forgiving the hull design.
SINK or SOT
SINK is simply an acronym for sit in kayak, which makes sense because without a skirt a SINK will come to resemble a sink in short order. SOT is an acronym for sit on top kayak, the style most recreational (and would be recreational) paddlers likely associate with kayaking. Once upon a time a paddler could count on a SINK being either a whitewater, ocean or touring kayak and a SOT being a recreational kayak, but this is no longer the case. More on that later.
Anatomy
Cockpit
The cockpit is where the paddler sits. The two most common styles are open and keyhole.
Coaming
The coaming is the low rim around the cockpit. Coamings are exclusive to sit in designs and serve to hold the skirt in place on whitewater and ocean kayaks.
Skirt
My kayaking brethren will be quick to tell you real men wear skirts. There are even T-shirts available to remind us of this. The purpose of a kayak skirt is to keep water from splashing over the coaming and into the cockpit in waves, rapids or while rolling. As such most skirts are made for whitewater or ocean kayaks. There are splash skirts available for recreational SINKs, but they will quickly implode in any real whitewater and allow that SINK to become a sink.
Real men wear skirts. Just ask my buddy Clayfus T. Hobbs.
Now that you’re prepared to impress everyone at the paddle shop with your knowledge of kayak hull design and anatomy you’re ready to begin thinking about what kind of kayak you need. Chances are if you’re reading this you’re not looking for a whitewater kayak, so with the exception of whitewater SOTs we’ll exclude those from the rest of our discussion. Ready? Let’s find you a kayak!
Recreational Kayaks
Fellow adventurers, I’ll be the first to admit it. Recreational has become a well-worn construct when it comes to describing kayaks. It’s even used as a pejorative, as in Oh, those are recreational kayakers. I don’t know about you, but I like recreation. I mean, without it there’d be no adventure – and you know how we feel about adventure – so I say bring on the recreational kayaks!
Sit In (SINK) Recreational Kayaks
Sit in recreational kayaks are simple, cost effective options. They’re drier than SOTs in flat water and tend to track straighter, and stuffing dry bags into the bow and stern for quick and dirty float camping trips is possible with the right (light) packing style. The Dagger Zydeco and Wilderness Systems Pungo are great examples of sit in recreational kayaks.
SOT Recreational Kayaks
This is probably the fastest growing and most popular style of kayak, and with good reason. A well made recreational SOT is a perfectly serviceable choice for float trips ranging from flat water to easy class II whitewater. In other words, an adventurer looking to paddle anything from Bayou De View to the upper Buffalo River would be well served by the right SOT. Examples include the Perception Rambler and Liquid Logic Coupe.
SOT Fishing Kayaks
Kayak fishing has exploded in popularity, and no wonder. Kayaks don’t require gas or maintenance and they’re easily handled on and off the water. They’re great for sneaking up on fish, and paddling them quietly downstream or through a swamp is a singular pleasure. The right one will even make an excellent float camping conveyance. There are solid fishing kayaks available in a wide range of price points, and many are equipped to double as float camping rigs. The Perception Pescador, Wilderness Systems Tarpon and Jackson Bite are just a few of the many fishing kayaks available at your local paddle shop.
Izzy the Adventure Dog Demonstrating a Perception Outlaw, a Popular Flatwater Fishing Kayak
SOT Whitewater Kayaks
I like SOT whitewater kayaks. They get people onto rivers they might not otherwise be able to enjoy. The Dagger Torrent and Fluid Do It Now are excellent whitewater SOTs. I also like the previously mentioned Liquid Logic Coupe and the Pyranha Fusion for whitewater. Strictly speaking these two are not whitewater boats, but they are whitewater capable up to easy class III, and they both feature a retractable skeg for tracking in flat water. Incidentally, I’ve heard it’s entertaining to deploy someone’s skeg above a rapid while they’re not looking. That’s what I’ve heard anyway.
Touring Kayaks
Touring kayaks are built for, wait for it…. touring! They’re long and narrow compared to recreational and whitewater boats to track straight and glide through the water, and they’re often equipped with rudders. The better ones also come with especially comfortable outfitting. A couple of high quality touring kayaks are the Wilderness Systems Tsunami and Jackson Ibis. Touring kayaks are well suited to lakes, coastal marshes and large flat rivers and excel at extended float tripping.
Pros and Cons
Fellow adventurers, I’ve said it many times. Every boat is a compromise, and kayaks are no exception. Let’s talk about the pros and cons you need to weigh when choosing a boat.
SOTs
Sit on top kayaks (recreational, fishing and whitewater boats) are versatile, durable, and fun – definite pros. They’re also wet! This can be a pro, but it can quickly become a con. Thanks to scuppers (drain holes) water that splashes into the boat drains out, but there’s always a little hanging around to pool under your legs. If the boat is heavily loaded water can also enter up through the scuppers. This can be prevented with scupper plugs, but that of course means any water that splashes into the boat will stay there.
None of this matters in June, but if you plan to paddle your boat in April or November it is definitely something that merits consideration. Splash gear, dry gear or a wetsuit will mitigate the effects of cold water when cool (or cold) weather makes it less than desirable.
Generally speaking sit on top kayaks don’t track quite as straight as sit in kayaks.
SINKs
Sit in rec boats usually cost less than comparably equipped sit on tops. They also typically track straighter, but by extension that means they’re less maneuverable than most SOTs.
Generally speaking they’re only suited to flat water and perhaps very mild, very short class II rapids. Anything more will quickly swamp a sit in rec boat due to its wide open cockpit and the fact that the water will stay in the boat until it’s bailed or dumped.
Whitewater SOTs
Because they’re designed for whitewater they’re built with rocker, which means while they’re extra maneuverable they also require more effort to paddle in a straight line. Also, a rockered boat’s handling will be adversely impacted by heavy loads that force too much of its hull down into the water.
Touring Kayaks
Compared to rec boats touring kayaks are expensive. They’re also long, which means care must be taken when choosing where to paddle them. For instance, long boats aren’t particularly well suited to mountain streams like those found in the Ozarks and Ouachitas.
However, their length means they track straight, and they’re very comfortable and relaxing to paddle.
Kayak Shops
One more thing, fellow adventurers – where you buy your kayak matters. If you want a disposable kayak (this is not hyperbole) and don’t need knowledgeable help a big box store will do I suppose. However, there are American made kayaks at similar price points available at your local paddle shop, and there are folks there who know about kayaks and can help you choose the right one. And, let’s face it – things happen. You may have an issue with your boat due to defect or negligence. If you bought it from a paddle shop you need only take it back to them and they will take care of you, whether that means repairing your boat or advocating on your behalf with the manufacturer. Paddle shops also support the outdoors community in a meaningful way, and they’re fun to visit! Do yourself a solid and buy your boat(s) at your local paddle shop.
That’s it! There’s a lot more to kayaking than what we’ve covered here, but like I said, this is only Kayaks 101. The good news is this information will set you up to choose the right boat for you, and if you start out the right way you’ll be more inclined to progress. You may decide you want to try whitewater kayaking, or take extended float trips, or even gain certification to become a kayak instructor. I’ve seen it happen many times, fellow adventurer! And who knows? Maybe you’ll let me (or Izzy the Adventure Dog) borrow your new boat some time. Most of all though I hope once you’ve chosen one I will…
See you out there!
Deuce
- Kayaks 101 - August 6, 2023
- Just the Place – Lower Buffalo River - September 20, 2022
- Sweet Release - June 23, 2022
