There are many different types of kayaks, each with its benefits. If you intend to buy a kayak, this article will explain the different types of kayaks you can purchase, what they are called, and the benefits of each class.
What are Kayaks?
Kayaks are a specific type of boat that, like all boats, fall under the larger category of watercraft. Kayak is a term that describes only a particular subcategory of the larger watercraft category.
A kayak is a narrow vessel designed for one or two people while paddling. A canoe is another type of small boat; the terms “kayak” and “canoe” are often used interchangeably.
While canoes are usually made for one person to sit in, they also have room to carry other items such as camping equipment, supplies, and food.
The word “kayak” comes from the Inuit word “qajaq,” which means “hunter’s boat.” The Inuit people have long been associated with kayaks because they travel over frozen lakes or open water using the vessels.
However, other cultures have used these boats for centuries, such as those in northern Europe and Japan. Taller than canoes but shorter than small boats, kayaks are perfect for fishing or exploring rivers and lakes.
Because they are narrow and easy to maneuver, kayaks can get into areas difficult for larger boats to navigate. Many kayakers add accessories to their vessels, including fishing rods and life jackets.
There are many different types of Kayaks, and the next segment discusses the kinds of Kayaks.
Different Types of Kayaks
1. Inflatable Kayaks
There are a few different types of inflatable kayaks:
Inflatable Kayaks are the most common type. These kayaks are easy to transport and store, and a single person can use them or share them between several people. Several people can use the larger models of an inflatable kayak at once.
The seats in these kayaks are generally comfortable and allow users to sit comfortably and enjoy their time on the water. These kayaks are great for calm and shallow waters.
This type of kayak is excellent for fishing, as the user can easily maneuver around shallow waters and fish without getting stuck or damaging their boat.
They also have a large storage compartment that allows you to easily carry your fishing gear with you to your favorite fishing spot.
When it comes to recreational boating, these are also a great option. These kayaks are great for calm lakes where the user will not need to maneuver through choppy waters, rocks, or rapids.
Inflatable whitewater boats are designed for whitewater rafting, but they can be used for other purposes like fishing and boating on small lakes and rivers.
These boats come equipped with pretty impressive features like foot pumps, air decks, air chambers.
2. Sit On Top Kayaks
Sit on top kayaks are the most popular type of kayak today. They’re easy to get into and out of and stable enough that even a beginner can feel confident in them.
The most important thing you need to know about sit-on-top kayaks is that they are not appropriate for touring or camping trips, at least not by themselves. The reason for this is that the kayak will start to fill with water if you’re paddling for a long time.
This means that if you don’t have a spray skirt, you’ll need to bring along something called a bailing bucket, which will let you bail the water out of the kayak.
You’ll also want to use some waterproofing spray on the inside surface of the kayak to help keep it from absorbing moisture.
The good news is that these aren’t severe limitations because another type of kayak is very similar and much more suited for camping and touring trips: a sit-in kayak.
These are also called recreational sit-on-top kayaks instead of sit-on-top fishing kayaks, intended for use in open water. Still, they are ideal for beginners, and they can be used in almost any body of water, including lakes and rivers.
3. Tandem Kayaks
Tandem Kayaks are a great way for you and your partner to explore the water freely and independently. When it comes to Tandem kayaks, there are two types of them: sit-on-top kayaks and sit-in kayaks.
Tandems are great boats for people who want to enjoy water activities together. Depending on the model, they can hold multiple paddlers simultaneously while still capable of carrying gear up to 3-400 pounds.
This makes them suitable for long-distance trips with camping equipment and short trips with just your regular supplies.
There are also tandem paddleboards that are more suitable for kids than for adults because smaller paddlers require more stability on the board.
The tandem kayak is one of the many different kayaks with unique features.
If you’re a couple looking for something fun to do together on the weekends, then a tandem kayak is a great choice.
However, suppose you’re a couple looking for something fun to do together on the weekends but don’t have enough money to buy an expensive tandem kayak.
In that case, you might want to consider purchasing a used one or even building one yourself.
Tandem kayaks get their name because they carry the paddlers in tandem. The bow paddler called the “stroke” or “stern” sits in front of the other paddler, called the backers.
Some tandem kayaks are designed to be paddled with a single blade in each hand; these are called “double kayaks.” Usually, the bow paddler uses a longer paddle to propel them both; this is called a “sweep” paddle.
The stern paddler uses a shorter paddle called a “pitch” or “sculling” paddle. Some double boats allow both paddlers to use the same paddle length.
4. Eskimo Style Kayaks
Eskimo-style kayaks are the most popular and common kayaks used by paddlers. These kayaks are made from sealskin and wood frames.
They have a very rounded, flexible bottom that can easily be maneuvered over ice flows, making them perfect for Eskimos living in the north.
These kayaks are not known for their speed but their stability and storage capacity. The storage compartments make it easy to carry food and supplies as needed.
They come in different sizes, from large family-sized kayaks to smaller ones holding only one person.
The kayak has a hole at the front of the cockpit called a “spray skirt.” This is used to keep water from the cockpit through rapids or rough waters.
Without this hole, water would come into the boat continuously, leaving the paddler soaked. This also helps keep you warm if you’re going out into cold waters.
There are two different styles of Eskimo Style Kayaks: Tandem and solo. Tandem kayaks are 18 – 20 feet long and can fit two people, while solo kayaks are usually around 10 – 12 feet long and can only fit one person comfortably.
Eskimo Style Kayaks are outfitted with a seal skin covering on the deck. They are designed for use in cold water and are not made for speed.
Eskimo kayaks range from an eight-foot size to giant, 40-foot long boats capable of carrying 18 people.
Because they are made of wood, Eskimo kayaks do not require any maintenance. However, because all wood must be protected from water, it cannot be stored outside.
These kayaks are intended for use in rivers or other calm waters.
5. Plant Water Kayaks
Plant Water kayaks come in three different types. They sit on top; the sit-in and the sit-on are extraordinary for different situations.
Before buying a kayak, look at what you will be using it for. If you plan on just fishing out of a kayak or letting your dog jump in and out of the water, then a sit on top is perfect for you.
If you want to go out for fun, a sit-in would be the best choice. A sit-on kayak can hold more weight and has more storage than either one of the other.
I have found that many people don’t know what kind they should get and end up with two or even three kayaks because they didn’t realize that there were different kinds.
A sit-in kayak is excellent for fishing because you can pull up right next to fish and reach them easily without tipping over. You can also move around and change positions easily while sitting inside the kayak.
6. Fish Water Kayaks
Fish kayaks are the most common type of kayak, and they are designed to be used primarily in calm water lakes, rivers, and ocean bays and sounds.
The hull shape of a fish kayak is longer than wide and often includes a skeg helping to keep the boat tracking straight and tracking well in headwinds.
Typically, this kayak has a wider beam than a whitewater boat and is more stable than the other kayaks.
The wide beam of this boat makes it ideal for carrying lots of gear which is usually stored on or under a deck in waterproof storage bags.
The storage space depends on the brand and model you purchase but can be anywhere from 8-15 cubic feet or more. This allows you to take all your camping gear, food, water, etc., without having to worry about running short.
Fishing from a kayak requires stability not to capsize when reeling in a big one. You need enough room to move around and still have balance, so ensure there’s enough foot-room for standing and leaning against the gunwale without causing the kayak to tip over too quickly.
Kayak fishing has been one of the fastest-growing segments of the sportfishing industry. Fish Water Kayaks is at the forefront of this segment with a quality and affordable product.
7. Chestnut Kayak
The Chestnut kayak is under the different types of kayaks. It is a type of folding kayak that was very popular in the early to mid-1900s. It was designed for the Paddle Canoe Club of America and became a standard for its competitors.
The Chestnut Kayak can be ordered from many catalogs, but it is not mass-marketed like other folding kayaks like the Walden or the Old Town Pack.
Chestnut Kayaks are 16 feet long and have a capacity of 325 pounds. The weight of a Chestnut Kayak depends on how it is equipped and constructed.
There are two models of Chestnut Kayaks: one with a wooden hull and one with a canvas hull. The wooden hull weighs 40 pounds, while the canvas hull weighs 60 pounds.
The Chestnut Kayak has been used in small rivers and large lakes, in saltwater, and even over rocky terrain on flat ground.
It can handle big waves and strong currents but does not perform well in stormy weather conditions unless it is equipped with a rudder that helps keep it steady in rough seas.
8. Two-person Kayak
The two-person kayak is a kayak that has two people in it. It is usually more comprehensive than a single kayak and a bit heavier. It is often used for fishing and sightseeing.
The two-person kayak is faster and easier to steer than the single-man kayak. The main difference is that the two-person kayak has a second seat.
This makes it a little easier to get in and out of the water, but not much. With the single-man kayak, you have to climb over the side, but with the two-person kayak, you sit down.
The two-person kayak is good for couples or friends who want to go out together but can’t agree on which direction to go.
9. Touring Kayak Review
Touring Kayak is another different type of kayak, and it is an excellent choice for people who want to enjoy the water and scenery.
It is a stable, easy-to-use kayak that you can take anywhere. While it is not extremely fast, it does have good speed.
The kayak tracks well, which gives you less work keeping it going in the direction you want.
Touring Kayak is best suited for lakes or slow-moving rivers. It would be best to use a paddle before using this kayak because it requires a lot of arm strength to move it.
It has two bulkheads that help keep your gear dry and allow the kayak to float correctly. This kayak can handle rough water, but it is not recommended for rapids or white water.
This kayak will seat one person comfortably with plenty of legroom for paddling and storage space for your gear.
When you are done paddling for the day, convenient handles on both sides of the kayak make it easy to haul out of the water and transport back to your vehicle or campsite.
If you like being out on the water and want a fun way to do so, then this touring kayak may be just what you’re looking for.”
10. Open Canoe Kayaks
The kayak has been around for centuries. It was initially used by the Eskimos, or Inuit of the Arctic, who hunted seals and other sea animals in the ocean. Kayaks were also used by people in the Pacific islands and northern Asia.
It is a small boat that is propelled using a double-bladed paddle. The kayak is more maneuverable and quieter than most types of boats, and it has a low profile and is, therefore, harder to hit with the bow of another vessel.
The first kayaks were made of wood, but now they are mostly fiberglass or polyethylene plastic. Fiberglass kayaks are more expensive than polyethylene ones, but they are more durable.
Open canoes are made of polyethylene plastic and are usually less costly than closed kayaks. They have open cockpits that can be covered with waterproof fabric on rainy days when you don’t want water splashing into them.
A closed cockpit has a cover that protects you from getting wet or cold during breezy days at sea.
Open canoes have high sides and very little freeboard (the distance between the waterline and the deck). It would be best if you used a spray skirt to prevent water from splashing into your boat when you paddle.
I know that kayaking can be a fun activity we do. But many people think that it is not very easy to learn all about the different kayaks and try them.
Sometimes, you may have been involved in an unfortunate situation or even just an accident. So the best advice you can find is to choose the right type of kayak for your skills.
