The first things to do when purchasing a kayak is to decide what kind of kayak you need. If you’ve joined a kayaking club and been out in a kayak before, then you will have some idea of which parts you enjoyed and can tailor you purchase accordingly.
If you don’t have that much experience and are just looking for a boat to get you started, then research your local kayaking hotspots. If you live on the coast, there probably isn’t much point in getting a whitewater kayak. If you’re miles from the sea, then an ocean kayak is probably a waste of money. There are, however, a few things to consider that apply to most kayaks.
If you are just starting out as a paddler then a recreational kayak is probably your best choice as a beginner’s kayak. This is because recreational kayaks often have the best primary and secondary stability. Before branching out into more specialized forms of kayaking, it is best to become comfortable out on the water, and the stability of a recreational kayak is often more forgiving as you learn.
Comfort is paramount when choosing a kayak. A well-fitted kayak prevents cramping, has padding on all the contact points, and allows the kayaker to use their lower body to torsion and maneuver the kayak. When purchasing a kayak, make sure its the right length for you. If you have a particularly long frame, then an 8-foot kayak may feel cramped. Look for adjustable foot and thigh braces, not only will they make the kayak more comfortable but they will also improve your control over it.
All types of kayaking need some level of equipment. Some kayaking activities, such as fishing or camping, require a significant amount on gear to be brought with you. When you are considering a potential kayak, examine how much gear storage is available. Most kayaks will come with one waterproof storage hatch and bungee cord storage on deck. If your chosen kayaking activity requires a large amount of gear, look for kayaks with large open storage areas, known as tankwells, or portable accessory carriers (P.A.C.) which can be towed behind your boat.
Kayaking is often a solo activity and this can mean a kayaker can run into difficulties when needing to transport their kayak to and from the water. If you normally kayak solo, then consider the weight of the kayak when making a purchase. There are accessories that can assist with this; car racks are the easiest way to transport a kayak and a kayak trolley can really help to get a heavier kayak down to the water.
Brooklyn Kayak Company is slowly gaining a name for itself. Based in New Jersey, it offers a variety of kayaks, paddleboards, and kayak accessories.
Is it any good, though? Should you get your kayak from Brooklyn Kayak Company, or would you be better off finding another company to buy your kayak from?
Hoodoo Sports is a brand that offers a nice selection of kayaks, including sit-on-top, pedal, and dual-drive kayaks. All their kayaks are affordable and well-priced, but are they any good?
That’s what I decided to investigate. Today, I’ll be sharing my experience with the Hoodoo brand of kayaks and give you my opinion on whether they’re worth it.
The Pelican Sport brand is well known in the kayak industry because they offer a wide range of kayaks at very reasonable prices. Their line up includes kayaks meant for long-distance paddles, fishing kayak, recreation, and tandem use. In this article, we’ll do a comprehensive review of Pelican products and outline a quick buying guide … Read more
If you’ve ever had to carry a heavy canoe or kayak over a long distance, you probably realized why they’re meant to be on the water and not necessarily carried over land. But not all kayaks have to be heavy. Many experienced kayakers that love to plan multi-day expeditions require a watercraft that’s lightweight and … Read more
Do you miss the comfort and nostalgia of paddling a canoe but hate the difficulty of transporting one of these heavy watercraft? If so, we’d love to share some great news in the form of the best inflatable canoe! As the whitewater raft industry has known for years, inflatable watercraft are actually some of the … Read more
Folding kayaks have been gaining popularity in recent years because of their portability and ability to be stored in smaller apartments or garages.