Kayak Types: How to Choose the Right Kayak For You?

“Kayaking is food for the soul.”

Kayak Types: Choosing the Best

It offers sightseeing of scenic forests through the estuary, beachside areas, and other breathtaking views that can only be seen from the waters and not from the shore. Through it, you can get in a good workout or simply relax after a long day of work.

Here I have explained all the ways in which you can kayak, the places in the world, the moves, and here I have talked about what you can wear while kayaking in different conditions, so, now, we are left with the kayak types and which one is the right for you.

However, before we go into the different kayak types, let’s take a look at the anatomy of the kayak. This is a general kayak with parts that all kayaks have. Then, as I talk about the different kayak types, I’ll list the parts of those specific kayaks as well.

Kayak Types Anatomy

The bow is the pointy part that’s pointed in the direction where you are headed (the front side of the kayak)
Stern is the part pointed in the opposite direction of the bow (the rear end of the kayak)
Port is the boatspeak name for the left side of the boat
Starboard is the boatspeak name for the right side of the boat

With that said, here are some guidelines that should help you decide which boat you need for your kayaking adventures.

Where will you paddle? Lake, river, sea coast?
Sit-in or sit-on-top?
Would you like to have the traditional protection of a sit-in kayak?
Or the open space of a sit-on-top type of kayak?

The next in line that largely determines the price is the weight of the kayak and the materials used that impact quality and durability. Also, the size and shape won’t only determine what type of kayaking you do but will also affect the handling and cargo space.

Choosing Kayak Types Based on Where You Will Kayak

Kayak boats’ designs aren’t determined solely by the water type, however, thinking where you’ll kayak can bring you one step closer to choosing your boat.

Lake

Local lake sites can be toured around in a sit-on-top or recreational sit-in boat whenever the weather is pleasant. However, if you see any whitecaps and you are with a purely recreational boat, then you could be at a disadvantage.

Coastline

The coastline has waters that are more playful and unsettling so that you may find yourself in the middle of many waves, currents, tides, and strong wind, thus having a sit-in touring boat with a rudder, fixed tracking fin or a skeg (a dropdown fin) will be super-helpful.

Coastlines also tend to be very pleasant and calm in the warmer months, so if you also want to go for a swim and you like kayak surfing, then a sit-on-top kayak will be a great choice.

River

If you live nearby a river and you like floating there, then having a stable, sturdy craft that turns quickly should be your choice. With that said, you can get a short, stable recreational sit-in or sit-on-top boat, or even a day touring sit-in kayak.

Now, just note that when I say rivers, I don’t mean the technical rapids that need whitewater kayaks. That’s beyond this article, and if there’s interest, you may find me writing about that too somewhere in the future.

On the other hand, if you are looking for kayak types for both running and still water environments, then I would suggest buying a short recreational sit-in or sit-on-top kayak. Why? Because these crossover boats typically have a skeg.

And with that kayak types and setup, you will be able to turn the boat responsively when the skeg is up and track efficiently when the skeg is down. Also, if you can find a short boat with a ruder, that would make a great choice too!

kayaking-action-dirty — You don’t have to pick a beautiful environment, you can also pick the dirty green river near you 😉

Kayak Types

Now that we have talked about surroundings in which you might kayak, we’ve touched down on kayak types. Still, since I haven’t explained each type separately, I have probably left you wondering why that specific type was recommended over the other in certain situations.

So, to clear things up, here are the most common kayak types and classifications.

Kayak Types: The Sit-on-top Kayaks

Sit-on-tops are recreational kayaks above all, and they are mostly used in lakes and tranquil-flowing rivers. People in the warm coastal waters use them too.

The sit-on-top kayaks have enough storage space for an overnight trip if you choose a longer kayak in size.

This kayak is for you if you don’t like the “wet exit,” or you simply feel claustrophobic inside a cockpit. Then a sit-on-top boat will be a much better option for you.

Additionally, sit-on-tops are very easy to get in and out of, so I would recommend them for casual uses too. They are very comfortable when the air and the water temperature are both warm, but you should be aware that almost every time you will get wet.

These kayaks have scupper holes for draining, so there is no need to pump out water.

Inside their hollow hull, you have hidden storage spots, plus you have other stash spots on deck.

The sit-on-top kayaks are more massive than the sit-in kayaks, and for that, some people consider them more stable in the right conditions.

Another upside to the sit-on-tops is the rod holders or the spots left to install rod holders for those who like to go fishing.

kayaking-sunglasses — A sit-on-top kayak with luggage space in front and back

The Anatomy of a Sit-on-Top Kayak

Note that not all boats will have the same things

Deck: the topside
Hull: the bottom piece
Keel: the bow-to-stern ridge on your hull
Seat: your base of operations
Foot braces or footwells: foot braces are adjustable while footwells are built into the boat at intervals
Deck line: This can be stretchy (a bungee) or nonstretchy (static)
Hatch: your portal to an inner cargo area
Carry handles: a secure place to get a grip; many sit-on-tops have them in multiple locations.
Scupper holes: drain holes for water that sloshes across your deck
Rudder or skeg: A skeg is a static dropdown fin, and a rudder is an adjustable flip-down fin. Either of these helps keep you on track.

Kayaking-Cold-Ice — You can kayak even on the coldest days – Just make sure you wear protective clothing!

Kayak Types: The Sit-in Kayaks

The sit-in kayaks come as recreational boats and touring models.

They are designed to move fast, have covered cargo compartments, and they track straight. This makes them a good boat for paddling to a destination.

Furthermore, here are some of the additional pros of getting a sit-in kayak.

They are more suitable for year-round kayaking in both warm and cold water and air temperature. You are more protected inside the cockpit, and you won’t get as wet as when you are with a sit-on-top kayak.

To protect yourself further from the water, you can add a spray skirt. However, they are not self-draining like the sit-on-top kayaks, so you will need to have a bilge pump if water enters your kayak. Also, if you have the traditional narrow sit-in kayak, then knowing how to do a wet exit will be mandatory for you!

The sit-in kayaks are significantly more stable, and you have greater control over them since your body is inside and has multiple points of contact inside the boat. This is very useful when in rough waters. Plus, you are fully engaged with what you are doing, so the experience is more fun in general.

As you paddle, you can go further in a sit-in kayak than in a sit-on-top because these are more efficient overall.

kayaking-woman — The legs are completely hidden inside the kayak

The Anatomy of a Sit-in Kayak