Types of Kayaks

There is a difference between recreational kayaks and touring (sea) kayaks. Your intended use determines which is best for you.

Recreational kayaks are primarily pleasure boats, intended for paddling in calm conditions, close to land. They are short (9 to 12 feet long) and stable (26 to 32 inches wide) and designed to be user friendly. Some are configured as “sit-on-top” kayaks, with no cockpit. Others are “sit-in” kayaks. These have large cockpits that are easy to enter and exit, but which are not designed for or safe in open water. Most recreational kayaks do not have hatches or bulkheads, making them less safe if you capsize because they do not have the buoyancy for a re-entry rescue. They are absolutely wonderful craft if you are out there to just mess around in boats, and not interested in traveling much distance, carrying a load, or going out in rough water. Relax, fish, bird watch, explore the shoreline. These stable, easy to use little craft may fit your needs perfectly.

Click here to see Ocean River’s recreational kayaks.

Touring or sea kayaks are designed to glide readily through the water and allow paddlers to travel long distances quite easily. Touring kayaks will have cockpits that will allow your thighs to contact to allow better control of the boat. Single touring kayaks are usually from 14 to 18 feet long and from 21 and 25 inches wide; the narrow cross section and long water line is what makes them fast. These long, sleek craft have hatches and bulkheads so that if you capsize, the kayak will be buoyant enough to allow a re-entry rescue, and so that you have the space to carry gear. They have deck rigging to secure charts, spare paddles and other important items for distance kayaking. A true modern sea kayak also has some sort of directional device such as a skeg or a rudder. A touring/sea kayak is the type of craft you’ll need if you want travel distances, camp out of your kayak or challenge the open water. To travel in most of the ocean waters around Vancouver Island, sea kayaks are ideal.

Click here to see Ocean River’s touring kayaks.