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This is a sit-in inflatable kayak for 1 person, which comes with a carry bag, air pump, and netting for storage. It also features a backrest on the seat for comfort, a handy aluminum oar for paddling, and grab lines across the surface.
And it has a retractable skeg for some additional steering capacity. There is a repair kit provided for any damage. This is a kayak which is easy and simple to get started with if you intend to use it in a slow river or lake.
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This is a sit-on-top sea kayak with an adjustable seating system that’s built for comfort and supports up to three people. You can even take a pet. The patented overlapping footwells also give each passenger plenty of room.
And at 12 feet, it’s more than long enough to tackle the high seas or tough rivers. It’s also a good all-rounder, being suitable for a variety of kayaking activities, but the emphasis is on recreational activities.
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This is a sit-in touring kayak that’s made especially for long-haul trips, with two sealed bulkheads for storage space and a pilot rudder system to give you precise control when steering. This has all the recommended features that sea kayaks have and works just as well for touring.
It is also surprisingly thin and lightweight, which allows it to move fast and flexibly. This is definitely a kayak that seasoned enthusiasts can use.
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This is a sit-on-top, small and simple kayak that can handle a little more than your average kayak because it is suitable for whitewater rafting as well as ordinary recreational kayaking. It can handle the first 3 classifications of river rapids.
It is designed to fit 1 person, although it can fit two, and it can be inflated in minutes. It is also built with an emphasis on tracking so that it can be directed accurately even when the waters are choppy.
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This is a sit-in touring kayak for 1 person capable of being used for various purposes such as recreational and sea kayaking. It can even be used for surfing. This makes it an obvious choice for anyone who wants a kayak that can do it all. The focus here is on comfort and padding, plus ample storage facilities for any long trips.
Its length is also a little shorter than other touring kayaks, which makes it easier to maneuver. This could be a great option if you’re a beginner because it is smaller and more comfortable than the model by Riot Kayaks.
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This is another touring kayak similar to the Perception Expression model above, except it is slightly longer and has a six-way adjustable seat so you can experience a high level of comfort compared to others on the market.
One important distinction is that this kayak has a V-shaped hull, so its specialty lies in tracking at speed, albeit without two skegs like the inflatable SE330. And again, this one is a single person model with a sit-in cockpit.
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This is a sit-on-top sea kayak for 1 person with a specialized hull design to provide an equal balance of primary and secondary stability. It also features a padded seat for added comfort and it has a variety of options for storing goods.
It also has molded handles to make carrying it around just that little bit easier. It is also easy to paddle and maneuver on the open ocean or rivers. Although we would probably not recommend it for whitewater rafting as it’s not a sit-in model.
First of all, let’s deal with the factors you need to keep in mind when choosing the best sea kayak for your needs…
This will be your first decision because all kayaks fit into these two styles. We’ve discussed the features and benefits of both styles below.
Unlike sit-on-top kayaks, these have cockpits to climb into. Now, these aren’t like fighter jet cockpits where you close yourself inside a tiny bubble. They often have lots of spare room for storing bags, and many of them also feature foot braces so you can lock your legs in place and drive the kayak forward with more force.
And because you are lower down, you can paddle more efficiently and you’ll be less wet. If you’re concerned about that, you can get a spray skirt that stops water pooling inside the base of the kayak.
The reason that you use a kayak will be closely tied to the type you’ll be using, which we mentioned above. So what are these reasons:
If you want to go further than a bit of fun and coasting along your local lake, you can go for a sea, whitewater, or surfing kayak.
A sea kayak features two sealed bulkheads at the bow and stern for extra storage and to keep the kayak safe from any water invasions. They also come with a pilot rudder system attached for help with steering. This is what makes them different from the other kayaks available.
Whitewater kayaks are used for the high-risk adventure of paddling through raging rivers. Customized according to the type of paddling you’ll be doing, such as river running or creaking, this type of kayaking is only for the trained and experienced.
Surfing kayaks simply replace the function of a surfboard. The paddles give you some extra control when you’re riding the waves, but this is another option that has its risks and you’ll need some experience before you try it.
You can also get two other types of kayak that are great for quick and simple transport. These are modular and inflatable kayaks. Modular ones come apart into sections, and inflatables can be pressed down flat.
There are also some other things you can do with kayaks…
You can get a kayak for fishing with rod holders attached.
You can get ones for camping that come with even more space inside.
And you can even get scuba diving kayaks that come with a custom-built space to fit the diving tank.
There are also a few other important things to consider when choosing a kayak. I’ll discuss them here.
There are two forms of stability with a kayak. Primary and secondary. These are determined by the shape of the hull.
Primary stability is how easy it is to get into your kayak. How likely is it to flip when you step in and sit down?
Secondary stability is how it feels when you’re on the water. How likely is it to roll or lean?
Rounded Hulls
These are the same shape as the name implies and are similar in their shape to a torpedo. This makes them very efficient at overcoming water resistance. Their shape makes them easier to steer, and they have greater secondary stability.
V-Shaped Hulls
The name again makes it quite simple to understand. The V shape of the hull makes it great for moving in a straight line at speed. They also emphasize secondary stability.
Flat Hulls
These hulls are good all-rounders and are used for many of the reasons above, such as fishing and recreational activities. They have more primary stability but also balance this with ease of steering.
Tunnel Hulls
Tunnel or pontoon hulls, as they are sometimes known, offer the highest amount of stability but compromise on speed.
You may also have to think about the weight and the dimensions of your kayak. The right choice will depend on what you might be using it for.
The weight will include the kayak itself, you when using it, and any equipment. Naturally, a heavier kayak will require more energy to move and will be slower, so you may want to think about this when buying.
As for the dimensions, a kayak that is long and narrow will move better when traveling in a straight line and be faster as well.
This article is focused on helping you find the best sea kayak, and the content above will have provided you with the basic information. But what about specifically choosing a sea kayak?
Our recommendation is that you select a sea kayak according to these guidelines:
In our opinion, the best out of all the kayak reviews is the Riot Kayaks Edge 14.5 LV Flatwater Day Touring Kayak. It stands out from all the rest because it has such a wide range of features, including all of the necessary features for trips out to sea, which we mentioned in the section just before the reviews.
It has two sealed bulkheads, a thin and lightweight design, plenty of storage space, and foot braces. It’s also got a skeg, and it is a sit-in kayak to keep you safe from excess splashing. Therefore if you’re going out to sea, we’d suggest this one.
Last update on 2020-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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