Some friends of mine recently told me that they have decided to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary next summer by going on an extended kayak trip along the inside coast of Vancouver Island. Pretty cool. I really am very happy for them, if not a little envious. However, they also asked me for my opinion about what kayak(s) I thought might be best for such a trip.
I informed them that I am by no means an authority on kayaks or kayaking and that what little I do know about kayaks I’ve gleaned from looking on the internet or by going into kayak stores and asking questions. The problem is that there is an infinite amount of information about kayaks and kayaking out there and after a while it all seems to blur in your head - at least in my case.
I then suggested that perhaps one thing they might consider is contacting one of the many trip organizers and outfitters that put together group kayaking trips. Most of them also rent good quality kayaks. There are all sorts of reasons why such trips are a good idea. Not only do these outfits supply much of the gear, the trip is led by an experienced guide who is familiar with the area and natural history. There is also safety in numbers. I think this is what my friends have decided to do. I had also suggested that if they did want to kayaks, that they might consider buying recreational kayaks that they will get a lot more use out of on waters closer to home. Some times I can be fairly adept at stating the obvious.
The first thing you need to determine is where you are likely going to use your kayak the most: white water, rivers, lakes or out on the ocean. There are a whole whack of different use specific shapes, sizes and designs of kayaks. The right kayak for white water would be of little use on a lake and one for paddling on smaller lakes would certainly not be suitable for paddling out on the ocean. Another important factor is how much money are you willing to spend. Like most things, you usually get what you pay for and buying used can sometimes be pretty dicey unless you know the specific kayak. Do plenty of research on the internet before buying.
You would never buy a pair of shoes without trying them on, so why buy a kayak that you have not paddled in the water. A number of kayak stores offer seminars (often free) where you can try out various types of kayaks as well as receive a certain amount of instruction.
Recreation kayaks offer initial stability that can be reassuring for the novice kayaker or casual paddler on small lakes or slow-moving rivers. They are not so good for open water or use in heavy wind or currents. Recreational kayaks usually have a smaller bulkhead (storage area) and are best used for short trips, though some are designed for day touring. Most are between 10 to 14 feet in length. Light touring kayaks are longer and can be used for paddling somewhat longer distances than a recreational kayak. They normally measure between 14 to 18 feet in length and often require two people to load them on top of a vehicle. Touring or sea kayaks are used for paddling farther distances, have at least 2 hatches for storage of extra gear and are usually 18 to 21 plus feet in length. A good sea kayak, however, can run you well over $3,000 to $5,000 before accessories.
This much I have learned: recreational kayaks can be constructed out of any number of materials such as fibreglass, kevlar, moulded plastic, high impact plastic, wood and/or a combinations of materials. Moulded plastics are durable and can take some very rough treatment. They are usually also the heaviest of the kayaks. High impact plastics give you the benefit of strength, are easier to maintain than fibreglass and are usually lighter than fibreglass. Kevlar kayaks are the lightest, the strongest and definitely the most expensive type of kayak.
The trick is to make a relatively informed decision and then just go out and enjoy your time on the water. Come next summer I am sure my friends will enjoy their trip along the inside coast of the Island. I really am a little envious.