Materials
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is lightweight and stiff, and can be shaped into extremely efficient, responsive hull designs. (stiffer hulls are more responsive and require less internal bracing. This means a lighter boat with more room inside for lots of gear. ) Fiberglass is most often used in superior kayaks. Fiberglass hulls are made of layers of woven fabric bonded together with a polyester resin for strength and rigidity. An outer gel coating provides protection against abrasion and exposure to ultraviolet light.
Composite
This category includes Kevlar, a fiberglass and carbon blends that is extremely durable and lightweight. They tend to be more expensive than polyethylene or roto molded plastic boats. Airalit is a thermo-formed material similar in appearance, stiffness and weight to traditional composite materials, but it’s considerably less expensive.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene plastic is less expensive, more impact-resistant, and more abrasion-resistant than fiberglass. Polyethylene can be molded into complex shapes using a variety of molding processes. Polyethylene boats can be a bit slower than the slick fiberglass or composite models. Exolar resin, a newer plastic material that’s being used in kayaks, is 40% stiffer and more durable than superlinear polyethylene.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
This flexible, cloth like thermoplastic material is used to make inflatable kayaks and rafts. It’s tough and abrasion- and puncture-resistant, and it comes in a variety of thicknesses.
Nitrylon is also used to make inflatables, Nitrylon is a combination of tough, nylon fabric and a Nitrile/natural rubber coating. It offers excellent abrasion resistance and cold weather flexibility.
Design Length
Longer kayaks tend to be easier to paddle over long distances than shorter boats (once you get them up to speed). They also stay on course better and hold more gear. Shorter kayaks weigh less, are less affected by winds and are easier to turn, maneuver and transport. Recreational kayaks are typically shorter, between 9 and 15 feet long. Touring boats are anywhere from 12 to 18 feet, with an average being about 16 feet. Tandems, (two-person kayaks with two cockpits), average about 18 feet.
Width (Beam)
Wider kayaks are easier to enter and exit and are more stable on the water. They also have more room for hear. These include most of the recreational boats that range from about 25 to 30 inches in width. Narrow boats are a little more “tippy” but they tend to be lighter and more efficient through the water. They also track better. Narrow boats are usually easier to “roll” back up after a capsize than wider boats. Touring kayaks are usually a bit narrower than recreational boats, and range in width from 21 to 25 inches. Tandem touring kayaks are typically a bit wider.
Chine
The point at where a kayak bottom turns upward and becomes the kayak’s side is called the cine. Smooth, rounded chines provide good secondary stability and easier bracing and rolling. Sharper, more pronounced chines can enhance tracking and initial stability.
Entry Line
The edge of a kayak’s hull where it cuts through the water is called its entry line. Sharp entry lines slice through the water efficiently for better speed and easier paddling. Blunt bows ride up slightly on incoming waves for better buoyancy and drier paddling in windy, rough conditions.
Don’t Overlook the Details!
Rudders and Skegs
Rudders and Skegs are typically used on touring kayaks for steering and stability. Depending on your paddling ability and the types of trips you’ll be taking, you may choose to get a boat with a rudder or a skeg or you may be a purist who prefers a boat with neither. A rudder helps you turn, maintain a straight course and keep your boat steady in rough water. It is operated by maneuvering foot pegs attached to wires and can be raised when not needed.
A skeg, or a keel that can be lowered and raised offers stability and causes the boat to react with wind and current, depending on its position. You should know how to turn using bodyweight and paddling strokes when considering buying a boat with a skeg. The same can be said for boats with neither rudder nor skeg. These boats are a joy to paddle for their smooth lines, but you need to be proficient at turning and handling the boat if you venture into anything more than calm, sheltered waters.
The Great Outdoors
117 Waterfront Plaza
Newport, VT 05855
Phone: 802-334-2831
The Great Outdoors
65 Northgate Plaza
Morrisville, VT 05661
Phone: 802-888-3718
The Great Outdoors
162 Main Market Place
Enosburg Falls, VT 05450
Phone: 802-933-4815