How to Chose a Kayak to Best Suit You
Looking for the perfect Kayak? Well, we will help you navigate through options. Over the course of the summer, our highest selling kayaks were 10 feet or less. The key reason was weight and the ease of transport. As this is very true, we want to walk through other options to consider in finding the perfect kayak for you.
Since Fall Brawl is currently operating until the end of the month, lets start with fishing. Yes, a fishing kayak weighs a ton. However, it is far less work than a boat and doesn’t require company to join. The best reason of all to convert to a fishing kayak is they are stealth on the water if you can control your paddle close to the sweet spot. This is one of the fastest growing sports and there are many accessories to deck out your kayak. Our personal favorite accessory brand is Yak Attack, who carries paddle and rod holders, depth finder and transducer mounts, camera mounts to record your big catch, and visibility and safety lighting. When purchasing a fishing kayak that will be transported with a Truck we would add a Truck Bed Extender, Suspenz Kayak Cart and purchase a red flag to tie to the end of the kayak that hangs out the back of your bed. If transporting with a car or SUV, we would purchase a Yakima or Thule roof rack with a Malone Telos Load Assist. You are going to need that back to get the big catch reeled in!
So you aren’t into fishing but are looking at a recreational kayak but debating a sit-on-top vs. sit-in. You first need to ask yourself several questions. Where will you be paddling? On an open lake, in a flat pond or on a fast moving river? When you go out, are you looking to cover a lot of distance and spend an afternoon on the water or relax on the water and spend some time with friends and family? Below are some pros and cons of both sit-ins and sit-on-tops to consider:
Sit-on-top kayak:
Pros:
Are the most user friendly and easy to get into. There is no feeling of confinement.
You sit above the water and have an open cockpit which is a great option for beginners, children and folks who love to swim warm water.
Made of molded plastic with scupper holes and is virtually unsinkable.
Most vessels are rated greater than 400 lbs. working load
Cons:
Pretty much guaranteed to get wet while paddling
A degree of center of gravity as well that could make the paddle less comfortable
Thinks to consider when looking at a sit-in kayak:
Pro:
Enclosed cockpit that protects the paddler from the elements such as sun, wind and rain
Better for touring cooler waterways
Some have larger storage space accessed through the deck.
Cons:
Not for swimming, when re-entering the cockpit will be filled with water
Consider the length or your Yak!
Length of kayak is always something we talk with customers who are fearful of motion sickness and choppy waterways. While a shorter kayak tends to be slightly less heavy, we often believe the extra length is worth the additional couple of pounds. A longer kayak equates to more stability and speed in the water. If you intend to paddle on a large body of water such as Lake Erie, a longer and wider kayak will be your best option (12 ft+) as the longer length allows better speed and handling on the waterway.
We hope this helps you narrow the search for the very Best Christmas Gift EVER! It would be amazing to assist in person if you can make it to Lake Erie Adventure Company for more personalized recommendations or to browse our full assortment of kayaks and paddle boards.