Kayak – Tips for Buying and What to Consider

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You tie your new kayak to the roof of your car, a fully equipped backpack and waterproof bags are ready in the trunk and only good vibes on the radio. The weather forecast for the weekend promises that there will be no precipitation, and you start with lots of positive expectations and great hope for adventure and fresh experience.

And before embarking on your adventure, let us help you enjoy activities with equipment tips and model choices.

In various forms, they have existed for centuries. The age of technological advancement has brought about a new design, some completely new types of kayaks, and new materials, like inflatable kayaks.

Before moving on to specific models, first, let’s talk about the most important pieces of equipment.

Paddles

One of the most important items, to begin with, is a good choice of oars that must be of adequate size and weight. Don’t feel like you have to buy the most expensive oar on the market, but also don’t overlook this essential part of the story.

Running an oar back and forth becomes tiring after an all-day adventure, and it’s a bigger reward for you to invest energy in kayaking than the oar itself. Cheaper paddles of inferior quality can serve you the first few times until you realize that you should have paid more attention to choosing the right one.

Just like heavy mountain boots that will make it difficult for you to hike, it will also deprive you of the motivation for further enjoyment, so the incorrect size of the paddle will make it difficult to enjoy this activity.

Invest in a safety vest

Safety vests will greatly increase your chances of survival if you roll over in rapids.

Also, the vest will be crucial if you experience a heat stroke or any other medical emergency and lose consciousness on the water.

Since you will be spending all your time wearing a safety vest, you should invest a bit more in it.

Care should be taken when choosing the size, so it might be best to try the vest yourself personally before purchasing. Make sure you have enough space to move your hands freely.

Sit-In kayaks

These models are best divided into recreational, sport and touring. When choosing you need to pay special attention as some of these are best for sea or river, while others are intended for lakes and calm rivers, but, if you want something more, there are models that you can take on wild waters.

One of the biggest advantages that you are getting with sit-in kayaks is the right spine position because of the low seating position. In most cases, these come as a sporty option and are offered with a special blanket that will prevent water from entering kayak and transforming it into a bathtub.

Among the best choices for those that are looking for longer rowing adventures are the Necky Kayaks models.

Sit-On-Top

If you are looking for something more extreme, you might want to check sit-on-top kayaks. These will allow you to jump, dive and swim with these with almost no limits. You can take them to the sea, lake or river and the thing you need to choose is if you will take one-seater, two-seater or the extended model.

How to choose the right one

As easy as the choice may seem, the differences are huge.

1) Weight is not the most important factor, but it speaks of quality.

2) Steering is a very important factor, you have too many in the market which simply do not follow the direction, and in it, the most experienced rowers look like amateurs, because with all their hard work, these kayaks go helplessly left, right.

3) The quality, of course, you will hear that it is only aesthetic trifles, but the differences between the correct product and the substandard are considerable, from deviations in weight.

Family-friendly, the most common choice is the Malibu Two, 370 cm long and 86 cm wide, two-seater. The kayak has three seating positions; front, back and middle. The basic idea is that this can be used as a two-seater and as a one-seater when sitting in the middle seat. Its maximum capacity is up to 3 people, and it is the best-selling model where the price/performance ratio is pretty much unbeatable.

Next in the selection is the Malibu Two XL, the bigger and better-equipped brother in the Malibu Two series. This kayak has a length of 410 cm and a width of 86 cm, as standard it comes equipped with seats with high comfortable backrests that can be adjusted precisely. It has a capacity of 226 kilograms and has room for three adults. Click here for more models with big capacity.

Pedal kayaks

Since pedaling has become one of the trends, all manufacturers are committed to making the most efficient one. That’s how the Malibu Pedal kayak was created! Further development of this type is expected.

Inflatable

Inflatable kayaks are a category for themselves. It is an incredible difference in design, purpose, quality, etc.
Your choice will depend on whether you want to feel the adrenaline and drops of water on the face as you go through the rapids or just want to paddle along the calm water near the shore.

Material and design are quite different. While the “kayak toys” that some will try to sell to you in the sports department are made of weak materials, AQUAGLIDE Blackfoot, Chelan, and Klickitat products are made as large speedboats or huge aquapark elements where thick PVC is used mainly.

For fishing

Fishing models have become much more than just a Sit-On-Top equipped with special fishing accessories… Models range from, let’s say, the Malibu Two XL Angler two-seater angler, which is just a standard Malibu Two XL with rod mounts and an extra tank to the particularly fast Prowler types Trident series or most stable Big Game type intended for hunting swordfish and similar fish. You could also click here to read the full guide for fishing kayaks.

Conclusion

Before you go, be well aware of the potential dangers that may befall you on your adventure. Many beginners are unaware of the potential dangers of river rafting, which can result in serious injury due to their unpreparedness. Get well prepared and enjoy this very healthy and exciting sport.