Since I have been kayaking from an early age, I have noticed there is a lot of knowledge to share. Here's an elaborate post for those who are looking for the best kayaks for beginners. We will show you how to find the right kayak for you or your family from so many choices. We also added a buying guide so you can easily find out what you really need to consider in order to enjoy your time on the waters whenever you go out with your kayak.
What Types of Beginner’s Kayak Are Available?
Let us talk about beginner kayaks! Since you have a keen interest in learning and mastering this adventure activity, it is best to learn about the types of kayaks in the market. Learning how to kayak is one complicated task, but choosing one should not be as hard.
You may want a kayak for fishing, exploring the natural surroundings or just stepping out for a workout. Well, let us skim through the different types of beginner kayaks.
Tandem kayak - Fancying a couple ride? Tandem kayaks are built for two paddlers. It could be a sit-on-top one or has two separate places for the users. This could be a romantic ride for both of you!
Recreational - If you want a kayak for flat rivers or shallow waters, then this type is perfect. You can also try pedal kayaks for this purpose because they are affordable and pretty easy to use. This was the type of boat my father got for us children! Guess what? I bought the same for my teen kids!
Touring - If the whole idea is to explore the open waters on a long journey, then the touring kayak is a good choice. The best beginner touring kayak usually has space for storing camping gear as well.
Inflatable/folding kayak - Easy to fold and carry, inflatable kayaks are considered to be convenient for those who are always on the move. You can take it for camping trips or even drive to another city and carry this with you. It can be blown to full size for proper usage.
Let us cut to the chase, my friend! Most people are unaware that the kayaks are of two major types.
Sit in vs. Sit On
Now there is a clear distinction between the traditional sit in vs. the contemporary sit on top kayaks. Which one is a great starter choice?
We need to take a look at both the kayaks separately. I have mentioned everything that you need to know about the sit on top and sit in kayaks.
Sit on Top Kayaks
These are recreational kayaks used for easy flowing and calm lakes and rivers. People in warmer coastal areas use this type. Some of them have storage space for longer trips. There are some individuals who get claustrophobic inside a sit-in. In case you are one of those, consider getting yourself a sit on.
Here are some benefits of using a sit-on:
- It is easy to get on and off the sit on.
- Great for kids and families
- Ideal for warm water and air. This is because the chances of getting wet are more!
- Scupper holes for easy drainage. You do not need to pump out any water.
- Heavier than most of the sit-in kayaks.
Sit in Kayaks
These are recreational kayaks which are ideal for touring and day touring. They are faster and have a covered and secure cargo compartment. If you are paddling to a specific destination, then this seems like the right fit. The sit-in kayaks may have a number of seats for other members. Do you want it for yourself or you want others to join in? The choice is yours and you can decide it on the basis of the members and comfort level.
Why Do We like the Sit-In Kayaks?
- Comfortable for cruising
- Fewer chances of getting wet
- Highly efficient as compared to the sit-on-top
- You have greater control as your body stays inside the kayak.
Things to Consider When Buying An Inflatable Kayak
Most of the kayak boats out there have similar specifications. The length and the capacity of the boat could vary. How about checking the basic specifications and factors that you must consider before investing in such a watercraft. It is possible that you would be using the raft for a long time! Once you are a pro at it, you can gift it to someone you know or your kids can enjoy it!
Your Age - How old are you? If you are a child, then you cannot use the same type of kayak as an adult would. Also, an adult will be taller than a child and the measurements of the kayak would be different.
Where you will perform kayaking (water type) - The next question is whether you are going to kayak in shallow water or a trouble-maker water body. The vessel needs to be tough and stable for fast-moving water. Beginner kayaks are usually suitable for calm waters.
Number of People - Some kayaks can accommodate two people while others are ideal for just one member. If you are going to sit alone, go for a single-seat design. In case you want your spouse or kids to join you, buy a multi-seat model.
Turning vs. Tracking - How does the kayak stay in a straight path? This is known as tracking. It is believed that the kayaks which track really well cannot turn that well.
Stability - There are two types of stability - Primary and Secondary. The primary stability is for calm water situations while the secondary is for tense and fast waters. Secondary stability is needed in cases of speedy activities such as white water rafting.
Material - Kayaks are made of different materials, from wood, carbon fiber, hard plastic, inflatable plastic, fiberglass to Kevlar. The inexpensive models are the ones usually made of inflatable plastic. You would need to choose the material on the basis of the purpose you are buying it for.
Purpose of Kayak - Relaxation or adventure? If you want to go white water rafting in the kayak, go for a durable material and the measurements will be different. If the whole idea is kayaking for fishing or chilling, a good beginner kayak will be ideal.
Rigging - Most of the manufacturers will give you accessories for rigging. These can be used in certain instances. The deck netting can be utilized for storing little items. The shock cord can be utilized for keeping vital tools close to your hand.
Hatches - Everyone hates the idea of stepping into the kayak and getting their phones or precious objects wet. This could cause damage, and that's precisely why you need hatches to store these precious items. Hatch covers are mostly waterproof but there can be some moisture.
Rudders & Skegs - Rudders and skegs may not be needed for a leisurely or casual kayak. You need it for the type which goes into turbulent water. This equipment help in steering the kayak efficiently. If you know how to control your kayak such as steering it, then you would not need rudders and skegs.
Portability and storage - If you travel a lot, you rather try an inflatable kayak. You can easily carry, inflate and deflate it. There are other kayaks which are portable and you can easily store them in a garage or backyard.
Price - Kayaks for beginners are comparatively lower in price, ranging from 100 to 800 USD. Most of the beginners are baffled because they want to invest in something which is of a lower price. It makes sense because you may not want it for daily use or you are just beginning to learn the sport.
How Did We Pick These Items?
The Kayak Fisherly team never suggests a product to anybody without doing proper research or using it themselves. Since I live in an area where kayaking is supposed to be a popular sport among tourists, I was able to get reviews from the adventure junkies. After a lot of research and checking out online reviews, my team and I listed down the high-end and reliable options here.
Also, we checked certain specifications such as the type of kayaks, stability, material, turning, tracking, etc before creating a list. When a buyer invests in an item, they should have a checklist of whether it has the essential features or not. By combining expert reviews and experiences along with thorough research, we are confident that this is the most comprehensive review you will find online.
Our Top 10 Product List
Selecting the top ones from a myriad of choices was not as easy as it seems! Take a good look, read thoroughly, compare, and choose the finest one for you as per your budget and requirement.
Final Words
We hope that this review helped you to make a wise decision in finding the best kayaks for beginners. It took a lot of effort to create the list for our readers. It can be exhaustive to go through every item, compare it and pick the best and right-sized kayak for you. That's precisely why we came up with this top 10 list that will help you narrow down the choices.
As a beginner kayaker, you don't need to worry about getting the advanced features of a top-notch kayak. We believe our reviewed models are enough to help you find your right match.
Make the top choice and do leave your valuable comments below as that would keep us motivated! Also, if your friends and relatives are looking for the safest kayak for beginners, do share this post with them.
I can tell based on my experience that kayaking is by far the most exciting water sport out there. Whether you wish to go fishing or just cruise around in your kayak, we are sure that you will have an amazing experience!
