How to buy a kayak

Posted on 7 May 2013

You’ve seen them out there, sleek vessels silently cutting across the horizon. Others serve as islands of fun for kids and, if you ask me, everyone should have a kayak.

Types of kayaks

Before you rush off to the shop, ask what you want to do with the kayak, as this will help you to choose a boat to suit your ambitions. The craft you’ll need to paddle around your local dam will differ vastly from what’s required for multi-day sea-kayaking trips.

There are many variations out there, but we’ll look at three broad categories.

Recreational kayaks

They’re wide, manoeuvrable, buoyant and reassuringly stable, making them ideal for beginners and fun-seekers. They don’t often have a skeg or rudder, which adversely affects their ability to stay on course. Many are made from polypropylene and are a tad heavy, but very robust. They’re easy to use and a great choice for families after a jol on a dam or similarly calm water. They’re relatively inexpensive and prices start from about R5 000.

Sea kayaks

A long, sleek, fast craft with heaps of packing space. A sea kayak is designed to be stable in rough conditions and most have sealed bulkheads for drystoring gear and to add buoyancy. While they can be fun on dams and estuaries, they come into their own when tackling long distances on open water and skegs and rudders improve handling in cross winds and currents. They’re made from various materials, including polypropylene, composites and fibreglass. Their application varies from out-and-out tourers to purpose-riggable fishing craft and more. Sea kayaks fully kitted with hatches, rod holders and even electronic fish-finders can run way over R15 000.

Recreational touring kayaks

They’re used for day trips or short overnight excursions as they can handle wind and currents and have a bit of packing space. They’re faster than the family-friendly versions described above, but a bit less stable. Expect to pay anything from R6 000 to R8 000.

Visit www.paddlers.co.za or www.canoekayak.co.za, both great online references on the types and prices of kayaks.

Sit-in or sit-on?

You’ll also need to decide between a sit-in or sit-on design. The lower centre of gravity of sit-in kayaks makes them stable, but they can be a challenge to bail (empty) if capsized. Sit-in craft are favoured by more serious tourers as they’re a substantially more efficient watercraft. Sealed sit-on-top kayaks are almost impossible to sink and though paddlers may get wetter using them, the wider, buoyant craft is tough to beat for an all-round fun boat.

But that’s not all…

Once you’ve settled on the right craft, mosey on over to the accessories department for these essentials:

Paddles for kayaking

Aspects to consider include the paddler’s size and paddling style, the craft type and its intended application. You’ll develop a preference as your experience broadens, but when starting out it’s most important to get a paddle that’s the right size. Broadly speaking, taller people (over six feet) or those paddling wider kayaks should have a paddle of at least 240 cm, people of average height would be suited to paddles of 230 cm to 235 cm, and kids and short individuals would benefit from paddles of 220 cm to 225 cm. Paddles vary in overall design and materials, each with its own characteristics. Wood, for example, is warmer to hold in cold Atlantic conditions, while fibreglass is robust and inexpensive. Carbon is suited to long-distance paddling as it’s lighter. Ask the retailer to let you try out various options to find what works best for you.

Safety gear for kayaking

Regardless of whether you’re paddling on a calm dam or running huge ocean swells, a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket is the most important bit of kit you can buy. Make sure it fits properly and comfortably and be sure to use it. Also consider signalling devices such as flares, mirrors and/or a whistle. Flares are a must if you’re adventuring on very large bodies of water or the open ocean. If you’re not going too far from civilisation, load the relevant emergency contact numbers onto your cellphone and get a waterproof pouch to keep it dry. Always let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return. Always check the weather and tides before you paddle out, and join an experienced paddler or take a class to familiarise yourself with kayaking’s potential for both fun and danger.

Kayaking sprayskirt

If you opt for a sit-in kayak, you’ll need to buy a sprayskirt too. These fit snugly around the paddler’s waist and the kayaks rim to keep water out of the boat in rough conditions.

Roof racks to transport your kayak

These are often left out of the decision-making process and consequently the budget. How else will you get your boat to the water? The options vary vastly in price and design, so shop around.

“Kayaking can take you to some of the most beautiful and inaccessible places the world has on offer.’ – Ant Stott, Dusi champion






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