Which kayak for beginners

Is better if you're kayaking for fitness and want to go further. Is better suited to sea kayaking and paddling in rapids. Has to go back to shore to get back in if you fall out. Is made for solo kayaking. Inflatable Kayaks An inflatable kayak : Can be deflated so it fits inside your car no roof racks needed. Has to be inflated with a manual pump when you want to use it.

Can be used on still water or really gentle rapids. Isn't as fast and is harder to steer than hard kayaks. Is made for one or two kayakers double or tandem kayak. Like all inflatables, can get a puncture so may not last as long.

Use Sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks can be used for: Recreation Touring Fishing Racing Recreational Kayaks A recreational kayak is: Best if you're paddling for a bit of fun. Stable, easy to steer and relatively comfortable. Perfect for kayaking beginners and children. Good for lakes, rivers or open coastal waters: Sit-in recreational kayaks suit still-water lakes and cold days in open ocean waters.

Sit-on-top recreational kayaks give you more stability in moving water like rivers. A touring kayak : Is best for all-day sightseeing and longer paddles for fitness.

Is a great way to explore rivers, lakes and waterways. Gives you access to secluded places with no roads or trails. Has storage space inside to keep food and camping supplies dry.

Has a weight limit so weigh your gear then add your weight. Can be secured for lunch or overnight trips just add an anchor. Is generally shorter so easier to get to and from the water. Suits keen still-water beginners and experienced kayakers. That is wider will be more stable and easier to balance on. Can sometimes have a foot-controlled rudder for easier steering. Fishing Kayak A fishing kayak : Gives you quick, easy access to deeper-water fishing. Is much cheaper than buying and maintaining a boat!

Is lightweight, durable and easy to manoeuvre. Will have built-in rod holder s and usually a paddle holder as well. Can have central-mount rod holders or accessory mounts for a fish finder. Has enough space for your bait, gear and everything you catch. Can have a backrest with built-in rod holders or you can buy one separately. Is easy to steer if it's shorter - is faster if it's longer so best for long distances.

That is wide and you sit on is more stable for standing up. That is narrower and you sit inside is better for longer distances. Can be any kayak , but the above make fishing easier and more comfortable. Harder to steer and balance so suits strong, experienced kayakers. Shape The kayak shape needs to suit the kind of kayaking you're doing and your level of experience: Length - shorter kayaks are easier to control and more stable - longer kayaks are faster.

Width - a slim kayak is faster but less stable, a wide one more stable but harder to steer. Long, narrow kayaks are: Fast but harder to maneuver.

Not as stable as a wider, shorter kayak. Good for long, straight distances. Best for sea kayaking with a rudder for control. Short, wide kayaks are: Stable and easy to maneuver. Slower than long, narrow kayaks.

Good for narrow, winding, fast flowing rivers and canals. Best for kayaking in white water rapids. Weight - lighter kayaks are faster and easier to maneuver and transport. Hull - if the underside of the kayak the hull is: V-shaped - it cuts through the water better in a straighter line but is less stable.

Flat - it has more contact with the water so it's more stable and easier to turn. A blend - it's v-shaped at both ends and flat in the middle for the benefits of both. Rocker - how much the hull curves from front to back is called 'the rocker'. A rocker that curves more is easier to maneuver but slower.

A rocker with less of a curve is faster but harder to maneuver. Backrest - some kayaks have built-in back support for more comfort and less fatigue or you can buy one for lumbar support separately. Materials Kayaks and paddles can be made from different materials, and each one has its pros and cons: Plastic or aluminum Are the most affordable options.

Are both durable materials. Can be heavy and feel cold in winter. Recreational kayaks are designed for just that: recreation. They are usually stable, easy to use and a good choice for beginners. They will allow you to learn the paddle strokes and techniques, even if they may not be the most efficient water vessels. These types of yaks tend to be more affordable but they can also be heavier when it comes to transporting them to and from the water. Recreational yaks come in a range of lengths and are available in extra short lengths for children.

Kayak weight also tends to be a little lighter than the adult sized ones. Many of them are also made for children to be able to carry them themselves. Read our guide to recreational kayaks. Just like a tandem bicycle, a tandem kayak has two seats , so that two of you can paddle together and share the experience. Double kayaks can be just as good for beginner paddlers as a single vessel, because they come in a variety of styles.

You can get wide, stable recreational yaks that are made for two paddlers and you can also get inflatable tandems. With a tandem kayak you'll likely find that there is more storage space for your gear and sometimes you will even get extra space for a third person, usually a child or a dog. This can often mean the vessels are larger and heavier, which could make transporting them more of a challenge. With a tandem, each of you can share the paddling, so moving across the water is a joint effort.

Fishing kayaks are designed with anglers in mind, so they are geared up to be able to handle the extra cargo. They also tend to have more comfortable seating, which can often be tailored to you personally, with the ability to choose your own specific seat. They come either rigged or not. If not, you would be required to choose your seat and install it separately. There are plenty of kayaking schools, where you can learn and develop skills right up to more technical levels.

Learning in the sea can be particularly tricky because of the underwater currents and the waves, which could be a hazard.

Some schools have swimming pools where they teach basic techniques in a safe environment, which may be more appealing to some people than a wild environment. It will be able to withstand waves better than a flat hull. For this reason it could be used as a recreational sea kayak. This Pungo l is a 12 foot vessel that weighs 49 pounds and is 29 inches wide. And because of its length and width it will be more hydrodynamic than a shorter, wider craft. There's also a second hatch behind the seat and bungee cords on the deck for extra gear.

This Pescador Pro fishing craft is made with durable plastic and has plenty of storage compartment options for all your gear, with a spacious accessory carrier behind the seat and a mesh covered area at the bow. It is a stable kayak, measuring The seat can also be removed.

Full Pescador Pro 12 review here. The craft has two comfortable seats for each paddler and there is even a molded seat in the middle for a child or a dog. The center seat can also be used to paddle the yak on your own. This is a 12 foot long recreational tandem yak that is 34 inches wide, giving it that extra stability and can be a good choice for beginners on calmer waters.

Its plastic hull means it is durable and able to stand up to some of the abuse that beginners might subject it to. Our full review on the Malibu Two here. At 9 feet long and 2. The inflatable seat is decently comfortable, and we like that it is both removable and adjustable. There is not enough space for camping gear, but the net can easily handle a water bottle, a small tackle box, and some snacks.

Intex claims that the K1 is made from venture-resistant vinyl. However, users should take care to keep the boat away from sharp objects — in use and in storage.

Two separate air chambers are quick to inflate. But because there are only two chambers, it is important to wear a personal flotation device when using this kayak.

If one of the chambers pops, the remaining chamber will not provide much buoyancy in an emergency. The K1 comes with an inch aluminum oar, a repair patch, a carrying duffel, and an inflation pump.

To set up the boat, simply inflate both chambers until the included gauge tells you that the boat is good to go. When your paddling session is over, dry the boat with a towel and fold it back into its carrying duffel.

When packed down, the boat and all of its components can be easily stored in a closet or garage. All things considered, the Intex K1 challenger is a good purchase for paddlers in need of an affordable vessel and who are more concerned about fun than performance.

This is not the kayak that will best suit advanced paddlers with racing or expeditionary aspirations. For a day of summer fun, though, the K1 is a wonderful and portable addition to your kit. Although a bit on the more expensive side for an inflatable kayak, the Advanced Elements is comfortable, durable, and thoroughly packed with practical features. Depending on how you set up the seats, this kayak can be either a tandem or a single kayak.

Its pound capacity can accommodate two paddlers plus additional gear. Tiedown points, bungees, and integrated pockets offer adequate storage for quite a lot of gear. This kayak could feasibly be used for overnight expeditions — especially when configured for a single paddler.

Impressively, this boat handles more like a rigid-sided kayak than an inflatable. Plus, it offers durability to match with three outer layers of ripstop material. At 15 feet long, the relatively narrow inch hull provides excellent tracking without giving up too much stability. Multiple tracking fins and a small skeg also contribute to a smooth, straight, and speedy ride. High seatbacks offer sufficient back support and remain comfortable throughout a full day on the water.

The low-lying seats keep your center of gravity close to the water while paddling. This configuration reduces wind resistance and keeps the boat from feeling tippy. Inflating and setting up the AE Convertible tandem takes some getting used to. A thorough set of instructions is included, but you will still need to practice a few times before setup feels efficient. Six air chambers can be pumped up, although only three of these are important for structural integrity.

Each chamber has specific pressure requirements. Be sure to be careful when inflating because it can be easy to over or underfill. The kayak does not come with paddles or a pump.

Overall, this is a hefty inflatable tandem that in many ways feels more like a solid plastic boat than an inflatable one. However, on the performance side, this kayak shines and offers tracking and speed that most other inflatable tandems cannot. This model is one of its newer ones, released in Since then, we and many other reviewers have been putting the Hobie Mirage Passport Pedal kayaks have lots of pros. Generally, they are equipped with a few more accessory features and have more room for gear storage.

And, of course, they allow you to paddle hands-free. Fishing, bird watching, photography, you name it — there are lots of great applications here. The Hobie Mirage Passport The Mirage Glide technology refers to the fins, pedal, and rudder components. This kayak has a stowable rudder with steering control located by your left hand next to the seat. This kayak is a bit wider than standard kayaks to accommodate the seat and steering control — although still only measures 34 inches across.

You may have noticed the aluminum frame seat. Con: It adds some weight. If you are going to be doing overnight paddles, or even just day touring for hours on end, a comfortable seat is worth it.

And new for , the Passport How cool is that? Whether you are paddling in shallow waters or encountering logs or obstacles, the kick-up fins will automatically recess upon impact to protect both you and your equipment. Other features on this kayak include an 8-inch twist-and-seal hatch for storing gear, as well as two cargo storage areas with bungee straps on the bow and stern. Especially if you are using this kayak for fishing or touring, storage is important.

This kayak comes with a two-piece aluminum paddle. Check Price at Hobie. This watercraft is ideal for paddlers who are looking for a simple and high-quality boat for recreational paddling. Compared to other inflatable kayaks, we appreciate how easily the Moki-Lite transitions from fully deflated to water-ready.

The 1,denier reinforced PVC drop-stitch floor is fully rigid when pumped up and is abrasion-resistant. The EVA seat is low-profile and relatively comfortable to sit in.

A removable 9-inch tracking fin helps the Moki-Lite to track smoothly. The entire kayak is just 10 feet long, and this short length results in high-performance maneuverability. For those living in tight quarters, folding kayaks offer all of the benefits of owning your own watercraft without the need for a large storage space. Oru claims that the Inlet can be set up in 3 minutes, a bold statement that has been verified by several owners and testers.

After all, it weighs only 20 pounds. While the folds in the kayak do create weaknesses in the 5mm double-layered polypropylene exterior, the Inlet has been manufacturer-rated for 20, fold cycles. This impressive stability is also handy for fishing.

The ideal user is someone who enjoys mellow on-the-water excursions and really wants to prioritize easy storage and compact gear. The cockpit is large enough to store a small dry bag or a bit of fishing gear.

Although this is certainly a niche kayak, it easily earns its place on this list of best beginner kayaks. With the Oru Inlet, the entire user experience is defined by simplicity. With the Oru Inlet, limited gear storage space in your life will no longer keep you from getting out to paddle.

The Hi Five is sized to perfectly suit kids up to pounds. At just 6 feet long and 2 feet wide, this small kayak fits easily into most hatchbacks and roof racks. Its unique design integrates the seat and other features into one continuous piece of polyethylene plastic that weighs just 24 pounds.