What Are The Various Types Of Kayaks

Kayaking was developed by people of the Arctic for hunting. With time, kayaking became a part of the Olympics, especially sea kayaking. Sea kayaking is a paddling sport on lake, ocean, or bay. The sea kayak is available in several designs and is implemented using different materials. Sea kayaks are different from whitewater and other kayaks, as they have provision for storing cargo below deck and longer waterline. They may have skegs, rudders, and features like stern and bow for wave shedding. These are built to accommodate two or even three paddlers.

Types Of Sea Kayaks:

Strip-Built Kayaks: these kayaks are similar to rigid fiberglass boats that are commercially available but are much lighter than them. Strip-built kayaks are hand-made boats that represents the artwork. These boats are durable and lightweight. Strip-built kayak shape and size determine its performance and uses. The boats are made using thin strips of lightweight wood (pine, cedar, or redwood) that are glued together in a form, clamped or stapled, and then dried. A layer of fiberglass resin and cloth provide strength to the kayak.

Skin On Frame Kayak: these kayaks are considered more traditional boats in terms of design, material, technique, and construction. These are light and made of driftwood or sealskin. Nowadays, sealskin has been replaced with nylon or canvas covered with neoprene, paint, or hypalon coating. Inuit people still make use of skin on frame kayaks for hunting in Greenland. In the remaining part of the world, manufacturers continue the tradition of skin on frame boat with modern canvas or synthetic fabric.

Folding kayak- folding kayak is a special type of skin on frame boat. Folder is modern boat with collapsible frame of aluminum, wood, or plastic and skin of some durable and water-resistant material. Folding kayaks are known for their durability, longevity, and stability. Several kayaks have integral sponsons inside the hull that make the boat unsinkable. The paddling characteristics of folding kayak are similar to original skin on frame boat. Among the modern kayaks, the folding boat is the closest to past skin on frame kayak.

Sit-on-tops- manufacturers are producing sit-on-top kayak with a skeg for stability. These kayaks can accommodate one or two paddlers. However, few models of sit-on-top can even accommodate three or four paddlers. These are famous for diving and fishing, as participants can easily enter and exit the water, access hatches, and storage wells as well as change position. The seat of this boat is slightly above water level because of which center of gravity is higher in comparison to traditional boat. These kayaks are wider as compensation to the center of gravity.

Recreational kayak- these are used for fishing, peacful paddle in lake, or photography. The cockpit is large with wider beam (increased stability). The length of these boats is usually 12 feet, with limited cargo capacity.

Recommended Reading

1. Know About Modern Kayak Types
Modern kayaks may be categorized into sea kayak, white water kayak, racing kayak, and surf kayak. These kayaks are made...
2. Learn About Various Types Of Kayaks
Kayaks are small boats with a covered deck. The kayak cockpit is covered by a spray skirt or similar waterproof...
3. Selecting a Kayak – The three types of Kayaks to Choose From
When purchasing your first kayak, you will find that there are more choices than you realized. Kayaks come in three...
4. Consider An Inflatable Kayak
When most people think of a kayak, they picture a solid vessel – probably of some sturdy plastic – but...
5. What Is Sea Kayaking
Inuit developed kayaking many years ago as a means of hunting. Now kayaking has become a part of the Olympics....