Where are you going to paddle? Ocean? Lakes? Rivers? Harbors?
There are many kayaks that do one or more of these things, but no one kayak that does it all. Choose a kayak that will work with what you will do the most. For example, if you are going to paddle in the ocean most of the time, but would like to paddle whitewater occasionally, buy an ocean going kayak and rent a whitewater kayak for your occasional use.
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How are you going to transport the kayak?
If you own a pickup truck or SUV with a roof rack this may be fairly simple with a few inexpensive items. If you have a four door sedan without a rack on the roof you may need to purchase a vehicle rack system. We recommend using a brand system from THULE, YAKIMA or INNO. If you have questions about which rack will compliment the kayak you are looking to purchase give us a call toll free at 877-99-KAYAK. We will be happy to assist you.
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How long should my kayak be?
The basic rule of thumb is: The longer the kayak the faster it will be, the shorter the kayak the more maneuverable it will be. Most first time buyers purchase kayaks in the 10-14 foot range. These kayaks have excellent speed and tracking while keeping the weight of the kayak within a manageable amount.
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How wide should my kayak be?
The width of a kayak is often referred to as the “beam”. Remember, the wider the kayak the more stable it will be, but it will be slower due to resistance against the water. If you are looking for stability we recommend a kayak 28”-31” wide. Tandem kayaks need to be a bit wider to get the weight capacity and stability for two adults. We recommend tandem kayak widths be in the 34”-36” range.
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How about fishing and diving?
If you are going to dive take a look at the Cobra Fish n' Dive and the Wilderness Systems Ride 135. These are awesome diving kayaks, or fishing kayaks for larger fishermen. Also, the Fish n' Dive can be outfitted with a trolling motor! For fishing on lakes or in protected coastal waters look for a kayak in the 12-14 foot range with a 28 inch beam (width) or wider. We highly recommend the Tarpon or Ride series of kayaks from Wilderness Systems Kayaks. If you will be fishing in open water look for a kayak in the 14-16 foot range with a 28-32 inch beam. Again, we recommend the Tarpon 140 or Tarpon 160i from Wilderness Systems Kayaks. Remember that you will be carrying a large amount of gear for these activities. Look for a maximum load capacity 100-150 pounds above your own weight. This will help ensure a dryer ride and more stability with all of your gear on board.
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What about the weight of the kayak?
Remember, you have to lift it! Stay at light a possible with your kayak selection. Wilderness Systems Kayaks are now introducing “Ultralite Kayaks”. These kayaks are much lighter than traditional roto-molded kayaks and are just as strong. They also look like more expensive fiberglass kayaks but have a much lower price tag! .
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Single or Double?
Having two single kayaks vs. one double kayak has many advantages. You can still paddle together but each paddler is in control of individual kayaks. You can also paddle solo and not have to move around and transport a heavier double kayak.
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Sit on top (SOT) or sit inside?
If you are going to paddle long distances or in rougher waters, or would like to do multi day trips look at sit inside kayaks. For other activities like fishing, diving, family paddling, or general recreation we highly recommend sit on top kayaks.
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Warranty.
This is important. If you ever have trouble with you kayak you want to be covered. The best roto-molded kayaks are covered by lifetime warranties, and 1 year or more on the better inflatable kayaks (IK’s). Remember, warranties are for the original owner. If you purchase a used kayak or a new kayak from a store that is not an “Authorized Dealer” you will not be covered by any warranty.
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What color should I get?
This is a personal choice. Remember, Yellow, Orange, and other bright colors will be more visible on the surface of the water. Most family paddlers purchase Yellow, Mango, and Orange Kayaks. Fisherman prefer Green, Blue, and Sand colors.
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Look at reviews form kayak owners.
This can be a wealth of information for you. You can also give us a call. We would be happy to talk with you and help you select the right kayak to fit your needs and budget. Remember all kayak purchased on upsportskayaks.com come with free shipping so you can make your dollar go further.
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