Key Kayak features for first time Buyers

Buying your first kayak boat

I bought my first kayak back in January. I spent a month or more in a state of internet overload. I am hoping that I can help narrow the gap. I will cover what I consider to be the key features you should consider when purchasing your first Kayak

Price or budget

This should not be the first thing we look at. This will play but only after we considered the other aspects of a kayak

Weight Capacity

First, I considered weight capacity. This is just not your personal weight. This is you and all the gear you want to potentially carry on the Kayak. Depending on the desired use of kayak this changes dramatically. I was looking to fish mainly. I needed a kayak that had a carrying capacity high enough to handle me and all my fishing gear. Spoiler alert if you are let’s say husky this limits your selection some.

5 key features

Comfort

Weight Capacity           

Propulsion method and purpose

Stability

Price or budget

Propulsion method and purpose

Advances in how to move your kayak have come along way. What is my kayak intended purpose? So, at this point what is the goal for your kayak will play into which hull design you chose and which style of propulsion method you are going with. Your health and fitness will also help you choose.  Start with purpose fishing, touring, river trips with camping, backcountry access are a few to name. The purpose will help you chose the hull design. Do you want to paddle, peddle, or motorize? These are the three methods of propulsion. I went with paddle for two reasons my husky size and dule purpose use of lakes and rivers.

Comfort

The seat is important because we are hope fully spending time in our kayak. From all day to multiple day trips, we need to be comfortable. Nothing is worse than getting on the water only to have your body taking away from the enjoyment because your seat is not comfortable. I visited several local retailers. These mom-and-pop style stores allow you to sit in different Kayaks. I spent up to 30 minutes in a kayak to gauge the comfort. Some I could tell immediately where not going to work. If your local dealer offers on the water demos take advantage of these. Time on the water can tell you allot about the comfort and handling of your potential new kayak.

Stability

This concept is a gray area. Yes, some kayaks are by design more stable than others. But knowing your limits and the kayaks limits are just as important for stability. If you have a larger wider sit on top kayak its hull design is like a pontoon. These kayaks are inherently more stable but are harder to propel and maneuver. A longer narrower sit in kayak is generally less stable left to right. These kayaks are streamlined and cut through the water for better handling and speed. How close you are to the carrying capacity of the kayak will affect your stability as well.