Kayak
The type of kayak you buy will depend on what you are doing for example whitewater kayaks differ from Sea and Touring kayaks. It will also depend on your skill level too. Brief descriptions of the types of kayaks available are:
• Recreational Kayak - stable kayak with a large cockpit that means you can get in and out easily. They are designed for multiple uses covering sea, water and rivers. Some are designed for performance, while others for easy paddling.
• Sea Kayak - long and narrow to be used in oceans and lakes for extended periods of time, you sit inside the kayak, the kayak often contains storage compartments. They can be used in lakes and rivers but aren’t manoeuvrable enough for whitewater. They are designed for speed and stability.
• Tandem Kayak - a multi-person kayak to be paddled by two people, often sea kayaks.
• Sit-on-Top Kayak - no cock-pit where you sit on top of the kayak, typically used at the beach
• Whitewater Kayak - used to paddle rapids and turbulent waters in swift moving rivers. They are shorter and more manoeuvrable; some designs are more suited for short rides, while others are made for longer day trips.
Kayaks are made from a variety of materials:
• Plastic - well made plastic kayaks are moulded from linear polyethylene which is stiffer than polyethylene and better for kayaking. The problems with plastic are:
- Warping/Distortion: the shape is critical to performance so even minor warping can affect speed and stability. Warping can either be temporary (pressure from the water) or permanent (heat).
- Fuzzing: Is the shredding and scratching of the surface, and plastic does this overtime with use. A smooth surface is faster as it slides through the water with less resistance.
• Xytec - is similar to linear polyethylene but stiffer, more heat resistant, lighter and not as prone to fuzzing.
• Fibreglass - made from layered glass cloth bound by resin, offers stiffness, durability and light weight. It is very tough but can chip and crack. By using Kevlar instead of glass cloth it can be made stronger. You may ask for more reinforcements when your kayak is made with additional layering or Kevlar reinforcement.