Paddling FAQ's

KAYAK FAQ's | CANOE FAQ's

• Which type of kayak should I get?
• What role does the length of a kayak play?
• Should I buy a plastic or fiberglass kayak?
• What are key features of the latest recreational kayaks?
• What clothing and accessories are recommended?
• What do "beam" and "rocker" mean?
• What are some features of a safe touring kayak
• Can I paddle the same boat on rivers and the ocean?
• How much should I budget for kayaking?
• How much should safety gear cost?

Q. Which type of kayak should I get?
A. There is no one boat for the multitude of paddlers out there, or one that handles all conditions equally well. Generally, the more open the water, the longer the boat you'll need. The right choice really depends on what you see yourself doing most, the type of water you intend to paddle on (lake, river, ocean, or bay), and whether you are planning extended paddles with camping gear or just afternoon excursions.
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Q. What role does the length of a kayak play?
A. The longer the boat the faster the hull speed. So if your friends are paddling kayaks that are seventeen feet long and you are in a twelve-foot kayak, you'll be paddling much harder just to keep up. If you intend to paddle on smaller bodies of water, say ponds or small lakes where distance is not a factor, length is not so important. But if you live (or plan to paddle) on a bay, then you should consider more of a touring boat which will track straighter and move through the water with greater stability as well as speed.
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Q. Should I buy a plastic or fiberglass kayak?
A. Plastic and fiberglass are the two materials the majority of kayak manufacturers are using today. Plastic kayaks are lower priced, have the largest selection of models and are known for being tough. The down side of a plastic hull is that it doesn't hold an exact shape, it's softer (therefore slower). It's close to weighing the same as fiberglass but you can't perform field repairs on it. Fiberglass is approximately $1000 dollars more for the equivalent-length plastic boat, but the hull is much stiffer, faster through the water and you can repair it. The down side to fiberglass is that it's more expensive, and if you drop it off the top of your car, you can crack it
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Q.What are key features of the latest recreational kayaks?
A. The latest generation of recreational kayaks are very beamy (wide), shorter and have huge cockpits where thigh contact isn't really an option. These boats feel stable right from the start and are ideal for paddlers who are not in any particular hurry. The industry trend has seen an explosion of interest in these recreational kayaks which provide greater initial stability at the expense of higher performance
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Q. What clothing and accessories are recommended?
A. We typically recommend the following but you need to modify this according to paddling conditions and weather:

• Shirts and shorts made of synthetic blends that wick moisture and dry quickly
• Windbreaker
• Hat or visor
• Sunglasses with strap
• Shoes that you don't mind getting wet
• Change of clothes in a dry bag
• Sunscreen
• Snacks like Power Bars for quick energy
• Drinking water
• Dry set of clothes and footwear for the ride home

Important items we provide to students in the classes:

• Personal flotation device (PFD)
• Paddle
• Paddle float
• Pump and sponge
• Spray skirt
• Chart and compass
• Signal devices (whistle, flashlight, strobe, flares, glow sticks) depending on the paddling location

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Q. What do "beam" and "rocker" mean?
A. The beam of a boat is its width and, generally, the wider the beam the more stable the kayak. To understand rocker, imagine looking at the side profile of a kayak – the more it looks like a banana the more rocker it has and the easier it will be to turn (and, conversely, the greater challenge it will be to paddle straight). On a river with lots of obstacles, you would want a boat with more rocker for quicker turns. On the ocean and for long straight paddles, a kayak with less rocker is preferable.
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Q. What are some features of a safe touring kayak?
A. A boat designed for greater touring distances and a higher degree of safety would have a smaller cockpit, hatches and bulkheads. The smaller cockpit allows for contact with your knees for control. The hatches and bulkheads are designed to be, for the most part, air- and watertight. You can store gear (in dry bags) in these as well as have hundreds of pounds of positive buoyancy should your cockpit fill with water.
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Q. Can I paddle the same boat on rivers and the ocean?
A. You can, but it's all about compromise � and safety. Generally, the shorter the boat the easier it will turn (great for rivers and white water), but the slower you'll be getting from point A to point B. The longer the boat (most sea kayaks) the better it generally tracks and the faster and safer it travels through water.
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Q. How much should I budget for kayaking?
A. You need a boat, gear and clothing. Plastic boats range from $300 to approximately $1300. Fiberglass boats run between $2300 and $2600. Other gear such as a paddle, spray skirt, personal floatation device (PFD), paddle float and pump are very important. This list ranges from about $300 to $800 dollars, depending on specifics. What you wear for clothing is important also (cotton is out, as it absorbs water and will chill you when wet). A roof rack with kayak saddles costs $200 to $300. Short answer is: $1000 to $3000 depending on personal preference and budget.
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Q. How much should safety gear cost?
A. All told, the equipment you need to paddle safely probably would be a $300 to $1000 investment. The best advice for anyone seeking to get into the sport of kayaking would be to take a lesson or day trip with your local outfitter. This would give you a good introduction to kayaking skills as well as provide you with firsthand experience.
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