Exploring the Waters: A Guide to Kayaks & Paddle Boards

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Kayaks and paddle boards are a great way to recreate on water. They provide options for exploring tranquil lakes or taking adventurous journeys down mild to roaring rivers, but also for fishing, touring, and racing. For the fun part, you can quickly learn the basics of paddling either craft, often within a day. In this guide, we'll dive into the world of kayaks and paddle boards, exploring the different types, features, and considerations. We’ll start with kayaks, vessels that have existed for thousands of years.

Kayaks

From their invention roughly 5,000 years ago by northern coastal tribes who used them for hunting, kayaks have undergone technical advancements and design variations. Today, many different kayaks are available, each with unique features. Unlike paddle boarding, which requires standing, kayakers are seated with legs stretched forward inside a displacement hull. While paddle boarders use a long paddle with a single blade for propulsion, kayakers also use a double-bladed paddle with a blade attached to each end.

You probably know what you want to do in a kayak, so we can help with tips on choosing the right kayak for your needs. We’ll forego getting into specialized and non-traditional kayaks like surf, diving, and sail kayaks, which are options you can pursue once you have explored the more traditional styles of kayaking. For kayak options available at Murdoch’s, visit this link.

Types of Kayaks

Recreational Kayaks are designed for casual paddling on calm waters and generally near shore. Both sit-inside and sit-on-top models are typically shorter and wider, making them more stable and easier to paddle ꟷ a good choice for beginners and people who want to kayak just for fun. In addition, recreational kayaks are also typically less expensive than other types of kayaks.
Touring & Sea Kayaks are the choice for longer-distance paddling on big lakes, oceans, and easy to moderate rivers. Is there a difference between a touring and sea kayak? Not really. They are frequently lumped into the same category, although different brands will market them as one or the other. However they are branded, these sit-in kayaks are available in shorter lengths but are typically longer and narrower than other types of kayaks, making them faster and more efficient. They are also equipped with hatches to store gear, making them at home in open water and suitable for multi-day trips. They are commonly made of high-performance materials and, as sit-inside kayaks, have features such as spray skirts and hatches to keep the paddler dry. Paddlers who plan to venture among rocks and into rough water should consider a plastic kayak with rocker rather than a streamlined kayak built of expensive materials.
Whitewater Kayaks, also called playboats, are a good choice for experienced paddlers who want to launch into the thrills of challenging conditions like those offered in turbulent rapids and fast-moving rivers. They are typically short and maneuverable sit-in boats with features that help them handle the waves, holes, and currents of rough water.
Folding Kayaks are a good option for people who want to kayak but do not have a lot of storage space. With models designed for casual paddling to lengthy expeditions, they are typically made of lightweight materials, such as plastic or fiberglass, and they can be folded up for easy storage and transport. The main styles include Pakboats, Origami, Skin-on-Frame, Modular (including Nesting), and Inflatable. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the style that is right for you and your means of transport.
Fishing Kayaks are designed for fishing from a kayak. They typically are sit-on-top kayaks with features such as rod holders, livewells, and storage compartments for fishing gear. Fishing kayaks are also stable and maneuverable, making them a good choice for anglers exploring remote areas or fishing in challenging conditions inaccessible by boat.
Tandem Kayaks are specifically designed to enable two people to paddle together, with one person seated in front of the other. These kayaks are crafted with extended length and width to accommodate the weight and space needs of two paddlers. There are various options available, including sit-in, sit-on-top, and high-performance tandem kayaks.

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Useful Terms to Help Understand the Basic Characteristics of Kayaks

Sit-Inside vs. Sit-on-Top: Simply put, sit-inside kayaks are just that: you sit inside them. They have a cockpit enclosed with a spray skirt to cover the lower torso, protecting it from direct exposure to cold water. On the other hand, sit-on-top kayaks have an open cockpit exposing the paddler, legs and all. Obviously, sit-inside kayaks provide more protection from the elements. Also, with the help of braces and thigh pads built inside the kayak, sit-inside kayaks are typically more maneuverable than sit-on-top kayaks, making them a good choice for paddling in rivers and other challenging waters. On the other hand, sit-on-top kayaks are generally more stable and easier to get in and out of than sit-inside kayaks. This makes the sit-on-top a good choice for beginners and for paddling in calm waters.
Water Length: The water length is the distance between the bow and the stern of the kayak. A kayak with a longer water length will be faster, but it will also be more difficult to turn. A kayak with a shorter water length will be slower, but it will also be easier to turn.
Materials: A kayak made of high-performance material, such as carbon fiber, will be lighter, faster, and more durable than a plastic kayak. A lighter kayak will be easier to paddle, but it will also be less stable. However, the heavier plastic kayak can take more abuse over a longer period of time.
Chine: A feature that is more often brought up in whitewater kayaks than other kayak types, the chine refers to the shape or angle of a kayak’s hull where the bottom meets the sides. A kayak with a pronounced chine (hard chine) provides edge control for carving but will also be less stable. A kayak with a less pronounced chine (soft chine) will be more stable and forgiving, but it will also be less maneuverable.
Rocker: Another feature of importance primarily for but not exclusive to a whitewater kayak, rocker refers to the curvature along a kayak’s bottom surface, creating a shape similar to that of a banana placed on a flat surface. The upward-pointing ends of the banana represent the bow and stern of the kayak, while the middle bend corresponds to the portion of the kayak that is in the water. This curvature affects the kayak's maneuverability, allowing for easier turns and better handling in different water conditions. More rocker (a curved banana) enhances maneuverability in rougher conditions, while less rocker (a straight banana) offers improved tracking and speed on flatwater.

Paddle Boards

There are many styles of paddle boards, each a planing hull designed for a specific purpose while skimming across a water surface. Paddled while standing with a long paddle with a single blade, here are some of the most common styles:

Stand-up Paddle Boards (SUP) is the catch-all name for all paddle boards. The most basic is the all-around paddle board, which is also the most versatile. They typically have a wide width and rounded nose, making them stable, easy to paddle, and a good choice for beginners. SUPs are popular for yoga and easy lake or river paddling.
Inflatable Paddle Boards (iSUP) are made of lightweight, inflatable materials, making them easy to transport and store. iSUPs are a good choice for beginners and people who want a portable paddle board. iSUPs are another style with a wide width and a rounded nose, so are stable and easy to paddle in various conditions.
Touring Paddle Boards, like touring and sea kayaks, are designed for fast-paced and long-distance paddling. They are typically longer and narrower than all-around paddle boards, making them faster and more efficient. Touring paddle boards have a pointed nose and tail, which helps them slice through the water. Touring paddle boards also have more storage space for gear.
Surf Paddle Boards take on the surfing side of paddle boarding. They are typically shorter and wider than all-around paddle boards, making them more maneuverable. Surf paddle boards are often featured with a pointed nose and tail, which helps them catch waves. Also, they can be equipped with a softer, more forgiving deck that makes it easier to stand up on.
Race Paddle Boards are – you guessed it! – designed for racing. Very narrow and lightweight with a pointed nose and tail, these racers are fast and efficient, easily slicing through water. Race paddle boards also feature a stiff deck that helps the paddler paddle more efficiently.

When choosing a paddle board, it is important to consider your experience level and the type of paddling you will be doing. If you are a beginner or simply want a paddle board to stroll around ponds and lakes, you will want to choose a board that is stable and easy to paddle, like an all-around or inflatable. If you are an experienced paddler, you may want to choose a touring paddle board for its speed and maneuverability. If you are a skilled paddle boarder looking to up your game, your options are a surf, whitewater, or race paddle board. Other types of paddleboards not mentioned above include the self-described fishing and tandem paddle boards.

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