Across the country, avid kayakers anticipate the arrival of warmer weather every year, marking the start of boating season. If you’re one of them or new to the sport completely, you must find the right boat and accessories for your needs and abilities. Depending on the water conditions, kayaking can be a relaxing pastime, allowing you to float and gently paddle in calm waters. Or, it can be an invigorating workout, especially if winds pick up and stir up waves on the water. No matter the conditions, you need to be prepared with the ideal kayak, life jackets and other gear, all of which you can find at Tractor Supply.
Sit-In vs. Sit-On vs. Inflatable Kayaks
When shopping for kayaks, one of the more important decisions to make is the type of kayak you want, including sit-in, sit-on and inflatable options. Each one is designed to allow for easier kayaking, depending on where and how you use it.
Sit-on Kayaks
Sit-on kayaks are exactly as they sound – kayaks that you sit on versus sit into. They’re designed without designated cockpit areas, meaning you sit flat onto the kayak instead of inside of it. This allows you to get in and out of your boat with ease, making them ideal for fishing or spending days out on the water. If this is your first-time kayaking, a sit-on model might help you better adjust to balancing on the water.
These types of kayaks are also self-bailing, constructed with scupper holes that provide ample water drainage to keep you safe and stable. Sit-on kayaks are best for warm, hot days on the lake or river when you need a refreshing splash.
Sit-in Kayaks
Sit-in kayaks are your more classic type of kayak, featuring a small cockpit area for riders to climb into. This provides protection from water around the sides, meaning you’ll stay much drier in this type of boat compared to sit-on options. You can also find other accessories, such as spray skirts, to add a waterproof cover to your cockpit area, keeping water from entering your space.
While it may not look it, these types of kayaks are roomy and spacious, giving you a comfortable ride. They’re also easier to paddle than other boat types, as their design offers a lower center of gravity.
Inflatable Kayaks
Maybe you’re a beginner kayaker and want to try out the sport before buying a whole setup. Or do you love to kayak but find that you don’t have room to store one? Inflatable kayaks are an ideal alternative, offering lightweight durability and easier transporting than other types. To use them, simply fill them up with air before getting into the water, and then deflate them once you’re all done. This allows for easy storing in your car, garage or other spaces when not in use.
Kayak Length and Width
Another important aspect to think about when shopping for a kayak is the length and width, with different measurements working better for various water conditions. For example, recreational kayaks are designed for use in small lakes, creeks and rivers with calmer water conditions, measuring around 8 to 13 feet long. Their size makes them easier to maneuver through passageways or inlets.
Touring kayaks, on the other hand, are built longer, around 14 to 18 feet, and are better for taking on larger rivers or lakes, as well as big waves. In general, you want to keep in mind that the narrower and longer your kayak is, the straighter and faster it will glide. However, it also won’t be as stable. If you’re a beginner, opt for a kayak with a wider and shorter shape, providing more stability and allowing for easier turns in the water.
Alongside length and width, you must also think about your own height, especially if you’re going with a sit-in design. Your height will determine the length of kayak you need and how well you fit into it when you climb aboard. You’ll want to choose a boat length that accommodates your height comfortably while still giving you the gliding and steering power you need on the water. You can also find accessories, such as adjustable footrests, to ensure you fit securely and well into your setup.
Different Hull Shapes
Next, you must consider the hull shape of your kayak, which can affect how it performs and stays in the water. The two types of stability your boat should have include:
- Primary stability, which tells you how stable it is when getting into the boat
- Secondary stability, which highlights the stability of your boat when paddling
Kayaks with primary stability have a lesser chance of flipping once you step into them and sit down, and secondary stability ensures you won’t roll over after paddling begins. Keep this information in mind when looking at different hull shapes:
- Flat hulls: Ideal for beginners, these kayaks come with a flatter hull, offering primary stability in flat water conditions, and allowing for easy maneuverability.
- Chine: This refers to how the sides of your boat meet the bottom, with some options featuring soft chine with a rounder shape, or harder chine with sharper angles. Softer chines deliver more secondary stability; however, most kayaks use a multi-chine hull.
- Rounded hulls: These feature a rounder hull shape, giving boats better secondary stability and control, and allowing them to tread faster through water.
- Pontoons: These combine the secondary stability provided by rounder hull shapes with the primary stability that flat hulls provide, but they may be slower on the water than other types.
- V-shaped hulls: These come in a sharp V-shape, making them great for traveling in straight lines across long distances; however, they also offer the least primary stability with better secondary stability.
Weight Capacity
Every kayak is designed with a suitable maximum weight capacity, which you must follow to ensure a safe, stable ride through the water. When looking at your kayak’s weight capacity, you should think about all that you plan on putting into it. Are you going on a trip in your fishing kayak? You’ll need your gear, including fishing poles, coolers and baits.
The weight of the items you are bringing, as well as yourself, should all be considered when finding a kayak with the right weight capacity. Many models have this information clearly stated on the packaging, so be sure to pay extra attention when browsing your options.
Number of Riders
Are you someone who enjoys being alone in nature to truly appreciate all that it offers? Or maybe kayaking is a bonding experience for you and a loved one to enjoy together. Regardless, you must have the right type of kayak to achieve your ideal boating experience.
If you’re planning on going solo, opt for a single person kayak, which is designed to be lighter and smaller so you can take sharp turns, maneuver through tight spots and easily steer around hazards, such as tree branches or rocks. Its narrower hull makes it simpler to control, and solo riding means you can go at whatever pace you feel most comfortable.
But not everyone likes to be alone, and maybe you would rather experience the serenity of nature with a friend. In this case, you must have a tandem kayak, featuring two seats so both riders can sit comfortably.
The seats can come in either front-and-rear or side-by-side configurations, and kayaks feature wider and longer constructions, allowing for more stability as both riders enter the boat and begin paddling. This design also makes tandem kayaks ideal for taking on calm waters and scenic rivers or lakes over long distances. These types of kayaks may be better for those just starting out in the sport, as they’re more stable to give you added confidence in the water.
Do You Need Storage?
While some people only need a place to store their backpack during adventures, others may want added storage features to carry all they need with them. Whether you’re looking for something large enough to hold all your fishing gear, or need space to store your life vests and kayak paddles, sit-in kayaks are your best option, as they have built-in cockpits and higher heights, offering plenty of space to store various items.
Sit-in kayaks can come with hull storage, featuring hatches and compartments designed directly into the hull so you can securely store anything, from food to extra clothes to camping equipment. The enclosed construction of these kayaks also helps to keep your items dry on adventures, even while navigating rough and patchy waters. This is great for those taking longer trips, which require you to have dry clothes and items to stay comfortable.
Accessories for Transport and Safety
The last aspect you must think about before purchasing a kayak is how you’re going to transport it, as well as safety accessories. To transport your boat, you must have a boat-compatible trailer, which attaches to your personal or recreational vehicle so you can haul your kayak to your next adventure with ease. Kayaks are also lightweight, meaning you can also carry them atop your car using a kayak rack. Additionally, you will need a set of straps and tie downs to further secure kayaks onto vehicles and trailers.
Some states may require you to have specific safety accessories on board while kayaking, including life jackets. But when it comes to outdoor exploring, you never know what may come your way. Because of this, you must be prepared with other safety tools, such as fog horns or whistles that’ll alert people nearby if you fall into trouble, as well as a flashlight for visibility for low light conditions.
Tread the Open Waters with a Kayak from Tractor Supply
Kayaks give us the opportunity to explore nature from a different perspective, allowing you to roam where humans don’t usually go. This means if you want to feel connected with nature, kayaking can give you just that – offering a means for seeing new sights and making lasting memories. Luckily, you can find all the kayaks and accessories you need at our store and online, including folding kayaks and pedal kayaks. For more information about our products, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.