{"id":15319,"date":"2020-04-03T18:08:47","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T18:08:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/?p=15319"},"modified":"2022-09-19T20:43:32","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T20:43:32","slug":"4-types-kayaks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/company-news\/4-types-kayaks\/","title":{"rendered":"The 4 Types of Kayaks: A beginning paddler\u2019s guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

No matter which type of kayak you end up with, you\u2019re sure to enjoy the unique freedom and adventure that has made kayaking one of America\u2019s favorite pastimes. We\u2019ll show you the best kayak for beginners, experts and everyone in between. Keep reading for a rundown on the 4 main types to see which is right for you.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The feeling of gliding through the open water \u2013 sometimes peacefully, sometimes propelled by the full force of nature \u2013 is one of the many things that have experienced paddlers and newbies alike flocking to kayak retailers in record numbers.<\/p>\n

Kayaking is growing in popularity, with an estimated 16.4 million<\/a> Americans participating in kayaking in some form during 2018. And these aren\u2019t all just fairweather fans \u2013 the average kayaker goes on seven kayak outings per year.<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got your eye on a lightweight adventure-vessel<\/a> of your own, you\u2019re in the right place. In this article, we\u2019ll review the four different types of kayaks to help find the right one for you, plus some advice for shipping your boat of choice<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What are the two categories of kayaks?<\/h3>\n

There are two categories of kayaks; sit-on-top kayaks and sit-in kayaks. Categories indicate the position of the paddler, while types more specifically identify each kayak\u2019s use and best environment.<\/p>\n

Sit-on-top Kayaks<\/strong>
\nFor most beginners and casual kayakers, sit-on-top kayaks are the preferable choice. In general, these kayaks are easy to get in and out of, stable and comfortable. Because you\u2019re sitting just above the water, you should expect to get at least a little wet while paddling in a sit-on-top kayak.<\/p>\n

Sit-in Kayaks<\/strong>
\nThese kayaks are generally built for longer distance paddling. They\u2019re generally straight, long and contain a covered area for cargo. Sit-in kayaks can be better than sit-on-top ones in rough water because they\u2019re more efficient to paddle and give you greater control.
\nWithin the two categories, there are 4 main types of kayaks.<\/p>\n

The 4 Different Types of Kayaks<\/h3>\n

1.<\/strong>\u00a0Recreational (Sit-in)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"type
\nRecreational boats are some of the most common types of kayak, thanks to their versatility and stability. Sometimes, they\u2019re categorized more generally simply as \u201csit-on-top kayaks.\u201d They\u2019re great for beginners thanks to their wide girth and closed cockpit.<\/p>\n

There are many variations of recreational kayaks, such as those built for fishing. Some come with fishing rod holders, but those that don\u2019t can usually be outfitted if fishing is a priority. If you\u2019re looking for a refreshing dip, these kayaks allow easy entry and exit both in and out of the water.<\/p>\n

For the casual kayaker, a recreational kayak offers stability, affordability and plenty of fun.<\/p>\n

2. Touring (Sit-in)
\n\"type<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re more serious about your paddling, a touring kayak may fit the bill. They\u2019re usually more narrow and longer than recreational kayaks \u2013 at least 12 feet. This makes them much more capable of smoothly cutting through the water.<\/p>\n

Touring kayaks have a small cockpit opening and thigh braces to help with stability and control. Traditional Touring kayaks are built for long-distance paddling and have a rudder for smoother, more precise control. They can be cumbersome and difficult to transport and store, so a possible alternative is a day touring kayak.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day touring kayaks are typically shorter than touring kayaks, making them easier to transport and store, while offering a similarly smooth ride. For paddlers hoping for something a little more advanced than a beginner\u2019s boat, the day touring kayak may be a great balance between the convenience of a recreational and the performance of a touring kayak.<\/p>\n

3. Inflatable\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"inflatable
\nIf you\u2019re wild about paddling, but don\u2019t have the storage space to match, you can always consider an inflatable kayak. The recreational versions of inflatable kayaks are intended to be used pretty casually \u2013 think: a fun day hopping in and out of the kayak with the family near the shore and not much more. Inflatable recreational kayaks aren’t especially strong or reliable, so be sure to understand what you’re getting if you go this route.<\/p>\n

Inflatable whitewater kayaks, however, are quite robust and offer some uniquely appealing features. For paddlers hoping to dip their toes in the excitement of whitewater, an inflatable boat is an easy step up that comes with the benefit of a seriously compact size for storage. Typically, inflatable whitewater kayaks are roomy, stable and affordable.<\/p>\n

4. Whitewater<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"whitewater\"
\nWhen you picture the really exciting, fast-paced kind of kayaking you see on postcards, you\u2019re probably thinking of whitewater kayaking. These short, flat-fronted boats are built to take on rapids, making them some of the most stable kayak types on the water.<\/p>\n

You might find that whitewater kayaks could really be a class of their own \u2013 there are many types, specially made for specific conditions or activities.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve decided you\u2019re ready for a whitewater kayak, it\u2019s worth visiting a shop with an experienced paddler who can give suggestions based on exactly what you want to do with your kayak.<\/p>\n

Now that you know the four types of kayaks by name, you’re well on your way. Whether you decide on a recreational kayak for a breezy day out, or are ready to dive into the adventure of whitewater, there\u2019s a perfect kayak out there for you. With a little preparation, a paddle (or, pedals), and a lot of enthusiasm you\u2019ll be set to start cruising through the water.<\/p>\n

Need to ship a kayak? Click below to find competing rates now or see our guide<\/a>:<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

No matter which type of kayak you end up with, you\u2019re sure to enjoy the unique freedom and adventure that has made kayaking one of America\u2019s favorite pastimes. We\u2019ll show you the best kayak for beginners, experts and everyone in between. Keep reading for a rundown on the 4 main types to see which is… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":15382,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-company-news"],"acf":{"blog_post_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"blog_post_entry_footer","blog_post_entry_footer_cta":[{"blog_post_entry_footer_cta_url":"www.uship.com\/ship?r6727742","blog_post_entry_footer_cta_text":"Find Quotes Now","blog_post_entry_footer_onclick":""}]}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15319\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogstag.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}