Buying a Kayak for the Lowcountry Part 1
February 26, 2010Paul Cuenin 1 Comment »In this series of posts we will be covering how to decide on what type of kayak you should get for paddling in the Lowcountry or any saltwater marsh/ocean area. We will go step by step to help you determine which type of boat is best for you.
First let us cover the different types of kayaks that are usually used in the type of paddling we have here in the Lowcountry.
A Wilderness System Tarpon 140 Sit on Top Kayak
Sit On Top Kayaks (SOT): A kayak that has no cockpit. The paddler literally sits on top of the kayak rather than sitting inside of it. A sit on top kayak is used mainly by fisherman, recreational paddlers, and people who enjoy paddling in the surf.
Benefits: It provides a great platform for carrying lots of gear that a fisherman or photographer might enjoy, because of the ample amount of deck space. A sit on top is also great for surf since there is no cockpit to fill with water when paddling through the waves. It also allows you to have your legs out in the open, and can even be used as a swim platform.
Negatives: Less protection from the elements in colder weather, usually less storage hatches then a comparable touring kayak, and also not necessarily as efficient of a hull design as most touring kayaks.
A Perception Prodigy 12 Sit in Kayak
Sit-in Recreational Kayak: a stable kayak with a large cockpit which provides for ease of entry and exit. Recreational kayaks are usually paddled in protected water situations.
Benefits: Stability, easy to get into and out of, and a great way to start paddling. They are best for short to medium trips were you are not fighting heavy tides or currents. They provide a very stable platform for photography, bird watching , or kayak fishing. Being a sit-in they also provide protection for the paddler from the elements.
Negatives: Not as fast or efficient as a comparable touring kayak, since the boats are usually wider they do not respond to shifting body weight to effect handling or turn quicker.
A Current Designs Storm GT Touring Sit in Kayak
Sit-in Touring Kayak: a long and narrower kayak that is paddled in oceans or lakes often for extended periods of time. The paddler sits inside a Touring kayak. Touring kayaks often contain storage compartments and other accessories to accommodate gear.
Benefits: The most efficient type of kayak, also the most seaworthy. It can also carry the most amount of gear for overnight or multi-day trips. It is also usually designed for good handling and fit, but the boat has to match the paddlers height, and size so that the paddler and boat act as one.
Negatives: Touring Kayaks usually have less initial stability because it helps handling, and efficiency of the hull design. They are stable though you just have to lean the boat over a little to feel it try to correct itself. They are usually over 14 feet long which can make transportation, and some maneuvering in small marsh creeks a little tricky.
A Wilderness Systesm Commander 120 Hybrid Design Kayak
Hybrid Kayaks: Has the seating of a kayak with the open hull design of a canoe. It allows lots of storage, freedom of movement, but with the low center of gravity and stability inherent of a sit-in kayak.
Benefits: Stability, storage capacity, and freedom of movement. The Hybrid Kayak often have a pontoon or cathedral style hull that allows the paddler to stand-up for casting, photography, or stand-up paddling. They also are usually very easy to turn or maneuver because they are wider, and shorter in general.
Negatives: Less Seaworthy because of the open style of the boats. Also usually not the most efficient hull at speed because of its width, and complex hull design.
Well, there you have the four major types of boats that are used in the lowcountry or any saltwater marsh/ ocean area. Hopefully all of this information will help you to understand the major differences of these boats, and what their designs usually mean for the paddler.
In the next installment HERE we cover boat length, width, and materials. Stay tuned, and please let us know any other questions you have!
Posted on April 10th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
[...] In this 2nd part of our series of posts we will be covering how to decide on what type of kayak you should get for paddling in the Lowcountry or any saltwater marsh/ocean area. We will go step by step to help you determine which type of boat is best for you. If you missed the first installment check it out here! [...]