Kayaking Season

By Andrew Clarke

Summer/Winter Sports Sales Manager

The waterways are opening up and a world of paddling is soon here.  We are receiving our full complement of Kayaks, Canoes and the latest trend Stand-UpPaddleboards (SUPs).  No matter what form of paddling you are looking to start or continue, selecting the right watercraft is the most important step to a summer full of epic stories.

Kayaks are one of the most versatile paddle craft in production.  There are many shapes and sizes that serve different purposes.  While Getting Started looking for your kayak, one of the first things we ask is what seating platform you prefer.  There are two main styles, sit-on-top and sit inside, have very different characteristics.  Sit-on-top kayaks are usually more stable and with an open cockpit, you are able to have full freedom of movement to cast your rod/reel or snap a few photos.  The down side is they tend to weigh 10-20 lbs. more than their sit inside counterparts so transporting to and from the waterway will need to be considered.  Sit inside kayaks offer more mobility and smoother ride when paddling and can get you from Point A to Point B much quicker.  Because sit inside kayaks are lighter, loading and unloading from your vehicle is easier and the sit inside kayak is easier to handle when paddling.

The next option to look closely at is the body/bodies of water you are planning on going to.  Common kayak lengths are between 9’ to 17’ and with each foot, the boat paddles differently.  The general rule (baring hull shape) is the shorter the boat, the easier it is to turn.  Conversely the longer the boat is the better it will track or hold a straight line.  If you are looking for a proper river kayak or a great kid’s boat, the 9’-10’ kayaks like the DaggerZydeco 9.0 are good starting point. The 9’-10’ kayaks are also a good selection due to their lower cost and lighter weight.  Our favorite length range is the 11’-13’ kayaks such as the WildernessSystems Pungo 120.  They are the best all-around boats that work well in rivers and lakes as well as the added dry hatches for storing a mid-paddle lunch or a weekend’s worth of camping gear.  For the larger water ways (Lake Superior) or longer trips, you typically want to start out at 14’ or longer much like the WildernessSystems Tsunami 140 Pro.  These Touring Kayaks have a bulkhead on the bow and stern for maximum storage and track from point A to point B efficiently.

Finally, you will want to look for your ideal weight capacity (you and gear).  All of the kayaks are rated for a recommended maximum weight that will give you an idea for what the kayak can handle.  I for example am 6’4” and 235 lbs.  A 9’ kayak rated for 250 lbs. would be cutting in a little too close for comfort on weight range.  It would also be a little on the short side for leg room, which is why I bought a DaggerAxis 12.0.  It has a weight capacity of 325 lbs. and more than enough leg room for me to paddle comfortably for hours on end and the occasional weekend trip. 

Kayaking is a fantastic sport if you are looking for good exercise and a way to break away from the jogging and bike trails.  If you are one of the try before you buy types, sign up for one of our DemoDays and let us know what you’d like to try.  The demo’s kick off on May 8^th and run through June 7^th at Lake Gervais.

And until next time, GET OUTDOORS!