Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Kayaking Basics Different Styles Of Kayaks - Recreational / Flatwater Kayaks
Recreational
Kayaks
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stable and easy to paddle. These boats are designed for lakes, bays and
slow moving water. Good for beginners, they are short and wide and easy
to turn, but more difficult to paddle in a straight line. Recreational
kayaks come in different sizes for comfort and often have storage areas
for daytrip equipment.
These kayaks, designed for shorter trips, are
shorter and wider than expedition crafts and have less cargo capacity. A
typical single-person boat is 9 to 14 feet long and 23 to 30 inches
wide. A tandem is usually 12 to 15 feet long and 30 to 36 inches wide.
They track reasonably well and are quite maneuverable. Their shape
provides room to shift your legs around and they are easier to get in
and out of. Their smaller size also makes them easier to transport and
store.
Recreational boats are usually made from less
expensive plastic, so they are not as rigid as sea kayaks, but are more
affordable. They are generally not suitable for rough water, but their
short, wide shape provides a stable platform in protected waters for
photography, outings, and family trips. Many day trippers actually have
enough cargo capacity for overnight or multi-day trips, especially if
you're a paddler who packs like a backpacker.
There are so many different kinds of recreational kayaks that there is almost literally something for everybody.
Recreational Kayaks
Recreational kayaks are designed for people without a large range of kayak experience. In fact, recreational kayaks are the kayaks that are used for almost any activity outside of professional sporting events. As a result, there is also a wide range of different types of recreational kayaks. However, most are between 9 and 13 feet long and are a little more stable than the more specialized racing kayaks.
Recreational kayaks can be made out of a large variety of materials - from plastic, to fiberglass, and even inflatable kayaks. Each of the different kayak materials has advantages and disadvantages, however, so you'll have to look more closely at each of the different materials in order to determine which is better for you.
Tandem Kayaks A Tandem Kayak - accommodates two paddlers. History shows that kayaks were originally designed for one person, today we have the choice of the Tandem Kayak "Tandem" simply means: two paddlers in-line.
Tandems are manufactured in a variety of materials, most are rotomolded
plastic, fiberglass, wood, inflatable, or folding. They either have one
large cockpit or two separate, covered deck cockpits. This is simply an
individual preference. A large open cockpit with seats that can be
repositioned for a solo paddler or carry additional gear is a nice
feature. Individual cockpits allow the use of sprayskirts but even
without them, the enclosed deck keeps the paddlers dryer.
Usually, the stronger paddler sits in the stern - the weaker paddler at
the bow to set the paddling pace. If necessary, the weaker paddler
should modify their paddle length to keep pace with the stronger
paddler. The paddling teamwork makes for quick travel.
You might want to consider a rudder - it's a big plus for maneuvering or
to make course corrections. Because of the length and the weight ratio
of two paddlers - Tandems can sometimes be awkward to turn - this also
involves teamwork. To turn a tandem, the paddlers have to paddle on
opposite sides. The paddler in the bow will make a forward stroke - at
the same time, the stern paddler makes a backward stroke on the opposite
side - pivoting the movement together.
A Tandem is a good choice if you're sharing it with other family members.
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