Choosing a Kayak

There are basically 2 types of kayaks.
They are Sit On Tops (SOT) and Sit In Kayaks (SIK). Each type has models that paddlewell. For our purpose we will concentrate on the Sit On Tops (SOT) as they are more generally more popular because of their ease of use and safety factors.

Plastic v Fiberglass - Myth Busting *
Probably the most confusing aspect for anyone new to the kayak market is the choice between the two major materials used - Plastic (usually a type of polyethylene) or Fiberglass (this can cover all kinds of composite mixes including Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber and Kevlar). I will try to briefly cover the most commonly asked questions and maybe put to rest some common misconceptions, especially about Plastic which has gathered some interesting urban myths.

Plastic is not repairable - the most blatant untruth, repeated confidently, loudly and ... duh .. wrong! You can. Surprise yourself - go and look in the Yellow Pages at the entries under PLASTIC, besides the fascinating quantity of plastic related pages, you will find a listing for Plastic Repairs. Myth Busted. I only know of two plastic repairs in the last 3 years, one on a very old kayak and one on a very new kayak. Both were undertaken by Bumper Repair specialist listed in the telephone directory at a very reasonable cost. Now look under the heading of Fiberglass just to be even handed.

Plastic is heavy - well yes it can be, but let us be fair, so can Fiberglass. In the mid range of kayaks the average weight in both materials is around 25 kgs. But hold on - is heavy always bad? No - quite the opposite. Whatever the material, I believe that all kayaks for recreational use should not be too light - weight gives the vehicle a solid footprint in the water and, with the right design, a stability that is both forgiving and comforting for the beginner. That said - I have never come across a plastic that can match a Carbon kayak for strength, rigidity and lightness - and how sexy is that black?

Plastic is unbreakable - well, no, it isn't. But it is VERY robust and that is definitely a plus if you are launching or paddling in rocky areas. In our particular area (Cape Point, False Bay) envy is evident when the plastics freely explore the rock gardens and play between boulders in the deep swells. But in reality do composite kayaks break in crucial circumstances? There are pictures of surf skis broken in the shore break, and K1s in the river, in every issue of SA Paddler magazine but my composite sea kayak has survived many a knock. In my experience the worst damage I have seen has been caused by transportation mishaps. And here is something interesting - some Fiberglass kayaks are not as repairable as you may think. Composites using "sandwich" technology are not always able to be repaired to their original specifications.

Plastic fades when exposed to sunlight - this is actually true of the early plastics (they have been around for more than 25 years) but plastic technology has moved on, with most plastics these days having better UV protection as part of their chemical make-up. Fiberglass kayaks also suffer from colour loss due to excessive exposure to sunlight. My recommendation is protect all your gear, no matter what the material.

In conclusion - Plastic technology has, and continues, to improve - as has the composite industry and maybe plastic competition has had some part in that. Mass produced plastics have brought the cost of getting onto the water, within the reach of a wider audience. Plastic has brought us bright visible colours and has introduced a whole new level of recreational craft. But a word of caution - you get what you pay for. Cheap finishing and materials can ruin the best design - irrespective of the material.

* (Article published by www.paddlers.co.za – a leading kayak supply and adventure company based in Simons Town)

What makes a kayak a good fishing kayak?
Fishermen often have needs that may be different than someone who is out strictly to paddle. Some of the basic features that fisherman prefer in a kayak are stability, storage, and enough flat surfaces to bolt on fishing extras such as rod holders and fish finders. Performance and maneuverability, while important to many, may not be the primary factors in choosing your first fishing kayak.
Start your decision process by answering some basic questions which will help you narrow down the kayak models that are most appropriate for you.

1. First consider you.
What are your height, weight, inseam measurements and general condition? If you're a big or very tall person, there are certain kayaks that will suit you better. In fact, this will make your decision easier because finding the right kayak will be more a matter of finding one that handles your size and weight more than anything else. Look for kayaks with lots of leg-room and a weight capacity that will handle you and your gear.
If you're a small to average sized person getting a kayak that's big, heavy, and has a 200 kg capacity probably isn't your best choice. But if you're going to fish in the ocean, a very small kayak wouldn't be the best choice either. As you'll see choosing a kayak can be a compromise of sorts. As you read on, consider the different factors and consider them while making your choice.

2. What vehicle are you going to use to transport your kayak?
If you're using the back of a pickup truck, a bigger, heavier kayak isn't a problem. If you have a large SUV, like a 4X4 station wagon, you should be conscious of the kayak's weight because it will take some extra effort to get the kayak on and off of the roof of such a vehicle. The bottom line is that if your kayak is easy for you to load and unload you will use it more often.

4. What fishing methods do you like to use?
Do you only use one style? Do you use artificial lures, fish with bait and live bait, or both? Do you need room for a live-well? Do you plan on anchoring and chumming?  Do you fly fish?  Do you drop-shot?  Do you troll?  The type of gear you plan on attaching and taking along is going to affect your decision. The way you fish can affect which kayaks are going to better suit your needs.

5. What type of fisherman are you?
Are you strictly a catch and release fisherman, do you like to take the occasional meal home, or are you regularly taking fish home? Where are you going to store your catch?  Are you really going to catch 5 fish weighing 20kgs plus every time you launch?   Is there sufficient room and storage in the kayak you have selected?

Stability: Fishermen do something in a kayak that most people don't - they fish. Therefore having a relatively stable platform can be very important, especially to a person who is new to the sport and new to kayaks. When kayakers discuss stability they talk about 2 types. Initial and secondary stability. Initial stability is the side-to-side wobble that you feel when you sit in a kayak. Secondary stability is when the kayak is nearing its point of tipping and how much forgiveness it has before you actually tip.

Many recreational kayaks that are used for fishing have tremendous initial stability but have a very abrupt secondary. When they reach their secondary limit you're literally dumped. Conversely there are kayaks that wobble like mad but are very forgiving when they come to the tip point. Most recreational fishing kayaks have a good compromise of both initial and secondary stability.

Since you sit on or near the floor of a SIK they tend to seem more stable. In Sot’s you sit on the kayak and since it has a double hull you also sit higher. This higher sitting position can initially make a SOT seem less stable. If you have a SOT and a SIK that are the same length and width the SIK will probably be more stable. Because of this SOT designers tend to make their kayaks wider. So no matter which style you choose there will be a model that you will feel comfortable in.

Initial stability can seem more important to beginners and secondary stability more important to seasoned kayakers. It makes sense. The beginner hasn't developed a sense of balance yet. It's a lot like learning how to ride a bicycle. When you start out it's new so you think about it more. After a short while it becomes second nature and you don't think about it at all.

Speed: Generally, the longer and narrower a kayak the faster it is. SIKs are usually faster, however there are fast SOTs too. Speed is only important if you need it. If the majority of your fishing is close to shore behind the backline or in small, protected areas, then you probably won't need a long fast kayak. However, if you're fishing a big lake or in the open ocean, the ability to cover long distances faster may be very important to you.

Maneuverability: If you're going to fish in small rivers or narrow streams, you'll probably want a kayak that is easy to maneuver. A long fast touring kayak will be more difficult to use in these situations and might take away from your overall fishing experience. A shorter SOT will suit you better in these types of environments. On big waters making a sharp turn usually isn't crucial so a longer kayak is not a problem.

Accessory Friendly: One of the joys of kayak fishing is converting a simple recreational kayak into a very effective and compact fishing vessel. This is done by adding fishing accessories. How much you add depends largely on your fishing style and your philosophy on gear. Some fishermen just take a rod and a few lures along and others like to bring lots of gear along. No matter what your preference, simply adding one rod holder will greatly increase the fish ability of your kayak. Lots of flat surfaces are nice for mounting accessories.  Fitting accessories and drilling holes in plastic is easily done without compromising the warranty of the product.

Storage: Fishermen tend to take a lot of gear with them. Organizing this gear requires that the kayak you have chosen has adequate storage. It doesn't have to be a lot, but it's nice to have a few different places to put your stuff. SOT kayaks have a double hull which means there is a lot of potential storage below the deck. Depending on your needs this may be very important to you. Maybe you plan on camping or making long journeys in your kayak. This large relatively dry storage area may appeal to you. If you plan on launching your kayak through the surf this space will allow you to stow rods bellow deck which will keep them safe while you pass through the surf zone.  Milk crates and other plastic containers can also be used for external storage.  They fit into the rear tank-wells of many kayaks.

Fishing Logistics: Kayak fishing takes place in many different environments, from large dams, bays, harbors, and the open ocean, but many of us fish some very small waters too. A small shallow river can be very easily fished with a short, lightweight kayak. Such a kayak will be easier to negotiate around obstacles such as logs, log jams, rocks, waterfalls & spillways, fast water, and rocky shallows. There will be times when you need to carry or drag your kayak around, over, or through these places. In these types of situations a smaller and lighter plastic kayak is the better choice.  However, too small a kayak will limit you to smaller bodies of water.

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