A Kayak Primer for Boaters

February-March 2005

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
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by Chris Ladner

Tony Dales’ catamaran mothership on a westcoast winters day.
© Photo courtesy of Kaymaran Adventure Tours.

THE RIGHT KAYAK

Adding kayaks to the deck of a power or sailboat is the perfect way to combine recreational activities, allowing boaters to enjoy the quiet exploration of anchorages and surrounding areas. But kayaks come in all shapes and sizes, so choosing the right craft is key.

First you need to consider who will be kayaking. Plastic or fiberglass recreational kayaks are a good place to start if several people will be using them. They are smaller (8 to 10 feet), have a larger cockpit opening (easier to get in and out from a swim grid or ladder) and are wider (more stable) than touring kayaks. If the kayaks are to be your personal crafts, then smaller cockpits will offer the advantage of better boat control and speed as you gain experience. If young kids are to be considered, then an open cockpit, double kayak in which an adult and child could paddle together is a good option. But being the least expensive on the market, most recreational kayaks offer few performance features.

Moving up in size to recreational touring kayaks (10 to 14 feet), features become available, such as hatches, rudders, built-in flotation, deck lines, comfortable seats, etc. The longer waterline provides better tracking (going in a straight line) and speed. These features are great if you know that you will be paddling for half day or more

Touring kayaks (14 to 20 feet) are designed to provide better performance for more serious paddlers. They offer the greatest efficiency and the most features, but being larger boats, they take up more deck space and require more skill to use..

Sit-on-top kayaks offer versatility for all ages and abilities. These craft are best suited for warmer climates and have limited use in colder waters. You can get wet with these, so dress for immersion!

The amount of deck space on your boat is a key criteria in choosing kayaks. If you have limited space, a folding kayak may be ideal. A folding kayak fits into a duffle bag which is easily stored below, but you will need some deck space to assemble it, and assembly generally takes around 20 minutes. These boats vary considerably in price, with the single chamber, all-inflatable type being the least expensive. Higher quality ones have a wood or aluminium frame and last longer. Internal frame folding kayaks offer the most performance and are very seaworthy.

Hard shell kayaks, such as plastic or fiberglass (or the more expensive and lighter kevlar or carbon) are maintenance free, durable and easy to use. Wooden and wood/skin kayaks tend to be lighter and often come in kit form for the home builder, but need somewhat more care. Recreational kayaks are generally constructed of plastic for ruggedness and economy.

Glacier Bay Cruiseline carries a fleet of double kayaks. © Photo courtesy of Glacier Bay Cruiseline: www.glacierbaycruiseliine.com.

Stability is the design feature most sought after by novices and is mostly a function of width. Generally, wider kayaks are more stable but slower. Narrower kayaks are speedier but also tippier. Stable kayaks range from 24” to 32” wide whereas higher performance kayaks are from 20” to 23” wide.

Shorter kayaks turn more easily than longer ones. Short is great when you are poking around the shoreline, but if you want to cover distance, a longer, narrower kayak provides more speed and better tracking.

Recreational kayaks often require inflatable buoyancy bags to augment built-in buoyancy, so be sure to check with your retailer. Hatches to store gear and provide buoyancy are more common on full size touring kayaks where bulkheads seal off the front and rear of the kayak. This means that you never have to remember to inflate buoyancy bags. But remember that hatches should be properly closed and sealed before heading off.

Another consideration is bow design. With a wider, upswept bow the kayak will ride up and over waves. Short kayaks tend to deliver a wetter ride than longer ones.

Rudders are a nice, optional feature in many recreational kayaks, enabling you to turn easily and maintain course by steering with your feet. Skegs are non-turning fins that can be deployed from the cockpit. They function something like rudders, helping to correct a kayak’s tendency to weathercock, a characteristic common with shorter kayaks. Skegs are usually found on intermediate level kayaks, with fixed foot pedals to enhance your paddling performance. Skegs or rudders are advisable if you’re going to be paddling a lot.

Other essential deck fittings are shock cords behind the cockpit for a paddlefloat rescue—slip your paddle under them to act as an outrigger support, with a flotation device attached to the other end of your paddle. This is how you get back into the kayak if you have tipped and need to re-enter without assistance. Shock cords in front of the cockpit are handy for securing charts and waterbottle for easy access.

Seats usually have an adjustment control for the backrest. There are also many products for padding the seat if you need it, but the only way to tell degree of comfort is to sit in one yourself.

OTHER EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED

A sprayskirt fits around your body and seals onto the cockpit rim. Its purpose is to keep water out of the kayak—not to keep you in! Sprayskirts are designed to fit a specific cockpit size and should fit snugly, but anybody using a sprayskirt must know how to remove it in the event of a capsize.

A paddling PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is shorter than a normal PFD. It usually has pockets and handy attachments. You should attach a whistle to the zipper-pull so you can signal others if you get into trouble. Always wear your PFD because it’s hard to get into it once you’re in the water.

Paddles are the most important piece of performance equipment. A well-designed, lightweight paddle will make the paddling experience pleasurable. If many different people will be using your kayaks, then go for the economical, plastic-bladed ones. But if it’s to be your personal paddle, then the lighter the better (carbon fiber is best). Be sure it’s a two-part paddle so it stows easily in the kayak or below decks in your big boat. The paddle blade and length should be sized for its intended use, so consult your local retailer for advice. Be sure to also carry a spare paddle, or at least a half paddle, just in case you happen to get separated from your main paddle (as in a capsize situation).

You will need a hand pump to bail the kayak in the event of a capsize. A flotation collar will keep the pump afloat. Keep the pump handy under the deck shock cords along with your paddlefloat.

Fifteen meters of buoyant heaving line is required on all small craft. Keep the line accessible in a proper throw bag with secure attachments. A small waterproof bag is also handy for storing spare clothes and a few emergency supplies just in case (first aid kit, energy snack, matches, etc). You won’t be able to access the hatches once you’re on the water, so having a few things handy in your cockpit helps.

A waterproof flashlight or another light source will help you remain visible to bigger boaters in low light conditions. A variety of options are usually available in paddling shops. And if you get serious about paddling by yourself, a waterproof, handheld VHF radio enables you to keep in contact with your mothership.

You can transport your own little ‘yacht club’ with you. Alan Wilson photo.

TOWING YOUR KAYAKS

Kayaks do not tow well. They tend to surf a boat’s wake, go broadside and flip. Two kayaks will tow better than one if they are lashed together at the bow and stern, creating a catamaran shape. The best plan for towing is to put them inside your dinghy if you don’t have enough room on the deck.

STORING KAYAKS

Usually the best place for carrying kayaks is on top of the cabin, well secured on a proper rack. Plastic kayaks can bend in the sun, even if covered to reduce UV damage. Dents occur when boats sit on a narrow support, so it’s best to store your kayaks in a cradle that has broad supports. Composite kayaks will not dent. If you plan to store your kayaks on your boat’s lifelines, their bottoms should face outwards. Cockpits should be covered with a secure cover.

KAYAKING WITH KIDS

Children love to paddle kayaks, but adult supervision is recommended. Kids between 2 and 4 years should be in the lap of an adult in a double. Between 4 and 8 years they can be in the front of a double. To be in a cockpit by themselves, however, they need to be able to pull their own sprayskirt free of the cockpit rim. Most kids 8 to 12 years old can master this and paddle a single kayak for a short period. From 12 years old they can use their own kayak for extended periods. Summer kayaking camps for kids provide useful training to develop the appropriate safety skills. Of course, well fitting PFDs are absolutely essential.

KNOWING MORE

Taking lessons is a great idea. You will want to learn how to make the kayak go forward, backward and turn. Then you will want to learn how to tip over and get back in with someone’s help and then by yourself. Experienced boaters probably already have good skills of chart reading, weather interpretation, tide tables, and using a compass. But there are many good books and videos available which offer great insights into every aspect of paddling, including self and assisted rescues. (See Books under Paddling Resources on the WaveLength website, www.WaveLengthMagazine.com, or at your local paddling shop.)

Anyone can make a kayak go. Knowing how to paddle proficiently and safely requires some training and practice, so be sure to check out the courses available in your area.