Make your own and save money!

Wooden kayaks can be both bought commercially or built by yourself. There are many great companies out there who craft beautiful looking wooden kayaks. They are well worth the look. However more and more people are looking into making their own kayaks. There are many reasons for why people are choosing this option.

The main benefit to building your own wooden kayak is the cost savings you can make. It is much cheaper to build your own kayaks than buying an expensive ready made one. Building your own kayak also gives you a sense of achievement and lets you completely customize the kayak to your needs.
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Sprint kayaks are essentially racing kayaks and are typically used by very experienced kayakers. These types of kayaks are harder to keep upright and are not a kayak someone would start out with.

Sprint kayaks are designed to be fast. They make use of a slim line design and engineered to help cut through the water. The aim is to create as little drag on the water as possible however the design means that these types of kayaks overturn easily.

It is important to note at this point that there are different types of sprint kayaks. If you are not part of a team then you will need to get your own. This can be expensive. Spirit kayaks are custom by nature so you should do your research first. If it’s your first sprint kayak then you might want to try and get a design that offers a bit of stability.
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Perfect for beginners.

The sit on top kayak, as the name suggests, is designed to have the user sit on top of the kayak seat. Traditionally users sit with inside a kayak. This design means that users don’t need a spray skirt. This design makes them easy to use and perfect for children and beginners.

Sit on top kayaks are designed to be wider than your average kayak. This provides a great level of stability and in turn makes them harder to tip over. This design also means in some cases that they can hold much more than a traditional kayak. This is particularly important in some regions.
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Sea kayaks are small seaworthy boats that feature a covered deck and the ability to incorporate a spraydeck. This makes the less maneuverable than your standard white water kayak however it provides much more storage and cargo space. Sea kayaks are also easier to paddle in a straight line and provide comfort for those longer journeys.

Sea kayaking has become a popular vocational activity as it is easy to pickup and can be enjoyed by the whole family. These types of kayaks can be hired relatively cheaply however they are expensive to buy.

Sea kayaks are used throughout the world but are particularly popular in North America. There are many sheltered bays in this region, which provide good kayaking conditions and allow people to take in the great views.
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Plastic kayaks are often affordable, widely available and offer a great level of stability. They are often the cheapest on the market and are easily maintained.

There are two types of plastic kayaks. These include blow-molded kayaks and roto-molded kayaks. Blow molded kayaks tend to sturdy and resistant to scuffs. This is because of the special protection applied to them. The roto-molded kayaks often light weight and more flexible which makes them perfect for white water kayaking.

If you are someone who occasionally kayaks or takes the odd kayaking break then a plastic kayak can be perfect. The more experienced user who likes white water touring might find that plastic kayaks are not the best option. This is because they are susceptible to scuffing and in turn create drag. This will slow down your performance.
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Inflatable kayaks tend to look a bit like an inflatable dingy but yet providing a surprisingly sturdy performance. These types of kayaks are sometimes referred to as the ducky and can be transported by hand using a carrier bag.

An inflatable kayak has to be pumped up before use using a foot pump and almost always require less than 3 psi. This means that they require little pressure. The quality of inflatable kayaks can also range widely. At the more expensive end you can get kayaks that are designed to be hard and seaworthy. At the lower end of the scale you will find kayaks that are built for calm waters and occasional use. A professional or enthusiast would tend not use this type of kayak.
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The folding kayak is a descendent of the Inuit kayak and is traditionally made from animal skin and wood. Modern folding kayaks tend to be made up of plastic or a wooden or metal frame and a tough fabric skin. Folding kayaks have become extremely popular as they are readily available and are almost unsinkable. This is because of the air chambers that are built into the hull of the kayak.

Folding kayaks are well known for their durability, longevity and stability. You might think that folding kayaks are a new conception but in fact you will see folding kayaks dating back to the 1930’s and 1940’s on the waterways.
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Lightweight and versatile kayaks.

Fiberglass kayaks are highly regarded amongst kayak enthusiasts because of their versatility and ability to hold their shape. Fiberglass is extremely strong and its lightweight properties mean that owners can transport these types of kayaks easily. A must for any regular.

Lightweight kayaks are also great in the water. These kayaks adapt well to rapids and are much easier and quicker to paddle. Many people use these types of kayaks for touring and many different shapes and sizes of fiberglass kayaks have been developed.
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All kayaks today are based on the artic kayak design and are often referred to as the original kayaks. These were traditionally made from a wooden frame and covered in sealskin to form the waterproof barrier. This design made them extremely lightweight yet at the same time very strong. This was important at the time as Inuits and people from other civilizations needed to easily carry a kayak from one river to another.

Although modern day kayaks don’t much look like arctic kayaks many of their basic structural and design elements remain the same. All arctic kayaks were built by hand and by individuals, which mean design and build materials often varied. People would build them to suit their specific needs. The non-standardization of arctic kayaks meant that it took a long time for Europe to catch up and replicate the Inuits designs.
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