Types of Kayaks | Complete Guide To Every Kayak Style


As kayaking grows in popularity, people are finding all kinds of different ways to use their kayaks. Many of these are specialty kayaks for specific kayaking, like surf kayaking. However, for the beginner, it can make your head spin to see all the different types of kayaks available today. How do you know what kayak you need and what the differences are between each one?

There are two categories of kayak types: flat water and white water. Flatwater kayaks are Touring, Sit-on-Top, Recreational, Inflatable, Pedaling. White water kayaks are Playboats, River Runners, Creekboats, Old School, and Duckies(inflatable).

Below I’ll break down from top to bottom, the different types of kayaks from their categories, what they are used for, and how you can choose a kayak that best suits your interests.

Flat Water Kayaks

Flatwater kayaking can mean many different things. Flatwater will normally mean a calm body of water such as a lake or a pond.

Kayaks included in the flat water classification are not just meant for stable lakes or small ponds. Flatwater kayaks can be used on rivers, coasts, lakes, or a combination of these.

So, don’t be fooled into thinking that a flatwater type of kayak can only be used in a lake or small body of unmoving water.

Touring Kayak

touring kayak

A touring kayak is a sit-in style kayak, that is longer and more narrow. A touring kayak will be at least 12 feet long all the way up to 14 feet.

The long and narrow design allows the kayak to better cut through the water with little resistance. A touring kayak will be capable of carrying an average of 350 pounds at max capacity.

A touring kayak is made to move faster and more efficiently in the water. If planning on taking longer day trips over long distances, the touring kayak is well suited as it moves smoothly and quickly through the water.

Alternate Versions

  • Day Touring Kayak
  • Sea/Ocean Touring Kayaks

Sit-on-Top Kayak

sit-on-top kayak

The sit-on-top kayak is made for those who don’t like the idea of squeezing into a smaller cockpit or aren’t too keen on learning the art of the wet exit if the kayak happens to capsize.

The sit-on-top kayak will usually be used more as a casual recreational kayak on lakes and ponds.

If a sit-on-top kayak gets water inside, no problem. The sit-on-top kayak uses what are called scupper holes to let the water drain out on its own.

You will get wet using a sit-on-top kayak, but the water will simply drain from the kayak. This way, no bilge pump is required.

The typical sit-on-top kayak will measure at 10 feet to 16 feet in length and 350-400 pounds max capacity.

Recreational Kayak

recreational kayak type

The recreational kayak is the quintessential beginner kayak. They are easily maneuverable and stable in the water. Some recreational kayaks can get rather expensive too.

But, for the beginner looking to get a kayak in the water to try out, the recreational kayak is a great choice.

The recreational kayak is not meant for speed though, so don’t plan on burning up the lake in one of these. These kayaks are usually made from more durable plastic, which can also make them heavier to lift.

A recreational kayak comes in at lengths ranging from 10 feet to 12 feet and has a maximum capacity of 250-300 pounds.

Inflatable Kayak

inflatable kayak type

Inflatable kayaks are not like a fragile innertube. An inflatable kayak can still be quite rugged and used anywhere a recreational kayak can be used.

The obvious benefit of an inflatable kayak is the fact that it is easily transported and stored when not in use. Care should be taken to properly clean and maintain the inflatable kayak when not in use to avoid mold and premature wear of the tube and fabric.

The inflatable kayak is available in both a sit-in and sit-on-top style, and while they are primarily used for calm water, some specialty inflatable kayaks are used in white water kayaking (which I’ll get into later).

The inflatable kayak comes in lengths of 10 feet to 12 feet and a similar maximum capacity to a recreational kayak of 250-300 pounds.

Pedaling Kayak

pedaling kayak

A pedaling kayak is used to pedal through the water like a bicycle or moving your feet like a stair climber, instead of using a paddle to propel the kayak. Shoulder or arm issues can keep some from a traditional kayak and kayak paddle, but with a pedaling kayak, that issue is taken care of.

Using the leg muscles over the arms will allow for longer trips on the water without getting as tired. The wide base of the pedaling kayak will also allow for more stability in the water.

In place of using the paddle to maneuver the kayak through the water, there is a rudder system that is hand operated to get the kayak moving in the direction you want it to go.

Fishermen and recreational kayakers oftentimes prefer the pedaling kayak as it will eliminate the use of the hands for paddling the kayak through the water.

The drawback with these pedaling kayaks is that they are more expensive than most kayaks. The pedaling mechanisms can make them quite heavy to lift and transport as well. A kayak trailer is recommended with the pedaling kayak, because of its weight.

Whitewater Kayaks

Whitewater kayaking is quite the step up from hitting the lake on a calm day with the recreational kayak. It’s an intense sport that requires a lot of skill and technique on the water.

If you feel like you’re up to the challenge and want to take the plunge into the world of whitewater kayaking, the first step will be to identify the kayak that’s right for you.

Below, I’ll cover the different types of whitewater kayaks you can expect to encounter.

Playboats

playboat kayak type

The playboat is the smallest of the whitewater kayak family. These kayaks are small because the user really needs to be close and in-tune to the kayak. The kayak will normally be around 6 feet in length.

The playboat is mainly used to perform tricks in the water or playing around in one spot in the river that has some holes or waves. The low volume of the kayak allows for dives into the water for different tricks. They aren’t generally used to move from spot to spot on the river or travel long distances.

River Runners

river runner kayak

River runners are generally a little longer than their playboat counterparts at around 7 to 8 feet in length.

The added length makes them better for tracking in the water. The river runner is a great kayak for getting down the river in a hurry and hitting some challenging rapids along the way.

The river runner uses a unique shape to the kayak that will feature a softer chine and a semi-planing hull that provides both the primary and secondary stability that helps when running a variety of different rivers.

The kayak also is in the middle of the road when it comes to volume, so they can be a great middle-ground between a playboat and the next kayak I’ll talk about.

Creekboats

creek boat kayak type

The creekboat will measure around 8 feet long and feature higher volume to stay on top of the water when running a river along with softer edges. The creekboat is not meant for the beginner though. They will feel a little more “tippy” in the water because of a displacement hull that many will feature.

Old School

An old school (or Long Boat) is basically a very long river runner. The Old School is usually about 10 to 12 feet long. If you’re hitting rapids with some tighter turns, then the longer length could be problematic. On rivers where there are lengths of calmer currents, then the extra length can come in handy.

Duckies

duckie kayak

An inflatable whitewater kayak is also called a duckie. Duckies use a wider base with more room to sit and store gear if needed. They are sturdy enough to handle class II and III rivers. Because the Duckie is an inflatable kayak, you won’t have to worry about learning the Eskimo roll as they do not capsize easily in the water.

A Duckie is great for beginners because of the ease of use and a wider base. They can be a little harder to navigate in rivers with tighter turns, but overall they are just fine for whitewater kayaking.

Of course, as is the case with any inflatable kayak, they can be easily deflated, transported, and stored when not in use.

Different Types of Specialty Kayaks

In addition to the standard kayaks in the flatwater and whitewater categories listed above, there are also variations of these kayaks that fit different needs and environments.

Tandem Kayak

tandem kayak

Tandem kayaks are designed for at least two people to kayak and are great if you plan on paddling with a partner most of the time and don’t want to have two separate kayaks to transport.

If you plan on kayaking with a child, a tandem kayak is a great option for less experienced kayakers to tag along.

A tandem kayak can be either sit-on-top or sit-in design and cater mostly to beginners. Storage is a plus too as there is plenty of it on board.

However, there are drawbacks to a tandem kayak too. The tandem kayaks are understandably longer and heavier than a normal kayak. So, transporting to and from the water can be a challenge, especially for one person.

Foldable Kayak

foldable kayak

Foldable kayaks are billed as going from box to boat in minutes. If you like the idea of an inflatable kayak, but don’t want to worry about the inflating part, then a foldable kayak might be the way to go.

Assembly can take minutes and foldable kayaks are generally light (around 20 pounds).

A drawback of the foldable kayak is the lack of available storage space and less sturdy material than a typical hard-shell kayak.

Because the foldable kayak needs to break down, fold up and lay flat the ability to incorporate storage compartments on the kayak goes away.

Fishing Kayak

fishing kayak type

Fishing kayaks are growing in popularity with fishermen who want an easy way to access rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds for fishing. Most of the time the fishing kayak will be the sit-on-top version. However, they are also available as sit-in kayaks.

Kayak length and stability will be key considerations using a fishing kayak. A fishing kayak will favor more stability and storage for gear. This takes the place of speed in the water or maneuverability.

Surf Kayak

surf kayak type

A surf kayak is a specialty kayak made specifically for use in the ocean. Surf kayaking is for those who actually want to use their kayak to surf a wave. This is very similar to someone using a surfboard to carve a wave.

A surf kayak is designed very similarly to the playboat whitewater kayak, however, there are some differences that make a surf kayak different.

A whitewater kayak, like the playboat, will include a pronounced rocker to the hull of the kayak. The surf kayak’s hull will be more flat and smooth. Most surf kayaks will even include a small fin toward the stern of the kayak, just like a surfboard.

How to Choose a Kayak Type That’s Right For You

Knowing the different categories of kayaks, it will be much easier to make a choice as to what kayak will suit the type of kayaking you’re planning on doing. There are some questions to ask to narrow the choices.

Ocean, River or Lake Kayaking

Depending on where a kayak is used, several different choices can be made of style and use.

Ocean: Touring, Day Touring, Inflatable, Ocean Kayak

River: Day Touring, Recreational, Inflatable, Fishing, Tandem, Sit-on-top, Foldable

River with Rapids: Playboats, Creekboats, Old School, Duckies, Day Touring

Lakes and Ponds: Recreational, Inflatable, Pedaling, Fishing, Sit-on-top, Day Touring, Touring, Old School, Tandem, Foldable

Length and Weight

It’s smart to take into consideration the max weight capacity and working capacity of the kayak you choose. Take into account the amount of gear you might bring, plus your body weight to see if the kayak you want has the right amount of working capacity.

Need more information on the weight capacity of a kayak? Check out this post here.

Length is also a factor too. Performance can play a part where length is concerned. A longer kayak will be faster and track straighter in the water than a wider and shorter kayak.

The storage area required for the kayak when it’s not in use is typically increased with the length of the kayak too. Find out more about kayak length and why it matters here.

Summary

In the beginning, the sheer amount of kayaks all in different shapes and sizes can be a little overwhelming. It takes some time and research to find out exactly what each kayak is suited and designed for in the water.

Knowing the different types of kayaks is important to be able to match up a kayak with your own interests and skills.

Marty

Hi, my name is Marty. Actively Outdoor is dedicated to delivering actionable tips and information when it comes to enjoying the outdoors. Whether it's kayaking, hiking, camping or even rock climbing, I want to help anyone get outside and actively pursue their passion.

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