In order to help you better understand the differences in kayak sizes, there are a few important terms you should know. In this section, we’ll define some important kayak jargon that you’ll want to know for the rest of this article. The bow is the front (or nose) of your kayak. ![]() We like to remember this because it is customary to bow FORWARD as a greeting in some cultures. The stern is the back (or tail) of your kayak. A clever way to remember this is to think of the stern face your mother might give you when you want to take something BACK. A kayak’s width is typically measured from gunwale-to-gunwale and the height of the gunwales plays a role in determining how dry the cockpit remains while paddling in windy or wavy conditions. The cockpit is the area in which you sit when you paddle a kayak. Depending on the design of the kayak, some cockpits are more open and others are more closed to the exterior environment. BulkheadĪ bulkhead is a sealed barrier on the inside of a kayak that functions to separate different compartments. They are primarily found on sit-inside kayaks to provide flotation and structure for internal storage compartments. Tracking is the fancy term for a kayak’s ability to hold its course (i.e. In general, longer kayaks are able to track straighter over distance, but many kayaks include a retractable skeg to boost their tracking ability. Unless you already know you need to focus on kayaks made for big guys and gals, most of us will decide on kayak size based more on comfort and performance. So let’s go over the pros and cons of various kayak sizes. While there are certainly shorter kayaks out there, an eight-foot length is one of the smaller options. This is a great kayak size for kids and small adults who are relatively new to the sport.Īn eight-foot kayak can also be useful for whitewater applications. Their shorter length makes them more maneuverable, which should be a higher priority than top-end speed if you’re using a kayak for running rapids.Īnother upside to an eight-foot kayak is added stability. Most shorter kayaks tend to be more stable for recreational paddling because they have a better length-to-width ratio. That being said, not all eight-foot kayaks are super stable because some models are designed to be skinnier. You should always take both length and width into consideration when looking into a kayak’s stability. If you’re looking for a fun, stable kayak that you can play in gentle rapids with, you should definitely consider an eight-foot model. These kayaks can also be great for smaller paddlers on frequently calm waters. ![]() 10 FootĪ 10-foot kayak is one of the more common sizes for recreational kayaks. These kayaks boast similar stability to an eight-foot kayak while offering additional storage capacity for longer day kayaking trips. Most 10-foot kayaks will offer open storage compartments in both the bow and stern areas of the kayak. While you might need a dry bag if you need to keep anything from getting wet, these areas give you extra space to bring more gear and supplies on the water.Īs you might imagine, 10-foot kayaks come in many shapes and styles. Generally, however, this is a great length for novice paddlers that are looking for a stable kayak at a reasonable price point. This kayak size also retains excellent maneuverability for paddling in tight spaces. That’s another reason why some kayak anglers choose a 10-foot kayak for fishing in swampy locations or on rivers that require more precise maneuvers.
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