Part 2

Passenger/Cargo capacity and comfort

There are single-passenger kayaks and there are
double-passenger kayaks. They both have their advantages. A
double can be perfect for couples and families. Paddlers of different
skill levels and ages can be paired up so that nobody is left behind. It
can be a fun family adventure. Doubles are fast and stable, but lack
some of the maneuverability of a single. Also, purchasing one is a
little more risky than buying a single. Make sure that your future
paddling partner is as enthused and motivated as you are. A dusty,
neglected double hanging in the back of a lonesome garage is not a
pretty sight.
If you decide on a single, make sure that it has enough storage
capacity for whatever stuff you wanna bring along. For most
afternoon kayakers, space usually isn’t that much of an issue, but if
you’re going to take long trips, adequate cargo capacity must be
available.
With either a single or a double, the seats need to be
comfortable and supportive. Most paddlers prefer a snug fit for a
whitewater kayak, but for a touring kayak they prefer something with
more room, allowing them to stretch and change positions on longer
trips.

Initial and final stability

We discussed stability earlier when we mentioned how beginners
typically like a boat with good initial stability while experienced
paddlers favor a boat with good secondary stability. Initial stability is
the tendency of the boat to lean or shift away from a perfectly
upright position. Final stability is the tendency of the boat to
actually tip over. A boat with good final stability that seems tippy will
be more forgiving by staying in a leaning position instead of tipping
over. A boat can’t have both good initial stability and final stability —
it’s pretty much one or the other. The hull shape will determine what
kind of stability the boat has.
A second issue with stability is its relationship to speed. A highly
stable boat will not be the fastest boat on the water. Typically, the
stable boat will be wider and slower than the narrower faster boat.

Controllability

Another issue is the controllability of the boat — how well it turns
and tracks. A kayak can either turn easily or track dead straight, but
its a rare boat that can do both well. One of the deciding factors for
this is the length of the kayak. A shorter boat will be more
maneuverable; a longer boat will track better.
Another factor is the curvature of the keel line along the bottom
of the hull. The points where the hull meets the bow and the hull
meets the stern are out of the water higher than the middle area of
the hull (picture a rocking chair). This degree of upward curvature
varies from boat to boat. A boat with a high degree of curvature will
turn easy but track less accurately, while a boat with low curvature
will do the opposite. Many paddlers find a boat with a medium
curvature (some call it rocker) a good compromise.

Available Options

A sprayskirt, accessible hatches, deck fittings, cockpit cover,
flotation bags and a handy holder for your water bottle are all
options that will probably be of interest to you. Having the right
options can really make a difference in your paddling enjoyment.
Another option to consider is a rudder. Many boaters will argue
about the usefulness or necessity of having a rudder. Some will say
that a good kayaker doesn’t need one and a beginner shouldn’t learn
to rely on one. Others counter with the argument that if a rudder
helps, then use it. Most would agree, though, that in certain
conditions, such as when strong winds and waves are consistent and
unrelenting, that a rudder may provide just the right amount of
course correction necessary to allow the paddler to focus more on
their stroke or the scenery instead of their tracking. Rudders are
usually standard on doubles.

Price

After a person has decided what style of kayak to purchase, price
may be a big factor in determining exactly which model to buy. An
entry-level plastic kayak can be as low as $250. Other plastic models
can run as high as $1500. Fiberglass boats will cost from about
$1000 to $3000. Other more exotic composite boats will cost as
much or possibly even more. Inflatable boats can start at about
$250 and go up to $2000. Folding boats will set you back $1300 for
an entry-level boat and up to $4500 for a topnotch double.
Oh, but what the heck, its only money.