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Sea
Kayaks are Sleek, Elegant Craft, Designed for Speed and Stability
on Open Water
Sea kayaks are long and streamlined compared to
their stubbier whitewater cousins, have much less rocker in their
keel lines, and are equipped with watertight compartments for
stowage. Sea kayaks (also referred to as touring kayaks) are based
on a time-proven design that's changed little over time. Only the
materials from which they are constructed have evolved in recent
years.
Two factors to consider when shopping for a
touring kayak are speed and stability. Most modern sea kayaks are
designed with good initial and directional stability. If you're an
experience paddler interested in a high-performance boat, you
might consider some of the models available in this class. High
performance sea kayaks are narrower, faster, and more maneuverable
than standard touring and recreational boats.
The speed of a sea kayak is affected by its
length. Touring boats are generally 15 to 20 feet in length, with
tandems coming in around 22 feet. A longer boat forms less of a
bow wave, which means less overall friction, which means it's
generally faster in the open water--up to a point. Once a kayak
exceeds 22 feet in length, it's increased mass cancels out any
gains in reduced resistance.
Some other important considerations with sea
kayaks:
Cargo room. Cargo room is another
important factor in choosing the touring kayak that's a perfect
fit for you. If day trips are your thing, then a shorter and
lighter boat may provide more than enough cargo space. If you're
planning an extended excursion, however, you'd probably be
better off with a longer boat that has room for your extra
cargo.
Acceleration. Length affects more than
just overall speed. It also affects acceleration. Longer boats
have lower acceleration in respect to a given paddler's strength
and skills. Acceleration is important, especially if you're
dodging rocks or trying to catch a wave, so keep this in mind.
Hull materials. As with whitewater
kayaks, the hull material of your new touring boat is an
important consideration--both for price and performance.
Rotomold boats are the least expensive and the easiest to
maintain, but also the heaviest. Fiberglass boats are lighter,
but more expensive and more fragile. And Kevlar boat are light
and incredible strong, but are also the most expensive of the
three.
Foldboats. Folding kayaks are another
option for the sea kayaker. See the "Folding Kayaks"
article for more information on these boats.
And that's it in a nutshell. If you done your
homework and decided on a make and model of sea kayak, you might
consider ordering your new boat online. There are several
reputable companies offering these kayaks for sale on the
Internet, and the savings can be substantial over your local
outfitter.
Need a New Touring Kayak?
Is that trusty old touring kayak getting a
little long in the tooth? Are you finding it harder and harder to
keep up with your paddling companions? Are you finding that your
current boat just doesn't have the storage capacity for those
long, multi-day excursions? Or are you in the market for your
first sea or touring kayak?
If so, you might consider purchasing your next
boat from one of the online merchants. Retail paddling shops are
great if you can find one, but most only carry one or two brands,
and expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the
other hand, often carry several brands and dozens of touring and
recreational kayaks, and usually at very competitive prices. They
have secure ordering systems, good warranty and return policies,
and will ship virtually anywhere in the world. And you won't have
to spend a weekend driving all over town in search of that perfect
new boat.
If you've got a moment, check out one of our
recommended merchants. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you
find.
Touring
kayaks from Backcountry.com
Shop Backcountry.com for a great selection
of name brand touring kayaks, including Perception and
Dagger.
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| Tips
& Tricks |
| Being
Heard
If
you're sea kayaking at night, or in fog or other
poor visibility conditions, always bring along
something that will get you heard by your paddling
partners or anyone else on the water. This can be as
simple as a whistle stowed away in your PFD, or a
handheld foghorn, which are especially effective in
fog (hence the name). These air powered horns need
to be checked periodically for corrosion or leaks in
the valves. Test it out in your backyard before
heading out on your trip (your neighbors will love
your for it). As with all emergency gear, you want
to make sure it'll work when you most need it.
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