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.