Sit On Top Kayaks Are A Great Way To Enter The World Of Kayaking

Sit-on-top kayaks have gained in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. They're an easy way for the new paddler to get out on the water, they're great for fishing, they're stable, and they're well suited for a wide variety of conditions. Sit-on-top kayaks can been seen everywhere from mild whitewater to lakes to coastal sea areas.

Sit-on-top kayaks have opened up this great sport to a whole new generation of paddlers. These boats, which are a hybrid canoe/kayak, are appealing to a wide variety of the population. Folks who are intimidated or even frightened by the thought of having their body encased in a decked kayak feel right at home in a sit-on-top. And fishermen (and women) love the stable platform and the extra room for stowing their tackle and other gear. And some paddlers even scuba dive off of these versatile boats.

Now some serious paddlers look down their noses at sit-on-tops, but that's their business. I feel that anything that opens up the sport to more people is a good thing, and as long as you're having fun, who cares what anyone else thinks? Just decide ahead of time what type of paddling you intend to do, then figure out if you'd be better off with a sit-on-top or a more traditional whitewater or touring kayak.

Once you've decided that a sit-on-top kayak is the right choice for you, then you need to go shopping. The same rules apply as with shopping for any other type of boat: take your time, kick the tires, read the spec sheets, and try several models on the water before you reach for your credit card. There are sit-on-tops that are designed for almost any use you can imagine, so make sure the one you do choose will serve your purposes now and into the future.

Some additional things to consider:

Stability -- especially important if you'll be fishing or diving from your boat.
Capacity -- make sure the deck and storage compartments will hold all your gear.
Length -- longer is faster
Width -- wider is more stable
Weight -- sit-on-tops can be heavy. Will you be able to portage this boat comfortably from your car to the launch site?

And there you have it. If you decide that a sit-on-top kayak is the right choice for you, do your homework and go for it. These versatile boats are among the hottest selling kayaks for a reason, and they can provide years of fun and enjoyment for the entire family.

Good Camping Gear -- Don't Leave Home Without It

If you're planning an overnight or multi-day excursion, you're gonna need some good camping equipment. Being in the backcountry with lousy gear or the wrong gear can be a miserable experience, trust me on this. Always buy the best equipment you can afford, and consider quality, weight, and overall design before choosing on a product.

Retail sporting goods stores are great, but most only carry a limited selection of camping supplies, and expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the other hand, offer a wide selection of name-brand camping gear and supplies, and at discounted prices. And online shopping offers a convenient, comfortable alternative to driving all over town looking for that hard to find item.

Our featured merchants are all well-established companies that have secure ordering systems, good warranty and return policies, and will ship virtually anywhere in the world.

For some great deals on new camping gear, click on the following link:

Backcountry.com
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Tips & Tricks

Reflective tape

Reflective tape can come in handy in an emergency situation. Reflective tape is very visible at night, and is often the first thing that rescue teams see while searching for a lost paddler. Just make sure the tape is the weatherproof type sold in boating supply stores and bicycle shops.
You'll want to run a line of tape down the hull (above the waterline) of your kayak. If you have a plastic-hulled boat that tape won't stick to, try sewing the tape inside a 1" tubular webbing that can be attached over the boat's deck lines. You'll also want to tape the blades of your paddles, your PFD, and your helmet (if you wear one).