Kayak & Stand-Up Paddleboard Sales
Stop in the shop to see our wide selection of NEW recreational, fishing
and touring kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from
Jackson, Crescent, Riot, Boreal, Bonafide, Kaku, Evoke, Pau Hana, Jobe and more.
Our experienced staff will be happy to work with you. In the meantime, here's some good information
that may guide you to the proper family of kayaks.
How to choose the right category of touring kayak for your paddling needs.
Recreational Touring Kayaks
This family of kayaks are usually between 10 and 12 feet long. They tend to be wide at the beam and flat on the bottom which produces lots of primary stability. Because they are short in length they tend to be maneuverable. They will perform best on casual paddling trips in flat or gently flowing water. Because they are short and wide, they are the least paddling efficient hulls meaning they will travel a shorter distance per paddle stroke. In other words, in a recreational kayak it will take the paddler more strokes and more energy expended to get from point A to point B. Recreational touring kayaks tend to be the least expensive because of their size, and you will find most molded from polyurethane which is an inexpensive, durable, though a bit heavier material.
Recreational Fishing Kayaks
Kayaks (and stand-up paddleboards) that are grouped in the fishing category are built for stability. They will have a wide, flat bottom hull to increase stability and in some cases allow the angler to stand while casting. They are outfitted with very comfortable seats assuming that anglers will be in the seated position for longer periods. They feature lots of accessories designed for holding rods and angling gear. There is a wide selection of accessories from companies like Yak Attack so that outfitting your fishing kayak can be done to your personal desires.
Light Touring Kayaks
This family of kayaks are usually between 12 and 15 feet long. They are not as wide at the beam as recreational kayaks, and they tend to have a more u-shaped hull shape rather than the flat bottom. This shape will produce more secondary stability. Because you don't have as much wetted surface on the bottom of the hull, you will achieve more glide through the water. In other words this family of kayak will give the paddler more glide per paddle stroke so you can get from point A to point B with less strokes and less energy expended. Secondary stability kayaks will also be more forgiving in choppier paddling conditions because the boat will tend to come back to center more efficiently. You will usually find polyurethane models with that durability and price point, but also kayaks molded in a thermoplastic material for a stiffer, lighterweight hull. These kayaks will perform best in a wide array of conditions from calm water to larger bodies of water that may be effected by wind, wave and currents.
Full Touring Kayaks
This family of kayaks are usually between 14 and 17.5 feet long. They are total secondary stability hull designs with narrower beams and hull shapes designed to provide the paddler with the most glide/distance per paddle stroke. The cockpits tend to be smaller so that the paddler can properly brace themselves in the kayak. They are usually set up with more hatches and bulkheads for maximum flotation and storage. They may be molded from polurethane, thermoplastic or composite materials. The thermoplastic and composite materials will produce a lighter and stiffer hull for maximum performance. Those kayaks will perform best in open waters that may be effected by wind, wave and current. They are the most paddling efficient hulls which will give the paddler optimum performance on longer paddles.
Stand-Up Paddleboards
Much of what we described above as far as kayak shapes pertain to stand-up paddleboards. There are boards designed for more stability vs. those for high paddling efficiency and cruising. Materials will vary as well from hard shell boards to inflatables. The key is to decide how you are going to use your stand-up paddleboard whether for yoga to racing to fishing and anything in between. In all cases, speak with our experienced staff for guidance in choosing just the right gear for your purpose.
Our experienced staff will be happy to work with you. In the meantime, here's some good information
that may guide you to the proper family of kayaks.
How to choose the right category of touring kayak for your paddling needs.
Recreational Touring Kayaks
This family of kayaks are usually between 10 and 12 feet long. They tend to be wide at the beam and flat on the bottom which produces lots of primary stability. Because they are short in length they tend to be maneuverable. They will perform best on casual paddling trips in flat or gently flowing water. Because they are short and wide, they are the least paddling efficient hulls meaning they will travel a shorter distance per paddle stroke. In other words, in a recreational kayak it will take the paddler more strokes and more energy expended to get from point A to point B. Recreational touring kayaks tend to be the least expensive because of their size, and you will find most molded from polyurethane which is an inexpensive, durable, though a bit heavier material.
Recreational Fishing Kayaks
Kayaks (and stand-up paddleboards) that are grouped in the fishing category are built for stability. They will have a wide, flat bottom hull to increase stability and in some cases allow the angler to stand while casting. They are outfitted with very comfortable seats assuming that anglers will be in the seated position for longer periods. They feature lots of accessories designed for holding rods and angling gear. There is a wide selection of accessories from companies like Yak Attack so that outfitting your fishing kayak can be done to your personal desires.
Light Touring Kayaks
This family of kayaks are usually between 12 and 15 feet long. They are not as wide at the beam as recreational kayaks, and they tend to have a more u-shaped hull shape rather than the flat bottom. This shape will produce more secondary stability. Because you don't have as much wetted surface on the bottom of the hull, you will achieve more glide through the water. In other words this family of kayak will give the paddler more glide per paddle stroke so you can get from point A to point B with less strokes and less energy expended. Secondary stability kayaks will also be more forgiving in choppier paddling conditions because the boat will tend to come back to center more efficiently. You will usually find polyurethane models with that durability and price point, but also kayaks molded in a thermoplastic material for a stiffer, lighterweight hull. These kayaks will perform best in a wide array of conditions from calm water to larger bodies of water that may be effected by wind, wave and currents.
Full Touring Kayaks
This family of kayaks are usually between 14 and 17.5 feet long. They are total secondary stability hull designs with narrower beams and hull shapes designed to provide the paddler with the most glide/distance per paddle stroke. The cockpits tend to be smaller so that the paddler can properly brace themselves in the kayak. They are usually set up with more hatches and bulkheads for maximum flotation and storage. They may be molded from polurethane, thermoplastic or composite materials. The thermoplastic and composite materials will produce a lighter and stiffer hull for maximum performance. Those kayaks will perform best in open waters that may be effected by wind, wave and current. They are the most paddling efficient hulls which will give the paddler optimum performance on longer paddles.
Stand-Up Paddleboards
Much of what we described above as far as kayak shapes pertain to stand-up paddleboards. There are boards designed for more stability vs. those for high paddling efficiency and cruising. Materials will vary as well from hard shell boards to inflatables. The key is to decide how you are going to use your stand-up paddleboard whether for yoga to racing to fishing and anything in between. In all cases, speak with our experienced staff for guidance in choosing just the right gear for your purpose.