The Best Kayak in Florida to Own

What is the Best Kayak to own in Florida?

As a Kayak tour guide and Coastal Kayak Instructor for over 25 years, clients ask this question almost every trip. It really makes me happy to know that people who attend a “Earth Kinship Ecotour" are considering diving deeper into the kayaking sport, however the question can’t be answered so quickly with a make and model.  I like to encourage them to explore their interests with a few follow up questions. If you're looking to get your own kayak it's important to establish what style of kayaking you want to experience. I usually reply with a lead in question like this, “Do you know that not all Kayaks are created equally?” Some laugh and say "yes", some look confused and say "no not really", but more importantly is the conversation that follows this question.

It's true, each kayak is created with its own specific features built into the hull shape and design. These features are created to improve transportation, comfort, efficiency, and performance. Depending on the knowledge and ability of the paddler; they discover that one kayak compared to another will be more of an ideal fit. The most important decision you will make is where you're planning to paddle or the style of paddling you are planning to do. A few habitats in NE Florida waters you're going to want to consider are; tidal marshes, estuaries, inlets, ocean surf, freshwater creeks, rivers and lakes, each one has their individual challenges. The different styles of kayaking is determined on how the kayak interacts with the environment it's being paddled in. For example, I would discourage a beginner paddler from buying a 10’ sit-on-top recreational kayak, if they were planning 2-5 mile day trips in coastal and tidal environments. On the other hand a fisherman who is going for a quick dip, 100’ from the launch site, in a freshwater creek doesn't need a 17 foot sea kayak either.

Sit-on-top kayaks

Pro: The feeling of freedom when jumping in and out of your kayak. Kayak beginners often have a sense of safety and comfort and claim a reduction of fear or being trapped inside their kayak. Often created to be smaller, shorter and lighter, kayaks that are easy to store and transport. Short kayaks can turn easy and can fit into smaller spaces on the water. Lastly they are unsinkable unless you cut a hole in them. Sit-on-tops are sealed and stay floating when the waves crash over them.

Con: The space between the water and the kayaker is increased, creating a top heavy effect making it easier to tip over. Wind becomes an issue with a kayaker that is sitting higher above the water, increasing the need to do more corrective strokes to maintain control.To reduce the issue of tipping, these kayaks are created wider however, this makes them slower and the paddler now has to lean over beyond the kayak center to reach the water creating less efficiency for distance and control of the kayak. The less parts of your body that are connected to the kayak the less control you have and reduced efficiency in paddle stroke. Last is exposure to the elements, sit-on-tops will not protect you from sun, wind, rain or waves.

Sit inside kayaks

Pro: lower the center of gravity creating a greater stability on the water and reduction of effects from wind and weather. These kayaks can be created narrower and are often longer. More of the kayaker’s body is connected to the kayak below the deck which increases the stability and control over the kayak. 

Cons: Can be heavy depending on the length, making it difficult to transport and store. These kayaks are made to be more narrow than a sit on top, so flipping over is a little easier, yet with a little training it isn't very common. Less movement of legs and some have experienced feet falling asleep.

Touring Kayaks often sit inside where the center of gravity of the kayaker is lower in the water creating stability when paddling. Newer designs are creating low sit-on-top versions of touring kayaks.

These kayaks are 12 to 16’ in length. Ideal for the beginner paddler who wants to experience a coastal tidal environment as well as rivers and lakes. Touring and Sea kayaks are made with many types of chine and rockers within the hull design, creating a range of performance on the water. Packing for the weekend or a day-trip is easy due to the extra space below the deck and has many features such as the sea kayak. This is the number one choice for tour guides. You can get a rudder attachment for touring kayaks that reduces the skill needed to control the direction, but this isn't necessary if you take the time to learn proper paddling techniques.

The hull shape is shaped like a “V”, increasing the ability to track in a line gripping the water to maintain a straight line called tracking. Sea Kayaks will have a rocker slightly increased compared to a touring kayak, where the bow and stern raise up slightly to make it paddle more efficiently in weather and waves. The sides of these kayaks are called the chine. The chine is either soft or hard. Soft chines are smooth and rounded from the sides transitioning to the bottom, creating a smoother ability to edge the kayak creating advanced maneuvers in the water, including a roll. A skilled kayaker can use the rocker and the chine together with edging to reduce the effects of a long kayak making it turn like a short kayak, so you have the best of both worlds. Soft chine kayaks are ideal for the intermediate paddler who is moving into an advanced skill level. Hard chines are boxy and have edges when transitioning from the side to the bottom, this creates resistance when doing advanced maneuvers on the water, edging with a hard chine kayak is like training wheels on a bike and are ideal for the beginner or intermediate kayaker who wants to enter most environments.