| Buying your first kayak can be a daunting experience | | | | makes them ideal for the beginner. You can use |
| as there are a bewildering range of options available. | | | | them for whitewater, calm water and surf kayaking |
| The first thing that you need to consider is whether | | | | so they are very versatile. You might be unsure |
| a rigid, inflatable or folding model would be more | | | | about their robustness but if you don't go for the |
| suitable for your needs. They each have their | | | | cheapest and purchase a good quality inflatable it |
| advantages and disadvantages and they vary | | | | should be as strong as a rigid boat. For most people, |
| considerably in price. As in many other things, it is not | | | | unless you are going in for serious competitions, an |
| always wise to go for the cheapest alternative! | | | | inflatable kayak will be the best option. |
| Carefully consider how you will be using your kayak, | | | | Folding Kayaks Features |
| what storage space is available and how you will | | | | Folding kayaks tend to be much more expensive |
| transport it to the water, before you make your | | | | than the rigid type but they are however extremely |
| purchase. We've put together some information on | | | | long-lasting, strong, stable and flexible. They usually |
| the construction methods used for kayaks to help | | | | have a frame made from wood or aluminum covered |
| you make an informed choice. | | | | with cloth. Although they are more expensive they |
| Features of Rigid Kayaks | | | | usually have a higher used value and have a longer |
| These are the types of kayaks familiar to most | | | | useful life than the other sorts of kayaks. On the |
| people. The cheapest option here is a plastic | | | | other hand they do suffer a bit from lack of speed |
| construction but this will also be the heaviest. They | | | | and performance can be inferior to a rigid kayak. |
| are quite strong and long-lasting but are almost | | | | Most folding kayaks use a different material for the |
| unrepairable if they are heavily damaged. A little more | | | | hull and deck. Decks are frequently made from |
| expensive is a fiberglass construction which will be | | | | cotton or a cotton blend or a synthetic fabric. Hulls |
| lighter and easier to repair but also is easier to | | | | are usually made from is a synthetic plastic such as |
| damage. Further construction materials include carbon | | | | polyurethane, PVC or Hypalon over a synthetic |
| fiber, graphite composites and Kevlar which are very | | | | material such as Dacron. Folding kayaks frequently |
| light but also more expensive. Although not nearly as | | | | have air filled chambers in the hull to to help prevent |
| popular, wood boats can be bought, especially in kit | | | | capsizing. |
| form to assemble yourself. Although wooden boats | | | | Conclusion |
| are fairly easy to mend they require much more | | | | Once you have decided if a folding, rigid or inflatable |
| upkeep than most other types of boats. | | | | kayak is your best choice you will now need to think |
| Some Features of Inflatable Kayaks | | | | about the type of water that you will be using it in. |
| Kayaks of this type are excellent for transporting | | | | Kayaks are designed for specialised situations such as |
| and storing. They are among the cheaper types you | | | | ocean, whitewater or fishing or you may prefer a |
| can buy, easy-to-use and their performance is as | | | | good all round recreational kayak which you can use |
| good as a rigid kayak. Inflatable kayaks are also very | | | | in a wide range of water types and locations. |
| buoyant and stable so they stay upright easily, which | | | | |