Are longer or shorter kayak better?

Length: Longer boats cruise more efficiently and offer lots of storage space for overnight touring gear, while shorter hulls turn more quickly. A few inches in length won’t matter much, but two feet or more will be noticeable.

What size kayak should I get for my height?

Kayak Length for Height Chart

	Height	Weight
Low Volume Kayak	< 5 ft. 6 in.	< 140 lbs.
Medium Volume Kayak	5 ft. 7 in. – 5 ft. 10 in.	150 lbs. – 180 lbs.
High Volume Kayak	> 5 ft. 10 in.	> 180 lbs.

Is longer kayak more stable?

It’s a general rule the longer and narrower the kayak is, the faster it will travel and a wider kayak is the more stable but slower it will be. Most sit-on-top kayaks are considered recreational (or “rec”) kayaks because they’re wide and ultra stable.

Are longer kayaks faster than shorter ones?

Executive summary: All else equal, a longer boat will have a greater hull speed. A greater hull speed means less drag and hence greater speed for a given amount of “paddling effort”. Hence, longer kayaks can be said to be faster than shorter ones.

Is a 10 ft kayak big enough?

If you’re relatively new to kayaking and you plan to paddle primarily on calm lakes or slow-moving rivers, a 10-foot kayak is a great place to get started. This length is also good for recreational kayakers that like to bring a small furry companion with them out on the water.

Is a 9 foot kayak too small?

Generally, the shorter the kayak, the more easy it is to maneuver on the water. An 8 or 9 foot yak could be a good choice for kids or beginners for recreational use. If you’re tall or large you may find you’re not comfortable.

Are shorter kayaks more stable?

From pontoon-style hulls to deep, V-shaped hulls, the design of the bottom of your kayak has a tremendous impact on speed and stability. While we said that shorter kayaks are generally more stable and longer kayaks are typically faster, there can be outliers depending on hull design.

What type of kayak should a beginner get?

A recreational kayak is an excellent sit-in kayak for beginners. Its open cockpit doesn’t feel confining, and many can also fit a small child inside with the adult. Though they don’t track as well as a touring kayak, they are easy for a novice kayaker to maneuver.

Which kayak is most stable?

If all other dimensions are equal, a sit-inside (open-cockpit) kayak is more stable than a sit-on-top kayak. In an open-cockpit kayak you’re sitting lower in the boat. Your center of gravity (aka rear-end) is at or near the level of the water.

What are the advantages of a sit-on-top kayak?

Sit-on-Top Pros & Cons Sit-on-tops are the most user-friendly. They’re very stable, easy to get in and out of and there is no feeling of confinement on them. They’re also self-bailing, which means they have small holes (called “scupper holes”) that allow the water to drain right through them.