Canoes and Kayaks

Along with canoes kayaks are very inexpensive watercraft. These simple boats are a great option for all sorts of outdoor activities. Fishing, camping, star gazing, relaxing, exercise, and sightseeing are just a few of the activities that can be enjoyed with canoes and kayaks. For the first time buyer of these vessels, the plethora of options available has a tendency to make the head spin. The following guide should help you navigate the purchasing waters of canoes kayaks and their accessories.

Size

First you must decide how many people will be using the canoe or kayak. When determining the size of your canoe or kayak, remember that you need to determine the amount of cargo you will be carrying as well. If you are planning on taking it on longer journeys, you will need to find a craft that has ample storage space for the cargo you will be carrying. If you buy a solo craft, it will be able to hold you, one child, and a little bit of gear. A solo craft is generally not recommended for longer trips. The shorter the craft you purchase, the more maneuverable it will be. Therefore, if you want to run some white water rapids, you will need to purchase a shorter vessel. Also, the wider the boat, the more stable it will be.

Material

The five most common materials you can choose from are aluminum, fiberglass, Kevlar, plastic, and wood.

Aluminum is very affordable and low maintenance. However, aluminum gets both very hot and very cold, is heavy to lift, and does not slide very well over rocks.

Fiberglass is very affordable and it is very lightweight. It can crack easily if it hits rocks hard, but it is also fairly easy to repair.

Kevlar is much the same as fiberglass, except it is much more durable and substantially more expensive.

Plastic canoes and kayaks are moderately priced, very flexible, and resistant to damage. Unfortunately, they can have heavy hulls and need to be stored away from sunlight.

Wood is the classic material for canoes and kayaks. No material will be more beautiful. However, they are very expensive, not very durable, and they require a lot of maintenance.

Accessories

Make sure to buy extra paddles with your vessel. When you lose one, you will be very happy to have spares. Also, buy life preservers as well. Never go boating without them. It is also good idea to get a patch kit for your watercraft.