Best River Kayaks For Beginners
An intriguing and exhilarating kayaking experience is all yours in the taking if you fancy low-impact workout sessions. With a double-bladed oar and small boat combination, passions for waters sports may be ignited, but that’s not about all there is with those two. You may also decide to go kayak fishing if that sounds more like it. Depending on the intended use, you are likely to have a kayak come with an enclosed deck that covers the legs and positions you sublimely for any water experience you long to take on. Most boats are made for a single paddler, but not to worry as tandem kayaks can notch things further, allowing for two to three paddlers.
Kayaking as a sport activity
Kayaking is an amazingly versatile sport, one you can joggle with camping and fishing at a single go. Its noteworthy, however, that kayaks come in different forms with specific designs depending on the conditions of use. Many kayaks fit the bill if you intend paddling whitewater courses. Some provide everything you need for a racing adventure, and you also have others somewhere in between. Lakes, rivers and oceans are common kayaking spots. The plethora of options abound therefore makes kayaking, whether as a leisure or sport, a worthy time out for beginners and water pros.
Kayak fishing
Kayak fishing has gained traction in recent times, and for good reasons too. For one, Kayaks are miles cheaper than canoes, so going kayak fishing surely makes more sense on the financial side, if you are on a budget. Kayaks also offer more stealth and propel better in waters that would otherwise be a tripwire for canoes to traverse. Combine these with the varying options for hands-free fishing – an angler’s delight – and other niche kayaks now in the market and you have all the reasons to go kayaking if fishing ticks your weekend timeout.
Buying fish kayaking gear
Getting a formidable gear is undoubtedly essential before taking the plunge into the waters. So, choosing the right fishing kayak is what you want. A number of outlets make kayaks for different purposes. You need to factor your needs before cashing on one. Does pedalling do the magic for you as against paddling? Will you be spending more time fishing in shallow waters that could cause foot drive damage or other problems? Do you prefer to stand while fishing? How about your budget? You also want to take a test drive if possible right? All these and more are key considerations before buying a fishing kayak.
While the myriad of models and fishing techniques shouldn’t be a concern for a pro paddler, life jackets can only be a goldmine for a novice. So, it’s worth erring on the side of caution by getting one, and wearing it, if you are a beginner. With great payoffs for your health and fitness, whichever option you chose to settle with shouldn’t be hugely detrimental to your kayak fishing experience. What more? Ditch the stress and get off to a flying start on the waters for a kayak fishing adventure today!
Best river kayaks for beginners
Kayaking can be really fun and engaging, with the right gear, of course. First on your checklist when going for a kayaking workout is a matching kayak. Sure, hiring a kayak isn’t a bad idea but having yours surely makes for more convenience. With so many choices out there, you can easily run into a dilemma when choosing the perfect one for you. Fortunately, we’ve got a list for you to circumvent this problem. Here’s a rundown of 5 best kayaks for beginners to cash in on today!
Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak
With a large, open cockpit and a deluxe, adjustable padded seat, the Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak is a must-have for kayaking enthusiasts. The gear provides a comfy high back support and a shock cord deck rigging for an overall exquisite experience.
The Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak also has a spray deflector collar and protective thigh pads so you don’t have to worry about where your body hits when paddling. Need to carry along a bottle of water? Great! You have the water bottle holder to latch on. It’s all about safety when kayaking, and while a life jacket is surely a worthy gear to include in your kayaking armamentarium, the Sit-in Kayak also has an adjustable foot brace and paddle leash to keep you firmly positioned, anyhow you turn.
The Sun Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak is made of rugged UV-stabilized Fortiflex® High-Density Polyethylene, meaning you can solidly traverse rivers and lakes whenever the urge kicks in without any concerns. Other miscellaneous belongings can be kept safely in the storage compartment which is delicately designed to prevent entry of water, regardless of how busy and disruptive the water may become as you paddle along.
The carrying handles ensure the kayak is just as portable as its weight which comes at 40 pounds (18kg). You surely don’t want a sinking kayak, so only cash in on this gear if you won’t be trumping its maximum carrying capacity of 250 pounds (113kg). The kayak comes in many colours so getting an aesthetically appealing one shouldn’t be a hassle. With a length of 10′ / 305cm and a width of 30″ / 76cm, the Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak balances well and glides smoothly on water bodies. On the whole, barring unlikely manufacturing glitches, you should be off to a thrilling start when kayaking in your favourite waters with the Sun Dolphin Aruba Kayak.
Vibe Kayaks Skipjack 90 9-foot Angler Sit On Top Fishing Kayak
There’s virtually an endless list of kayaks to choose from when going shopping for a summer gear. However, if you are a beginner looking to get a kayak that not only keeps you moving in water brilliantly but also ensures fishing is done in a rather seamless manner, the Vibe Skipjack 90 9-foot Angler Sit On Top Fishing Kayak wouldn’t disappoint you. From setting it up to manoeuvring your way around waters, the kayak is exceedingly easy to use. The gear’s superb stability in water, just like other kayaks on this list, makes a good case on why it should be a great buy.
At 46 pounds, 9 feet long and 32” Wide, the size is just right for its portability and goes into the back of your SUV conveniently. Fully equipped with great flexibility, the Vibe Skipjack 90 Kayak comes with a deluxe seat, a paddle, two flush mount rod holders and four integrated gear tracks for customized rigging.
The downside? it’s only a single person fishing kayak! You’ll want to check other options if you are looking for something more accommodating. Its superb stability is not at the expense of its speed; you can breeze past disappointing waves as fast as you want. Long paddles can be particularly draining, but, thankfully, that has been adequately sorted as this Kayak provides optimum control with a pre-installed toe controlled rubber system which helps you save more energy for fishing instead of getting exhausted paddling in windy conditions or strong currents.
With multiple storage options available such as a large centre console, large centre console, 20″ front oval hatch, rear hatch and large bungeed rear tank well, your phones, water bottle and everything else you want to carry along goes right in conveniently. But that’s not all, if you plan to have a long day on the water, the superior comfort and support provided by its dual position Vibe Hero seat is all you want to stave off any fears.
Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 13 foot Angler Sit On Top Fishing Kayak
Another 1-person kayak to try is the Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 Sit On Top Fishing Kayak. The Sea Ghost 130 offers terrific speed and stability while providing a robust storage comfort with a generous 20″ front oval hatch, a rear hatch, large bungeed rear tank well and a large centre console. To an angler’s delight, the Kayak features a foot controlled rudder system, easily accessible front and rear hatches, extra rod holders and lots more.
Long days on the water can only be fascinating with superior comfort, and the dual position Vibe Hero seat of the Vibe Sea Ghost 130 Kayak does a great job here, providing the comfort you need all day. With the rudder in place, strong currents, windy days and long paddles are out of your worries. The Vibe Kayaks SeaGhost is nimble, tracks perfectly well and is at home in river, creeks or sea. Surely makes it your go-to gear for recreational or fishing use. With buyers raving about an unrivalled customer service, you should have any complaints or questions answered in good time. There’s also a manufacturer’s warranty to keep you covered all year round.
Some users might have problems with the comfort and capacity of the Sea Ghost Kayak, but again, you’ll want to ensure your weight and other accessories inside the kayak don’t trump its maximum load, else going in and out or standing on it can be a real pain. The maximum capacity of the Vibe Kayaks Sea Ghost 130 is 550 pounds, which isn’t bad for most users. If colours are a concern, there are many colours to choose from including the Orange Camo, Blue Camo, Smoke Camo and Hunter Camo. At 13 feet long, 33 feet wide and made of rotomolded single piece polyethylene, it’s no rocket science to understand why this piece of water gear is top favourite for kayaking mavens.
Lifetime 10 Foot Sport Fisher Tandem Kayak
There you go on a 2-person fishing Kayak if that’s all you’ve been waiting for. Kayaking can only be more fun if you have a partner to chime in when discussing how you caught your last big fish. So if that sounds like your ideal experience, settling for this dual carrier kayak is surely not a bad idea. The Lifetime 10 Foot Sport Fisher Kayak is as versatile as you want, allowing you to go solo paddling or pick up your partner and enjoy a tandem paddling fishing ride.
The 10-feet long and 3 feet wide kayak is easy to transport and store albeit weighing a slightly hefty 66 pounds. For the most part, its stability is virtually second to none, so there are no chances you will sink this kayak. Besides, putting your kids or pet and not fearing them tripping and falling overboard is surely a great confidence booster when paddling the waters. You want to know if you can go all in with your extra carryon in the water, so weight is of the essence if you fancy a spaciously accommodating kayak. Thankfully, there is little to worry about as the Lifetime 10 Foot Sport Fisher Kayak comes at a staggering capacity of 550 pounds. On the flip side, you might have to trade off lightning speed for its extra plastic polyethylene. The kayak is your ideal pick when going fishing but probably won’t serve you exceptionally if you are in for a recreational experience; flat water is where you want to go when fishing using the Lifetime 10 Foot Sport Fisher Kayak. A common complaint of some users is that the seat provides little to no cushioning, and this is likely because it is made of plastic, so buying a different seat and a higher backrest for more cushioning may be necessary.
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak
This 10-feet long Angler Kayak can conveniently accommodate a decent weight on board your water gear. The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 kayak comes with a padded seat back as well as front and rear shock cords that keep you out of trouble when kayak fishing. The seat pad and padded seat back are adjustable, ensuring you are as comfortable as you want. The deep hull channels help to track performance, and the chine rails give you added stability in your favourite waters.
Angler kayaks are usually laden with amazing features, and another savvy feature provided by the Life Tamarack Angler 100 is the multiple footrest positions which are designed to suit different size paddlers. Although the Lifetime Tamarack 100 Angler Kayak is not as accommodating as the Lifetime 10 Foot Sport Fisher Kayak, it still comes at a decent carrying capacity of 275 pounds. The stable bottom means you don’t have a turbulent time when it gets windy. The paddle keeper securely latches your paddle to the kayak. The hull material of the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Kayak is made of UV-Protected High-Density Polyethylene.
But that’s not all. This kayak comes with an adjustable fishing rod holder, two flush mounted fishing rod holders. There are also two hatches beneath the deck which provide added storage. As with any product, there are a few gripes you may have to contend with though. For example, the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 kayak comes in only one colour – olive green. So if that doesn’t make for good visual appeal, you may have to consider your options. However, accompanying its sleek ultra-stable design, elegant structure and myriad of features that make sure you get the best value for money, you’ll be glad to know that the product comes with a decent manufacturer warranty. The Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 kayak is surely another worthy gear to consider when shopping for the best kayak for beginners.