Kayak

How to choose the right kayak?

#  What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

For starters, a kayak is thinner than a canoe, which makes it easier to transport if you live far from a water source. They are made to be easily transportable, and there are many different models for each kayak discipline.

As far as transport is concerned, there is the new technology of KAYAK GONFLABLE, which can be put in a backpack, and inflated with a pump (electric or manual), which is not provided by the canoe.

However, for storage, the canoe is more popular because there is more volume inside, compared to the kayak, which, whether inflatable or hard called Sit-on-top, storage space is limited, and so is the number of people. Sit-on-top kayaks can accommodate a maximum of 3 people, and a child.

In general, the big difference between a kayak and a canoe is capacity and shape. Choose a kayak for occasional to regular outings if you don't live near a water source, a canoe if you can move it easily with a lot of equipment.

# How many categories of kayaks are there?

We can divide kayaks into two large families, the Kayaks of Calm Waters and the Kayaks of White Waters, themselves separated into sub-categories, there are 5 sub-categories of Flat Water Kayaks, and 4 sub-categories of White Water Kayaks.

You will find in the calm water kayak family the sit-on-top, leisure, touring, inflatable and pedal boat kayaks; for the white water kayak family, you will find playboats, rivers, Creekboats, Old School, and inflatables.

At Sportmania, we offer Sit-on-top kayaks and inflatables, but we are open for any other product you wish within the limit of stock available from the supplier, contact us.

1 What is a Sit-on-Top kayak?

The Sit-on-top kayak is a so-called closed-cockpit kayak, because you will not go inside, but above, this type of kayak is practical for beginners because it is easy to get on and off, several storage spaces (for waterproof bags or waterproof tanks), they are wider than touring models for example and smaller for most of them, which gives them more stability, more practical for beginners.

This type of kayak weighs about 18 kg for the smallest, easily transportable alone or accompanied, about 3m for the smallest; they are fully rigid, so plan to live close to a water point, or to have something to transport it, on the roof or on a trailer.

Sit-on-tops are kayaks for short trips of about 2 hours, but can last longer, of course, depending on your endurance, but you should choose narrower and longer kayaks to improve speed and maintain your course (touring kayaks will have what is called a rudder, allowing you to maintain a straight course).

(The only disadvantage is that the Sit-on-top, which is above water level for the user, may not be ideal if you want to stay dry because, not being really at the bottom of the boat, you will get wet often by splashing, invigorating in summer, quite uncomfortable in winter).

To put it simply, the Sit-on-top is perfect for short trips alone or in a group, with room to store things and great stability, less manoeuvrable than a touring boat, it will take you where you want to go.

You will find river kayaks that will have more little extras on the kayak, allowing you to be more comfortable with a fishing rod, ask Sportmania for more details if you want to get one.

2 What is an inflatable kayak?

An inflatable kayak is a kayak that can be inflated and deflated at will, allowing people who do not live near water, or who cannot move a rigid kayak, to be able to enjoy a product that is almost similar for certain models, to move it in a backpack more generally, and to take it for a ride with you.

The inflatable kayak is, for the purists, considered as a "toy", but don't be mistaken, the inflatable kayak can be very resistant and performing depending on the model and the brand. For the septic, Sportmania offers you the BIC FULL HP model, top of the range that we propose, which will delight the most demanding customers.

Usually delivered with a hand pump, paddle, bag and seats, the inflatable kayak is a high performance tool, and easy to use, it requires a little more preparation before launching it, inflating it (prefer an electric inflator for less effort), preparing the seats and oars.

Prefer the High Pressure models for a maintenance had a glide out of pair, the entry-level models will not be able to give you the same quality of glide.

# Which paddle to choose?

When choosing paddles, it is very easy to decide, you will have the choice between paddles in one block, or in different parts, prefer paddles in one block if you want to make long hours of it, generally, the best performing ones are those with grip at hand level so that the paddle doesn't slip. Go for a multi-part paddle if you want to travel with it or put it in a backpack.

The rigid paddle is, as its name suggests, very rigid, which will be more pleasant with each stroke of the paddle, without having any play in the long run. The multi-part paddle will be less rigid, just as efficient, but with the chance of having play over time.

As far as materials are concerned, it is better to use carbon for lighter and stiffer paddles, but very expensive, aluminium remains the main material: heavy, strong and inexpensive, fibreglass is the alternative between stiffness, weight and budget.

> Tailor-made : Can't find your wished product within our catalog? Please contact us, and we will manage to provide you with the product at the best internet price (valid only within our brands, lead time 7-10 days)