Touring Vs. Recreational Kayak

Kayak designs vary widely to suit the needs of different types of paddlers and water conditions. If you would like to buy a kayak, read product reviews, try out as many boats as you can and talk to experienced paddlers about what you are looking for in a boat. Both recreational kayaks and touring kayaks provide enough stability to put most beginners at ease. Other names for touring kayaks include sea kayak and expedition kayak.

  1. Size

    • Ranging in size from nine to 13 feet long, recreational kayaks are shorter and wider than touring kayaks, which are long and narrow. A longer, thinner boat trades maneuverability for speed and cargo space.

    Features

    • Because they are designed for multiple-day outings, touring kayaks provide greater storage capacity than recreational kayaks. However, many recreational kayaks do have enough storage space for a lengthy day trip. There are also recreational kayaks specifically designed for fishing and fishing gear.

    Advantages

    • Touring kayaks accelerate and maintain speed more easily, but recreational kayaks are more maneuverable. Recreational boats also usually have a wide cockpit and may be more comfortable for larger people. Some touring kayaks are designed specifically for day trips. They have less cargo space but are lighter and more maneuverable than touring boats designed for longer trips.

    Considerations

    • If you are looking to travel long distances quickly, and if you are considering multiple-day trips, you would do better to choose a touring kayak. If you are looking for a boat to take out for a leisurely day on a lake, bay or lazy river, a recreational kayak should suit your needs just fine. Because they are shorter and more maneuverable, recreational kayaks are also great for fishing and coastal exploration.

    Types

    • Touring kayaks and recreational kayaks are both available in plastic, fiberglass, inflatable or folding styles. Plastic boats are the most durable but are difficult to repair if you do manage to crack them. Fiberglass boats are easier to crack but also easier to repair. Inflatable and folding boats have the advantage of being easy to store and transport. Folding kayaks are the most similar to the original Inuit kayaks in that they are made of synthetic skin-like material stretched over a wood or aluminum frame.

      Both touring and recreational boats are available in the sit-on-top style. A sit-on-top kayak has an open cockpit, and storage areas can be open or closed. Many novice paddlers feel more comfortable on the sit-on-top than they do inside a traditional, enclosed cockpit.