What Is the Difference Between a Flat Water Kayak & an Ocean Kayak?

Ocean-going kayaks, usually called sea kayaks or touring kayaks, are often used for long paddling trips on open water, and must be designed for comfort, speed and seaworthiness. Flat-water kayaks are more often used for recreational paddling, fishing and short day trips. The very different uses of the two types of boats call for significantly different designs.

  1. Length

    • In general, long kayaks are faster than short kayaks. Long, thin hulls cut through the water smoothly, with very little drag, making them easier to paddle over long distances. Longer hulls tend also to be more stable when cutting through waves. Shorter kayaks are more maneuverable than longer ones. Because of these factors, sea kayaks are usually longer than kayaks designed for flat water. Sea kayaks are typically between 15 and 18 feet long, while flat-water kayaks are often 12 feet in length, or shorter.

    Width

    • Wider kayaks are more stable than narrower kayaks. The wider and flatter a boat's hull, the less likely it is to roll over. On the other hand, a wider hull increases a boat's drag in the water, making it harder to propel. Sea kayaks, which need to be speedy and easy to paddle more than they need to be stable, are generally narrow. On flat water, where stability is more of a concern, wider kayaks are the norm.

    Rocker

    • Rocker is the degree of curvature of a kayak's hull from bow to stern. A kayak with a lot of rocker has an upswept bow, while a kayak with little rocker has a relatively flat hull. Increasing rocker increases maneuverability, so flat-water kayaks tend to have more rocker than sea kayaks. All kayaks, however, benefit from the advantages of minimal rocker, which allows the kayak to more easily track in a straight line.

    Storage

    • Sea kayaks are often used for long-distance touring, so the need for secure, watertight storage in them is significant. Sea kayaks often have multiple watertight storage compartments and deck-top cargo nets. Flat-water kayaks are more often used for recreational, sport or other day-use applications, and consequently usually have less need for ample storage space.