Fishing Kayaks-Canoes І River-Ocean Kayaks І Fun Wave Skis І Specials

Kayaks-Canoes-Terminology

Canoe–Kayak: The use of the words canoe and kayak has become blurred over years. Traditionally one sits inside a kayak and the cockpit is covered with a splash deck. The term "kayak" increasingly applies to paddle-sports craft that look similar to traditional kayaks. A single cockpit kayak is known as a K1 Kayak, a double or tandem kayak a K2 Kayak.

A Canoe and Kayak can also be differentiated by the number of blades on the paddle. A kayaker uses a double bladed kayak paddle whereas a canoe paddler uses a single bladed paddle.

The sport of canoeing continues to grow, as does the range of canoes & kayaks. Racing kayaks and canoes are unstable and require skill to paddle. Recreational kayaks and canoes are stable, hard to capsize and easy to paddle. The wider kayak hull means recreational kayaks will not track (maintain a straight line) as well as the longer, narrower racing kayaks and surf skis. Most recreational kayak models have cargo carrying capacity. These stable canoes & kayaks provide an ideal platform for all paddlers to enjoy the outdoors, exercise and fun. For fisherman there are Fishing Kayaks, for lakes and rivers – the River Kayak-Canoe and for paddlers wanting to enjoy the ocean – Ocean kayaks.

Recreational kayaks and canoes offer paddlers the opportunity to cover large distances. Wave Skis are for fun – paddle by the beach or use the wave ski to surf the waves. Wave Skis are sit-on-top paddle-sport craft whereas the paddler normally sits-in a canoe or Kayak. Wave Skis are shorter than kayaks and wave skis use a skeg to aid turning whereas kayaks use a rudder.

Kayak-Canoe Construction

As with racing kayaks and surf skis, recreational canoes are constructed of plastic and fibreglass. For the recreational paddler the benefits of carbon fibre and kevlar kayaks are limited. The lightweight properties are expensive, therefore used in elite racing kayaks.

Plastic Kayaks-Canoes:

Modern roto-moulded Plastic Kayaks and Wave Skis are strong, durable and UV resistant. Whilst being heavier than fibreglass kayaks, the technological advances made by Finn and Spirit Paddle Sports (internal links to manufacturers) have produced excellent kayaks and wave skis that are ideal for the recreational paddler.

Fibreglass Kayaks-Canoes:

Fibreglass kayaks and canoes are generally lighter than plastic kayak alternative. Fibreglass kayaks also have good glide properties, suitable for paddling a kayak longer distance. With a good strength to weight ratio fibreglass kayaks and canoes are strong but not as durable as the plastic kayaks.

Custom Made-Kayaks-Canoes

Customise the colours for your Kayak – Manufacturers produce kayaks and canoes in popular colours. A customised colour or design on your Kayak, canoe or wave ski usually comes at no extra charge.

Kayak Advice

For advice or information on choosing a Kayak contact Kevin White (internal link contact page) – paddling kayaks at an elite level for over 25 years during which time Kevin has been involved in racing kayak design, supply and also manufacture of kayaks and surf skis.

Recreational Kayaks-Canoes-Wave Skis