Paddlers are attracted to sea kayaking for many different reasons, but the desire for self-expression is common to us all. From wilderness exploration to exposed crossings; from surf and tide races to the tranquillity of sheltered estuaries, the sea kayak allows us a rare kind of freedom.
All kayak design is a compromise of factors that determine tracking, stability, hull speed, manoeuvrability, windage, durability, seaworthiness and storage capacity. If a design attempts to maximise any of the above, other performance elements are compromised.
For example, kayaks designed for speed, like Olympic K1 racers, only turn with the aid of a rudder, have no storage capacity, and can only be kept upright by experienced paddlers in calm conditions.
Wide, flatter bottomed designs promote a feeling of good initial stability but their large volume and flat midsections give unpredictable performance in steep crested waves and significantly lower final stability. |
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West Greenland style kayaks are renowned for their remarkable rough weather performance. These narrower kayaks with round-bilged, shallow arched hulls ride upright, don’t tilt, roll, bounce or wallow like wider boats with flat mid hull profiles. A rounded hull enables the paddler to lean into a wave to gain secure secondary stability.
The flared bow of a West Greenland kayak is designed to shed water, and prevent its nose from burying in steep waves or surf.
Low profile Swedeform, the widest point behind the cockpit, and long waterline length kayaks are increasing in popularity as they offer maximum speed and glide for their length.
Long distance endurance events and sea kayak racing is pushing the use of high tec composite materials and sandwich construction for the lightest kayaks.
Increasingly, paddlers are adopting these constructions for their touring kayaks to further enhance their paddling pleasure. |
