Boat Selection
Your first boat should be one that can produce the most enjoyment for your investment. If you paddle a lot you will probably end up acquiring more than one boat because no
single boat will work great for all purposes.
Shorter boats work best for rivers with swift current and sharp turns. Whitewater boats are required for all but the mildest whitewater. Longer boats work best for lakes and other calm water where speed and straight line stability are more important than turning. Many river float trips have sections where boats of different lengths would be desirable so the mid-length boats are frequently selected as a compromise.
Initially you will probably want to purchase a boat that can be used on a large number of scheduled events. I think you are more likely to become a regular paddler if you begin paddling flatwater, do it with other paddlers, gain some experience, and then challenge yourself in steps. This will also be a safer approach than heading off to a lake or pond alone. It is also a lot more fun to float downriver and have transportation arranged. Whitewater paddling is lot of fun for some of us but it is not for everyone. You should definitely acquire some basic skills and knowledge before you jump into whitewater activities.
For Kansans, flatwater activities far outnumber whitewater activities because there are more members who have an interest in flatwater paddling and good whitewater is difficult to find except in the Spring. Many whitewater trips do occur and are never posted on the schedule because of the difficulty in predicting perfect river conditions.
Most KCKA trips will be on rivers and creeks that have a moderate current such as the Arkansas and Kansas rivers and on rivers like those found in southwestern Missouri that have a little faster current, riffles and tighter turns. Occasionally trips are scheduled for Fall River and Grouse Creek. Only a few trips will be scheduled on still water such as lakes, and the mouths of creeks and rivers that feed our lakes. Several members will schedule trips that involve camping out of your boat. I really didn’t see myself doing this initially but it has turned out to be quite fun and comfortable once I learned how.
Canoes, touring kayaks and recreational kayaks are all plentiful on our most common flatwater trips. Kayaks outnumber canoes because they require less energy to paddle and I suppose because of trend.
Touring kayaks in the 13-15 foot range are quite popular because they are easy to paddle and have plenty of room for camping gear. Kayaks with sealed bulkheads are especially convenient for storage of camping gear and they don’t need floatation bags. A standard spray skirt will fit and thigh braces can be added to most touring kayaks. With thigh braces, a smaller cockpit and a few foam shims you can wear the boat so the hull moves when the hips are moved. This is not a requirement for having fun but will greatly help if you have a desire to learn some of the more advanced maneuvers such as bracing or the Eskimo roll.
Recreational kayaks are very stable and quite maneuverable. I see young, old, big and small people scooting around with no trouble, and having lots of fun. Recreational kayaks are very popular because they are less costly than touring kayaks and the larger cockpit will fit more people. Because of the larger cockpit, there is less chance of being stuck in the boat, standard spray skirts won’t fit, and thigh braces might not be available. These are only factors if you have an interest in learning some of the advanced paddling techniques or the Eskimo roll. Because of lengths and widths most recreational kayaks will be slower than midsize touring kayaks and faster than most whitewater boats. It will be a little more difficult to carry camping gear in a recreational kayak but I have seen it done.
Crossover Kayaks are kayaks manufactured to be used in flatwater up through
Class III whitewater. The Dagger Crossover and Perception Enduro both provide a
great compromise for rivers with swift current, tight turns and easy whitewater
such as rivers in southwestern Missouri. If you get caught in open water with a
strong wind the skeg can be lowered. These boats come standard with dry storage,
thigh braces, center pillars and can use standard sized Neoprene spray skirts. Both of
these boats turn very easy, will require a whitewater paddle and some practice
to learn to paddle straight. I have used my Enduro for both flat water and
whitewater river trips, and whitewater surfing at our local spillway. At
the time of this writing, the Enduro is my favorite boat for all applications
except big open water.
Sit-on-top kayaks are especially useful for anyone who is uncomfortable with learning the “wet-exit” for a conventional kayak or has a phobia about being stuck in the cockpit. All previous comments about
length and maneuverability apply. You will be more exposed to the elements in a sit-on-top than in a conventional kayak with a spray skirt. Some very serious ocean kayaking and surfing is done in sit-on-tops. Like recreational kayaks sit-on-tops are usually more stable than conventional kayaks. They are also the most popular boat among kayak fisherman.
Canoes are very traditional, seem to require more energy to paddle and than kayaks and can haul anything you could ever need for an overnighter. Using a double-bladed kayak paddle can make paddling a canoe easier and more enjoyable.
Shorter boats will be slower on the longer stretches, more maneuverable and much easier to navigate the rivers like those found in southwestern Missouri. They will be useful for almost all our scheduled flatwater river trips. They are a little more difficult to camp out of than longer boats with more storage space.
Medium length boats 13-15 foot range will be faster in the longer stretches, a little less maneuverable in the turns and still useful for most of the flatwater trips in the Ozarks. Since this length seems to be quite popular you should expect it to be useful on almost all flatwater trips. This mid-length is popular because it is a good compromise.
The 12.5 foot Perception Enduro and Dagger Crossover are my favorites for rivers
and creeks with swift current and or light whitewater.
Longer boats, over 15 foot, will be much faster in the longer stretches, not very maneuverable in the turns and probably not to useful for flatwater trips in the Ozarks due to the maneuverability needed for the sharp turns. This length will be very suitable for still water and sea kayaking activities and not the best choice for rivers with a swift current that require maneuverability.
Tandem vs. Solo: Tandem boats tend to sit deeper in the water and hence get stuck more often than solo boats in shallow water conditions. Most of our trips entail at least a few shallow spots. In the hotter season shallow areas are abundant. Tandem boats are longer and therefore faster but less maneuverable. Tandem boats generally mean a master paddler in the rear seat and a submissive paddler in the front seat. Solo boats provide the paddler with the independence to paddle their own direction and speed. Solo paddlers can look at each other while conversing. I would much rather have two inexpensive recreational kayaks than one expensive tandem kayak. But that is just my opinion.
Whitewater vs. Flatwater/Touring boats: Modern whitewater boats are quite short, have lots of rocker to make them turn easy and no keel to provide straight-line stability. They spin around on a dime with a single sweep stroke and are very difficult to paddle straight. A boat with rocker means the hull turns up in the bow and stern like the rockers on a rocking chair. You can see a boat’s rocker by viewing it from the side at water level. Keel is the line on the center of the hull that runs its length. A boat with a very sharp keel would have a “V” shaped hull. Touring boats usually have a sharp keel in the bow and stern to provide straight line stability and a flatter section in the middle to give the boat more initial stability or to make it less “tippy” from side to side. Touring boats have little if any rocker. Whitewater boats can be used to easily catch eddies (a still spot downstream of an obstruction such as a bolder) and play in the waves. Whitewater boats can be easily moved sideways with the draw stroke. Flatwater or touring boats are used to navigate lakes, bays, rivers and creeks where speed and straight line stability are more desirable than quick turning. More especially touring boats are used on water where catching eddies, quick turning and the draw stroke are not a requirement.
Rudders & Skegs: Longer boats tend to weathervane in windy conditions requiring additional or stronger strokes on one side. The weathervane effect can be checked with a retractable rudder or skeg. Retractable rudders are often found on touring kayaks and longer sit-on-top kayaks. Rudders are controlled with foot pedals and can help turn the boat. Skegs cut through the water like rudders but don’t turn. Both rudders and skegs provide additional straight-line stability when deployed. Your rudder or skeg must retract automatically if you contact a shallow bottom or other object to prevent damage, and retract manually any time desired. If you have a rudder or skeg, it is imperative that you learn to paddle, and practice paddling, without a rudder or skeg so you can control your boat in shallow water and in riffles. Many
touring boaters enjoy the benefits of their rudder or skeg. Some boaters think rudders and skegs are unnecessary.
In summary, you can’t buy a boat that will be great in all conditions. All boats are a compromise in some way. Select a first boat that will provide the most fun for your investment. Gain skill and experience then trade for a different boat or add another to your collection.
© 2005 Chris Collins, All Rights Reserved