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SK Newsletter: Aug 6, 2009
By Christopher Cunningham
Editor |
In last month’s newsletter I asked if there is a minimum length for a kayak to be considered a true sea kayak. The unanimous response was no. For the readers who replied, fit and function were more important criteria than overall length. To J.K. “a sea kayak is just that; a kayak that can manage what the ocean dishes out. A small adult or child needs a smaller kayak to be a good fit for managing it.”
D.C. of Ancaster, Ontario wrote: “My wife and I (she’s 5'2" and I'm 5'6") both paddle 14ft boats that we consider ‘real’ sea kayaks. We've got hatches front and back with watertight bulkheads and a skeg. Most of our paddling is on inland lakes and rivers so the combination of speed and handling is what made us pick this size boat after trying many larger ones. We've got enough room for a multi-day trip but they're also light enough for an easy solo carry and car-topping. We do spend some time along the Lake Huron shore and handling some of the rough days there is not a problem, and actually quite fun!”
J.G. of Yonkers, NY wrote: “I recently have been exploring the smaller kayaks. We have a boat shop here in Yonkers, NY and I needed a project while our students built their boats. I decided to make a few smaller kayaks. The first was 14ft long. Nice boat, fast enough. Surfs great too. Light and fun. The other, a 13ft boat, sure tracks well! Enough speed to keep up. Both these boats were built with frame-and-stringer construction. The lightness and nimbleness of the smaller boats is fun, but for cruising in bigger water the longer boats feel better. So what is the fine line between a sea kayak and a rec boat? Maybe it is being capable in bigger water, rather than a floating bath tub.”
Thanks to all who wrote to provide their views on kayak size. We’ll keep an eye out for sea kayaks in a broad range of sizes and present reviews of boats that “can manage what the ocean dishes out.”
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