How to Choose a Touring Kayak!
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2023
- Touring Kayaks are some of the most popular kayaks on the market, but there's a huge range in styles. This video helps you choose the right kayak for your needs.
Check out my full review on the Pakayak Bluefin 142: • Best Portable Kayak Ev...
Other Kayaks I mention:
Liquid Logic Saluda- • The Next Best-Selling ...
P&H Volan- • This is What a Luxury ...
Use code 'PaddleTV15' to get 15% of your next purchase at Outdoorplay - bit.ly/41iqxMu
Gear I have tested and recommend:
Paddles:
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon 2-piece (rec/touring) bit.ly/43KLWQb
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid 2-piece (Rec/Touring bit.ly/41VdlND
Aqua Bound Shred (whitewater) bit.ly/3L9h04E
PFDs:
NRS Chinook PFD (fishing) bit.ly/3AaGAzS
NRS Zen PFD (whitewater) bit.ly/3odrMxK
NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec) bit.ly/41yCpK0
Dry Gear / Layers:
NRS Flux Dry Top bit.ly/41EvCyC
NRS Riptide Splash Jacket bit.ly/3L9awmd
NRS Axiom Dry Suit bit.ly/3A6RdUj
Shirts:
NRS Silkweight Long-Sleeve Shirt - Mens bit.ly/3KOMegb
NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt bit.ly/41jskkf
Pants:
NRS Benny Board Shorts bit.ly/41fyAtm
Footwear:
NRS Boundary Boot: bit.ly/3Lb8Clo
NRS Kicker Wetshoe: bit.ly/3H6Sjna
NRS Paddle Wetshoe: bit.ly/3V3cYhx
Astral PFD Sandal bit.ly/41EiFVc
Sunglasses: Wiley X Outdoor Sun Glasses bit.ly/3NtJQKR
Other Paddling Gear:
NRS WRSI Current Helmet bit.ly/3L90rpz
NRS Drylander Shock Cord Sprayskirt bit.ly/41g8C9l
Surf Ears Ear Plugs bit.ly/3AbMl1y
GoPro Hero 11 Black amzn.to/3ZWVXHN
Rapid Pure Purifier amzn.to/3iuIo1C
Zoleo Satellite Communicator amzn.to/3kv0hOt
NOTE: These are affiliate links in which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you, but it is a great way to show your support.
Special thanks to my Global Partners for supporting my mission of helping get people on the water and creating life-long outdoor participants.
Outdoorplay: www.outdoorplay.com/
NRS: www.nrs.com/
Wiley X: www.wileyx.com/
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Ken’s teaching videos are the best, I always learn so much. So helpful to hear ‘who would enjoy paddling this type of kayak’, what conditions they are designed to handle and the particular strengths of each type. Another excellent lesson.
Thanks Mary!
I'm 40 and bought my first kayak.. I'm in love.. wish I could buy a whole fleet of different ones now 😂
My journey...
4 years ago my first SOT (2.8 Meters). Sold already.
3 years ago got my Perception expression.
2 years ago got the Epic V7
1 year ago got the Vagabond Marimba. Sold already.
2 weeks ago got the Nelo 540
So many different kayaks on the market, after a while I found out that surfski's are the most fun for me. Just try different kayaks for a while and you will find one right for you.
I actually just tested my first Delta kayak this past weekend and really enjoyed it!
Personally, I find the term "expedition kayak" more descriptive than "sea kayak" for the reasons you mention. They're long, typically have lots of storage, and are efficient at traveling long distances, whether you're doing that on the sea or somewhere else.
Slightly disagree. An "expedition kayak" is a subset of a sea kayak. One can have lots of surf fun in a smaller volumn sea kayak (ex: NDK Romany or P&H Delphin), however when needing to carry gear a large volumn sea kayak (ex: CD Solstice or the older KayakSport Artisan Millenium) would be a better hull for an expedition. All are sea kayaks designed for different purposes.
I suggest “touring” and “advanced touring” (in lieu of sea kayak) for terminology. But purpose/designation terminology would be helpful…but confusing. Ocean surfing, rock gardening, camping/expedition, etc but, this as hood an explanation as can be found on the interwebs.
Seriously my favorite channel out there! Watching Ken's videos (especially Paddle Tales) are how I relax and unwind most days😂
Thanks Jacob! I'm enjoying making them, and so it's a win-win! :)
Over the years I had "graduated" from rec to sea kayaks and even built a light weight 17' mahogany kayak, but it's the speed and efficiency I love the most - even though I rarely use it in the sea or rough waters. The Pakayak looked interesting from a storage/transport perspective, but not the heavy weight. I ended up getting an Oru Coast a few yrs ago for when I want an even lighter boat and easier time transporting it, but still having similar performance to a sea kayak.
You still liking the Oru Coast? I'd love to test that some day...
@@PaddleTV Except for the painful stock seat pad, the blunt bow plowing water a bit, and having to add float bags, it's been a good performing portable yak. I'm sure the Trak is even better, but it's really pricey and hard to get. I would think Oru would've given you any model to review if you wanted...
Nice Greenland Paddle you are using when you are paddling and Pak A yak!
Great video! Thanks for your insights.
Cheers!
awesome, exactly what i was looking for
Nice information. I have a friend that has a very small kayak for white water rivers. It does not seem to fit into any of your categories. It is short and rolls very easy. But still uses it to go out to white rock lake, Dallas and listen to an evening concert at the arboretum.
Learned a lot just watching this one video, thanks! New subscriber.
Great video.
I'm in an Itiwit X500 at the moment, loving it. I am thinking of upgrading to the Trak 2.0 next year though, which will unlock so much more for me
The Trak 2.0 has been my first choice. My Problem was, that my butt didn't fit. I was Sitzung in the plastic legt and dicht oft the Seat. Find a seller where you can test it.
In the end I kept my Prijon Grizzly and added a Pakayak.
Awesome we just upgraded to some second hand wilderness systems kayaks for touring and kayak camping . We love them Stability and speed with heaps of room for packing camping gear and if we get keen can go sea kayaking in them too . like them so much I don't think we will ever need to buy another kayak . a perfect fit for us and durable (wilderness systems Cape Horn 150 )
First! I love all of your reviews Ken! Keep the awesome content coming!
Thank you!
I hope you will consider a video or series on kayak paddling course and schools. I am a recreational paddler interested in learning to roll and improve my paddling skills.
Packed with useful bits of information, but also, to illustrate those, with images, which also make the video a pleasure to watch. As always, as some would say. ;_)
Many thanks!
Best overview of kayak categories I’ve ever seen. Because you describe the middle touring section and touch on recreational and performance kayaks it makes it a great overall overview!
I’m considering Bonafide EX123 for a fishing/touring kayak on lakes, small slow Cat1 rivers (max Cat2) as well as big rivers like lower Hudson River or even Mississippi.
Do you think EX123 can handle these big rivers and possibly Chesapeake Bay or Long Island Sound? I would add a front bulkhead and hatch or at least an airbag for those rougher waters.
The reason why I’m sort of hung up on EX123 is that it would be used primarily for fishing and secondarily touring/camping.
Thank you for your advice!
Just did my first paddle on a river in a rented Liguid Logic Marvel 12. Lot's of fun but was surprised there were times I was paddling upstream and I was not moving. Also surprised that I am feeling this effort all over my body, to include my legs!
Awesome! Yes, paddling does a surprising job of getting your whole body involved!
Great video. Paddling is fun. Still to find 'the perfect kayak' so just buy a range to suit different circumstances.
I think that might be the answer... it's like saying there's a perfect pair of shoes. Well, the perfect pair of shoes for jogging is going to be different than the perfect pair of shoes for hiking on rough terrain.
As a beginner I bought a 10.5 ft Delsyk Tuktu which falls into the category of recreational touring kayaks, according to Ken. Now that I'm using it at sea, close to shore, I can understand why they say it's designed for flat water. It's tracking is greatly influenced by sea weaves (not weathercocking that much), it's multichine and can edge but it's a bit sketchy and since it has no front bulkhead you basically can't empty it properly if you capsize, it gets too heavy to lift. I got the largest spray skirt that I could find (the one for racing kayaks???)and I can only hardly hook it when I'm not in it, now I'm wondering whether I need one at all (I do get lot of water dripping into the cockpit from the paddle when I do the sweeps or when I go too far while edging😅 so thought it would be a good idea).
I'm getting ready to paddle the Mississippi River next year and I am in between the Delta 15.5 GT, 16, 17, and Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 - would love to hear your guy's recommendations on which I should go with!
I've seen sea kayaks being lumped in as a sunset of touring kayaks.
Then again, the first sea kayaks were skin on frame boats that didn't have bulkheads.
Hey Ken, I've been looking forward to more touring/performance based videos. I know your videos tend towards more entry level and recreational, which helped me get into the sport. Have you ever thought of reviewing Delta Kayaks? I think it would be cool to take a look at a Canadian brand that has both rec touring as well as sea kayaks, and makes a pretty good kayak I think.
Thanks for the videos.
Edit: I spoke to soon, saw your post about testing the delta 15.5gt.
I have a delta 14 touring kayak (performance touring?) I love it!
Ha! I had a blast testing it too. Coming soon!
Should include the most blissful category, which is a sailing kayak. A proper upwind sailing yak with no clunky outriggers and with powerful sail not limited to downwind drifting. Why don't these dominate the market? Well, you kind of need a fin pedal drive stopped in the down position to avoid side drift. You want a seat that accommodates tilt and a bit of weight shift to side; an inflatable seat or pad will work. Sail rigs like Hobie lack a boom so may benefit from improvising one. It's the ultimate watersport!
Still haven't tried one... some day soon I hope.
"Should include the most blissful category, which is a sailing kayak. "
That's not a category of boat. It's an accessory. You can put a sail on most kayaks. That, and the "clunky outriggers" tends to allow for more performance than not using them. Sort of like trimarans being faster than monohulls.
"Well, you kind of need a fin pedal drive stopped in the down position to avoid side drift."
You really don't. A leeboard works as well or better if needed at all. FalconSails doesn't recommend a leeboard or centerboard.
" It's the ultimate watersport!"
It's sailing, as opposed to paddling. Nothing wrong with either.
Please review portable point 65 N kayaks. I want to know if they're durable
Please review the Perception Carolina 14
That's a boat I would love to get my hands on to try!
Where would you all place the itiwit x500? Touring…performance touring? What are your thoughts!
I would consider it a 'touring kayak'. It can handle the rough water, but it's not a performance touring kayak.
Ken, love your reviews, still perplexed as to why no reviews from you on the Delta kayaks, especially since it’s a Canadian brand. Are they not providing one for you?
Good news! I finally got one, and I got to recently test it on a local adventure! Stay tuned...
Love your videos!! Just recently got into kayaking and you've taught so much! You get to kayak some absolutely gorgeous places.
Have you ever thought of doing a best kayak type for larger kayakers? I found it so hard to figure out what to buy because, unfortunately, my weight is too high for alot of them and still be able to carry some camping equipment. Alot of videos I've seen are geared towards fishermen, but for those of us "fluffy" outdoorspeople, finding that performance vessel that would fit us and our sometimes wider hips can be difficult!
Thanks Jennifer! Great to hear they've been helpful! Good video idea too... Let me think about that one!
I think white water kayaks need a category of their own
What's really a transitional kayak?
Some people refer to the kayaks that fall in between recreational kayaks and sea kayaks, as transitional kayaks - kayaks that have smaller cockpits to accommodate skirts, which are longer (13' - 15') and narrower than most recreational kayaks, but shorter and wider than most 'sea kayaks'. The result is a kayak that offers a great blend of stability and speed. More people call these touring kayaks than transitional kayaks.
Oh no..I have a “choad kayak”!
Recreational touring kayak sound like a canoe.
Whats the bets Ken just LOVES the kayak he is being PAID to review 🤔😂😂😂😂
I'd bet against that one.
No, my guess it's like my other passion, motorbikes... my favorite is the last one I rode. Kind of like my kayaks (I have two... get in one and first thing I say to myself, is wow, I forgot how much I loved this one... then I use the other and say the same thing).
Be careful calling it flat water. Go out on a river or lake on a windy day it is anything but flat!