It's kayak time
By Tresa Erickson

A friend recently took you kayaking, and you enjoyed it so much you decided to take up the sport. While you could rent a kayak and may do so until you get more comfortable with the sport, you will need to purchase your own kayak at some point. Here are some tips.

First, you need to know the types of kayaks that are available. These include hardshells, folding and inflatables. Hardshells, or rigid kayaks as they are otherwise known, are made of wood, plastic, fiberglass, or kevlar, graphite or carbon fiber, and range in price and performance. Folding kayaks are made of fabric stretched over a wooden or aluminum frame, and although they do not perform as well as hardshells and cost more, they tend to last longer and retain their value better. Inflatable kayaks are the least expensive of the three and can be stored easily. In many cases, budget and storage may determine the type of kayak you buy. If you have limited money to spend and little room to store the kayak, then an inflatable kayak might be ideal.

Once you have some idea of the type of kayak you would like to buy, you can focus on finding one that will suit your boating activities, expertise level and body size. If you intend to go whitewater rafting, then you will need a kayak designed for that, whereas if you plan to take long trips in the wilderness, you may want a touring kayak. While experienced paddlers may lean more toward kayaks with a tight cockpit and good final stability, you should look for a kayak with a large cockpit and good initial stability, which will prevent the boat from tipping over and allow you to maneuver it more easily as a beginner. If you are fairly petite, you may want to look for a lighter, shorter kayak, which will be easier to maneuver and transport, whereas if you are average size or larger, a heavier, longer kayak offering more stability and larger coverage might be better.

As you are shopping for a kayak, take note of the cargo space and options offered. If you're planning on taking several long trips throughout the year, you'll need a kayak with loads of room for all of your extra gear, whereas if you have shorter excursions in mind, cargo space may not be an issue. Options will also factor in your decision. Accessible hatches, bottle holders, cockpit covers, deck fittings, flotation bags, sprayskirts and more could mean all the difference between a good and bad experience.

These are just some of the factors you will have to consider when selecting a kayak. Keep in mind that the more time you invest in learning about the general design of kayaks, the more informed of a consumer you will be. Do your homework and find out as much as you can about the various components of kayaks before you go shopping. Not only will you have a better idea of what you should be looking for, but you will know what questions to ask and be more apt to choose the right kayak for you