Choosing a kayak - Recreation Vs Touring

You probably already have a Recreational Kayak, but can you use it to go camping? Sure, with some things to be aware of.
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The Gear I use:
Kayak - Delta Seventeen - tinyurl.com/bd6p26zx
Paddle - Werner Camano -
Paddle - Werner Kalliste - bit.ly/3L7GPCD
PFD - Astral Greenjacket - bit.ly/3mF0RKI
Drysuit - Kokatat Gore-tex Meridian - bit.ly/3JkUoMH
Personal Locator Beacon - ACR Resqlink - bit.ly/3L7wHtG
If you need help getting started paddling or backpacking, check out my books on Amazon and Apple Books. tinyurl.com/r79u9mnd
The Simple Guide to Kayak Camping - tinyurl.com/bd5x2d29
The Simple Guide to Kayaking - tinyurl.com/yzm9dwye
GO! - the trip planning book -tinyurl.com/mrxa6vxy
The Simple Guide to Backpacking - tinyurl.com/mws2t92k
The Simple Guide to SUP - tinyurl.com/26y3m82d
The Adventure Journal - tinyurl.com/s8sefaw6
All my books for iPAd - tinyurl.com/aya5pc3j
My Most Popular Videos:
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Kayaking Skills Videos
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Turning a long Kayak - • Turning A Long Kayak*
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Tips for the outdoors:
Ten tips for Sea kayakers - • 10 Tips for Sea Kayakers
Ten more! - • 10 MORE kayaking tips!
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[@user-ot5ro8tw2h]

The one thing I love about your videos is I go back to them over and over and find something new. I would love to see a video on pfds and floatation ratings. Because your info I trust

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks brother. I think if you dig into my older library you will find a video all about PFD’s. I believe it includes the PFD “types”

[@marycrawford9428]

I did love my rec kayak. For a person who was afraid of flipping it was a great confidence builder, because that thing is a BARGE. I probably could stand up in it. But it let me get out on the water and learn to paddle. And not a huge investment if I ended up not really using it. After three years I was ready for an upgrade, and got my Delta. Had to re-learn entry and exit methods, but so much lighter and faster on the water. Less work to get it moving. Seemed tippier at first, but I got past that. Now I’m working on edging and more paddle skills. Still haven’t done an overnight with it, but that’s in the plans. Did do my first lazy river trip in it last fall. I guess my opinion is, kayaks are good. Use what you have. Enjoy the experience. Work on your skills. Have fun.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I would add, all kayaks are good, but some are better than others at particular things. You may be able to make something work for a while… but eventually find a goal and pick a boat.

[@gsopaddler]

I would argue that's there is little point in needing to bring the pump and paddle float in that prodigy. If most folks capsized it, they would not be able to reenter the boat with the paddle float and pump the water out, faster than it would be coming back in. Not having a bow bulkhead/ flotation, is another safety concern of most rec boats. Even a t-rescue is super difficult with that much water in the boat. Really that rec paddler shouldn't be paddling out any further than they are will to swim it back to shore, even with added inflatable bow flotation it would be difficult for most to self rescue rec kayaks.

[@AdventureOtaku]

All valid points, and it should tell you how often I am in rec boats. My default is paddle float/bilge pump… safety 3rd… But you are absolutely right.

[@wisenber]

Much of it depends on where you want to go kayak camping and how far. An F15 can fly really fast, but it can't land on a grass pasture and expect to take off again. If someone just wants to paddle a half mile out to an island on an inland lake, the rec boat could work fine. The times that I have led trips with rec boats, I treat them like any boat without bulkheads. Both the bow and stern flotation is a requirement, and as you mentioned, the gear is secured. If they gripe about it, I just explain how little interest I have in recovering a partially submerged boat with 80 gallons of water in it when I know I wouldn't have to if they'd used flotation. Another pro for the rec boat is that they don't need to practice a wet exit, as they'll more than likely fall out (provided gear is secured and no entanglement). That being said not all trips are for all kayaks. I wouldn't let someone on a coastal trip of any distance with a rec boat. It's not fair to the rest to have to wait, and the hazards are too high. However, I probably wouldn't let someone on a whitewater trip with shoals if they showed up with a 17' composite boat. The important part is getting people out there to discover these things with their own eyes.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I pretty much agree, with the exception being I can go anywhere a rec boat can go - including the grass pasture! - just not a river. And I agree the important part is getting people out there, but in a safe manner and there are definitely times that a rec boat ISNT a safe choice. But most rec paddlers may not know that. And that was really my goal.

[@wisenber]

@@AdventureOtaku Sadly, the biggest lesson they'll learn is seeing two inches of plastic above the surface while their gear floats away. One of my boats is a 32 year old Klepper folding tandem. The cockpit opening is around 7' long with a spray skirt. Through a conventional lens, it looks more like a rec boat or even a canoe, yet they've managed some of the most extreme expeditions recorded. It's more of an Airbus than an F15, but two people can comfortably average over 4 mph for the day with 300 lbs of gear. Same packing rules as a rec boat apply.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Let’s hope they are careful enough that doesn’t happen! I know the keepers very well! They had a store on union square in Manhattan in the 90’s… amazing boat

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

Very good advice here -- i agree completely. I'm a kayak instructor at 4 different locations (in or near Vancouver, BC). At locations where they have a mix of recreational and touring kayaks, i like to point out their differences, including the safety issues with rec boats, and give the students a choice as to which to try. One point i'd like to add is that there is really a continuum between recreational and touring kayaks. Somewhere in the middle ground are what are often called *light touring* kayaks. In fact i'm about to buy a new fleet of boats for one employer. I've decided on 12 or 13 foot light touring boats. They have the safety features of touring boats -- proper bow storage compartments, proper perimeter lines, and cockpits that take spray skirts. They also are reasonably short and wide like a beginner's rec boat.

[@AdventureOtaku]

GIve me an example of light touring. I am guessing it is similar to the tsunami 140/145 I mentioned.

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

@@AdventureOtaku Here are some: Boreal Design Compass 140 Boreal Design Halo 130 Boreal Design Baltic 120 Riot Edge 13 Riot Enduro 12 Riot Enduro 13 Dagger Stratos 12.5 Delta Delta 12.10 Delta Delta 12AR Eddyline Sandpiper Eddyline Skylark Norse Kayaks Heimdall Perception Carolina 14.0 Wilderness Systems Tsunami 125

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah, as I thought. Thanks for the list.

[@wizeird]

A big safety consideration also is the ratio of hatch/bulkhead space to cockpit space. Many lovely to paddle rec boats have little or no hatch space (sealed of from the rest of the boat) which isn't a problem in good times, but if god forbid you did flip or otherwise swamp your kayak, the cockpit fills up with water and without the sealed compartments there isn't much keeping your boat afloat. And even if it doesn't fully sink its hard (impossible?) to pump out the water if the cockpit is under the waterline. That said you could probably get float bags to put inside to mitigate this, and there are probably other things as well. Rec boats are great, but when using them in places where you wouldn't be happy (or at least safe) swimming, you should make sure they will remain see worthy in bad weather/situations

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah, In retrospect I should have talked about flotation, and bulkheads. An oversight on my part. Maybe Ill do an addendum….

[@lordenoch0]

@@AdventureOtaku For a kayak with a fore and/or aft sealed bulkhead(s), I keep wondering if stuffing them with gear takes away much from the kayak's buoyancy if capsized.

[@robertfrost6522]

I am in complete agreement with you on the entry/exit method, when I can't use it I feel very vulnerable. I like a kayak with a medium sized cockpit entrance, just a bit easier on the back.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Right on

[@can5projects563]

Hi from Australia new subscriber here I'm new to kayaking and your videos are totally awesome I'm leaning more toward the touring kayak I think it may benefit more in the long run

[@AdventureOtaku]

Glad you like the videos. Let me know if I can help you with anything.

[@RobBrown2288]

For long distance coastal and big open water kayaking, your points are valid. However, folks who own recreational kayaks like the one you were in, aren’t likely to even want to go on week long + excursions. Those types of kayaks work great on the smaller, rocky, moving water rivers (up to easy Class 2) inland, and would run circles around a long touring kayak on those rivers, even loaded out for a weekend of camping. And just for reference, I own 7 kayaks and have camped out of 10.5’ rec boats up to and including a 17’ sea kayak. If I only had one kayak, that would not stop me from camping out of it, it would just limit the type of water (and weather) I would be comfortable paddling in.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Absolutely. I did say the long boat wasn’t good for rivers.

[@superfly9478]

got my first kayak last year, got a fishing kayak for stability... too slow and too much work to car top, ordered a 15.5 gt delta for spring, can't wait to get on water :)

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah, a lot of fishing guys use trailers. Not only are the boats big and heavy, but they usually have a ton of gear on them.

[@TheMidnightNarwhal]

I started with a delta 15.5gt 3-4 years ago and it's great. Ironically I want to start fishing now since my best friends got kayak but the fishing type. So I'm to fast for them and tend to loiter around. Going to try to clamp on a rod holder and start fishing from it.

[@terrytysinger6022]

Welcome back to GSO!

[@AdventureOtaku]

Well, I am in GSO this weekend to teach but I am moving to Pennsylvania.

[@terrytysinger6022]

@@AdventureOtaku Off the Lake Leesville for us - a better paddling lake than for jet skis. Also, turns into the Roanoke River at the dam. It’s a nice simple river going into Altavista. Anyhow, enjoy your videos!

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thank you for watching!

[@sallypeters909]

One thing to mention is to check out USED kayaks. There are people that choose to upgrade from a rotomold (heavier) kayak to a lighter weight kayak. The used boat will have plenty of life left!

[@AdventureOtaku]

Very true! And boats are easy to repair

[@lordenoch0]

I can't use a touring kayak mainly because I would be terrified to top it on my Kia Soul and head down the highways/freeways at 70 mph. Here in southern California there are very few rivers and some reservoirs and bays, but from where I live, they're all a good trip. And, I would have nowhere but outside to keep a kayak of that size. But, I do have the choice of a shorter "day touring" PE or ABS kayak. My question is, are even snug, well-mounted ABS kayaks on a vehicle roof able to withstand all the vibrating, dips and bumps and jostling without concern for cracks or separation at the seams? If I would be driving several thousand miles a year with a kayak on top, would a more forgiving PE alternative be a better idea?

[@AdventureOtaku]

I am going to disagree with your first statement. I have driven from central North Carolina to Alaska, twice in a Toyota Yaris (4 door sedan version). Once with one 17 foot thermoformed kayak on the roof, and once with THREE 17 foot thermoformed kayaks on the roof. I have driven probably close to a hundred thousand miles with plastic boats on the roof of cars and vans, because my boats usually only come off the roof to paddle - I never have a place to store them. Now would I do that on the streets of Southern California (or New York where I am from originally) no. But I would bet if you look for paddling clubs you will find that they have places or ideas where you can store a boat. I have never done damage to a boat just from living on the roof in a rack, I have seen people damage boats when they don’t secure them correctly. Check out my video on “racking your kayak.” Yes, Poly boats are more durable, but not so much that I worry about a thermoformed boat on the roof of my various vehicles.

[@lordenoch0]

@@AdventureOtaku That is precisely what I wanted to hear. Read. Whatever. Thanks.

[@carlgoggles1970]

Could a 12ft recreational kayak be compared to a 14ft touring kayak ?

[@AdventureOtaku]

Sea kayak/touring kayak is really the same thing. Comparing them to a rec boat the rec boat would be wider (and obviously shorter) and probably lack any dry storage.

[@mr.wigglemunch3856]

Can i get away with a 16 foot long and 22,8 inch wide touring kayak as a beginner? I'm 6 foot long and the cockpit length of the kayak is 33 inches. I have some experience in a Point 65 Mercury kayak. Will i have issues with primary stabilization in boat this size? thanks

[@AdventureOtaku]

I don't see why not. Assuming you fit in the cockpit, and I don't see any reason why you shouldn't. I have seen people over 6' in 16 foot kayaks. The narrowness compared to the mercury might seem daunting at first, but it won't for long. I have said many times, your new boat should scare you a little bit, that tippy-ness will translate into an easier transition for edge turns, eventually. I would do it.

[@mr.wigglemunch3856]

@@AdventureOtaku This helped a lot thanks

[@AdventureOtaku]

Your welcome. Thanks for watching l!

[@DB-cx6cb]

Did I hear you correctly when you said the touring kayak wasn’t ideal for calm lake’s

[@AdventureOtaku]

No. I use a touring kayak on lakes all the time. (I would honestly have to go back and watch it to know what I actually said) I trained for the inside passage on lakes.

[@kenwebster5053]

Well I did Slalom Kayaking for my high school sport back in the 70s. The teacher organised materials & mould hire and we built our own kayaks in 2-3 days per boat for $40 each. I built a more competitive Lettmann Olymp kayak a few years later. In those days, Slalom boats were restricted to 4m LOL 60cm beam. I still have both these kayaks & paddle them from time to time. They can hold everything needed for several days touring. However, these are not ideal touring kayaks in terms of handling nor speed for effort. So later in life, I purchased a 17 ft fibreglass sea kayak for about $400 2nd hand. It's half the weight of any plastic kayak & I can easily lift it on and off my car by myself. It has bulkheads where camping can be stored. This is a much better option for me to paddle open waters. I have never understood why anyone would pay thousands for a boat that they cannot easily load unload or portage by themselves. Just buy a decent boat 2nd hand for 10% of the cost of a new one that you wouldn't enjoy because it's too heavy to manage.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah, you can absolutely do well on the used market. But you have to be able to act quickly.

[@hoser7706]

Right but what about apples to apples. By that I mean a 12-14’ dual bulkhead/hatched rec boat that mirrors touring kayaks? Especially with ultrlight transitional versatile gear used from backpacking and bikepacking. Other than food volume large capacity may not be needed. The reality is no one boat can do it all. Lol.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I do agree that no one boat can do it all… I would say a 14’ dual bulkheaded boat is a light touring boat, and yes you could pack like an ultra lighter and use it for multi day. But when I am talking about a rec boat I am talking about less than 14’, and wider than a touring boat - which will affect performance. You simply cant cover miles in a short wide boat, they don’t offer the storage needed for for more than an overnight…etc… the list goes on.

[@kevincasey2947]

Excuse me but you really weren't forceful enough. Or BLUNT! Where I paddle, there is a growing movement to regulate kayaking with multiple enforcement proposals and to tax all kayakers and to actively have marine patrols pull over kayakers on the water who are not outfitted properly. This is because of the proliferation of people using recreational kayaks in saltwater environments who cause problems and require assistance. You're approach to your video was fun and I enjoyed it but you I was waiting, (and HOPING!) you would bring the hammer down and you didn't! Yo need some mo' WHOOP ASS! 🤣

[@AdventureOtaku]

So wait… you wanted me to say, no you can’t use a rec boat for camping? I say use it with caution but very little of what I say is a hard no or hard yes.

[@kevincasey2947]

@@AdventureOtaku On flat water like lakes and ponds and streams and easy rivers, sure use a rec boat for camping. On anything else, like the ocean, don't use a rec boat AT ALL! You have controlled your message coyly around camping as an out to avoid bringing the hammer down on miscreants! BRING DA OTAKU HAMMER DOWN!

[@AdventureOtaku]

I agree with you and I assure you my avoiding wasn’t intentional. A lot of people have done this video and I wanted to come at it from a different direction.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Wait Kevin. Where do you paddle that that is going on? Really curious!

[@kevincasey2947]

@@AdventureOtaku I paddle in Puget Sound, Straight of Juan DeFuca, Canada, NW Pacific Ocean and Inside Passage. I read everything on your site, and I really like your site and your videos. I admit sometimes its fun to be a smart aleck and I was just being a little spanky, in a fun way. I always post fun loving emoji's when I am spanky! There is an active, proposed movement here to require all kayakers to register their boats and obtain and pay for a Boater Registration Certification Card and have it in their possession at all times, similar to a Driver's automobile License and license plate tabs. The proliferation of outdoor activities during covid, like recreational kayaking and the political defiance of covid social restrictions was primarily a red state vs blue state divide. Flat water lakes and streams and easy rivers are in more rural areas, and those areas are Red. Salt water is in the Blue part of the state. This is pretty similar in most states. Rec kayaking became more & more popular but the inhibition to take a rec kayak where rec paddlers shouldn't go is simply not there. Camping or not, it doesn't matter. It's simply a lack of common sense. In Washington State, ALL kayaking will soon be regulated. A lack of common sense. That's the problem.