How to Choose a Touring Kayak!

[@wikeywikeywhick3852]

this guy has one of the best channels i have run across,great info

[@maryhenry3257]

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.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Mary!

[@jacobnieves7728]

Seriously my favorite channel out there! Watching Ken's videos (especially Paddle Tales) are how I relax and unwind most days😂

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Jacob! I'm enjoying making them, and so it's a win-win! :)

[@cieljek]

I'm 40 and bought my first kayak.. I'm in love.. wish I could buy a whole fleet of different ones now 😂

[@SimplyTheBethWalsh]

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.

[@siberx4]

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.

[@hankb1604]

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.

[@just-dl]

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.

[@IamNothing82]

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.

[@PaddleTV]

I actually just tested my first Delta kayak this past weekend and really enjoyed it!

[@Phrancis5]

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.

[@PaddleTV]

You still liking the Oru Coast? I'd love to test that some day...

[@Phrancis5]

@@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...

[@Merciuh]

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

[@stefaniejaninestolting9486]

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.

[@richardwahl6583]

Learned a lot just watching this one video, thanks! New subscriber.

[@BushKayakersCampingAustralia]

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 )

[@craigk7615]

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.

[@tranquility9325]

Pakayak no longer includes the towel when you order one. Since these boats are NOT cheap, I'm not sure why Doug decided that he really has to have the 16 bucks per towel. Smh.

[@paulchevrier9961]

Nice Greenland Paddle you are using when you are paddling and Pak A yak!

[@DJPK1]

First! I love all of your reviews Ken! Keep the awesome content coming!

[@PaddleTV]

Thank you!

[@raivkka4313]

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!

[@PaddleTV]

Awesome! Yes, paddling does a surprising job of getting your whole body involved!

[@Sebastian-lw1ei]

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!

[@hntrains2]

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. ;_)

[@PaddleTV]

Many thanks!

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

Great video. Paddling is fun. Still to find 'the perfect kayak' so just buy a range to suit different circumstances.

[@PaddleTV]

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.

[@MichaelB-wu2jv]

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!

[@maricallo6143]

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).

[@wisenber]

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.

[@BoomVang]

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!

[@PaddleTV]

Still haven't tried one... some day soon I hope.

[@wisenber]

"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.

[@prophecy66]

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.

[@kaverp66]

I have a delta 14 touring kayak (performance touring?) I love it!

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! I had a blast testing it too. Coming soon!

[@kunalbhattacharya5404]

Please review portable point 65 N kayaks. I want to know if they're durable

[@bwbounds]

awesome, exactly what i was looking for

[@kaliyuga9406]

Great video! Thanks for your insights.

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@barry4fish19]

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?

[@PaddleTV]

Good news! I finally got one, and I got to recently test it on a local adventure! Stay tuned...

[@k2dave1969]

Please review the Perception Carolina 14

[@PaddleTV]

That's a boat I would love to get my hands on to try!

[@jenniferjohnson9658]

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!

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Jennifer! Great to hear they've been helpful! Good video idea too... Let me think about that one!

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

Where would you all place the itiwit x500? Touring…performance touring? What are your thoughts!

[@PaddleTV]

I would consider it a 'touring kayak'. It can handle the rough water, but it's not a performance touring kayak.

[@CheekyMonkey888]

I think white water kayaks need a category of their own

[@puregsr]

What's really a transitional kayak?

[@PaddleTV]

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.

[@Kinematographer]

Oh no..I have a “choad kayak”!

[@dw4897]

Recreational touring kayak sound like a canoe.

[@mikecoglione1308]

Be careful calling it flat water. Go out on a river or lake on a windy day it is anything but flat!

[@tranquility9325]

Dont be so technical you know what he meant

[@mikecoglione1308]

@@tranquility9325 The problem with calling it flat water is that it seriously under estimates the risk. I used to be a lot more careful in choosing ocean paddling than "flatwater", used to being the operative term. One day I was surprised by a sudden storm from glass smooth to so stormy on a lake I couldn't tell the difference which blade affected me more, the one in the water, or the one in the air! Thankfully I was close to shore, I had to get out, leave my boat there, walk around the lake with my paddle in hand, and go back to my vehicle which I drove to the part of the lake to retrieve my boat. Maybe smaller rivers with low current or tiny ponds can be considered "flat" water anything more deserves serious respect.

[@shaneshankly4518]

Whats the bets Ken just LOVES the kayak he is being PAID to review 🤔😂😂😂😂

[@PaddleTV]

I'd bet against that one.

[@waynebrissette9459]

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).

[@tranquility9325]

Nope he's honest with his reviews