Sit inside vs. sit on top kayaks. Which is better?

[@wisenber]

Love having everything below the skirt stay warm and dry for winter paddles. Hard to beat the glide of an Epic18X or cover the same distance in a day using a SOT. Or you can pop the skirt and paddle it like a surfski.

[@omfgimgettingpissed]

You’ve helped me make my mind up, thanks. I was leaning towards a sit inside. 👍🏼🍻

[@matthewnolan7367]

@@omfgimgettingpissed huhujhblbju

[@bill16126]

Great video! I'm buying a kayak for my wife, to take our kids (one at a time) out on the water. A vid like this about buying a kayak with kids would be great. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on inflatable vs hard shell.

[@Sgianachlais]

I have been using sit on top since 2005. Originally bought an Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT because my primary aim was to use it for scuba diving. Although I still have that one, I have also recently purchased a Perception Triumph, still a sit on top but with a bit more performance like a sit inside. I do a lot of sea kayaking with both and love both. I have also raced my Scrambler XT with good results as it tracks really well. I would always stick to sit on tops because there is no way I could do scuba diving from a sit inside.

[@undergroundchuckeytennesse2526]

Thanks, we are trying to decide if we want to add a sit on top kayak to our fleet (lol) we have 2 sit inside and 1 canoe... as we get older, we are both retired, the sit inside is becoming harder to exit....looked at a pelican just today that was pretty inexpensive but we are long time Old Town owners and if we do purchase most likely be an OT.

[@jjlynn6161]

Thank you. Helpful video. First time kayak buyer. Mainly lakes, sloughs and river use. Selection seems sparse right now. Think going with a Lifetime Teton Pro 116 12' sit on top for my wife. I'm looking at a Pelican Mustang 120X EXO 12' sit in kayak. Have to start somewhere. If we enjoy as much as we think we will, likely will move up to more intermediate or advanced kayaks. Hesitant to start with $1,000 kayaks and find out it doesn't work for us.

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Nothing wrong with that! Make sure you like it first so you can be sure that $1,000 ends up being worth it to you. Welcome to the kayaking community!

[@johnmadill8344]

Find the person who bought the better kayak and discovered it did not work for him or her. Buy the used boat at a discount. It will likely come with accessories like a paddle, cart, life jacket, etc. $500 can buy a pretty nice, well designed boat from perception, pungo, etc. A cheapie new boat from a big box store will not paddle nearly as well.

[@mauryabroadsword6992]

Thank you great video. Had a white water kayak now I purchased a hobie compass. Different kayaks for different uses.

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Absolutely! Glad to hear there are more folks out there diversifying their time on the water.

[@Kyle.Doherty]

Great video ! Thank man, think I'm going to go for the sit on top 👊

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Happy to hear that it helped! Thanks for watching bud.

[@JustinDnik]

We bout our first tandem kayak recently just to see how much we would use it and if we liked it. It’s and inflatable Valwex from Amazon. On the lake it’s pretty cool but on the river it’s an addicting hobby. We leave on East TN and our rivers are filled with sharp rocks, many of the banks are lined with trees and rocks, and there are many fallen trees poking up. We want to purchase a kayak or kayaks that would be good for small rapids and river drifting. We also have a 4 year old that goes with us. What type would you suggest?

[@bopsmom22]

Another great video! As someone who may be looking at a sit on top sea kayak in the future, can you make recommendations for something like that as well as what type of gear one would need other than a dry suit?

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Thanks Dnitra! There are a few designs that are really great options as a sit on top sea kayak. The Swell Scupper 14, Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 or 140, and the Ocean Kayak Trident series are all great options! A flag and light combo is an absolute MUST if you're going into the sea. Kayaks vanish between the waves and become invisible to larger boats. Also, you always want to have a bilge and sponge just in case the hull starts to fill with water in a worst case scenario. The bilge will keep you afloat until you make it back. I'm sure there are other things I'm not thinking of, and varying levels of gear based on the difficult of sea/ocean paddling that you're doing. Maybe I'll make a video about that, too!

[@bopsmom22]

@@NextAdventurePDX thanks Seth!!

[@dinonaccarato2989]

Which would you suggest when kayaking with a med large dog?

[@karenluciani5093]

So....for an middle aged or older person who is not real athletic, SOT? Great video, thank-you! And maybe a recommendation for a lake use Kayak, might venture out further once achieving confidence.

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Thanks Karen! A stable sit on top will definitely be much easier to get in and out of, so many middle aged & older folks who are newer to kayaking tend to prefer these. Just be sure that you don't go too short, as a very short kayak will be difficult to paddle in a straight line and will also be less stable than a longer one. Generally 12-13 feet is the sweet spot in length for a sit on top. There are a lot of really great models worth checking out in that realm. The Perception Pescador Pro 12 is a good entry level model, the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 is a sleeker, quicker mid grade model, and the Eddyline Caribbean 12 FS is a great ultralight option if you're looking for something a bit more lightweight! Don't hesitate to give us a call at the shop if you have any more questions or need a hand narrowing it down. 503-233-0706 ext 2.

[@hankb1604]

Recreation or fishing = SOT. Rough water performance (WW, rocks, surfing, ocean) = sit in.

[@rikwrighty]

I always use sot kayak for sea and lakes. Should i use a shorter paddle for fast flowing rivers? As this is my next adventure. I already use a 220cm as standard. Any advice would be appreciated.

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Great question! Typically a shorter paddle with a high angle blade is used in scenarios where more aggressive paddling is required, so if you want to paddle faster/more aggressively on faster moving rivers, then a shorter paddle with a high angle blade will give you the power and quicker stroke ability that you're looking for!

[@americansmark]

Ridden a few sit-ins. They are fine for small people, but I need a wider platform.

[@Bluepanther80]

I borrowed a friends sit inside kayak and fell in love with kayak fishing. I noticed most fishermen used sit on top kayaks though. When it was time to buy my own i finally talked the wife into it. I chose the pelican premium icon 100xp angler. Going from the sit inside kayak to this one has been a huge change. This one feels like one wrong move and im going in the lake. Super unstable. It also dosent track nearly as straight as the sit inside one. Obviously i cant return it. Im looking to sell it though now possibly as it just dosent feel nearly as good. Any advice on this subject. Obviously a high end kayak would give a better experience. Im just upset my first kayak purchase has gone like this.

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

I have read there is a good deal of variance in stability on a sit on top fishing kayak. Did you ever find something you were happy with? The good ones are big bucks. Can't cheap out on that one unfortunately.

[@dehumm9619]

Pelicans are cheaply built and slow. Look Into a decent brand.

[@viperchrisz4]

Nice first video is Deek and Bryan, I'm from Van, WA so I've heard about them and the store basically my whole life lol

[@jamesurzykowski4918]

In my observation I see the sit in kayaks used more on inland lakes and rivers. I usually see the sit on top kayaks used more in the ocean. Am I correct in my assumption?

[@NextAdventurePDX]

That's an interesting observation! It seems to vary a lot regionally, perhaps based more on popularity of certain models as opposed to what's more functional in which body of water. For example, in the Pacific Northwest sit inside sea kayaks are much more commonly seen in the ocean than sit on tops; the cold waters and extreme conditions pretty much require a strong skillset including the ability to roll on most days. Sit insides are generally more popular here actually, with sit on tops being most popular for fishing (where they're most functional) and summertime recreational paddling on lakes and slow moving rivers.

[@margiemarsino4135]

How heavy are the open bow kayaks? Thanks

[@hansblitz7770]

Usually about 8-15lbs heavier than a sit in for similar lengths/widths. Ultralight sit ins can be just over half the weight of a sit on of comparable size. But, those are expensive and usually white-water intended.

[@CoreyB777]

Yeah I got a sit on kayak for fishing. Also I'm 6 foot 4 inches tall. I fit comfortably on a sit on vs being cramped with a sit in kayak.

[@randychappell5955]

I'm a fat man in his 60s. Is there a Ocean kyack that would be suitable for me?

[@davidbackhouse4106]

You did not mention the difference in weight - 11 pounds between these two? For a similar length, sit on tops are typically 5 kg heavier which can make them more difficult to handle, get on and off car roofs for example. Most consumer sit on tops are consequently quite short, which makes them lighter but slower and twitchier.

[@gabeferlin1826]

So I've never been kayaking but I want to do it for exercise and to check out cool spots on the lake, should I get the sit inside?

[@wmd40]

Yes. It's so much easier and faster to go explore stuff. I was shocked at how easy it is to move. And you feel very very stable even when big waves go by (like from a boat driving past you). You can go through weeds and stuff in the water and be protected. I've even used them to fish and it's fine. But if you're mainly fishing an open one might be better because you're not moving much anyway.

[@himmeluberdeutschland401]

Definitely. Sit-on kayaks are so slow and cumbersome compared to a good sit in. If you are wanting to do anything other than fishing, go with the sitin. Especially for exploring and traveling long distances.

[@lifes2short4bs73]

Every time I’ve tried the sit inside kayak, my legs go to sleep. I’ve never found one that didn’t cause me to go full numb from the knees down

[@FTAStaff]

The problem is with your seat or how you are sitting. Raise the front of your seat or place a towel under your upper thighs. The pressure on the nerves in your legs will disappear.

[@bibonic]

Thats dangerous...

[@mgysmt]

I think a surfski is a great alternative for both of them, but they are quite expensive.

[@bibonic]

Hey, what type would be best for on the ocean?

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Great question! It depends on what conditions you're paddling in and what you're trying to accomplish. For people who want to play in the surf, boulder garden, and cover lots of ground, typically a sit inside sea kayak is best. If you're looking to fish, or just play close to shore in calmer conditions without learning sea kayaking skills, a sit on top would be ideal.

[@bibonic]

@@NextAdventurePDX Oh, cool! I'm mainly looking to have fun on the waves, I bought a cheap sit on top two days ago, can't wait to use it! Don't really care if I flip or anything

[@NextAdventurePDX]

@@bibonic nice! Have fun out there!

[@flushot6513]

That's why you have 2 or 3 for different applications

[@Savage.Doomer]

Really helpful video, thanks!

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Happy to hear that it helped. Thanks for the comment!

[@chickenhillfreedomfarm7215]

Special Forces only use sit-inside... lighter, and faster. Only issue is in deep ocean water, I wouldn't want to take one out in swells and rough waves.

[@missjohnson9971]

Great vid 🐸

[@LovingLifeHitchedUp]

Went kayaking a few weeks ago for the first time. We used a sit inside and we weren't very comfortable. Go to know about the sit on top. 👍#175

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Welcome to the kayaking world! I'm sure you've got plenty more fun on the water ahead.

[@LeeBottomley]

Thanks. Good video. Was thinking of getting the sit in kayak as they have the waterproof storage compartments which appeals time although the sit on one in your video also has storage area. It ticks all the boxes for me. 👌

[@NextAdventurePDX]

Glad to hear that the video helped!

[@obsidianzarok2361]

Helpful 👍

[@just-dl]

Sit on tops are good for anyone with mobility issues. The flipping issues are reduced on sit insides with bulk-heads and a pump. I think in general, SOTs are better for fishing. Why anyone would spoil a good day in a kayak by fishing is beyond me! 😜 sorry fishing friends...had to! Generally, the typical advice is to consider what sort of water you’ll be paddling in, what sort of paddling you intend to do and budget. I’d suggest considering your physicality. Not just height and weight, but mobility, flexibility and strength. After much contemplation, I don’t think there is one perfect kayak. I can think of about 4 very different crafts that would be perfect for me!!

[@jonford3201]

Sit inside = spider city

[@bcz3548]

Yea but it depends on where you live. I rinse mine with a hose before we head out and it's all good.

[@garofalo1707]

It worked out for Spiderman

[@bushpilot-bm3kf]

Whitewater , there is only one! And those both are not it! Those are canoes really though. There can only be one, grasshopper!

[@Mark300win]

Which one do you prefer for whitewater? I heard jackson traverse does well in ww but not sure though

[@gregpeterman1102]

Easier to drop and dump your gear into the water with the sit on top.

[@ivankazen5601]

#OpenYourEyes

[@NoW_Is_TimE]

you cant fish in sit in kayak thererfore not sold

[@scotturner3178]

Lose the music.