| Choosing
the right kayak design is a matter of identifying what you
want your boat for. As designers, we ask ourselves many of
the same questions. What do we want this kayak to do? How
do we want this kayak to perform and feel? What type of paddler
will be interested in this kayak?
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Once we have answered these question, our
design team sets out to develop a new kayak. To the untrained
eye, many kayak designs look very similar. However, seemingly
minor differences in a boat's shape or measurements can make
significant differences in how one boat performs compared
to another.
By clarifying your needs and knowing some
basics about kayak design you will be better equipped to make
informed desisions when faced with the wide range of kayak
designs available.
The complexities of kayak designs can be distilled
into a few general principles:
Length
A longer waterline will result in a faster
boat. In moving through the water, the hull must separate
the water at the bow and allow it to return to the stern as
smoothly as possible. The longer the waterline the smoother
the transition. A shorter waterline will result in a less
streamlined hull through water.
Width
A wide kayak will usually be more stable than
a narrower one. A narrow craft will be faster than a wide
one, but will compromise some stability.
Rocker
The degree of upward curvature of the hull
from the -bow to the stern- along the keel line determines
the amount of rocker in a kayak. More rocker increases the
maneuverability of the hull, but reduces the amount of waterline
in the water. This results in a less efficient hull and a
loss of directional stability.
A kayak with no rocker will track very well,
but can be more difficult to maneuver. Current Designs kayaks
have moderate rocker in order to arrive at the perfect combination
of maneuverability, speed and seaworthiness.
Plan View
Looking straight down at a kayak will show
you where the widest part of the boat is. Current Designs
kayaks range from swede form (widest behind the cockpit) to
fish form (more body forward of the cockpit). A swede form
kayak has a cleaner, longer slender entry giving easy touring
speed and maneuverability.
A fish form kayak may have a slightly blunter
entry but will have a more slender exit through the water
which increases tracking, even in adverse conditions. The
actual performance of the kayak will be determined by the
waterline shape, not the deck shape.
Cross Section
The cross section gives us the initial feel
of the kayak. A round hull is extremely fast but very unstable
where a flat hull is initially stable but very slow. Flared
sides give comfortable secondary stability because of added
buoyancy when leaning to the side. Many of Current Designs
kayaks have a "V" hull with slightly flared sides.
Our specialized Expedition kayak has a "rounded
V" which is very fast but will feel more stable with
some gear or ballast in it. A "V" hull shape gives
structural rigidity to the hull, excellent tracking, a lively
feel and a very comfortable level of stability. A hard chine
kayak has a well defined turn where the "V" comes
up to the side. This hard chine gives a unique feel to a kayak
giving very good stability even in a narrow craft.
Bow Shape
The distinct upswept bow shape of many Current
Designs kayaks gives the kayak a slender entry and the ability
to slice through rough conditions, separating the waves for
the rest of the boat to move through. A flare at the sheer
gives lift to the bow and makes for a dry ride.
Choosing the Right Class of Kayaks
Recreational Kayaks - are perfect for small
lakes and slow rivers where nimble handling wins over speed
and load carrying capacity. Rec boats are great for first
time paddlers to experience the magic of kayaking and for
outdoor enthusiasts who like to combine their on water pleasures
with other pursuits such as birdwatching, fishing and photography.
These kayaks are stable, maneuverable and have easy entry
cockpits that fit almost anybody.
Light Touring or Transitional Kayaks - have
elements from both the recreational class and the touring
class. They have good stability, while providing better tracking
and speed. And while their cockpits are narrower they are
still roomy for easy access. But like touring boats, they
have an upturned bow to help cut through waves should rough
conditions arise.
These kayaks also take a wave better than
a rec. boat due to having a softer chine and less boat for
the wave to push around. They also include thigh braces for
more efficient paddling and control.
Touring or Sea Kayaks - are designed to handle
the wide variety of conditions they may encounter, and for
more efficient paddling. They are longer and narrower than
recreational and light touring designs for fast efficient
travel and have more capacity for gear. The varying hull shapes
and rudder versus skeg options give the paddler a full range
of choices.
Buying
Your First Kayak | Safety
Equipment and Kayaking | Inflatable
Kayak Reviews |
Sea Kayak
Sales | Taking
a Kayaking Vacation | Adaptive
Paddling Tips | Packing
A Sea Kayak |
Why Fish
From a Kayak? | Choosing
the right kayak | Kayak
Safety Tips | Outfitting
a kayak for fishing|
Are
Inflatable Kayaks Safe?| Sea
Kayaking security |
