There’s no better time for a kayaking trip than summer. Come again?
You don’t own a kayak? today we are going to introduce you to everything you need to know to pick out your first kayak! Interested?
Shopping for a kayak can feel overwhelming because there are so many kinds available. Choosing a kayak can be a daunting task for some people.
Additionally, it is often not transparent to customers what activities each kayak is meant for. We will explain what you need to know at this time to choose the best recreational kayak for you and your family.
What Is A Recreational Kayak?
A recreational kayak is a kayak that is used by someone who is not a professional. This kayak is good for flat water conditions like a lake or river that moves slowly.
Recreational kayaks are used by kayakers for activities such as exploring, exercising, and sightseeing. However, recreational kayaks may not be as suitable for fishing and definitely not white water rafting.
Our Top Picks
#1 Ocean Kayak Malibu Two Tandem Sit-On-Top Recreational Kayak
Ocean Kayak Malibu At A Glance:
1. Maximum weight capacity of 425 pounds
2. Length: 12 feet long and 34 inches wide
3. Lifetime warranty on Hull
4. This kayak is great for paddling with a child, pet, or by yourself. It’s comfortable and easy to use.
Ocean Kayak Overview
1. The Kayak is a great option for any excursion you have planned, whether it’s a leisurely fishing trip or an adrenaline-pumping surf expedition. The kayak can seat one person, two people side-by-side, or two people one in front of the other.
2. A pair of Comfort Plus seats offer four-way adjustability to generate a custom fit and greater slip prevention over regular seats. So what are you waiting for? Get yours now!
3. The kayak has patented overlapping foot wells that allow you to sit in the center and brace your feet comfortably.
4. The kayak is designed to be quick and easy to get on and off of, with molded-in handles for better control.
5. The kind of boat you want to spend a day fishing on is one like this. This product has a maximum capacity of 425 pounds, is 12 feet long, and 34 inches wide. The car can hold up to four people.
#2 Old Town Kayaks Vapor 10 Recreational Kayak
Old Town Kayaks Vapor At A Glance:
1. Weight Capacity: 275-325 Pounds
2. Length: 10 Feet
Old Town Kayaks Vapor Overview
This kayak has a durable construction because it is made from a single-layer linear polyethylene. The cooler has a sturdy handle that allows you to easily access the contents. This kayak is perfect for anyone who wants to paddle on calm waters for recreational purposes.
As a single-person kayak can only hold so much weight, you want to be careful not to overload it. The old town vapor is great for slow rivers, ponds, lakes, and other water where recreation is possible.
This is a single-layer polyethylene boat. Its low cost will be easy on your wallet. With this kayak, you get both a light and strong kayak without having to spend a lot of money. You must be carrying angling gear if you love kayak fishing.
A gear vestibule located behind the cockpit will provide a space to store your fishing gear and other belongings. Space should be enough. I would have liked if there was more dedicated storage space.
Most kayaks come with adjustable seats and footpegs. It was good to see them included because they are necessary for comfort. The old town is celebrated for its manufacturing of quality kayaks, and the vapor is the best recreational kayak you’ll find.
#3 Lifetime 10 Foot Manta Tandem Kayak
Lifetime Manta Tandem Kayak At A Glance:
1. Can Function As Both Solo And Tandem
2. Weight Capacity: 500 Pounds
3. This kayak set comes with two soft backrests and two double-sided aluminum paddles.
4. Waterproof or water-resistant fabrics are used to make seats that are elevated so you stay dry and away from the wet ground.
This kayak is highly versatile. It allows you to paddle by yourself or with someone else (tandem). The Lifetime 10 is the most versatile sit-on-top kayak because of its design. The kayak’s backrests are commendable and make the kayak more desirable.
My only complaint about the kayak’s seating is that. This is not the most comfortable option for longer trips. This fishing kayak is not a perfect choice for everyone.
The kayak is a good option for couples who have a lake house. Lifetime boasts that the tunnel hull design is “almost impossible to tip over.”
Good to know!
This two-person kayak is best for short trips. Couples who want a kayak that they can sit on top of may want to explore this option. Yes, you have to sacrifice some comfort though.
The package includes paddles that will last a lifetime, so it looks like a good deal. One of the best recreational tandem kayaks is the manta. It should be yours too!
#4 Ocean Kayak Scrambler 11 Sit-On-Top
Ocean Kayak Scrambler At A Glance:
1. Weight Capacity: 300-350 Pounds
2. Length: 11.6 Feet
Ocean Kayak Scrambler Overview
This kayak tracks well on flat water. This kayak is best suited for flat-water kayaking fans. to a full 12″ in just a few minutes. A cam lock hatch can be increased in size from 6 inches to 12 inches in a few minutes by using this method.
This kayak is designed to be sat on top of, as the name suggests. This means that you will have more space and be able to move around more while paddling. A gear compartment that is easy to access shows that there is a lot of space.
Shock cord lashing keeps your stuff free from water. You can keep your equipment safe and dry by storing it with shock cord lashing. The waterproof storage built into the deck of the boat was good enough for me to store my phone or keys.
Kayaks offer users a lot of flexibility and options. An adjustable seatback on a kayak is very helpful to me. I won’t have to spend all day sitting upright without back support.
The price tag is the best thing about the ocean scrambler kayak. Many are aware of kayaks’ price tag. They will find the quality of this kayak to be suitable for its price tag.
#5 Old Town Next
The Old Town NextKayak Canoe hybrid offers the best of both worlds. It’s stable like a canoe, but easier to maneuver like a kayak. This is the perfect option for you! If you are wanting to paddle in a lake for enjoyment, this is a great option! This canoe is a great choice for anyone who is small to medium sized.
There is plenty of space inside the boat for you and all your belongings, whether you’re taking out fishing lures or a cooler with your favorite six-pack.
This kayak is easy to paddle and steer, making it perfect for those new to the world of kayaking. The seat provides a great deal of comfort, letting you spend extended periods of time on the water without experiencing any lower back pain.
A canoe-style kayak can be paddled with either a double-bladed or a single-bladed paddle. Old Town constructed the Next with a low profile design to make paddling easier. The Next also has a pronounced tumblehome.
The three-layer hull of the Old Town Next provides smooth, straight tracking on the water. People who are new to kayaking often struggle to make the kayak go in the direction they want it to.
This kayak is so easy to use that you feel like you can just look in the direction you want to go and you’ll get there.
You can remove the Element Seating System to get a different vantage point. When you are seated properly, you can use the Support Track Foot Brace System to help you pay more attention to where you are going.
While it may not be the most convenient kayak to transport because of its size and weight, it is a great option for beginners in terms of comfort and ease of movement. If you’re looking for the best sit-on-top kayak, you’ve come to the right place.
Key Features:
- Weight – 59 pounds
- Length – 13 feet
- Design – Sit-on-top canoe hybrid
- Weight capacity – 450 pounds
- Number of riders – One
- Material – Three-layer polyethylene
Pros:
- Comfortable and removable seating system
- Very roomy cockpit
- Smooth tracking system
Cons:
- Relatively heavy
- Not the easiest kayak to transport
#6 TAHE Beach LP2 Tandem Inflatable Kayak
The TAHE Beach LP2 is a versatile and popular kayak that can be used for a variety of activities. This kayak is a good pick for people who do not have a lot of space in their car or a roof rack to hold a kayak with a hard shell. This kayak can be brought straight to the water’s edge and inflated, making the journey much more efficient.
This kayak has an easy-to-use pump to inflate it in just a few minutes.
Although inflatables are not as durable as some other things, people often worry about them. This product is made with multiple layers of high-quality polyurethane-coated nylon, so you can be confident that it will not tear even if you are a long way from shore. If a hole does appear, TAHE has an easy-to-use repair kit to fix it quickly.
Key Features:
- Weight – 28 pounds
- Length – 11 feet
- Design – Sit-on-top inflatable
- Weight capacity – 330 pounds
- Number of riders – Two
- Material – Polyurethane-coated nylon
Pros:
- Easy to store and transport
- Comes with all the accessories you need to paddle
- Excellent tracking capabilities
Cons:
- Not as durable as a hard-shell kayak
- Will require more setup and break-down time than a traditional kayak
#7 Old Town Loon 126 Angler Kayak 2022
Reeling in a big catch?
No worries! The Loon 126 provides excellent stability, making it a great choice for kayaking. The hull of the boat is designed for quick maneuverability, which is important if you need to move from one location to another quickly. Our book concludes that the Old Town Loon 126 is the best option for fishing due to its responsiveness.
Of course, the fun doesn’t stop there. This kayak comes with a few rod holders so that you can set up your rods before you go fishing. After you have located a good area in the water, you can use the anchor that is built-in to the kayak to prevent it from moving while you fish.
The bungee cords at the bow and stern of the deck provide extra security to keep your belongings dry. The seat can be adjusted for more room if necessary.
Key Features:
- Weight – 59 pounds
- Length – 12 feet, 6 inches
- Design – Sit-on-top angler kayak
- Weight capacity – 450 pounds
- Number of riders – One
- Material – Three-layer polyethylene
Pros:
- Tons of onboard dry storage for dry bags and fishing gear
- Adjustable seating system
- Built-in USB port
Cons:
- A bit heavy for the size
- Pricey
8. Malibu Two Tandem Kayak 2022
The sit-on-top kayak has two main adjustable seats, making it ideal for paddlers of any height. You can easily change positions throughout the day without any trouble.
The skid plate on the bottom of the kayak protects it from wear and tear when you dragged it along the sand to the water’s edge.
Paddlers won’t find much additional storage room onboard, so they should plan on packing light.
Key Features:
- Weight – 58 pounds
- Length – 12 inches
- Design – Sit-on-top tandem kayak
- Weight capacity – 425 pounds
- Number of riders – Three
- Material – Single-layer polyethylene
Pros:
- Wide design makes entering and exiting a breeze
- Adjustable seating allows you to move around with ease
- Bottom skid plate for minimizing hull wear and tear
Cons:
- Not a ton of onboard storage space
- Not the most maneuverable kayak
Final Thoughts on Recreational kayaks
Recreational kayaks come in sit-in and sit-on-top designs. In general, inflatable kayaks are much more affordable than other types of kayaks and are often easy to get in and out of, which is why they’re great for beginners.
The type of recreational kayak you have will determine what kind of paddling you can do, whether it’s river paddling, lake paddling, or open-ocean paddling.
Note that they’re often best for flatwater enjoyment. Recreational kayaks cannot be used for rapids and it can be dangerous to take one down rapids.
A recreational kayak is not the best choice for a longer trip because there is not usually much space to store gear. The stash spots on these kayaks are often limited.
