So you have realized that you want to get into paddling or kayaking and you are looking to buy your first watercraft, but do not know where to start. In this short piece, we will try and give you some thoughts and pose some of the questions that you should consider answering before you start spending. Hopefully, this can provide a starting point for your research and assist you in making the correct choice that will lead to many happy years paddling.
Let’s start with a few questions; where do you plan to paddle or kayak? What will the water and weather conditions be? How far do you plan to go, and what will you carry? What is your adventure? Firstly, it’s good to know that there are two basic kayak designs; sit on where the legs are exposed and sit in where the legs are enclosed in a cockpit. The sit in boats potentially offer more protection from the elements (water and wind) and through better seating and bracing against the kayak body greater control of the boat. While a sit on boat leaves you and your equipment exposed to the elements, potentially less control of the boat, the basic models are easier to get started in.
For both designs of kayak, sit in and sit on, the greater the ratio of length to beam (width where you sit) the faster the boat will potentially go but the more unstable it will be; the shape of the hull, the height the boat sits out of the water and position of equipment are also factors in the stability equitation.
For sit on tops, the entry level boats are generally made of rota-moulded plastic and come in seating configurations from one to three people. Water that fills the seating area (and it will) self drains out through scupper holes built into the boat. The boat should have recesses for the feet and a moulded or add on seat that allows the body to be braced in the boat. The more secure the position the easier paddling and control will be. Additions such as thigh straps and a skeg will improve performance. When selecting a sit on top boat, look for screwed fittings and avoid rivets as they are points of potential weakness – the sea will exert significant forces on your boat. The cleaner the boat is around the seat position, the easier it is to get into it from the water.
There are several more specialist variants of basic sit on top, from fishing platforms to hybrid pedalos. The more complex the boat the more there is to go wrong, so it is worth doing extensive research before purchasing a specialist boat and be prepared with a tool kit for running repairs. At the top end of sit on tops there are the surf skis, long (up to 6m) sleek and fast with the right person paddling them; the “dragsters” of the sit on tops. They are not as stable as the entry-level boats and have limited equipment carrying capacity. They are great as part of a fitness programme and with experience
can be paddled over long distances.
Sit in boats have two general sub-categories, touring and whitewater. The single seat touring boats start from around 3.5m in length with a cockpit where the paddler sits and can seal themselves into the 
boat with a spray deck. Construction materials start with entry-level boats of rota-moulded plastic, then double wall plastic composites, fibreglass and high-end boats of carbon fibre. These materials provide increased boat rigidity with associated speed increases (and costs).
Touring boats will initially feel less stable than an entry level sit on top due to the generally greater curve of the hull. However, with practice, the feeling of stability increases and they can be rolled in the event of a capsize (training recommended).
There should be adjustable foot rests and thigh pads allowing the paddlers to lock themselves into the boat. Touring boats will have several sealable hatches for storage of equipment forward and aft of the paddler and may have a day hatch that is accessible from the paddling position. Deck lines allow for the securing of additional equipment and essentials such as a GPS, pump and spare paddle.
The advantage of a sit in touring boat over a sit on top is the relatively high load carrying capacity and the distances that can be covered in comfort combined with the potential to journey through more challenging conditions. The choices for whitewater boats are numerous and investigation of Wadi Adventure at Al Ain would be a recommended starting point for investigating the options. As well as a boat you are going to need a buoyancy aid (make sure EN certified and designed for kayaking unless you enjoy extensive chaffing under your arms). A paddle, a books’ worth of questions to answer in selecting paddles but you will get what you pay for. This is your motor so make sure you do not skimp and it is correctly sized and suitable for what you are planning to do; remember that you will be repeatedly lifting
and moving the paddle so weight is important.
Other equipment considerations are paddle leash, helmet for paddling in the surf or rocky areas, spare paddle for longer journeys, and waterproof bags for equipment, especially mobile phones and cameras.
Trying before you buy is always a good option: Noukhada Adventure Company conducts sit on top tours and sit-in sea touring expeditions around Abu Dhabi. Adventure HQ (Times Square Centre Dubai) also has a number of sit on top boats and sit in touring boats for hire.
Published in October 2012
