There are many questions that kayakers have about their sport. One of the most common is how wide is a kayak should be. The width of a kayak will affect its stability and maneuverability on the water, so it’s important to choose the right width for your needs.
In this post, we’ll explore the factors that influence kayak width and discuss some of the best options for different types of paddlers. We’ll also provide tips for finding the right kayak size for you. So whether you’re just getting started in kayaking or you’re looking to upgrade your current setup, read on to learn more about choosing the right kayak width!
Table of Contents
What factors determine the width of a kayak?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right kayak width. Some of these include:
Your Size and Weight
Generally speaking, the lighter you are, the wider you’ll want your kayak to be. If you’re above average height or weight for your gender, you’ll also want to consider choosing a wider kayak. On the other hand, if you’re petite or small framed, then choosing a thinner kayak may be a better choice.
Your Kayaking Environment
If you’ll be paddling in the ocean or through rough waters, you’ll want to choose a wider and more stable kayak for safety purposes.
Your Experience Level
Beginners will likely benefit from choosing a wide, stable kayak to help make them feel more comfortable. On the other hand, expert kayakers will likely benefit from choosing a narrower and faster kayak to help make them more maneuverable on the water.
Your Paddling Style
If you paddle mostly in calm waters and your kayak is going to be used by several different people of varying size and skill levels, then choosing a kayak that’s slightly wider and more stable is often the best option.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy speed and performance on the water or your kayak will be used by only one person, then choosing a narrower and faster kayak might be a better choice for you.
How Wide is a Kayak?
The width of a kayak can vary greatly depending on the type and style of kayak. For example, inflatable kayaks are often much thinner than sit-on-top or sit-inside kayaks. So without further ado, here’s our list of the most common types of kayaks and their average widths:
Sit Inside:
- Most sit inside kayaks range from 19 to 24 inches in width.
- A wider sit inside kayak will be more stable and easier for beginners, while a narrower sit inside kayak will be faster and easier to turn.
Sit On Top:
- The average sit on top kayak ranges from 23 to 32 inches in width.
- A wider sit on top kayak will be more stable and easier for beginners, while a narrower sit on top kayak will be faster and turn easier.
Inflatable:
- The average inflatable kayak ranges from 15 to 25 inches in width.
- A wider inflatable kayak will be more stable, while a narrower inflatable kayak will be faster.
What Are the Best Widths for Different Types of Kayakers?
The width of a kayak will depend on the type of paddler. Below are some recommended options for different types of kayakers so you can choose the best one for your needs:
People Over 200 Pounds
People who weigh over 200 pounds (90 kg) will want to choose a wider kayak that is approximately 18″-22″. If you’re over 6 feet (180 cm) tall, then choosing a kayak with an 18″ width or wider would be best for you.
Diverse Use and Average Weight
If you’re planning on sharing your kayak with many different people then choosing one that’s slightly wider at the 15″-17″ range is a good option for you. If you’re an average weight and under 6 feet (180 cm) tall, then we recommend choosing a kayak in the 15″-16″ range.
Diverse Use and Petite
People who are shorter than average and petite should choose a kayak that’s around 14″-15″ wide. A good option for very petite people would be a 12″-14″ width. People under 5’1″ (155 cm) will want to choose a kayak with a 12″-14″ width.
Diverse Use and Tall
People who are taller than average should choose a kayak that’s around 16″-18″ wide. A good option for very tall people would be a 20″ width or wider.
Single Use
If you’ll only be using your kayak by yourself then the best width is usually about 16″-20″. We recommend choosing a kayak with an 18″ width if you’re an average weight and under 6 feet (180 cm) tall for the best performance on the water. If you’re over 6 feet (180 cm) tall, then we recommend choosing a kayak with a 20″ or wider width.
What Are The Benefits And Drawbacks Of A Wider Kayak?
Pros:
The wider the kayak, the more stable it will be. This is why tandem kayaks are much wider than single ones. This also makes it easier to get in/out of your boat.
A wide kayak offers great stability on flat water, which comes in handy if there are strong winds or you are short-winded.
Cons:
Wider kayaks are not the fastest ones out there. They take more effort to turn and they paddle slower than their narrower counterparts. If you plan on doing a lot of surf paddling, you might want to pick a narrower kayak so that it’s easier to maneuver through the waves.
Kayaks come in a variety of materials, but the most common are plastic and inflatable. When it comes to inflatable kayaks, there are two types:
Each type has its advantages and disadvantages:
Plastic Kayaks:
Pros:
Very durable and offer great protection against sharp objects. They can also withstand extreme weather conditions better than inflatable kayaks, which makes them perfect for coastal expeditions and rough water paddling.
Cons:
High-end plastic kayaks are often quite heavy and they sit very low in the water.
Inflatable Kayaks:
Pros:
They are quite lightweight, which makes them easy to transport and handle. Inflatable kayaks offer great flexibility in terms of the body of water you can explore. If you go on multi-day camping trips (and you plan on sleeping in your kayak), they are much more comfortable than hard-shell kayaks.
Cons:
Despite their lightweight design, some models are still quite heavy and not easy to transport on foot. They do not offer the same level of protection against sharp objects or extreme weather conditions as plastic kayaks do.
Here are some great benefits of a wider kayak:
More Stability
When you make your kayak more stable, you’ll want to use it in rougher waters and on the surf. A wider kayak will help provide more stability on the water, which is always a good thing when you’re out there navigating through waves and other rough waters.
More Weight Capacity
A wider kayak will also allow you to carry more weight with you on the water, so if you need to bring along additional gear or supplies, you can do it easily with a wide kayak.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped you learn about kayaks and how wide is a kayak. In this article, we have discussed a variety of kayaks according to their length and with so it will be easy for you to choose a kayak that suits your requirements.
FAQs
Q1.What is the width of a fishing kayak?
Fishing kayaks on average have a width of 36 inches or even more according to some models. You can find out which one suits you best by going through the detailed product descriptions.
Q2.What is a kayak’s length?
Kayak lengths can be anywhere from 18 feet to 22 feet, which makes them perfect for paddling on calm waters and rivers. The sit-in kayaks are usually shorter while the sit-on-top kayaks extend a little further.
Q3:What is the length of a one-person kayak?
Kayak lengths can be anywhere from 10 feet to 14 feet, which makes them suitable for paddling on calm waters and rivers. The sit-in kayaks are usually shorter while the sit-on-top kayaks extend a little further.