6 Questions To Ask Before Your Next Kayak Rental
Whether it’s your first time in a kayak or you’re an experienced boater looking to paddle, here are some of the most common questions asked about renting a kayak.
1. What style of kayak should I rent?
Kayaks may all look pretty similar to the newbie, but there are actually multiple different kayak designs intended for specific conditions and paddling styles.
For example, recreational kayaks are wide and their stability makes them a good place to start for the new paddler. If you are renting a kayak for a few hours on a calm lake, this will be a good choice.
If you are renting a kayak for a longer trip, especially one in rougher or more open water, touring kayaks will be best. Touring kayaks have more space to store food and gear, and they are significantly longer and narrower than recreational kayaks. You will notice that many also come with a rudder or a skeg attached to the stern, a feature we will cover below.
Touring kayaks come in different sizes. Some are for multi-week expeditions and therefore much longer with extensive storage, while day touring kayaks will be shorter.
Sit-on top kayaks feature a low, wide seat and you don’t have the option of using a spray skirt. They are extremely stable due to a wide design, and if you are a nervous kayaker, kayaking with a child, are a beginner or want something to fish from they can be a great choice. With a sit-on-top kayak, you will be more exposed to the sun and water.
2. Do I want to kayak solo or tandem?
One of the more basic questions you should ask yourself before you rent a kayak is whether you want to paddle solo or tandem. The names are self-explanatory— solo kayaks are for one paddler and tandem kayaks are equipped for two.
Renting a tandem kayak can be a good choice if you or your paddling partner is nervous and the experience would be more confidence boosting with a buddy. Tandem kayaks can also be great if you are paddling with a child who isn’t ready to kayak alone.
If one kayaker’s ability or strength means they won’t do well paddling a solo kayak, having a stronger or more capable tandem partner is key. Some experienced kayakers also simply enjoy the companionship and teamwork that a tandem provides. See tandem kayaks here.
A solo recreational kayak offers more independence and freedom, and the paddler is solely responsible for the direction and performance of their boat.
Don’t worry about making the wrong decision. The beauty of renting kayaks is that you can try both. If paddling with your friend or partner doesn’t work out, the next time you go kayaking you can both try a solo boat.
3. Do I want a kayak with a skeg or a rudder?
When
you go to rent a kayak, you may have the option of choosing between a kayak
that has a skeg and one that has a rudder. What are skegs and rudders, and what
is the difference between them?
A skeg
is a blade that comes down from a compartment near the kayak’s stern. A cable
that the paddler can adjust from inside the cockpit, usually positioned by
their leg, controls the depth that the skeg drops into the water.
The
purpose of the skeg is to aid tracking and control the influence of waves,
wind, and current on the kayak by allowing the stern to better stay in place on
the water.
A skeg
can aid tracking and trimming for wind but doesn’t aid turning. Since you can
use the cable to control how much of the skeg is in the water, you can adjust
how much control you need based on conditions.
Some
people prefer skegs to rudders because of their simplicity. Skegs have less
moving parts than rudders, and if your kayak rental day will be one of your
first paddling, it may be good to keep it simple and avoid spending time
dealing with learning how to use a rudder.
A
rudder differs from a skeg because the paddler can move it side to side in the
water. A rudder is usually outfitted to the stern of a kayak, with cables that
connect to foot pedals the paddler controls with their feet from inside the
cockpit.
Rudders
are good for controlling the direction and if used properly can decrease the
amount of time you need to spend using correcting strokes. A rudder can usually
be flipped out of the water if the paddler doesn’t need or want to use it.
If you
are renting a kayak to work on your beginner strokes and develop basic skills,
you may want a kayak without a rudder to avoid relying on it instead of
learning the correct techniques for turning.
4. Once I rent a kayak, will I take a lesson, be guided or
paddle by myself?
Even if
you are an experienced paddler, combining a kayak rental with a lesson can help
you greatly enhance your capabilities. You also may be able to have a lesson
for half of the duration of your rental period and free paddle for the
remainder.
If you
want to explore but you aren’t quite ready to do so yourself, guided trips may
be an option as well. Renting a kayak and then going on a guided tour, whether
it is for a few hours or a week, can allow you to get instruction, learn about
the area’s environment and history and enjoy the beauty of a new place.
If you
are experienced in kayak touring, you may rent a boat and then go paddling on
your own.
5. How prepared am I to go kayaking?
While
renting a kayak, paddle and spray skirt may seem like the essentials for
hitting the water, there are many other considerations to make sure you and
your paddling partners are safe. If you decide to forgo the aforementioned
guide or lesson, it is essential you are well prepared. Here are steps to make
sure you stay safe on the water.
Float plan
A float
plan outlines all the details about your trip you want someone to know in case
something goes wrong. It should include the full names of those on the trip,
the make and colors of each member’s kayak, emergency contacts, launch time and
location, your route, intended campsites, and map coordinates and the intended
take out place and time.
This
plan should be printed out and left with a reliable friend or family member.
Even if you are only going for a day, it’s good to leave an abbreviated version
of this especially if you are in a new area.
Boat safety kit
Like in
all outdoor activities, there is always the chance something can go wrong. In
addition to your kayaking PFD, a safety kit onboard should include a whistle, a
floating rope, a
bailer or pump, a flashlight, flares, an extra collapsible paddle, and a
compass. For longer trips, a VHF radio and GPS are a good idea too.
Maps and an understanding of the area’s water
Even if
you are only taking your kayak rental out for an afternoon, a map in a
waterproof case might not be a bad idea to take along. It is surprisingly easy
to get lost in certain areas, especially when you are unfamiliar. If you are
renting a kayak to go sea kayaking, speak with the locals about the tides and
currents and look at a tide chart if you can.
6. Have I made sure everything on the kayak is in working order?
Before
you take your rental kayak out use this checklist to ensure you don’t get
dinged for damage you weren’t responsible for or find problems once your
journey is underway.
·
Check for dents, scratches or gouges on the hull and sides of
the kayak. Scratches and minor dents are normal on a kayak, but a gouge or a
major dent will affect the seaworthiness and function of the kayak.
·
Make sure the outfitting inside works properly and is not
damaged.
·
Test the skeg or rudder if applicable to make sure cables and
all parts function properly.
·
Make sure your skirt doesn’t have holes or rips and the grab
loop is intact.
·
If your kayak has hatches, check they open and close properly.
·
Check the deck rigging is in place, especially if you are going
on a long trip and will want to have your map attached and in front of you as
you paddle.
·
Lastly, make sure at all times you have a PFD,
either your own or rented along with your kayak and paddle.