Fluid "BAMBA" - How to choose a Fishing Kayak

Before you buy a sit-on-top kayak, you should take stock of where and how you plan to do most of your paddling. Most kayaks can be used for a variety of activities, but understand that no one kayak excels at every activity. Choosing a boat means mulling over a long list of characteristics and compromises. Be wary of anyone who tells you about the "best" kayak overall, there is none. There are, however, a few guidelines to help you decide which boat is best for you:

Length and width affect speed and maneuverability. When it comes to speed, it's all about surface area. A long, thin line allows paddlers to slice through the water quickly-a real advantage if you plan on touring, but a drawback on twisty rivers. A 17 foot-long kayak will go much faster than a 9 foot-long kayak, but a 9 foot-long kayak will turn easier than a 17 foot-long kayak. A narrow kayak is faster than a wide one, but wide kayaks are more stable (depending on hull shape).

Hull shape affects performance. Depending somewhat on width, flat or smooth-bottomed kayaks (U-shaped) have more secondary stability, while keeled kayaks (V-shaped) have more primary stability. U-shapes may feel tippier at first, but stay stable in moving water (rivers, surf, etc.) while V-shapes feel most stable in flat water. The tri-form hull of most sit-on-tops combines both primary and secondary stability with a long center keel to keep you going straight, and two "shoulders" that act like pontoons for secondary stability. This tri-form hull generally sacrifices a little speed, but adds a lot of stability (which is great for cross-over sports like fishing or diving).

There are lots of different hull shapes, but basically V-shapes encourage a boat to go straight (good for touring), and smooth bottoms encourage a boat to spin (good for fishing, surfing or river running). Whether or not a kayak goes straight is referred to as "tracking." You'll want a kayak with good tracking to cover distance on flat water, but you'll want less in whitewater. Chances are, for recreational paddling, you'll want a kayak with a keel (some kind of V-shape on the bottom), so you can travel more efficiently. If you expect to spend equal time on flat and moving water, consider buying a short kayak with a keel (it's all a trade off, remember).

Your body determines how the kayak will perform. It goes beyond just height and weight-people carry weight and proportions in different ways, and these differences translate into how you balance in a kayak. You can always learn how to work with different kinds of kayaks. Experts tend to balance better than beginners, but know that it will take time and practice, especially if you decide on a specialized kayak.

Other things to consider. There are a few other things to think about when choosing a kayak. Where will you store it? Can your garage or store room hold a 16 foot-long kayak? How will you transport it? Do you have roof racks or would you rather put the kayak on the back of a bakkie? Even color choice is important. Do you want to be seen, or would you rather be camouflaged? Considering these issues early on will ensure you enjoy your kayak for many years.

Summary: For general or specialist fishing (fresh and salt water) or open water recreational paddling (doing a little of everything), a polyethylene kayak between 4 and 4.5 meters are recommended. Polyethylene kayaks won't crack or damage easily, they are virtually unsinkable, they will last you many years and still look good and have a better re-sale value when the need arises.

Enjoy your Fluid "BAMBA" Fishing and Adventure Kayak !