Nothing says fun quite like a kayak. It’s a great way to spend time with family and get some exercise as well. If you don’t currently own a kayak, it is time to find the best recreational kayak on the market.
At A Glance: Our Top 4 Recreational Kayaks
- Highest Quality: Lifetime 10 Foot
- Most Durable: Sun Dolphin Aruba
- Most Versatile: Advanced Elements
- Lifetime 10 Foot
There are lots of choices available to you, but it can be confusing which is the best recreational kayak. Not every company makes it clear what their kayak is good for and who should use it. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive review for the best one for you.
Top 4 Best Recreational Kayaks (Summary)
| Image | Product | Details | |
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Highest QualityLifetime 10 Foot |
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Most DurableSun Dolphin Aruba |
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Advanced Elements |
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Lifetime 10 Foot |
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For more detailed and complete product reviews on benefits and features, keep reading.
What is a Recreational Kayak Good For?
A recreational kayak is made of polyethylene, plastic ABS or composite material. They aren’t just affordable but also perform well in flat water. Ideally, the best recreational kayak would be used for a weekend trip with friends and family. They are also good to take camping or fishing with minimal gear.
You wouldn’t want to use this type of kayak in whitewater or load it down with too much gear.
Recreational kayaks aren’t to be confused with day touring kayaks or touring kayaks.
- Day Touring Kayaks are sleeker and more efficient. They come with a higher price in general and aren’t designed for the beginner user. This variety of kayak is made to track straight and offer more control in rougher waters.
- Touring Kayaks are longer and more robust which are designed for longer distances. They feature a rudder to handle currents and wind. These are best used in the sea.
Features of a Recreational Kayak
There are several parts to a recreational kayak that you’ll want to understand so you can pick the best recreational kayak.
- Spray Skirt – This isn’t usually found in a recreational kayak but mainly the whitewater or touring boats. It is designed to prevent water from coming into the cockpit and sinking the craft.
- Skeg – Normally detachable, this fin stabilizes kayaks during windy conditions or if you are paddling straight on long-distance journeys.
- Rocker – This is a term used to describe the shape of a kayak. A rocker shape is like a banana or arc. The more rocker feature a kayak has the easier it is to maneuver through turns.
- Rudder – Don’t get this confused with the skeg. It is used to control the direction of the kayak and serves as a paddling aid.
Materials that the Best Recreational Kayak is Made of
As discussed briefly above, most recreational kayaks are made from polyethylene, plastic ABS or composite material. Here is the difference between the various materials.
- Polyethylene – You’ll find this in most boats as it tends to be the least expensive option. While it is low-cost, it is also heavy. Over time, it can break down with exposure to UV. If you have a kayak made of this material, you’ll want to store your kayak in the shade!
- ABS – Overall, this material resists the sunlight better than a poly boat would. It is more expensive but also created to last long and tends to be easier to repair as well.
- Composite – Some of the popular options include carbon fiber, Kevlar or fiberglass. They are what the most expensive kayaks are made from. They are lightweight and out-perform other kayaks of the same class. You will have a hard time finding a kayak made of composite materials at a reasonable price.
How to Choose the Best Recreational Kayak for You
There are several factors that are going to play a part in choosing the best recreational kayak for your needs.
The sit-on-top kayak varieties have some perks, especially if you are a beginner at kayaking. There is an increase in overall stability. In fact, some people who have ended up in the water can climb back onto the kayak without capsizing. When paddling in cold water environments in your sit-on-top kayak, you are going to need a wetsuit.
The sit-in kayak is going to offer a drier experience and has the capability to provide additional storage space for your things.
For more information on the difference between the two, be sure to watch this helpful video:
Let’s face it – you are going to want to bring things with you for the trip. This includes your lunch, a beverage or maybe a camp chair for a break. Many people also enjoy taking their beloved dog with them for the ride.
When deciding on the best recreational kayak for your activites, you need to determine how much cargo space you desire. There are some that provide an extra-large cockpit to accommodate your gear, a dog and more.
If you are looking to take a larger cooler with you, opt for a sit-on-top kayak. Just keep in mind that weight can slow down your kayaking experience immensely. Distribute the cargo among all the paddlers on the trip as much as possible.
Most people don’t live on the lake and will need to transport their kayak with them. When determining the portability of a kayak, you first look at the weight. It needs to be light enough that you can lift it on and off the vehicle.
Consider purchasing a rack for your car to put the kayak on. Otherwise, some people choose to purchase a sports trailer to carry the kayak behind the car instead. This is a more expensive option than the roof rack.
There are two choices you can make if you find that transportation is still a real concern for you. Folding Kayaks aren’t as rugged as a hard-shell kayak but tend to feature comparable storage capability and handling. An inflatable kayak isn’t capable of traveling anywhere fast but is great when used by the shore.
It is becoming more popular to choose an inflatable kayak so it can be carried inside of the vehicle without the need for a rack. Of course, this means you have to inflate and deflate the kayak every time you wish to use it. You could also face a leak or puncture down the road and they don’t tend to offer the same performance as a typical kayak would.
A longer kayak will cruise efficiently plus tends to offer more storage space. In comparison, a shorter hull will turn easier.
It is important that you only choose your best recreational kayak from a reputable brand; otherwise, you could be left with a dud. Here are the top choices when it comes to reliable brands in kayaks.
Sun Dolphin – This brand targets recreational paddlers specifically with their line of kayaks. They tend to have a wide variety of options available and you’ll also find other watercraft in their line from small watercraft to SUPs.
Ocean Kayak – This company has been in business for decades and is known as the oldest maker of kayaks. With their experience comes high-quality, reliable products you can depend on. They feature beginner kayaks, whitewater kayaks and advanced touring kayaks.
Old Town Canoes & Kayaks – Even though they are currently owned by Ocean Kayak, they’ve yet to change their name. Despite that, you can expect the same quality of kayaks you would find with Ocean. They also offer a wide range of canoes with their selection of kayaks.
Lifetime – This manufacturer designs a large range of kayaks and other outdoor equipment. Many people know them best for their basketball equipment, but they are also becoming a leader in water sports as well.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $200 all the up to $1,000 on the best recreational kayak. It isn’t our recommendation to spend much less than $350 as the cheaper models aren’t going to offer the best performance.
As a general guideline, the more expensive models tend to be made of a higher quality and will last longer. Aside from that, cheap kayaks tend to get damaged easier. Consider this; is it wiser to spend $500 once or $350 twice? What are the things that affect the price of the kayak?
- Length of kayak – the longer the watercraft is, the more you can expect to pay
- Compartments – expect to pay extra for waterproof storage compartments
- Comforts – if you want footrests or a comfortable back on the seat, it will cost more
Even as a beginner, you should expect to pay around $400 for the best recreational kayak to meet your basic needs. Let’s be honest; you don’t want to learn how to kayak on a $250 kayak that doesn’t maneuver well.
If you are a more experienced paddler, aim to spend around $500 to $750. The watercraft is longer, the strokes are smoother plus you’ll have more storage and comforts.
5 Best Recreational Kayaks
1. Ocean Kayak Frenzy Sit-On-Top Recreational Kayak
The open design of this recreational kayak offers plenty of room for all your cargo. There is also a generous amount of room on the seat plus two deck lashings. This is an ideal choice for the best recreational kayak if you want to take a dog on the trip with you.
It weighs 43 pounds which isn’t too heavy for most users and also provides exceptional stability with enhanced maneuverability and tracking. This kayak is one of the more expensive that are being reviewed but is a favorite among customers.
Check Price and Rating on Amazon.com
Features:
- Offers a padded back for maximum comfort
- Carrying handles on the stern and bow
- Length 9 ft.
- Weight capacity: 275-325 lbs
2. Lifetime 10 Foot Manta Tandem Kayak
The nice part of this design is that it is capable to use as a single or tandem kayak. While it does feature the sit-on-top design, it has a higher seat capable of keeping the rider dry and comfortable. There are two soft backrests and two double-sided paddles included with the kayak.
It is lightweight at 60 pounds and offers rear plus front carry handles for transport. They claim this model is almost impossible to tip over plus it offers a tunnel hull design. On top of that, it comes with a long 5-year warranty. Lifetime makes a high-quality kayak for a mid-range price that most people can afford.
Check Price and Rating on Amazon.com
Features:
- Versatile for solo for tandem usage
- Two backrests and two paddles
- Length 10 ft.
- Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
3. Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-Foot Sit-in Kayak
This sit-in kayak is made from UV-stabilized polyethylene to keep it lightweight at only 40 pounds but still durable. It also features an adjustable seat plus a water bottle holder in the cockpit.
There is also a gear well located behind the cockpit with some additional webbing to protect your cargo. For the price, I was a little shocked to see how many colors are available to choose from. Overall this kayak comes in as one of the lower priced models but continues to feature a high rating.
Check Price and Rating on Amazon.com
Features:
- Lightweight polyethylene design
- Storage and carrying handles
- Length 10 ft.
- Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
4. Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak
This choice as the best recreational kayak comes with a partially inflatable design. The rigid hard-shell paired with the portability of an inflatable makes this a versatile choice for many people.
The built-in aluminum bar frame enhances tracking and control in a way that isn’t normally found in an inflatable kayak. In addition, it is made with a three-layer puncture resistant material that protects you from disaster.
All you have to do with this is unfold, inflate the kayak and then attach the seat. No roof racks or trailers are required for the transport of this 36-pound kayak. The added versatility of this kayak seems to increase the price slightly when compared to other models. If this saves you from buying a roof rack or trailer, it might be worth the additional expense.
1. Don’t Drink and Paddle
This is a nice Article .This is a very informative post! This is a must read for anyone new to the sport of kayak fishing. Thank you for writing this.
These are great tips for choosing the best recreational kayak. Kayaks come in different sizes and have different purposes. From sit on top to sit in kayaks it is important to determine the purpose of the kayak. If the kayak is intended for recreational use or cargo it depends on the intended use.
Thank you for the information. Very helpful.
Nice beginners literature, I am actively looking for a model that will allow me to do some fishing as well, thanks for the tips! Kudos.