Sea Kayaks vs Recreational Kayaks | Pros and Cons

This week on Paddle TV, we're comparing sea kayaks vs recreational kayaks. While they're often used interchangeably, they are different paddlecrafts and they require different skills to use – so let's dive into the pros and cons of each.

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[KayakingBubblehead]

Unfortunately a sea kayak isn't something I can do due to my disabilities. I use a sit on top and am going to start kayak camping soon. I started kayaking last year and in just a couple of months I was able to stop using my cane, I have a kayak that I can switch the deck from a flat deck to one with storage or use my peddle drive, the Vibe Shearwater 125. This kayak has opened a whole new world of adventure for me and I can get in and out of it without much trouble. I'm a disabled submarine veteran and love the water and kayaking has allowed me to get back on the water, love this sport.

[petersmith]

As a 40-year sea kayaker, I applaud this summary! It is very difficult to cover the salient points without losing emphasis on the really crucial points, and I think you did a great job. Sea kayaks are safer in rough water once you have developed good skills. Rec boats are never safe on rough water, but are great when used for the designed purpose.

[facedown]

I have both and use them for the different type of paddling I do..love them both..still water and nature photography the recreational boat rules with its room and stability for my dog is so nice ...touring and sea paddling is way different! Plus you need skills and knowledge...Rec kayaks are like a day at the Spa!

[NorthPaddle]

I’ve been paddling canoes for 50 years, but am new to kayaks. Some useful info here. Thanks.

[KuriousKat-ikwr]

Excellent summary! I almost bought a kayak a few days ago, but after watching this, I'm not sure if the one I was going to purchase really makes sense for the type of conditions I expect to kayak in. Thank you.

[wilwilliford]

Such a great, informative clip. You answered so well a few questions I had. Thank you! Really enjoying your channel from over here in Germany! 😉

[singleman]

I started kayaks with an inexpensive Recreational boat that was 10 ft. long. I soon learned that 8 or 10 foot Kayaks will work you more than a longer boat. The problem is the short kayaks turn away from your paddle stroke. One reason a 17 ft. sea kayak is fast is a 17 ft. boat will "track" better. I have switched to a 12 foot recreational kayak and it is much easier to make it go.
The 12 ft. kayak will still turn away from your paddle stroke, but not nearly as bad. I recommend getting at least a 12 ft. "rec." boat.

[MsCurrion]

This is a great summary and I find all your videos very useful. I think it is extremely difficult to categorize some of these boats cleanly because boat builders are constantly blurring the lines between boat types by trying to come up with boats that do it all. So we now have light touring or day touring boats. And some of them look like very nice compact touring or sea kayaks but you probably wouldn't want to take all of them off shore. And now we have some great ocean playboats like the Valley Gemini or the P&H Virgo that can also do double duty as really nice 3-4 day trip touring boats. There are differences between some of these boats in terms of build quality and outfitting that do make a difference as to how one might use them. I had to compromise on my most recent boat because I have limited covered storage, so I could not really go over 15 feet. Plus I am mainly doing day trips on coastal waters. It was a Virgo for me and I love her. She is fast, seaworthy, responsive and easy to reenter. But she's not going to keep up with a 17 foot boat. Maybe you could consider a future look at some of those hybrid or light touring boats and go through what makes them seaworthy? That might be useful.

[michaelhoffman]

Nice video - BTW you put " wrecked kayaks" in the navigation tip on the progress bar :)

[InnerSanctum]

I don't mind taking my recreational out into the choppy bay sometimes. I've gotten good at getting back in it though! 😅

[Daniël_FPVphoto]

Can you do a review about the Cambridge Adventure 350 touring?

[BDiHaze]

Evening. I have been doing my attending as many kayak tour events as possible to get my bearing of what I would like most when I purchase and thought I was set on the Pungo 125 until having my hand at a sea kayak when the tour guide gave me a go at the Old Town Nantucket 149. I know they don't make these anymore but would like your insight to help me with that decision. So far I have enjoyed how I felt more sound in the Pungo, by not flipping it any of the times I went out, but the Old town I flipped over several times in until I was able to get my bearing learning the sea kayaks are WAY MORE sensitive with any movement of your legs of shifting of your body weight. But once I got it, I really enjoyed it. I liked how it felt faster and more nimble when dealing with getting in/out of Eddie's, lagoons and being more in the center of the mass of water we were kayaking in, but when we chilled and I got lost in my taking pictures I always felt like I was going to flip over again and it deterred me from taking pictures whenever I wanted to. I know we have some good waters here in the MD area and want to be able to do more than just the shallow stream waterways and hit the wider waterways between the Susquehanna or Annapolis waters.

WIth the present Old Town lineup I am torn between the Sorrento 126, which reviews has given me pause since it doesn't have the option for a scag and they say it has trouble tracking when there is wind, and the Loon 126sk which does have come with the scag, and an anchor, but I am not really tripping on getting an angler kayak, but guess I can't complain if it does all I want it to do AND give me the ability to take a rod out when I go out with my buddies that ARE All About fishing when they're out.

Or, just stick with the Pungo 126, that I can put a rudder on, if I so chose down the line. And I also know I can get a waterproof skirt for when I have evolved on the water to get in more choppy water and take a roll or two....

So to that, your insight is greatly appreciated?

[EspenFrafalne]

Just in case someone thinks sea kayaks are very unstable, mine is "beginner friendly", and stable enough that a normal person should feel pretty confident in it. It is the only kayak i have tried, and i have never tipped over - even when i was so drunk that i could barely walk, and went for a 4-5km paddle in the middle of the night, LOL! This being said, i have only used it in my local river, and never in any serious waves. Want to try to get it to the ocean next summer, and pack my tent and stuff for a week or 2 😊

[quakeu]

I use a Seaeagle 385FT to scuba dive in the ocean and it works great.

[oldsailor]

I kayak and canoe, but use a surfski on the ocean. I find it more comfortable and faster than a sea kayak, also remounting is way easier than rolling or other kayak reentry techniques.

[courtlandbates]

Loved the imagery of kayaking among the icebergs.

[Vylkeer]

Sea Kayaks are generally 14' - 18' in length, that's true but there are a few exceptions like my Delta 12.10 which, as the name implies, it's 12'10" and it's still very much a sea kayak. Being shorter and wider it has a better primary and secondary stability even though it's not as fast and doesn't track as well (but it's still great in these two aspects). Also, it has more maneuverability over the longer brothers and of course less cargo capacity. I've esteemed that the 12.10 is absolutely fine for a 2-day trip, which is all I need anyways.
Another advantage is that by being lighter and more compact, it's easier to manage on land, which to me was also a factor.
It all comes down to personal preference and necessities, as for most things :)

[QPatriot]

Thanks alot, im considering buying one thats was much helpful

[jasonschlencker]

Great vid.
I was just given a Seaflo SF-1003 for free with frayed side handles, missing bung and plug things that go through the hull, so not bad with some light beaching scuffing on the underside of the bow.
Can the little storage hole be sealed better or don't bother and just use a tiny drybag?
Funny thing is that I thought that the holes through the hull were supposed to be open full time because my wife's 12 footer fishing kayak was second hand and didn't have any plug things.
Regards, Jas.
VK4FJGS
Rocky Qld

[TheCornucopiaProject-bdjk]

I was thinking of using a kayak as a tender for my 25’ sailboat.
For sea conditions I would need the sea kayak but for better storage as a tender the Rec Kayak is better. Based on the info given, I still don’t know if either would work for me.