KAYAK LIFESTYLE

This really depends on your application and particularly the weather conditions and water temperature of your paddling venues.

Sit inside kayaks are generally a drier ride, more comfortable and protected from sun and cold. With a spray skirt (splash cover or spray deck) these boats can be paddled in a variety of weather conditions. With the sit-insides we import having modern cockpit’s the fear of being trapped in the boat are a thing of the past.

Sit-on-top kayaks (SOT’s) Due to the fact that you are sitting on top of the kayak in moulded seat and heel indentations you are exposed to all weather conditions, great for warm weather but not so pleasant in cold or cool weather as this is a wet ride. Great for surf entries and play. The SOT concept was primarily designed for ocean use. Extremely convenient for hopping off for a swim, to snorkel or dive and for those with a phobia of sitting in a cockpit. The SOT kayak is the most popular paddle craft for fishing.

Sit-on-tops (SOT’s) have become extremely popular along coastal areas with tropical conditions.

SOT’s come in all different shapes and sizes and for many different purposes from surfing, to scuba diving / snorkelling, fishing, touring and recreation.

They also come with specific weight carrying capacities to fit all shapes and sizes. The surfing and recreation SOT’s are typically short, slow but more manoeuvrable.

These are primarily beach toys for playing in the surf and short paddles on the lagoons and estuaries. Ideal for holiday homes, resorts and hire companies.

The longer SOT?s are more suited for sea fishing, long distance paddling, day cruising and touring. With all well designed SOT’s there should be a self-draining cockpit with ample drainage to allow water to escape rapidly after being swamped.

However some seating positions on SOT’s are below the waterline meaning that you will be permanently sitting in water, this can also happen if you are too heavy for the weight carrying capacity of the boat.

Make sure the boat fits your leg length and body weight with a bit in reserve. It is advisable to try these boats before purchase.

Available in single and tandem. Some of the tandems like our Tarpon 130T have a ‘third?seat in the middle for solo paddling or an additional small passenger. Adjustable back-rests are also a must as SOT’s are extremely uncomfortable without one. The shorter the kayak the easier it is to manoeuvre, so a better option for surf play.

The longer the kayak the quicker it is which makes it a better option for touring, distance paddling etc We have various models from various manufacturers – our most popular models are the Tarpon sit-on-top kayaks which are the “hottest selling sit-on-tops on the market?/p>

Sit-on-top Accessories: Paddle, Pfd, thigh-straps, paddle leashes. Optional extras include,roof-racks , tie downs, foam board protectors/cradles, flag for transportation. Gear Pods, dry bags, paddle leashes, safety equipment

SOT Fishing kayaks and skis have become extremely popular with fishermen the world over from river to sea and from fly to bottom fishing.

Generally a longer kayak from 3.7m to 5m being more suitable for trawling. Not every SOT is ideal for fishing – and you need to establish if you are looking for a versatile fishing kayak or a specialised fishing kayak or ski?

A fishing kayak is designed with a kayak shape hull for speed and tracking, whereas the fishing ski is designed after a surf lifesaving board.

Both are designed for surf and sea use. The kayak hull will be faster, more stable and track straighter whereas the ski hull is well suited to surf entry and exit.

Some fishing kayaks come in an extremely versatile package and can be used for snorkelling, scuba diving, exercise and even multi-day trips on the sea or rivers (up to grade 3 rapids) as well.

Some models even have a flat floor for standing and fly fishing. The Fishing-ski is a very specific fishing craft and is custom made to measure.

Sit-on-top Accessories: Paddle, Pfd, thigh-straps. Optional extras include, roof-racks, tie downs, foam board protectors/cradles, flag for transportation. Dry bags, paddle leashes, safety equipment, fishing / gear pod.

• Canoeing and kayaking has various disciplines within the sport and remains extremely specialised. Anyone can sell you a boat, but is it the right boat? The wrong boat can be an expensive mistake.
• Getting the best advice on your choice of boat can only come from an experienced paddler with first hand knowledge. (Robbie Herreveld has been paddling for 30 years, competitively and socially and has great experience in all the disciplines).
• In order to make sure you are given the right advice on the right boat for your application we’ll ask you lots of questions and make sure you’re aware of all the options available to you.
• We will then go through our broad spectrum of kayaks and canoes from recreation, whitewater, touring, racing, sit-on-tops, fishing and in plastic and fibreglass with you as it is important to see, try and choose when all the options are available.
• We advise and encourage you to join one of our regularly held on water Demo Days to try out a range of boats before purchasing to ensure your choice is the right one.
• We also provide after-services like tuition and paddling technique as well as Whitewater trips andKayak tours to ensure maximum use of your purchase. (You automatically qualify for complimentary membership to our paddling clubs on the purchase of a Canoe & Kayak boat suited to the club
• We send out monthly e-newsletters to keep you up to date on what’s happened or about to happen, trips, tours and social evenings, slide evenings, guest speakers and get-togethers, etc.
• We offer a professional back-up service like repairs, warranty, etc.

Welcome to our family - The Canoe and Kayak World Family!

Some kayaking lingo you may come across:

Canoe

A canoe is an open craft with pointed ends operated by a single bladed paddle in a seated or kneeling position

Kayak 

A kayak is a decked boat operated with a double bladed paddle from a sitting position

Tandem

 Two person canoe or kayak

Solo

Single paddler

Deck - The top closed in area of the canoe or kayak

Hull - The bottom of the canoe or kayak

Bow - Front end of boat

Stern - Back end of boat

Initial stability -  the immediate feel of the boat as you sit in it which will have great resistance to a lean.

Secondary stability - when the boat is leaned it will reach a position that it will start resisting capsize and not want to go any further.

Best to let your salesperson advise you on the benefits and drawbacks of both Initial and Secondary stability.

Volume - Used to describe overall capacity of a given hull shape

Tracking - The ability of a boat to hold a straight course

Rudder - A foot-controlled steering device.

Skeg - A fixed rudder

Chines - the edge of the kayak; transition between the hull and the deck.

Rocker - Upward curvature of the keel line from centre towards the ends of a boat. Lots of rocker means quick easy turns.

Keel - a centre line extrusion along the bottom of the boat from bow to stern

Length -  the length of a boat clearly distinguishes touring kayaks from white water kayaks. The general rule is the longer the boat, the easier it glides and the faster it is, whereas the shorter the boat the more manoeuvrable it will be and slower.

Spray skirt - A tight waterproof cover designed to prevent water from entering the inside of a kayak, It attaches to the rim of the cockpit and the waist of the paddler.

PFD - Personal flotation device. A personal buoyancy vest

Paddle - Tool for propelling canoes and kayaks