Not all kayaks are created equal! In fact there are huge differences between kayaks, that in turn  make a huge difference to how useful and enjoyable your kayak is when you’re out on the water. In this video I’ll go through what you need to know when choosing a kayak, and why we reckon the Adventure Kings Kayaks are the ultimate fishing or recreational kayaks and canoes.

SIT-ON v SIT-IN KAYAKS

The first thing you need to decide is whether you want a sit-on or a sit-in kayak. This style of kayak is known as a sit-on kayak – because it has an open surface, and you sit on top of it. That’s in contrast to a sit-in kayak, where your legs are enclosed with the kayak.

Sit-on kayaks in our opinion have huge advantages. They’re stable and easy to use, and are much easier to get on and off – particularly if you want to hop off your kayak for a swim. They make much better use of the available space with better access to footwells and storage areas too. And if you’re a fisho – you’ll love the ability to stand up on a sit-on kayak to cast and scout – if your sit-on kayak has a flat footwell like this one here!

Sit-in kayaks also have a tendency to fill with water if they flip over – and are difficult to get upright again. With a sit-on kayak, there’s less hull to fill with water, making them a clear winner here.

FEATURES TO LOOK FOR

Whether you’re a fisho and use your kayak to get to your favourite holes, or you’re a recreational kayaker exploring our amazing waterways, here are the features you should look for in a kayak.

Firstly – the seat. Not all kayak seats are the same – and some are so much more comfortable than others! We highly recommend choosing a kayak with a removable aluminium-framed mesh-backed seat like this. They’re super comfy so you can sit on them for hours, particularly thanks to the adjustable backrest. The mesh means that they won’t hold water and like the old-style foam-backed seats, so you won’t get a wet bum, and being removable means when it comes time to head home, you can take it off for easier transport – and if you put it in the back of your car, it won’t drip salt water all over your paintwork either.

Secondly – let’s talk hull design. Look for a pro fishing kayak with a deep v hull at the bow and transom, and a nice flat hull through the mid section. The deep v means the kayak will handle chop and swell easily, and this large flat section gives excellent stability.

If you’re a fisho, then you’ll know that you can never have enough rod holders. Most fishing kayaks will come with these fixed rod holders and they’re definitely useful, but adjustable rod holders are amazing – and if you can get a kayak with two like these, you’re onto a winner! They give you much more control over rod placement over either side of the kayak, or off the back if you want to troll as you paddle.

And this right here is a deadset gamechanger – a flat footwell is a HUGE benefit in a sit-on kayak, because it means you can stand to cast and scout! That’s something that not many kayaks have, but it’s such a massive advantage that we reckon it’s a must-have.

WEIGHT RATINGS

Weight and weight ratings play a huge part in how easy a recreational kayak is to use. You want a kayak that’s light enough to be able to move around yourself, particularly if you transport it on your roofracks, but that still has a high enough weight rating. The higher the weight rating, the more stable the kayak will be – which is why we’ve ensured the Adventure Kings single-seater kayak to have a weight rating of a huge 140kg, the Pro Fishing Kayak a thumping 175kg and the Deluxe double kayak a massive 250kg!

WHY KAYAK MATERIALS MATTER

Okay, now let’s talk about an often overlooked aspect of kayaks – the materials used within construction. Generally speaking most kayaks are either made from high density polyethelene (HDPE) or low density polyethelene (LDPE). High density polyethene is far and away superior for kayaks because it has a much higher melting point, which gives greatly improved longevity – meaning that a kayak made from high density polyethelene will last longer, and resist fading and cracking than one made from low density polyethelene.

THE BUYING EXPERIENCE

Finally, who you buy your kayak from matters. We’ve seen kayak retailers in Australia advertise up to an eight week lead time on kayaks – as opposed to being able to walk into your local 4WD Supacentre company store, touch and feel your new kayak before you buy it, and then take it home with you that very day, to get you out on the water this weekend! That’s because our bulk buying power and huge warehouses mean we can hold mammoth amounts of stock.

And when you buy from 4WD Supacentre, you also get the advantage of a nation-wide warranty that we genuinely stand by, a 35-strong Aussie-based customer service team that you can call or email 7 days a week, and our business model that focuses on selling in bulk and cutting out the middleman to deliver you an incredible quality and feature packed kayak at an amazing price.

Whether you’re a fisho or just want to get out for a paddle and explore your local waterways, you’re going to love your Adventure Kings single seater kayak or double kayak – available now from 4WD Supacentre!