There are many factors to consider when choosing a kayak. First off, you have to decide if you want a sit-in-side or sit-on-top kayak. If you’re looking for a kayak for fishing or diving, you may want to choose a sit-on-top kayak. They are easy to enter and exit in the water and have storage that can be easily accessed while paddling. For most other instances, you would be better off choosing a sit-inside kayak.

The next factor you’ll want to consider is the length of the kayak. Recreational kayaks typically measure from 8 to 12 feet in length. These shorter kayaks are usually wider and therefore more stable. They're easier to turn, but they are slower and harder to paddle in a straight line. Day touring kayaks measure from 12 to 16 feet in length. They are narrower and therefore less stable. The extra length makes them hard to turn, but they are faster and are much easier to paddle in a straight line. Touring kayaks measure 16 to 22 feet in length. They’re very narrow and unstable. However, they’re extremely fast and easy to paddle in a straight line.

There are a couple of other factors you should take into consideration. If you’re planning on camping, you will want a kayak with storage compartments. As an added benefit, manufacturers typically put bulkheads in boats with storage compartments. Bulkheads lower the volume of water that you can take on when you capsize, making it easier to recover your kayak. If your kayak doesn’t have bulkheads, you can install flotation bags to fill the empty space.