Kayaking gives you some amazing thrills you might not have experienced before. This is especially for someone who is into kayaking. Other than kayaking in the rivers and lakes, you might now be ready for the ocean. It is time to enjoy more kayaking experiences.
You will need the best ocean kayak if you have to start kayaking in such a water body. It will have the best features that you need to make the experience better. That is what we look at in this guide.
Quick Picks: The Top-Rated Ocean Kayak
In a hurry? Check our best pick above, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide!
What is an Ocean kayak?
An ocean kayak, as the name suggests, would be ideal for ocean water conditions. To make this possible, it would have distinctive features that make it suitable for handling ocean conditions.
Some of the distinctive features include being more stable, sturdy, and easy to control in case the water conditions get rough.
You will also notice such kayaks would have hatches that can be waterproof. The aim is to help in protecting your personal items from getting wet.
So, before you can choose any kayak, make sure it has such features to improve its overall performance.
Why You Need Ocean kayak
The first reason you would get an ocean kayak is that you want to try out something new. Maybe you are a newbie who has only been kayaking in slow rivers and lakes. It is now time to take your experience to a whole new level.
You need the best stability you can get with a kayak, and an ocean kayak will do that. It is mostly designed to be good at helping you remain stable even if the water conditions change abruptly. It is why such kayaks would also be useful for fishing. This is because you can stand on them without capsizing easily.
The storage room that comes with ocean kayaks is also something many people want. You will like the fact that you can even store your catch from the ocean.
How to Choose an Ocean Kayak
The Length
In most cases, the ocean kayaks will be longer than the lake and recreational kayaks. Having the additional length is essential for speed. Considering you will be in a large water body, you need it to be easier to paddle.
The length also helps with battling the ocean currents.
Ensure you also have a method of efficiently transporting the kayak. This is because most kayak trailers would have length restrictions for kayaks.
The Width
In this case, we look at the hull width. This type of width is vital for those who want more stability in their kayak. As much as the width is crucial, you also have to consider your skills. If you are still a beginner, get a kayak having a hull more than 30 inches in width.
A wider hull affects the speed. If it is wider, then the speed drops. As such, experienced kayakers are advised to go for the narrower kayaks to enjoy better speed while on the ocean.
Skegs and Rudders
Tracking is also important when looking for the best ocean kayak. It is why you need the skegs and rudder systems to be part of your kayak.
An ocean will not have many obstacles than the rivers, but these tracking mechanisms are vital if you have to deal with currents in the ocean. As a result, the skegs and rudders will help you maintain a straight line.
Strength & Durability
The rough waters will always have an impact on the durability of the kayak. It is then essential to get a well-made kayak. Always look at the materials used to make the kayak and the construction technology.
Most models would be made of high-density polyethylene material. This material can withstand the constant rough waters you might be exposed to while on the ocean.
Cockpit Size
You should always pay attention to the cockpit size because of comfort. Sometimes you may have to be paddling for hours, and sitting in a tight ocean kayak might not be ideal. So, look at the size that will be comfortable for you. The same applies when it is a two-person kayak.
Usage
As mentioned earlier, these kayaks can be great for fishing too. If you intend on fishing while kayaking in the ocean, look at the space for storing your fishing gear and other accessories such as the fish rod holders.
If you want it for recreation alone, look at other features that will make ocean kayaking fun for you too.
Product Reviews of The Best Ocean Kayak
If you are ready for some outdoor fun, this is considered the best ocean kayak. The kayak has everything that you would need as an angler to have the ultimate aquatic experience outdoors when kayaking.
One thing making it a top choice should be its design. You will notice that it is crafted for better stability and durability. The high-density polyethylene material makes it generally a superior kayak to what you get with some inflatable kayaks.
Its durable construction makes it ideal for oceans, lakes, or rivers while at the same time supporting up to 550lbs. Such a weight capacity makes it a great choice if you need to carry a lot more gear for your kayaking trip.
The model also comes with a 34-inch beam. This is all about stability for those who might decide to fish while kayaking. You would now also have enough room to cast and reel without a problem.
Having waterproof storage is another thing that will make this a great choice to own today. They will help to keep your personal items from getting wet.
Pros
- It features waterproof storage compartments
- It is crafted for stability
- The model has built-in fishing rod holders
Cons
- The compartment clasps are cheaply made
This one doubles up as the best ocean kayak and a fishing kayak too. Well, while in the ocean, sometimes you may want to fish. So, it is good to know that you can enjoy such luxuries when you kayak on the ocean.
At 13ft, it is a lengthy kayak. You will enjoy it being a longer kayak since it will offer the best speed performance and stability too. There is no doubt you would have an easier time paddling around faster while out in the open.
The model still has several options for mounting accessories. Such include rod holders and four integrated gear tracks for different applications.
The multiple storage options also make it an excellent choice for those who need to carry more gear. Even if you decide to go fishing, you will end up having enough space to store your catch.
The superior comfort of the seat should be good enough for those long hours paddling in the ocean. Its seat is also adjustable for a comfortable paddling position.
Pros
- It offers superior comfort
- It has mounts for accessories
- The model has multiple storage options
Cons
- The bungee cords easily snap
This is a top consideration for those in the market for a super tough inflatable kayak. You no longer have to deal with punctures all the time since it is made using a tough laminate PVC material. Most people will find it being lightweight and still durable.
Being lightweight generally makes it easy to carry around in case you need to get it from one place to another. Having the high output pump will make it easier to inflate within a couple of minutes and get into the ocean for some fun times.
The model has two removable skews crucial for deep and shallow water. There are also two floor-mounted footrests for the two occupants that would be using the kayak. The seats are also adjustable to make it better for different kayaking activities.
It also has two fishing rod holders. Who would have thought that an inflatable kayak would have such an accessory? At this point, you can also use it for fishing while kayaking too on the ocean.
Pros
- It has a tough construction
- It has two comfortable seats
- Its weight capacity is impressive
Cons
- A few complaints about cleaning not being the easiest
Pelican has been a top brand in making great kayaks for years now. The brand has given us this model, which is all about performance and ease of use.
Looking at its design, you will find it has a multi-chine flat bottom hull. This ensures that you have the best stability each time you cast your lines and reel in your fish. That is not all, as such stability is good for ocean conditions too.
It measures 9.6-feet in length. This should make it easy to transport and store, considering it weighs 44lbs.
only. Even if you are going kayaking alone, you can easily get it to the ocean and back to the shores.
Before storing it, make sure to clean it first. Do not worry about cleaning as it is generally an easy process. A Warm water and mild soap mixture should easily clean the kayak.
The seat is also comfortable. The materials are soft, and the backrest is adjustable for comfort. As a result, it would be an excellent option to get for yourself today.
Pros
- It is a stable kayak
- The kayak is easy to transport
- The seat is comfortable
Cons
- It does not have a lot of storage space
It is not easy to go wrong with a Sea Eagle product. This model is designed for different water conditions, and an ocean is one of them. The manufacturer also rates it suitable for up to class III whitewater conditions. That is how good it is.
It weighs 26 pounds, making it lightweight. Since it is inflatable, you would also find it easy to transport. In addition, it comes with a weight capacity of 500 pounds, which is better than what you get with some other models in the market.
Another thing you will like about the kayak should be the inflatable and adjustable seats. You can have them with the right air for comfort, especially if you will be paddling for hours. Also, the seats are still movable to find yourself a comfortable position.
Having a drain valve should make it easier to get the water from the kayak whenever necessary.
Pros
- It has an impressive weight capacity
- It is a super comfortable kayak
- Adjustable paddles
Cons
- It takes too long to inflate fully
FAQs
How can you start kayaking in the ocean?
As much as ocean kayaking can be fun, there is the need to take safety seriously too. Get yourself familiar with the ocean first, buy the necessary PFDs and try kayaking closer to the shore before going deep once you are confident.
What makes an ocean kayak good?
This is a kayak that would be designed mostly to handle the rough conditions of open waters. Compared to the regular kayaks, it will often offer superior tracking and construction too.
What is the best size for an ocean kayak?
An ocean kayak is more about stability rather than being too fast. It is why these kayaks would mostly be 10 to 12 feet long and 30 to 35 inches wide.
Conclusion
Exploring the ocean is fun only when you have the best ocean kayak. It will be designed to ensure you have an easy time controlling the kayak and still not tipping over easily. All the models we have mentioned above have such kind of stability you can enjoy.
Always keep safety in mind while kayaking on the ocean, as sometimes the water conditions can quickly change. It would be nice to have other people going with you during such a trip.