K ayaking at an early age can help your kid start loving the outdoors more than the indoors. He or she will easily get attached to family trips in nature, especially those that take place near a water source, be it a river, lake or sea. However, while it is fun to take your kids with you on your river trips, they will need equipment fit for their age and size. So, without further ado, to help you determine which kayak will meet your and your kid’s needs, we offer you our best recommendations.
Compact, made from polyethylene, measuring 108 inches in length, 31 inches in width and 18 inches in depth, it weighs 44 pounds and it is able to support up to 325 pounds. It has a Tri-hull combination for smoother water glide, and a comfortable, 4-way adjustable seat, with back support. It has 2 decks, both secured with bungee cord for you to be able to safely keep your luggage on board, one placed in front and the other placed in the rear. It has 2 lateral molded-in handles for easier transport and thanks to its bright color it’s easy to keep an eye on it. Thanks to its asymmetric design, you can have clean strokes, maximizing your efficiency while minimizing your fatigue.
Stable and secure, featuring a sit-on-top style of paddling, with a large open cockpit, you can be sure your 10 years old kid, and older, will be safe when venturing on the bay or intercostal waters. It has self-bailing scupper holes to prevent it from sinking and a paddle holder with a molded-in design. It also offers graduated footwalls for different kid heights. It comes with a 2.3 m aluminum paddle, and thanks to its square stern fishtails it will offer you a fast ride at a steady pace.
Additional features
Push-button breakdown for easy storage and adjustable blade feathering from either 0° or 60° angle for either right- or left-handed control
Eyelets accessories and cup holders
Asymmetrical blade design with dihedral shape allows a smooth, efficient stroke and helps lessen fatigue
PROS
CONS
Stable and steady
Lots of storage space
Asymetric design for clean strokes
Spacious cockpit
Some complained about the seat position
There were some complaints about it not being time resistant
VERDICT
A great way to tackle the waters, it provides you with a stable, smooth but fast run. Thanks to its adjustable seat and several foot support angles, your kid can use it even when he or she gets older, without having to worry about it not fitting anymore.
Lifetime Lotus
2. Lifetime Lotus
It measures 30 inches in width, 8 feet in length, with a draft of 3 inches and it weighs 38 pounds. It is made from UV-protected high-density polyethylene and it is able to support a weight up to 250 pounds. The paddle it comes with measures 86.6 inches in length and is made of molded polymer and aircraft grade aluminum. Additionally, the hull design provides your kid with ultra-stability and tracking. It has several footrest positions for different paddlers, so even when your kid grows older, he or she can still use it.
It comes with an adjustable quick-release seat with back support for a more comfortable position while paddling and it has a tank well storage with a bungee cord lacing to secure items. It has front and rear T-shaped handles and center-carry handles for easier transportation. Additionally, it has 5 self-bailing scupper holes, to drain water from the cockpit and from the tank as well. It will glide smoothly on all types of water – ponds, rivers, and intercostal waterways – and it is best suited for kids ages 15 or older. It has a 5-year limited warranty from the moment of your purchase.
PROS
CONS
Comes with paddle included
Stable and easy to transport
Ability to store items onboard
Limited color choice
Some complained about it being slow
VERDICT
Safe and stable, offering you easy transportation and maneuverability, it has the paddles included. It has a seat with back support, for a more comfortable ride and it offers you enough space to securely carry with you whatever items you see necessary for your water-trip.
Sun Dolphin Camino 8 SS
3. Sun Dolphin Camino 8 SS
Designed for kids ages 10 and up, it measures 96 inches in length,31 and 1/2 inches in width and 12 inches in height, while it is able to support up to 225 pounds. It weighs 40 pounds, it is made from rugged UV-stabilized Fortiflex high-density polyethylene. It provides your kid with maximum stability in water thanks to its square stern and it features a large open cockpit and adjustable padded seat with backrest for complete comfort.
It has scupper holes to quickly drain the cockpit area and multiple footrest positions for different kid heights. Thanks to its hard shell, it is sturdy and durable, and has molded finger handles on each side of it, for easier maneuverability. It offers a smooth ride and will track great on both calm and mild waters. It does come with a couple of storage compartments, but you can’t really fit much more than the essentials for a day out. It doesn’t come with a paddle.
PROS
CONS
Stable and comfortable
Easy to store and transport
Offers a smooth ride
Some complaints were made about it taking in lots of water
There were some complaints about it being too slow
VERDICT
Great for a relaxing trip on calm waters, it offers stability, durability and a smooth ride. It has a large cockpit, and it provides you with enough storage space for the essentials for an entire day. It is easy to store and carry as well.
SUNDOLPHIN 51675
4. SUNDOLPHIN 51675
It measures 96 inches in length, 28 inches in width and weighs 27 pounds. Made from rugged UV-stabilized Fortiflex, with high-density polyethylene, it comes with an adjustable padded seat back that will keep you comfortable during your whole trip, and it is able to support up to 260 pounds. It has several storage compartments which will not only improve your trip’s overall conditions, but that will increase the kayak’s maneuverability and transportation, as well. Thus, thanks to its recessed drink holder you can take with you any type of drink you wish, as you can keep it close at hand. It has a convenient molded-in paddle holder while thanks to its fore and after carrying handles you won’t have any trouble getting it in and out of your car or getting it to water. If the storage space is still not enough, you can take advantage of the onboard storage deck, secured with shock cord, to prevent your items from falling over. Best used by kids ages 12 and up, it can be safely taken on rivers and lakes.
PROS
CONS
Several storage spaces
Sturdy and durable
Comfortable seat
Easy to transport
Some complained about its sides being too high to be able to paddle comfortably
There were some complaints about it being unstable
VERDICT
It provides with a lot of storage space, to help you take all the stuff you consider necessary for your trip, without the need of worrying where to put them. Easy to transport and use, it comes with a comfortable seat that will sustain your back on your trip, and provides you with a great way to admire lakes and rivers right from the middle of them.
SUNDOLPHIN 52210
5. SUNDOLPHIN 52210
It measures 72 inches in length, 25 and ¼ inches in width and 8 inches in height and it weighs 28 pounds. It is made from rugged UV-stabilized Fortiflex high-density polyethylene, and it is able to support up to 140 pounds. It has an open cockpit which allows for easy entry and a large comfortable seating area with several feet supports and protective thigh pads. Its structure is a mix of rigid and hard shell, and it has a ‘V’-shaped hull bottom with a soft chine while its deck height is 8 inches. It has a molded-in paddle holder and it comes with a paddle. At the back, it has a platform which can serve as a quick climb-up if your kid has slipped out, or as a ‘fishing’ area. Best used by kids aged between 5 and 10 years old, it is best to be taken to flat, sheltered, calm waters. Easy to store and transport, it doesn’t require extra cable or lifts.
PROS
CONS
Stable and safe
Comes with the paddle included
Easy to store and transport
There were some complaints about the paddle’s quality
Some complained about it being bulky, slow and bad at taking turns
VERDICT
Stable, regardless of what lake or slow river you take it to, it has bright and eye-catching colors to help you monitor your kid wherever he or she ventures. Thanks to the platform it has on the back, your kid can easily climb back in if he or she has slipped out.
Sit-on-Top VS Sit-Inside
Regardless of what you need your kayak for, you will have to choose eventually between the two existing types: sit-on-top and sit-inside. While both versions are made with single or double seats in mind, they also come with hard shells or inflatable designs. They share two similarities: both have seats, some may come padded and with back support, others will not – and a form of foot support.
If you plan on making a prolonged journey – a whole day – it is best to choose one that has pedals as feet support, as they are more comfortable and ergonomic, and one with an already built-in back support for more convenience.
Sit-on-Top
It has a design which provides the user with an open cockpit, and with lots of free space. It looks similar to a surfboard, and it is, most of the times, used for fishing, scuba diving, and even surfing. It has small draining holes on the bottom, thus providing you with a quick way to get rid of any amount of unwanted water.
Advantages
It is unsinkable because if the kid’s kayak happens to be turned over by a wave, wind or sudden movements, and your kids finds himself in water, all you have to do is simply flip it on the other side and you’re good to go once again. Additionally, it provides you with quick gear access as it has a lot of space, so you can easily store several items and gear. It is comfortable for large people, as well, thanks to its wide cockpit while it is less expensive since it is thinner and doesn’t require so much material.
Drawbacks
While its wide design might be seen as an advantage most of the times it can pose a disadvantage at times. Because it has a wider design than its counterparts, it is slower and harder to maneuver, and it also requires more effort from the user, as the paddle will have to be longer in order for it to reach the water. It can be unstable at times because of its high gravity center and wide beam width. So it is advised for you not to do sudden moves. Since it has nothing to protect you against the wind, you will feel the full force of the elements whenever they manifest while because of the holes it has for easier water drainage, it will have some amount of water present at all times.
Sit-Inside
It has an enclosed cockpit, thus it resembles the traditional design more than its counterpart. It is narrower, thus faster, with the gravity center placed lower, into the water. It has no draining holes, so you will be safe and dry at the end of your journey.
Advantages
It is best for recreational paddle or camp trips, as it allows you to view the beauty of nature at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about water getting in, as it has no holes in its design and it provides you with stability, being less likely to be tipped over by sudden moves. It is narrow, so it provides you with more speed and easy maneuverability, as it doesn’t require longer paddles. It provides you with a comfortable position during your trip, as you won’t have to put in an additional effort to propel yourself forward. Additionally, only your upper body part will be exposed to the elements’ wrath, as your lower part will be protected by the cockpit and will be slightly submerged underwater.
Drawbacks
Because of its narrow design, it might make you feel confined while making entering and reentering inside it a bit difficult if it tips over. It can be easily sunk if the water manages to slip inside and you will need a pump, regardless of its type, to quickly take the water out. It has low initial stability, so it will take you a bit of effort to get inside, at first. Additionally, it provides you with limited space, as there is not very much room for you to bring your equipment or gear with you. Thus, not only will you be limited by storage space, but you will have to keep in mind the size of the objects you want to take with you, as they will have to be able to fit through the hatches.
Sit-on-Top VS Sit-Inside
Sit-on-Top
Sit-Inside
Wide and slow
Narrow and fast
Unstable in the long run
Stable in the long run
Limited maneuverability and control
Quick response to direction changes
Full exposure to elements
Partial exposure to elements
Certain amount of water present inside it all times
No water inside it
Conclusion
To sum up, the sit-on-top kayaks are preferred by beginners for the large storage area they come with and for the freedom the paddler has, while the sit-inside models are favored by intermediate and advanced paddlers. Therefore, you have to identify what you need it for, first, and only then decide which one will fit your situation best.
