A sea kayak is a long, slim boat designed for coastal paddling. It is usually between 14.5 - 18 feet long, and between 18 to 24 inches wide. The deck (top) covers the entire boat except for a small opening (cockpit) in which the person sits. The cockpit has a raised lip around it that allows a paddler to utilize a spray skirt to help keep water out of the boat. Sea kayaks also have bulkheads to prevent water from flooding the entire boat. A sea kayak is the only type of kayak that should be used on Lake Superior. A recreational or general purpose kayak is for the casual paddler on placid rivers, ponds, or small lakes. It is smaller than 14 feet long and has a larger opening for the paddler to sit in. The larger opening can make it easier for water to enter the boat, making these types of kayaks prone to swamping. Their shorter size also makes them prone to being pushed around in the wind and waves. Recreational kayaks should not be used on large bodies of open water (Lake Superior) or used on windy days.
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