Submit Club Submit Event Touring in Your Sea Kayak Equipment Excerpted from Touring in Your Sea Kayak by Linda Legg Sea kayaks are a magic carpet that can take you on adventures from freshwater lakes to salt marshes, from cypress-lined rivers to sandy beaches. Sea kayaking is a whole-body sport that gives you a workout from your fingers to your toes. To enjoy this wonderful activity, use the following guideline to choose the proper equipment. Sea kayaks come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes that represent a whole spectrum of capabilities, but generally they are designed to be used in moderate winds and waves conditions most often encountered in coastal areas and large lakes. Because they are low to the water and closed on top, sea kayaks can handle the wind and waves much better than open canoes.
All boats turn more easily when on edge.
This means the boat is easier to turn when tilted a little on its side. Of course, if you tilt the boat too far, you'll capsize. So ideally, you'll want to be able to tilt the boat easily but not overdo it and end up capsized. To test the boat, sit in the kayak on the water, knees touching the underside of the foredeck. Lift one of your knees to tilt the boat about 30 degrees.