For most afternoon kayakers, space usually isn t that much of an issue, but if you re going to take long trips, adequate cargo capacity must be available. With either a single or a double, the seats need to be comfortable and supportive. Most paddlers prefer a snug fit for a whitewater kayak, but for a touring kayak they prefer something with more room, allowing them to stretch and change positions on longer trips. Initial and final stability We discussed stability earlier when we mentioned how beginners typically like a boat with good initial stability while experienced paddlers favor a boat with good secondary stability. Initial stability is the tendency of the boat to lean or shift away from a perfectly upright position.
Final stability is the tendency of the boat to actually tip over.
A boat with good final stability that seems tippy will be more forgiving by staying in a leaning position instead of tipping over. The hull shape will determine what kind of stability the boat has. A second issue with stability is its relationship to speed. A highly stable boat will not be the fastest boat on the water. Typically, the stable boat will be wider and slower than the narrower faster boat.