What are the Best Kayaks for Beginners? (Our Top 8 Picks)

Buying your first kayak can be an intimidating experience. When you start anything new, it’s sometimes hard to even know where to begin. I’d like to help. In this article I discuss what I believe are the best kayaks for beginners.

In my view, the best kayaks for beginners have solid material and build quality, are comfortable, stable, perform as needed and are a joy to paddle.

If you don’t look forward to hopping in your kayak, then you either chose the wrong sport, or chose the wrong kayak.

To help you avoid choosing the wrong kayak, we did some research and present to you our list of the top 8 best kayaks for beginners.

Below is the short-cut to the list. Read on for color and context about how to choose a great beginning kayak and why we think these eight are among the best.

What types of kayaks are there?

There are several styles of kayak so it’s useful to learn about them and their unique characteristics in order to understand the best kayaks for beginners.

Sit in kayak

A sit in kayak is constructed with a closed cockpit. Your legs and feet sit inside the kayak, enclosed by the kayak deck.

Some sit in kayaks are designed expressly for the novice paddler, while other sophisticated sit ins are designed for more advanced performance.

If you want to improve your paddling skills, the right sit in kayak can help you do so.

Supports and braces Many sit in kayaks come equipped with hip support and knee braces. If not, they can usually be modified to possess them. These interior additions help you practice the skills of leaning, edging, bracing, hip-snapping and rolling.

Buoyancy Good quality sit in kayaks are equipped with air-tight storage hatches at their bow and stern. If your boat gets swamped (filled with water), these water-tight hatches keep your kayak floating until you can expel the offending water.

Sit-on-top kayak

A sit-on-top kayak is constructed with an open cockpit and no deck. This improves legroom – leaving your legs and feet exposed to the sky.

Scupper holes Sit-on-top kayaks are constructed with scupper holes. These holes drain water from the cockpit, rendering sit-on-top kayaks virtually unsinkable. This is a useful and popular safety feature. (

This style of boat is more utilitarian in nature, when compared to sit-in kayaks. They are typically heavier, wider and more stable than sit-in styles as well. As such, they are the go-to kayak style for fishing because they can lug around so much equipment.

Where sit-on-tops are built for utility, sit in kayaks (especially the higher-end ones) are built for athletic performance.

Hardshell kayak

Hardshell kayaks are constructed from rigid material such as plastic, carbon fiber and fiberglass. Certain custom kayaks are still manufactured from wood.

Rigid material The surface of a hardshell kayak is designed and manufactured to remain rigid when it comes into contact with waves, debris and other hard, sharp obstacles. Sure, the obstacle might scratch or otherwise leave a mark, but the shape and integrity of a hardshell kayak is intended to remain.

Inflatable kayak

Inflatable kayaks are constructed out of plastic, PVC, rip-stop nylon or some other form of fabric. They are manufactured with a series of internal chambers. These chambers are pumped full of air to provide buoyancy and increase rigidity.

Performance Inflatable kayaks are performing better every year. These days, they glide well, track straight, and their speed is improving.

However, inflatables are intended to provide lightweight, portable, cost-effective convenience. If you want athletic performance, best to stick to hardshell boats.

The table below helps you compare the similarities and differences between hardshell kayaks and inflatable ones.

What are the characteristics of the best kayaks for beginners?

Primary Stability

Primary stability is the stability is the stability you experience when you sit in calm water. A kayak with high primary stability does not immediately feel like it will tip over when you incrementally shift you weight.

Kayaks with wider hulls tend to have better primary stability than those with narrow hulls.

Wide kayaks with high primary stability are not typically athletic. Over time, novice paddlers will likely graduate to choppier water that requires the higher secondary stability provided by more advanced boats.

Materials

Regardless of whether the best beginner kayak for you is a hardshell or inflatable, the materials from which your kayak is constructed are important. The materials need to be high quality.

Hardshell kayaks If you prefer hardshell kayaks, then your first boat will very likely be constructed from rotomolded polyethylene. While it might not be the most beautiful of kayaks, it will be strong and rigid. This will allow you to scrape across branches, bounce of rocks and drag along beaches without ruining your boat.

The price of beginner rotomolded polyethylene boats is also typically cheaper than that of fiberglass or carbon kayaks.

Inflatable kayaks The last expensive inflatable kayaks for beginners are constructed from a single layer of thin vinyl that is stitched together to create a series of air chambers. If you’re really on a budget, then a cheap vinyl kayak will work. It just won’t last very long.

Vinyl kayaks encased in protective fabric are slightly higher in quality, protect better against punctures and increase the performance and lifespan of the boat.

Higher-quality inflatable kayaks are often constructed with PVC or Hypalon.

PVC is typically heat-welded and applied as a laminate, combining layers for better strength and abrasion resistance.

Hypalon is manufactured with glue. This increases the weight of the kayak. This material is often used in police and military applications. As such, it’s unlikely you’ll find a beginner kayak constructed from hypalon.

Comfort

Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or experienced paddler, your kayak must be comfortable.

A good kayak fits your body.

Much of the fit has to do with the kayak seat. An effective kayak seat doesn’t fit too tall. Tall seats result in inefficient paddling technique, as they require too much lean for you to reach the water during each stroke.

Seats with hip support and cockpits with knee braces help you learn the paddling skills of edging, leaning, hip-snapping and rolling.

There also needs to be sufficient space for your legs and feet – particularly if you’ll be paddling a sit in kayak. A boat that is too short for your legs with foot pegs that aren’t far enough towards the bow make for an awful experience.

Also, if your feet are large, a sit in kayak with a significantly narrow bow could also be problematic. Your feet need somewhere to go, too.

Some of these fit problems go away with a sit-on-top kayak. Obviously, the absence of a deck creates all kinds of room for your lanky legs and far-reaching feet.

Still, you need a comfortable seat and an appropriately-sized kayak for your body size as well as abilities – even if the boat is of the sit-on-top variety.

Performance

Shorter, wider kayaks tend to provide the stability and maneuverability that novice paddlers require.

Shorter kayaks tend to be slower than longer ones. To a point. So, as you’re learning to paddle, you might not be able to reach the speeds that your more experienced friends in longer boats are reaching.

However, a shorter kayak is typically more maneuverable than a long one. This allows you to practice working through tight areas such as lake inlets, rivers and creeks.

Shorter kayaks don’t typically track as well as longer ones. This means that shorter kayaks tend to drift to one side or the other, making the result of your paddling efforts less efficient.

Kayaks for beginners are often built with special hulls that provide for better tracking, given the reduced length of the kayak. This could include catamaran-style hulls or unique chine designs that help boats track straighter.

Some beginning kayaks make use of a rudder or skeg to help track straight.

Accessories

While the accessory list really doesn’t help define the best kayaks for beginners, it’s still helpful to have the odd accoutrement on your boat.

Rudder or skeg It’s your choice as to whether you’d define a rudder or skeg as an accessory, but they can definitely improve the paddling experience.

Foam pads Properly-placed pads inside your kayak can make paddling more comfortable, effective and enjoyable. Again, are these accessories? Your call.

Spray skirt Coastal paddling or river-running requires a means to keep your kayak from getting swamped. A spray skirt, which is a neoprene or nylon cover that hooks over the coaming of your cockpit hatch, is a must.

Kayak light If you plan to be a night-time paddler, the US Coast Guard as well as individual states set laws about the type of light you need.

Rod holders Alright, the world of fishing kayaks is where kayak accessories really live. Rod holders are a big one. Are there places on your kayak to secure live rods while you paddle? Do you require them?

Kayak pedals If your interest is less about kayak paddling and more about kayak fishing, then kayak pedals (installed through the hull of your boat) keep your hands free to fish while also keeping control of your kayak position.

Anchor system Usually this is an after-market accessory. Still, a properly-used kayak anchor system lets you focus more of your attention on fishing, when doing so on water with wind, currents and tides.

What type of paddling do you plan to do in your beginner kayak?

Fast rivers with waves and rapids

Candidly, you should probably get some reps in on slow, calm water before tackling an active river. you need to learn how to edge, lean, hip-snap, roll and wet exit before you’re ready for a fast river.

With that said, once you’ve developed some basic kayaking skills, it will be time to source a beginner kayak for river kayaking.

A paddler that is new to the fast water of rivers will usually be best-served by a displacement-hull kayak with soft chines and a modest rocker.

A displacement hull has a rounder bottom that pushes water to the side.

Chines are the portion of a kayak’s hull that sits below the water and transitions from the side of the hull to the bottom. Soft chines present as rounded and provide more stability on fast water.

Rocker is the amount of bow-to-stern curve of a kayak. A modest rocker provides good agility and maneuverability while still allowing for some speed and straight tracking.

Coastal and Ocean environments

Similar to fast rivers, coastal and ocean environments can be characterized by volatile water.

Ocean-going kayaks are usually characterized by a long, narrow hull. This is the opposite of that which is considered optimal for novice paddlers. Don’t make the mistake of buying a kayak that is too long and too narrow for your beginning abilities. When you’re ready, you can always trade in your used beginner kayak for a new one.

Buy a shorter, wider kayak to begin and, when you’ve developed your kayaking skills on calm water, bring your beginning kayak to the beach and practice in the surf.

When you’re comfortable paddling a short kayak in volatile surf, then you trade up to an intermediate boat.

Lake and slow-river fishing

Fishing kayaks are heavy, wide and stable by design.

If your spiritual experience comes from fishing, rather than paddling, then you would do well to consider a fishing kayak from the start.

Because many fishing kayaks are appropriate for beginning kayakers, much of the decision about which is best comes down to price. How much do you want to spend?

First of all, a shorter kayak is easier for a novice paddler to maneuver than a longer one.

Second, if you choose to pony up for a pedal-powered kayak, then you don’t need to paddle at all (though you do need to stow an emergency break-down paddle, anyway).

Then there are the myriad of equipment accessories. Cooler(s). GPS. Electronic fish finder. Fish finder battery. Fish bag. Fish grip with scale. Paddle clip. Paddle leash. Tackle box. Fishing rods.

Whatever equipment you buy for your boat requires sufficient real estate to stow. Remember that!

Our Top 8 best kayaks for beginners

Okay, without further adieu, here are our top eight kayaks for beginners.

Why only eight kayaks? Well frankly, we don’t see value in a top 25 list.

Our goal is to edit and curate a list that is small and meaningful enough to help novice paddlers.

You’ll notice that there aren’t any affiliate links.

Our view is that you should buy kayaks from proper kayak outfitters. You might pay a little more money than at Amazon or a big box retailer. This is the price you pay for valuable advice that helps you select the right kayak for your needs, the first time.

Ok. Here we go:

Dagger Axis 10.5

The Dagger family of kayaks traces its DNA to a small shop with a dirt room floor, as do so many kayak designers. The brand’s current lineup of kayaks is heavily-focused on whitewater fun. However, within its stable of boats is a little gem named the Axis 10.5.

This kayak is positioned as a ‘multiwater’ boat – equally at home on lakes, reservoirs, intercoastal waterways and ponds. When needed, it is up to the challenge of running a river.

Pros: Why is the Dagger Axis 10.5 a great beginner kayak?

Primary Stability The Axis provides excellent primary stability, which is particularly important to beginning paddlers. At 28.5″ wide, the boat is beginner-wide, but not so wide that you sacrifice maneuverability.

Adjustable Skeg The adjustable skeg keeps the Axis tracking straight in wind and choppy water while the defined chines allow for a little controllable fun.

Stability Plus Speed Even though the kayak is well-suited to beginning paddlers, it’s not so wide and clunky that you give up all your speed in the name of stability. With a little practice, your beginner kayak should not keep you from tracking alongside your more experienced friends.

Mod Out Your Kayak As your kayaking skills improve, you can fit the Axis with thigh braces that will allow you to tackle not just still, flat water, but currents and small waves as well..

As such, this kayak also accepts a sprayskirt to keep you a bit drier.

Cons: What can be improved on the Dagger Axis 10.5?

Stowage Port Lid Some paddlers have noted that the stowage port lid can be difficult to access while seated in the cockpit. This is not uncommon on many kayaks, but something to consider nonetheless.

Build Quality While Dagger is broadly known for solid build quality (there has been at least one documented snafu that is worth considering.)

Price The Dagger Axis 10.5 is priced fairly, given its quality and features. It is however, among the more expensive beginner kayaks on our list.

Dagger Axis 10.5 Specs

The Dagger Axios 10.5 kayak is a kayak for beginners with a little bit of swagger. The kayak is sufficiently stable for novice paddlers, but provides features and performance that appear slightly more advanced.

www.dagger.com

Delta Kayaks – Delta 12AR

Delta Kayaks is a 35-year old kayak design shop. It’s head office and manufacturing is located in Canada, but it distributes its kayaks across North America.

Delta is expert in thermoforming. This is a process in which sheets of acrylic-ABS plastic are heated and vacuum-formed into the signature shape of Delta kayaks. Thermoforming provides a product that is similar to fiberglass in appearance, but at a lower price.

Pros: Why is the Delta 12AR a great beginner kayak?

Fusion Hull The Delta 12AR features a hybrid hull that presents as party up front and business in the back.

A the bow end is a displacement hull that allows you to slice through waves like a Ginsu knife. This displacement structure morphs into a super-stable catamaran shape that greatly improves the primary stability of the boat.

This hull provides an level of flexibility to the novice paddler that is noticeable and appreciated.

Large Cockpit The extra-large cockpit of the Delta 12AR makes entry and exit less of a chore, providing increased comfort during a long day of paddling.

Lightweight At 42lbs, the 12AR is among the lightest hardshell kayaks in the list of recommended kayaks for beginners. This allows for improved maneuverability on the water as well as on land – making it easier to lift onto a roof rack or cargo bed at the end of the day.

Thermoform Attractive and Durable The thermoform manufacturing process results in an outer coating with excellent strength and durability.

Bow and Stern BulkHeads Adding a bulkhead at each end of the 12AR makes the kayak more buoyant as well as provides a lot of storage for all-day excursions.

Cons: What can be improved on the Delta 12AR

Non-Athletic Performance Novice paddlers require primary stability, not raw athleticism. This point is really a pro masquerading as a con. The 12AR delivers exactly the stability that beginning paddlers require. It intentionally sacrifices athleticism for stability. After one-to-two years of experience, you’ll likely be on the hunt for a mid-level kayak that provides more secondary stability and control in tight situations.

High Price The Delta 12AR is the highest priced kayak on our list. The performance generated from the unique hybrid hull likely makes this kayak worth every cent.

Delta 12AR Specs

The Delta 12AR is a premium beginner kayak. It is designed to accommodate paddlers that are low on the learning curve. At the same time, it provides superior performance that is simply a joy to experience.

www.deltakayaks.com

Current Designs – Solara 120 R

Current Designs creates some of the most interesting kayaks on the planet. Personally, I’m drawn to their Danish Style fiberglass touring kayaks that retail for more than $5,000 USD. They’re both unique and beautiful, if not a little hard on the pocketbook.

Current Designs doesn’t just conjure super-premium touring boats, they also design kayaks for all manner of purpose, skill level and budget.

The Solara 120 R is created for the novice paddler with plans to improve their skills on the smooth water of the local lake or pond.

Pros: Why is the Current Designs Solara 120 R a great beginner kayak?

Built Like a Tank The Solara 120 R is constructed from uber-durable rotomolded polyethylene. The hull is built to take a beating from rocks, dirt, branches, sand and debris and keep coming back for more.

Primary Stability and consistent tracking The soft chine (a common design characteristic of Current Design boats) and shallow V allow for both solid primary stability as well as consistent tracking and gliding.

Large Cockpit There is plenty of room in the cockpit to find the position your body prefers. Some paddlers have noted that there is sufficient room to mod out the cockpit area with holders, mesh bags, boxes, among other things.

The downside of the large cockpit is that it can get swamped if you find yourself on a run of lively rapids.

Comfortable Seat The seat is fully articulated, allowing you to customize according to the amount of time you’ll be on the water.

Cons: What can be improved on the Solara 120 R?

Weight The kayak is a little on the heavy side for a sit-in kayak. Let’s say it’s weight is on the high end of what could be considered average. Smaller paddlers with weaker musculature could consider the Solara

Tracking The design of this kayak optimizes stability and maneuverability. It does track well, but it does sacrifice some tracking capability to improve maneuverability.

Current Designs Solara 120 R Specs

Broadly speaking, the Current Designs Solara 120R provides durable, high quality kayak that is stable, maneuverable and tracks well. It does not track as well as high-end touring kayaks. Nor is it as maneuverable a river-running kayak. The boat falls in the middle which, as a novice paddler, is exactly where you want your kayak to be.

www.cdkayak.com

Wilderness Systems – Tarpon 105

This kayak is widely referred to as a ‘legend’.

It has been a best-selling kayak of Wilderness Systems for years and is widely used as an introductory fishing boat.

The Tarpon 105 is the first sit-on-top kayak on our list of kayaks for beginners.

Pros: Why is the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 a great beginner kayak?

This kayak is a workhorse that does everything quite well.

Sit-On-Top This style of kayak increases the flexibility of what you can accomplish while sitting on your boat. Some paddlers prefer the extra space and legroom that SOT boats provide.

Very good ride The kayak is very wide and therefore provides excellent primary stability. It also provides solid second stability when applying edge.

The boat also tracks straight and glides well.

Comfortable Seat The Adjustable Phase 3 AirPro Seating System is considered to be among the most comfortable kayak seats on the market.

Storage Dry storage is located at the bow. Large rear storage (not dry) can accommodate crates, coolers, fishing equipment and camping gear. This is an excellent amount of storage for a sit-on-top kayak.

Accessory list a mile long The list of accessories for this kayak goes on forever. If it is important to you to have a magnetic water bottle strap system or a wallet/phone drybox, then pay attention to this boat.

Cons: What can be improved on the Tarpon 105?

Weight As a general rule, sit-on-top kayaks typically weigh more than sit in kayaks. Furthermore, the SOT boats that focus on fishing applications tend to weigh even more.

So yes, this kayak is on the heavy side, but it’s weight isn’t actually terrible considering the use it provides.

Not Fast For what this kayak is, it tracks and glides well. But in absolute terms, it won’t lay tracks. Stability is unapologetically prioritized over speed.

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 Specs

If the purpose of using a kayak is to get you, your gear and perhaps your dog to a fishing hole, then a kayak such as the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 is appropriate – particularly as a beginning kayaker.

If on the other hand, the joy of kayaking is found in the journey and not the destination, then you might benefit more from a different boat.

www.wildernesssystems.com

Ocean Kayak – Malibu 11.5

Ocean Kayak’s name explains the building blocks of its DNA. If you’re idea of a good time involves massive bodies of water, big winds, strong currents and pounding surf, then you likely know Ocean Kayak.

Pros: Why is the Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 a great kayak for novice paddlers?

Versatility You can get a lot done on the Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5. If you want to dip your toes into surf kayaking, this boat can hold an edge but still take a beating when a wave wins the battle.

At the same time, the Malibu has two built-in fishing rod holders and plenty of space for gear or coolers.

If you’re open to adventure, this boat allows you to try all manner of new-to-you ways of having fun on a kayak.

Stability, Glide and Maneuverability The Malibu 11.5 is relatively wide and heavy. This creates necessary primary stability for the beginning paddler. However, when you lean over and apply some edge, you notice that the kayak’s secondary stability is surprisingly balanced, as well. For a 60lb kayak, maneuverability is very goood.

The boat’s long keel and pontoon-style hull keep tracking straight and gliding faster-than-expected across even on more-difficult water conditions.

Durability The Malibu is intentionally heavy. It’s hull thickness and overall heft make it clear that it is manufactured to play hard again, and again, and again.

Low Cost (relatively) Among the kayaks in our recommended list, the Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 is among the less expensive boats. The Malibu provides excellent value for the money.

Cons: What can be improved on the Malibu 11.5?

Transport The Malibu can be a bit of a bear to transport. It’s heavy, wide and reasonably long, for a beginner kayak. It can be particularly difficult for a novice paddler to lift the boat onto the roof of their vehicle. Moving the kayak from vehicle to put-in or on a portage can also be a bit more challenging.

To mitigate the portability issue, Ocean Kayaks did add two molded plastic handles right by the cockpit. These, combined with the already-existing bow and stern toggle grips help you lug the Malibu around with less discomfort.

Candidly, once you have mastered your transport process, the portability issue will all but fall off your radar.

Strength needed to get up to speed Because of the width and heft of this kayak, a beginning paddler requires some musculature to really get up to speed. Once at speed, it can be easily maintained.

Ocean Kayak – Malibu 11.5 Specs

The Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 is a hefty, durable kayak. It is versatile enough to pound coastal surf, fish your favorite lake hole and leisurely float down a slow-moving river.

All of this at a really good price. In our view, the Malibu 11.5 is a very attractive beginner kayak.

www.oceankayak.com

Perception Kayaks – Conduit 13.0

Perception Kayaks manufactures a kayak for every occasion. Be it sit-on-top or sit in, single or tandem, fishing or touring, there is a Perception Kayak to meet your needs.

Pros: Why is the Perception Kayaks Conduit 13.0 a great kayak for beginning paddlers?

Large cockpit size The Conduit 13.0 sports a large, wide cockpit that makes entry and exit an easy and stable experience.

Primary stability The 26″ width provides excellent, necessary primary stability for novice paddlers.

Tracking, glide and maneuverability Even though the Conduit 13.0 is 26″ wide, it’s hull design allows it to track well and keep up with other kayakers paddling similar-shaped boats. It won’t lay tracks, though.

The kayak’s flat hull also allows for good maneuverability, when called upon.

Slow rivers and 4′ waves This kayak is best-suited for beginners puttering along on smooth lakes and meandering rivers. However, when rapidly-changing weather creates waves, the Conduit remains poised and handles them effectively.

Front and rear dry storage There are lots of places to store gear on this kayak. Front and rear storage is full dry. It’s convenient to have two places on your boat to keep your effects dry. It’s also safer because two dry hatches increases the buoyancy of your boat.

Price The Perception Conduit 13.0 is attractively-priced relative to much of our recommended list.

Cons: What can be improved on the Perception Conduit 13.0?

Hull material Perception manufactures the Conduit 13.0 using a material that is slightly softer than that used in some of its other kayak lines. This is an intentional choice. You can’t bounce off obstacles and hazards with this kayak and not expect a mark.

Speed The speed of the Conduit 13.0 is not astonishing. It is merely acceptable.

Perception Kayaks – Conduit 13.0 Specs

The Perception Kayaks Conduit 13.0 is a capable, all-round kayak that is well- manufactured and comes in at an attractive price point.

www.perceptionkayaks.com

Advanced Elements – Ulralite AE3022

Advanced Elements is a 20-year old company that was always been focused on designing and building inflatable kayaks.

Initially, the founders designed and brought to market a hybrid inflatable kayak that combined the rigid structural components of a hardshell with the lightweight portability and affordability of an inflatable.

Pros: Why is the Advanced Elements Ultralite AE3022 a great beginner kayak?

Stability This kayak is so stable. With a 32″ width and walls that are literally filled with air, primary stability of this boat is second to none. It’s really difficult to flip.

Performance The Ultralite AE3022 glides and tracks in a manner consistent with hardshell kayaks of similar dimensions. The built-in aluminum ribs improve tracking by better defining the bow and stern.

Because of the flat bottom, this kayak is also extremely maneuverable.

The Ultralite shines on calm, slow moving water.

Lightweight and convenient One of the main reasons kayakers (both beginner and experienced alike) enjoy inflatable kayaks is that inflatables weigh very little. This makes them easy to transport (stow it in your car trunk) and store (jam it in a closet).

If you want to own a kayak but live in an urban condo, an inflatable kayak allows you to do so without having to store your hardshell next to the dishes.

It’s also a breeze to carry the Ultralite AE3022 from your vehicle to put-in, and vice versa.

Durability Even though this kayak is inflatable, it is still extremely puncture-resistant with two layers of rip-stop 300 denier nylon welded to a layer of polyurethane tarpaulin as well as welded seams.

Price The Ultralite AE3022 is very affordable – half the price of the most expensive kayak in our recommended list.

Cons: What can be improved on the Advanced Elements Ultralite AE3022?

Inflation and deflation These are additional steps that hardshell kayaks don’t require. This is the price you pay for light weight and convenience.

When you arrive at put-in, you need to spend time building and inflating the boat.

After you’re finished for the day, you need to deflate, disassemble as well as dry the boat, before stowing it in your vehicle.

Having arrived at home, you then need to dry it out perfectly to avoid the formation of mold and mildew.

Not fast While the Ultralite tracks pretty well (thanks to the skeg) and glides ok, it isn’t terribly fast. This is a recreational kayak built for stability and fun.

At risk on waves Inflatable kayaks run the risk of ‘taco’-ing when waves get too big. This means that, under certain extreme conditions, the ultralite runs the risk of losing its shape and even folding in half, when accosted by strong waves.

Pump and valves You require a pump to inflate the Ultralite. No kidding, right? Entangled with this is the requirement to have the matching valves that operate with the pump. Mo’ money. Mo’ moving parts. Mo’ problems.

Advanced Elements Ultralite AE3022 specs

The Advanced Elements Ultralite AE3022 is a super-stable, recreational kayak that is lightweight, portable and affordable. This is an ideal kayak for beginning paddlers that have interest in an inflatable boat.

www.advancedelements.com

Aquaglide – Deschutes 110

Aquaglide is a 15-year old company that specializes in inflatable watersports. They focus on the design and manufacture of inflatable waterparks as well as paddlesports (kayaks and SUPs).

Pros: Why is the Aquaglide Deschutes 110 a great kayak for beginning paddlers?

Primary stability At a width of 36″, the Deschutes 110 is designed with primary stability in mind. If you are a beginning kayaker that might be a little timid about getting out on the water, this kayak feels as stable as any kayak out there.

Open cockpit The kayak is a sit in design, but the cockpit is very open, providing more than ample knee and leg room. In fact, the design is almost like a sit-on-top kayak, save for a small cave for your feet.

Durable Constructed of Duratex, the kayak material is sufficiently rugged to bring your dog without fear of a puncture from excited claws.

Stand up Even though the Deschutes 110 is inflatable and doesn’t have a high pressure floor, you can still stand up. This is constructive if you choose to fish from the boat.

Easy to set up and take down The Deschutes 110 is simpler than the Aquaglide AE 3022. There is no need to construct and then deconstruct an internal rigid skeleton. Effectively, you just need to blow it up and hit the water.

Weight capacity The weight capacity of the Deschutes 110 is 300lbs. This is significantly more than the 225lb capacity of the Ultralite 3022.

Cost The Deschutes 110 is the last expensive kayak highlight in this list.

Cons: What can be improved on the Aquaglide Deschutes 110?

Width If you are a shorter paddler, the kayak is so wide that you might find it difficult to execute an effective paddle stroke. If so, a longer paddle can mitigate some of the problem.

Deck dip The decks slightly dip, allowing water to pool on top of the kayak with risk of running into the cockpit.

Storage Storage options are light with no storage on the back seat.

Aquaglide Deschutes 110 Specs

The Aquaglide Deschutes 110 is an affordable, minimal, no-nonsense inflatable kayak. It is super-stable, tracks and glides well and provides all of the convenience of an inflatable boat.

For a beginning kayaker on a budget, this boat requires thoughtful consideration.

www.aquaglide.com

Parting thoughts about the best kayak for beginners

The characteristics of a great kayak for beginners include: Great comfort, great stability, good maneuverability, good tracking and adequate speed.

There are many kayaks to choose from and we’ve shown you eight of our favorites. They possess the key characteristics that novice paddlers require to improve their kayaking skills and have a great time doing so.

When buying your first kayak, these boats are worthy of consideration.