Owning your own kayak will give you more freedom to enjoy the sport. You want to make sure you are happy with your kayak purchase. It is an expensive one. There is no kayak that will work for every situation or paddler. And few people have enough storage to store multiple types. You’ll need to decide what shape, length and material are best for you.

You will have to make a decision between a sitting-on-top or sit-in kayak. You’ll have to answer three questions to decide what type is best for you: what conditions will you encounter, what style of kayaking do you prefer, and what gear will you require to load into your boat? Let’s first discuss the differences between sit-in kayaks and sit-on top kayaks.

What is the difference between Sit-In and Sit-On Top Kayaks

Sit-in kayaks (SI) are what you might think of when thinking about a kayak. The paddler sits in a cockpit that is at the waterline. A frame partially covers the legs. The boat will sink lower if water enters the cockpit. A sit on top (SOT), kayak is different from this design because the kayak is a sealed compartment and the paddler sits atop it. The boat is completely sealed so SOT kayaks cannot sink. They also have drainage holes for water that accumulates on the top. Paddling.com says that SOT kayaks have the best user-friendliness and are perfect for beginners.

Kayaks with a Sit-on-Top

Where are you paddling and what conditions are there?

You’re going get wet in any SOT kayak. Even on flat water splashes and water from the paddle end can quickly cause clothing to get wet. If you are paddling in tropical water, getting wet can be a welcome relief from the heat. If you are kayaking in a lake in the mountains in October, these little drops of moisture could cause hypothermia. If you plan to paddle in colder climates or want a longer season of paddling, SI kayaks will be a better option.

What is Your style of kayaking?

You may prefer to paddle leisurely around a quiet cove or lake, but you might also be interested in exploring the ocean and running long distances on rivers. The paddler is elevated above the water line in SOT kayaks, which results in a lower paddle stroke and higher center of mass. This position is more comfortable for large paddlers, who may feel constrained in the cockpit of a SI kayak. However, paddling an SOT can be slower and tiring.

Do you want to go for a swim while paddling? SOT kayaks have a much more convenient way to enter and exit than their SI counterparts. You will need special equipment to return from the water if you jump out of a SI kayak. This includes a paddle float and a Self-rescue.

Kayak Sit

What kind of gear do you need to bring?

When choosing a boat, you should also consider the type of equipment that will be transported. SI kayaks feature a sealed bulkhead in the rear, which is a semi-waterproof area. SOT kayaks lack the bulkhead and usually have a small or no waterproof storage area. Are you planning to go camping in this kayak? You’ll need a SI kayak if you plan to do any camping. A larger storage space will be needed for all of your camping gear. No one wants to arrive at a campsite to discover that their sleeping bag has been soaked. Dry bags also aren’t foolproof.

If scuba-diving or fishing are more your thing, then an SOT kayak is better. The equipment for these activities is designed to be wet. Therefore, the sealed bulkhead of an SI kayak doesn’t matter. In addition, setting a fishing hook in an SI kayak is difficult because of the limited range of movement. The open cargo space of the SOT is also necessary for the bulky equipment required for scuba-diving. You can’t retrieve an air tank full from the rear bulkhead in an SI kayak.

A Final Thought

The most important thing to consider is how dry you and your equipment want to be. The SI option is more common, but the SOT option works well for those who paddle in warm water and don’t care if they get a little wet. It’s also great for hauling gear which doesn’t need to be dry. These are also better for those who don’t want to go very far or prefer an open seat. SI kayaks will be a better option for those who plan to paddle long distances, or require waterproof storage. SOT kayaks, due to their smaller shipping volume, are cheaper than SI kayaks of similar quality. After you take into account these factors, it will be easier to decide between a Sit-in and a Sit-on-Top kayak.