Have you ever thought about trying the magnificent experience of gliding your way through the smooth and sleepy waters of the ocean? Ever thought about the thrill of maneuvering a sleek boat through choppy rills and rivulets, gushing rivers and bubbling streams? Do you dream of a sport that takes you outdoors in the sun, water and lush, green foliage of forests, that will not only challenge and test your skill, but also take you to faraway places you hadn't dreamt of? If you do, then kayaking, with its combination of unspoiled natural surroundings pitted against technical expertise, is the ultimate sport for you. An important part of the expertise, of course, comes from first taking lessons in a hired kayak, and eventually, in choosing the right one to buy. An inappropriate purchase can cost dearly on the high seas!

You can choose from a wide range of kayaks from sit-on sea kayaks or kayaks for white water. Before buying a kayak choose what type of water surface you will visit more often. In this way you can cut short your search. If gentle kayaking down the river is your style, then purchase a touring kayak.

If youre a beginner youll want to buy a kayak that is shorter than a kayak for the more experienced boater. This is because shorter boats are easier to handle than longer ones. A sea kayak will come in lengths from 10 to 22 feet. A kayak meant for white water will generally be 9 feet long or less. Once you become more experienced at kayaking youll want to have a longer kayak, since long kayaks are more suitable for fast paddling and for tracking.

While buying a kayak, sit in the boat, to get a feel of it to see whether you are comfortable or not. Adjust the backrest, seat and footrest as per your seating style, to feel as easy as possible. Before you pay up, take out the kayak for a ride and see how it handles on water. Always remember that a kayak is a huge purchase so choose the one that you is comfortable and fulfills your kayaking purpose.

To avoid having to incur unnecessary expenditure, be sure to bring your spray skirt along with you when shopping for your kayak. This way you can ensure it can be fitted onto the boat you're considering buying and can eliminate additional outlays for a new one.

Dont forget to take a look at the advantages of different hull sizes. A shorter hull that is made of plastic is good if youre just starting out as a sea kayaker. You may like the way a wooden hull looks but it requires a lot of maintenance and you wont want the worries of damage if youre a beginner.

Lastly, the most valuable thing to remember is that a kayak is not an impulse purchase. So before buying consult and gain knowledge from experienced kayak boaters and then select.

Copyright 2006, Melody Veloce, All Rights Reserved. This article may be published on web sites or in newsletters provided this notice and the resource box is included without ammendment.