Kayak

Before having a look at some boats, we need to think about key features in kayak design.

Length & Rocker

The rocker is the curve a kayak has looking at it from the side. Low rocker is "flatter" and is faster but less manoeuvrable. A kayak with high rocker is characterised by a nose that is "kicked up" and is sometimes described as a banana shape.

If you’re interested in speed then the longer the boat the faster and easier it will be to catch the wave, but from then on the length of the boat will prove to be a distinct disadvantage in terms of manoeuvrability. It will be heavy to turn and slow to respond.

Planing and Displacement Hulls

Planing hulls are used on almost all new inland kayaks these days, it is where the hull has been flattened on its underside. These kayaks are generally shorter with very distinct rails, ideal for rapid and responsive moves.

A displacement hull is where the cross section of the hull is very rounded. These were once the standard for whitewater kayaks. Displacement hulls track most effectively and are easily tilted on edge, but they aren't as stable or as manoeuvrable as planing hulls

Short planing hulls are generally slower than longer displacement hulls until you come to waves when the flat hull comes into its own.

Play boat

Boats designed specifically for playboating are shorter, have wide planing hulls, larger sidewalls, and aggressive low rails to maximize performance and manoeuvrability.

These boats will also tend to have less volume in the bow and stern to allow the ends of the boat to be forced under water easily when desired with a moderate to high rocker.

River runner

The all-around river running boat is typically somewhere between a play and creek boats. They are a bit longer than a play boat for increased speed.

They also have narrower hulls that carve a better track in the water, higher rails and more volume in the ends, to prevent them from submerging. Some have a modified flat hull to make the boat turn and react faster.

Creek boat

A steep-creeker is easy to recognise by its bulbous shape (higher volume) with high rocker. Rocker makes the boat turn and react faster.

The boat's added volume makes it ride high in turbulent waters and resurface following submersion after running a big drop. Some steep-creek boats have rounded displacement hulls, while others have flat or modified flat hulls.

Surf kayak

These boats come in many shapes. They generally have a surf board typed planing hull with a high rocker in the nose and low volume. 

Longer boats get there faster adoptions being the swallow tail giving water the impression of boat length. Where play boats have sharp low volume nose and tail with high rocker similar to play boats above.

Sea kayak

The sea or touring kayak has a rounded displacement hull to minimise water friction with a flat rocker and long hull for speed.

Great for long distance travel but making turning and surfing difficult.