Open Kayak Vs Closed Kayak in 2021 What You Should Know

While I have used an open and closed kayak differently, my reasons for using the two were totally different. Just as a simple reminder, I have used a closed kayak for sports. However, I have used an open kayak for fishing.

Both kayaks were awesome. And that’s because I used them for what they are meant for. With that said, looking at the open kayak vs closed kayak, one thing becomes clear. Anyone who owns either has a reason actually to do so.

The features and needs that determine these two separate designs are also different. That’s why it is important that before we actually look at the difference and similarities of the open kayak and closed kayak, we first understand what the best kayak is.

So what is the best kayak?

Unlike what you might anticipate, the best kayak is one that meets your kayaking needs. To determine that, you should ask yourself the following questions.

  • Does the kayak meet my budget?
  • Is the style ideal for my type of kayaking?
  • What do I need the kayak for?
  • What are the kayaks maintenance needs?
  • What is my kayaking skill level?
  • Do I need an open or closed kayak?

Once you determine all these and find out that the kayak is ideal for them, you can then settle for the same kayak. It is in looking for the ideal kayak that you come to the dilemma of the open kayak vs closed kayaks. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Open Kayak Vs Closed Kayak: Similarities and Differences

To get the best grasp on how the open kayak compares to the closed kayak, we’ll have to look at the similarities and differences between the two. Take a look.

User Friendly

Open kayaks are the most user-friendly kayaks compared to their closed counterparts. You can easily get in and out of the open kayak. Again you’ won’t feel confined. There is enough room for movement, and you can switch your body to look backward easily.

The same cannot be said of a closed kayak. With closed models, your body gets a snug fit into the kayak, you hardly move, and there is very limited space for your legs. The open cockpit of the open kayak is, therefore, one of its best features if you’ve got to buy.

Speed

The other place that these kayaks differ is in terms of speed. Since they have a relatively wide beam, open kayaks are often slower than the closed kayaks, which have narrower or lesser width. As such, open kayaks are often used for recreational purposes rather than for competition or even weatherboarding.

Dimensions

When it comes to the size of the kayak, again, open kayaks are wider than their closed counterparts. This is because they need to allow you enough space to move around, paddle easily, and to jump out and into the kayak.

This is unlike the closed kayaks that need a narrow design that presses your legs in place. The design ensures that your legs don’t bulge out and that you get a better paddling experience around you.

Control

Open kayaks come with open cockpits. Such a cockpit will deny you the ability to sit and place your knees against the kayak deck’s underside. When this happens, your ability to control the kayak or even to maneuver it will become limited. As such, you can easily lose control of rough waters.

Luckily for you, if you, if you own a closed kayak, they snugly fit ensures that you can easily place your knees on the underside of the kayak’s deck. In so doing, you become a single body, and this means easy to control, especially in rough waters.

This is the main reason why closed kayaks are preferred when riding in a sea rather than their open counterparts.

Stability

In line with the dimensions of the kayaks, here is what you should know. Kayaks with a wider size and base will have better gravity (open kayaks) than those models that have a narrow design (closed kayaks).

As such, it is hard for the open kayaks to capsize as they will slide over the waves easily. However, the closed kayaks with narrow-angle lines can easily capsize if they are not moving around.

In other words, open kayaks have a higher degree of initial stability. This is often the tendency of a kayak to retain its upright setting when you are sitting in with its keel directly underneath.

Ease of Paddling

Wider width means a wider base and better stability. As such, pushing the open kayak can be hard, and so is paddling. You will require much more effort to paddle your open kayak than you would use to propel a closed kayak.

This is another reason why open kayak is suitable for short-range expeditions rather than extended excursions.

Sinkable

More importantly, open kayaks are completely unsinkable. This is because of the open design that their hulls come with. Such a design won’t allow water to drain in at all. However, the same cannot be said of the closed kayaks.

Since the hulls of the closed kayaks are “closed,” it easily traps in the water. Eventually, the kayak will head under. Coupled with a tight hold might easily lead to injury or death. To learn how to protect yourself when using a closed kayak.

Paddle Size

This is no brainer. Look at it this way, since the open kayaks have wider sizes, they need longer paddles to reach the lower water levels. This is unlike the narrower kayaks (closed kayaks) that require smaller paddles.

Self-Bailing

Open kayaks again have self-bailing scupper holes. These holes will let water drain out of your kayak’s cockpit in case of an accident. This makes them a better option when going for the surf zone.

With the closed kayaks, the game is different. In case of an accident, you’d have to pump the water out. That’s why the paddlers that use closed kayaks will often carry the bilge pump for help.

Safety

Both kayaks are relatively safe. However, the open cockpit which the open kayaks come with often exposes you to several other harsh weather elements, including the sun’s harmful UV rays and the waves that break over the gunwale.

However, if you have a closed cockpit, your exposure will be limited. You can, therefore, save some parts of the body, especially the lower parts of the body.

Storage

In terms of storage, the open kayak has a wider storage system. They have a compartment in the stern that offers so much room for you to carry several items, including bulky items. You can set in a cooler that you can use to keep your stuff cold.

On the other hand, closed kayaks are often narrow. Their narrow design cannot allow them to keep large storage compartments in their system. That’s why most of these kayaks are used for racing but not recreational purposes.

Water Presence

Since open kayaks have self-draining scupper holes around the bottom, such a kayak will have some water in its bilge. The same can’t, however, be said of the closed kayaks since they don’t come with such self-draining scupper holes.

Similarities

There aren’t so many similarities when it comes to these two types of kayaks. Even so, we can say that both kayaks are safe. They can be used to carry a few kayaking accessories and have more or less the same weight limits.

With that said, their care and maintenance are also the same, depending on the material of manufacture. The use of paddle holders is a common technology for both models, and you’ll find them quite ideal if you are at the shore.

NOTE: Whether you are looking at the similarities or the differences, one thing is clear, open kayaks vs closed kayaks derive their technologies from the type of uses that they are designed for.

This will include how they function, the number of paddlers, and the type of water that they will be used on. The same applies to the type of activity that the kayak has been designed for.

Conclusion

So open kayak vs closed kayak, which choice suits your needs? You know better. But having looked at this post, we know very well that we’ve got sit-on-top and sit-inside kayaks, and that’s the main difference between these two types of kayaks.

Even so, we have seen that the self-rescue kayak is somewhat much more complicated to use than the sit-on-top models. And that’s why several recreational models that come with open cockpits are often easier to shed compared to a model that’s enclosed.

Focus more on a model that works for you and your kayaking style than with a model that sounds better on the tongue. You can eventually get your choices right and enjoy a great kayaking experience too.

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