What is a hybrid kayak? Before I come to that, let me say this. Kayaking is one of the greatest activities that you can enjoy. If you love outdoor activities, there isn’t a better way to create the thrill if not through kayaking. But what makes kayaking so special?
Well, apart from just the normal thought of having a calm afternoon, you could easily bond with your loved ones, make new friends, and possibly enjoy additional activities such as fishing and relaxation if you chose kayaking.
That’s why some therapists have again recommended kayaking as one of the best activities if you needed some time out of your busy schedule. One of the best kayaks that you can start with is a hybrid kayak.
Hybrid Kayak
So what is a hybrid kayak? A hybrid kayak is one of the many types of kayaks that you will get on the market today. They are a blend between one kayaks model and another. For example, the hybrid kayaks of the playboat and the river runner are called the “Free Running Kayak.”
The hybrid type of kayak is small and average of the human-made watercraft, which are designed to operate in the same way that kayaks do. What this means is this. When using this type of kayak, the passenger will sit in it with his/her legs stretched forward. Hybrid kayaks use dual-blade paddles for maximum thrust.
What are the other types of kayaks?
With that said, there are several other categories that kayaks can be grouped under. Among those categories are the following options.
Open and Closed Kayaks
Open kayaks are those kayaks with an open cockpit. These types of kayaks have more drag. This is because they are much more stable and can’t, therefore, cut through the water as fast and easy too. Again, due to their added stability, the open cockpits often tend to be quite vulnerable to wind. This can be attributed to their bulk too.
Closed kayaks, like you might have guessed, are made up of a closed cockpit. This means that the closed have less drag, which makes them slower than the open kayaks.
Inflatable Kayaks
Apart from open and closed kayaks, we have inflatable kayaks. These are kayaks that have to be inflated before they can be used. They come with an inflating pump. The pump can be manual or electric. The kayaks are designed with inbuilt valves that allow you to inflate when you want to use and deflate for proper storage after use.
Regular and Fishing Kayaks
Again there is one category that puts kayaks in the regular and fishing category. While regular kayaks are those you can use for general kayaking, fishing kayaks are designed for a specific form of activity. True fishing kayaks are generally longer and wider. They are heavier and have simple adjustable height seats.
They are designed to hold most fishing accessories and will often cost so much more. More importantly, most of them are wide and stable enough for you to stand up in and fish.
Pedaling Kayaks
Finally, we have kayaks that, contrary to the others, are often pedaled. These are called pedaling kayaks. They have inbuilt pedals that you will step on and pedal to give the kayak the thrust that it requires. Such kayaks are not so easy to operate and will require you to practice and master the skills before you can jump on to the bandwagon.
NOTE: There are several other kayaks that have been categorized as sea kayaks, touring kayaks, river kayaks, tandem kayaks, and cross over kayaks. While these are sub-types of the kayaks, they aren’t as prominent as the rest.
What Makes Hybrid Kayaks Special
As I mentioned, hybrid kayaks are fusions of two different types of watercraft. Because of this, hybrid kayaks are often designed to address a specific type of need. This has seen several types of hybrid kayaks, including:
- SUP hybrid
- Hybrid Fishing Kayaks
As such, hybrid construction has been used to describe any method that is used to build a kayak, which is made up of a combination of two different types of building techniques. For the kayaks, it means designing the kayak’s hull using the stitch and glue technology while the deck is built with the strip building method/technique.
Because of such a design, the hybrid kayaks will have the ability to enjoy a quick design while at the same time leaving you with a safe, durable, and reliable kayak that is easy to use and which will leave you with one of the best kayaking experiences. In short, hybrid kayaks are superior to their original designed. They are made to improve what you already have and as such will provide you with an even better performance.
From design, structure, space, to sometimes the mode of operation, hybrid kayaks will be much more superior. They could cost more and are often worth the cost if you choose to buy and own one.
Caring for a Hybrid Kayak
Even so, for your kayaks to the last longer, you have to take proper care of the kayak. Make sure that you do the following:
- Clean your kayaks
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Store your kayaks properly
- Use your kayak in an intended way
- Make use of warranties to fix any manufacturing damage
Conclusion
If you were wondering what is a hybrid kayak, I believe that you’ve got the answer already. Nonetheless, the way that you make use of your kayaks is very important. Whether it is hybrid or not, make sure that your kayak is properly taken care of.
Hybrid kayaks may be superior, but they aren’t immune to damages. So make sure that you have understood your kayak before you can jump on it for the ride.
You should read through the user manual and get an expert to train you. Kayaks are easy to learn. However, you must be patient in knowing the right safety skills.
Good luck!