• Kayaks offer both mental and physical health benefits.Kayaks image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.com
  
  Kayaking is frequently regarded as an excellent combination of meditative and physical practices. The quietness of paddling coupled with its physical exertion make kayaking a healthy alternative to the motorized boating sports. For those who love to observe nature it its most unaffected state, kayaking lends itself as a versatile water vessel that will not scare away the animals you are trying to snap a picture of.
  
  

Structural Classifications

• There are three basic structures of kayaks: rigid or hardshell kayaks, folding kayaks and inflatable kayaks. The first include the traditional modern kayak made of plastic, fiberglass or wood. The second structure has an aluminum or wood frame around which is stretched a water-resistant fabric. The third structure is simply an inflated plastic kayak, good for beginners and those who want to play around in a small lake or river.
  
  

Subdivisions of Hardshell

• Hardshell kayaks offer the widest and most complete set of kayak types for any paddling you may do. Under the structural classification of hardshell kayaks there are two designs. Sit-on-top kayaks make for wet paddling, are suitable for short trips and are viable beginner kayaks. Sit-in kayaks are often more expensive, but make longer tours and all-season kayaking possible.
  
  

Types of Kayaks

• There are essentially three types of hardshell kayaks that will suit any paddling condition: recreational, touring and whitewater; each type can be found in a sit-on-top and sit-in design. Recreational kayaks rage from six to ten feet in length, have rounded hulls and bows and are adequate for mild paddling conditions. Touring kayaks are longer from bow to stern, have v-shaped hulls for excellent secondary stability and are designed for day-long or overnight trips. Whitewater kayaks are short, low kayaks meant to offer exemplary control in extreme water conditions.
  
  

Kayak Stability

• The primary or initial stability of a kayak refers to how likely a kayak is to shift off of an upright position. Secondary or final stability indicates how likely the kayak is to capsize. Beginners feel more comfortable in wider kayaks with good primary stability since the kayak will tip less while entering and exiting. Kayaks with excellent secondary stability have narrower hulls and will track (move in a straight line) much better than wider kayaks. Secondarily stable kayaks also move faster through the water, as opposed to on top the water like wide hull shapes.
  
  

Maneuverability

• A kayak either turns well or tracks well, not both. Shorter hulls offer more responsive turning, but wobble while being paddled. Longer hulls track very well, which increases the maximum speed, but will not turn sharply. Short whitewater kayaks are extremely responsive to paddling when in whitewater; on calm water they are slow and constantly shift off a straight heading. Touring kayaks use rudders to aid in turning and while they do well in whitewater, they are far less maneuverable and as a result are subject to the currents.