Kayak Overview

Kayaks in one form or another have been used for a variety of purposes and for many years. Some people use kayaks for fishing, some people use kayaks for sport, photography and so on but most use their kayaks for recreational activities.

In this article I will explain some of the fundamental terms associated with a modern day typical recreational kayak.

The Bow:
The front of a kayak is called the bow which is the same term given to the front of any boat.

The Stern:
The rear of a kayak is called the stern. Again this is the same term used for the rear of any boat including a kayak or canoe.

The Deck:
The deck of a kayak is the name of the top of the boat where typically you will find hatches, bungee lines, the cockpit and carrying toggles.

The Hull:
The hull is the bottom of the boat and floats on the water.

The Cockpit:
The cockpit is where the paddler sits and is usually in the centre of the kayak. Inside the cockpit is the kayaks seat and backrest. You may also find thigh braces attached to the underside of the cockpit which help balance and manoeuvrability. Additionally there are often footrests that can be adjusted accordingly to suit the height of the paddler.

The Combing:
This is the rim around the cockpit where a spray deck or spray skirt can be attached.

Carry Toggles:
Carry toggles or carry handles are found at the bow and stern of kayaks and are used with the help of another person to transport the kayak.

Bungee Cords:
Bungee cords are stretchy ropes that extend across the deck and are usually found in front and behind the cockpit. They allow the carriage of kayak accessories which would normally be placed in a dry bag.

Safety Lines:
Like bungee cords they are found on the deck of the boat and usually around the edges of the deck. Unlike bungee cords they do not stretch. Their main purpose is to allow the paddler to get a firm grip of the kayak and as such is an important safety aspect of the boat.

Hatches:
Many kayaks are fitted with hatches to allow storage of your kayak accessories. They have waterproof plastic or rubber seals.

Bulkheads:
Bulkheads are fitted walls inside the boat and provide watertight chambers to ensure the integrity of the boat and provide inbuilt floatation should the boat take on water. Bulkheads offer a fundamental safety aspect assuring the boat will remain seaworthy at all times.

The Keel:
The line which runs along the centre of the kayaks hull is referred to as the keel line. The keel provides better tracking allowing the paddler to go in a straighter line.