Let’s say you want to go FAST. There are a lot of factors affecting how fast you can go in a kayak. If speed is important to you, you will probably want to consider these factors when you are buying a kayak.

Waterline Length
The waterline length of a kayak is not the same as its actual tip-to-tip length. Instead, the waterline length is the length of the portion of the kayak that sits in the water. Thus, it depends on the displacement of the kayak’s hull. Kayak specifications often don’t include the waterline length, but it is roughly correlated to the actual length. If you are shopping for a fast kayak, a longer waterline length translates to a higher top speed. However, a longer waterline length also means that more of the kayak’s hull is in contact with the water. Because of the additional friction from this surface contact, you will have to paddle harder to get closer to that top speed.

Weight
When shopping for a kayak, you may often see weights listed. A kayak that weighs less has several advantages – it is easier to carry to your launch site, and easier to get onto your roof rack. If you are interested in kayak speed, a lighter kayak is easier to accelerate. But before you simply look for the lightest kayak available, keep in mind that lighter materials are typically either more expensive or less durable. Fiberglass kayaks, for example, are lighter than plastic kayaks, but they are also more expensive.

Beam
The beam of a boat is its width at the widest point. For a kayak, this is typically near the cockpit, or a little to the rear of the cockpit. A kayak with a narrow beam is easier to accelerate than a comparable one with a wide beam. The trade-off here is stability. Narrower kayaks are also easier to roll. That includes intentional completed rolls and unintentional half-rolls (which some might refer to as a “capsize”).

In short, just remember that longer, lighter, and narrower kayaks are generally faster. And if you still want to go fast, just be prepared to accept the trade-offs.

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