Our Favourite Beginner Sea Kayaks
Kayaking is a great sport to take up, but it isn’t cheap. If you’ve read our other Blog What should I buy? – A beginners guide to sea kayaking – you’ll know that buying a boat first is usually a difficult and risky move.
However, if your skills are developing and your wanting to progress more, you might just be ready to get your first vessel.
Word to the wise
Before we start to delve into our recommended kayaks, a word of warning. Kayaks are all designed to do the same thing in slightly different ways. What works for one person may not work for you. Although we have some of our beginner favourites, we really do advise you to have a go in as many craft as possible before making your decision. As our favourite Kayak sales guy, Matt says, “Buy right or buy twice.”
The Kayaks
Sea Kayaking UK Romany Sport & Sportive
Nigel Dennis is a household name in sea kayaking and the Romany design has been a favourite of many for decades. However to increase the brands range, Sea Kayaking UK moved into the Rotomoulded realm with the impressive Romany Sport (M/L) and Sportive (S/M)
This awesome design brings the features of the composite Romany to plastic. It is stable yet playful and encourages confidence from the get go. The outfitting brings the boats closer to its composite cousins with a fibreglass seat and cockpit rim along with the same foot-pegs and a wire skeg you would get in a composite boat. You almost forget you’re in a plastic boat when paddling.
It may not be the cheapest kayak out there, but you do get bang for your buck!
Pros: Stable, comfortable outfitting, lightweight
Cons: Fibreglass outfitting might not suit everyone, not the fastest kayak in the class.
Northshore Atlantic
A great boat with plenty of stability for beginners and improvers alike. Northshore have made a boat that is great in a variety of conditions.
The Atlantic is designed to mirror the performance of its composite sister. It feels stable yet responsive even in bigger water. With hatches big enough to put in all you might need for a weekend and more along with outfitting that is comfortable and easily adjustable. This boat is great for expeditions and day trips alike.
Double layered plastic keeps it durable for throwing about rock gardens and beaches. A great boat to kick start a learning curve.
Pros: Comfortable outfitting, lots of space, stable.
Cons: A little slow, tight fit for some paddlers. Inevitable hatch cover leaks
P&H Scorpio Mk2
One of the most popular beginner sea kayaks and it still packs a punch. The Mk 2 has been redesigned with some more modern features, extra volume and stability.
The redesigned hull means it is much more stable than the first incarnation but it still holds its speed on the water. P&H have thought carefully in the redesign including paddle recesses and upfront skeg slider.
As a beginner boat it is a great start and can easily take you into more advanced conditions, supporting paddlers right up into expert. The wide range of sizes mean there is plenty to fit all, but that can sometimes mean the lines between sizes can be blurred so we recommend you try different sizes before you buy.
Overall, a great allrounder with loads of space a decent performance.
Pros: Stable, loads of size options, modern design
Cons: Heavy, not the most comfortable outfitting, Expensive compared to rival offerings.
Valley Etain
An awesome boat for beginners and advanced paddlers alike, Valley have created a boat that has the feel of a composite boat but the durability of plastic.
Two large hatches make it easy to pack huge amounts of gear to the boat for longer expeditions and weekends. The hull is fast and stable, designed to be great in all conditions. The outfitting is simple and adjustable which allows a paddler to dial in the comfort. It has a history for being strong and durable while being predictable in its handling.
An awesome boat for a beginner looking for a boat to take them all the way.
Pros: Brand Pedigree, loads of space, stable and forgiving.
Cons: Heavy, not the cheapest option, not as easy to turn as many of the others.
Exo Portofino
Exo make a good array of white water boats, however this is their first outing into Sea Kayaks and were pretty impressed. For the price, the boat is a bargain! The hull is fast and well designed for speed.
As an entry to mid level boat the Portofino is a wonderful starting point. With two main hatches with plenty of space for gear and a day and snack hatch that provides accessibility, you’ll never be short of space for day and weekend trips on a variety of waters.
Durable double layered plastic means it lends itself to some bashing around rock gardens and the simple adjustable outfitting is comfortable for long days. A great starter kayak!
Pros: Durable, adjustable outfitting, awesome handling
Cons: Heavy, Complex and brittle cable skeg, thigh braces make the cockpit a tight fit.
Perception Essence 16/17
If you’re a budget conscious paddler and you’re keen to get something durable and simple for weekend paddles, then Perception have the perfect beast for you.
The Essence range is designed as an entry level boat that can really take you places. Perception have made a simple design that is fairly comfortable and easy to manage. The hull is quick and responsive and directionally stable. The hatches have loads of space for gear with a well sized day hatch and space behind the seat for other gear.
Pros: A great price, simple design, very durable
Cons: Outfitting is over complex, hatches aren’t very secure, especially during rescues.
Conclusion
There are loads of kayaks to choose from and they vary in features and price. In the end we think you shouldn’t base your decision on price or our reviews. In our modern world, we have the temptation to buy off the web to get the cheapest price.
You just have to look at second hand pages to see plenty of people with buyers regret because they got the wrong size or worse, the wrong boat for them.
You should base the decision on what boat fits you best and meets your needs. Try as many kayaks as you can in as many different environments before you make a judgement.
Visiting local kayak shops may not be the cheapest, but you’re sure to get the right kayak for you and great advise to boot.
Honourable mentions
The eagled eyed among you may have spotted that we haven’t mentioned some of the other boats out there such as the Venture Islay, Dagger Stratos or Wavesport Hydra. While these are great starter boats for touring, they are not specifically sea kayaks in the way those above are.
Additionally, there are a number of great Sea Kayaks out there we didn’t mention. If you have a recommendation feel free to add yours and what you think of it in the comments.