The Best Touring Kayak Of 2022

Cruising in the vastness of the oceans or the mystic channels of rivers is really an experience that you can't trade off. I have been kayaking for many years already, but the feeling of being able to set my boat on the water is still giving me the chills.

The proper choice of a kayak is one of the most important factors that can determine the kind of experience you have when kayaking. Well, for long excursions and expeditions, I do suggest that you consider getting the best touring kayak. The latter will give you the ergonomics that you need to keep your adventure smooth and comfortable.

More...

Regardless of your skill as an angler, the kayak is still the final deciding point here. Once you are already able to select the right kayak for your intended application, half of your problem and inconveniences are solved already. Based on my experience, such a notion is really sensible.

So when it comes to touring kayaks, which options should you take? Well, if you are still oblivious about this, the following list that I have made might help you out.

Product Name

Image

Quality

Our Rating

Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145 Kayak with Rudder - 2019

A+

Dagger Stratos 14.5 Kayak - 2018

A

3. Sun Dolphin Aruba SS - Budget-Friendly Pick

SUNDOLPHIN Sun Dolphin Aruba SS 12-Foot Sit-in Kayak

A

Necky Chatham 18, Touring Kayak, Composite, Fiberglass, Skeg

A

Pakayak Bluefin 14 Ft Hardshell High Performance Sea Kayak - Packs Down into Included Rolling Bag That Fits Inside of Your Trunk! Nests into Itself for Ultimate Portability and Storage!

A

Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145 Kayak with Rudder - 2019

If you have been following my blog, you might have been familiar with the brand Wilderness Systems. After all, I have mentioned a couple of their kayaks because of their exceptional design and construction. Having them around will surely give you a fine time in the water. This manufacturer also tailored a touring kayak in the form of the Tsunami 145. The latter is considered as one of the most impeccable touring kayaks in the market today.

This kayak boasts its speed whenever it is riding. You don't need to exert too much effort on paddling before you can feel its throttle. Furthermore, the kayak has a spacious cockpit, which makes it a deserving for touring and extended excursions. The kayak also provides comfort and stability. Even if you are an amateur paddler, the Tsunami 145 will never complicate your kayaking experience.

Pros

  • Possesses exceptional speed and tracking
  • Overall construction is rigid
  • Provides enough space for the paddler and other kayaking gears
  • Surprisingly stable on the water
  • The seat has a three-way adjustment for better comfort.

Cons

  • No known issues.
Dagger Stratos 14.5 Kayak - 2018

I had a hard time choosing between Dagger Stratos and the Tsunami 145 for the best touring kayak on this list. After all, the Dagger Stratos has an exceptional design as well. I have used this boat already, and I can say that it has everything that any paddler would want from a touring kayak. It is spacious for both the paddler and his/ her gears. Different compartments are available as well so that you can store those items that you don't want to get drenched in the water.

The Dagger Stratos is an all-rounder. It can work on freshwater terrains, but you can also take it on oceans with choppy currents. Regardless of the water condition, this kayak remains stable. It can preserve its tracking while speeding in a specific direction. Perhaps, the only drawback I can point to this kayak is its extremely slim design. If you have a large frame, you might not fit on the cockpit of this boat.

Pros

  • Impressive stability and balance
  • Can be used in any water area
  • Did not lose its maneuverability
  • Beginner-friendly design and setup
  • Designed to be a transport-friendly kayak.

Cons

  • No suitable for paddlers that have a huge body frame.
SUNDOLPHIN Sun Dolphin Aruba SS 12-Foot Sit-in Kayak

Sometimes, budget is an issue. And when it becomes a major deciding point when choosing a kayak, you don't have a choice but to scale down. Fortunately, even entry-level touring kayaks are worth the shot. You have to look for the most deserving option out there. For that, I will introduce to you that Sun Dolphin Aruba SS. The latter is a beginner-friendly touring kayak that has the right ergonomics to keep your adventure safe and comfortable.

The entire boat is crafted from the polyethylene material. It is rigid and can take punishment without getting damaged. Upon further inspection, I have discovered that this boat has a roomy cockpit entrance. With this, you will be able to enter and exit the boat easily. Such a feature can help you on times when the kayak flips over, and you need to exit immediately. Meanwhile, the balance and tracking of the Sun Dolphin Aruba SS are still as impressive as its other Sun Dolphin cousins.

Pros

  • Features a rigid construction
  • Strikes the perfect balance between maneuverability and stability
  • Spacious and offers multiple covered compartments
  • Can be used by amateur paddlers
  • The seat is adjustable and comfortable.

Cons

  • Quite heavy
  • The hatches on the compartments do not fully seal at all.
Necky Chatham 18, Touring Kayak, Composite, Fiberglass, Skeg

I am pretty sure that some of you are not that scared in investing in high-tier kayaks, especially if the latter can deliver the service that you are expecting. While it is true that some entry-level kayaks are already impressive, they can't still match the quality of their professional grade counterpart. One good example of a premium kayak is this boat from Necky Chatham. It is a touring kayak with astounding features that any paddler will surely love.

Speed and precision are among the most noticeable perks that you can get from this kayak. It has excellent tracking but can still provide enough stability regardless of the condition. In fact, I was surprised that this boat is stable, considering that it has a slender design. You can also entrust yourself with this kayak. It is downright comfortable and provides the appropriate kind of accessibility in the cockpit. Getting in and getting out is quite easy to do here.

Pros

  • Impressive stability
  • Tough and rugged construction
  • Exhibits decent maneuverability
  • The cockpit is comfortable and spacious
  • Outfitting is adjustable.

Cons

  • No known issues.
Pakayak Bluefin 14 Ft Hardshell High Performance Sea Kayak - Packs Down into Included Rolling Bag That Fits Inside of Your Trunk! Nests into Itself for Ultimate Portability and Storage!

If you are a regular tourist of the oceans or just want to feel the thrill of sea kayaking, the Pakayak Bluefin should be the right choice. This kayak is made to conquer the sea. That's something I can testify. Aside from being rugged, this one can overcome strong choppy currents with ease. It has excellent tracking so that it won't slow down for anything. Surprisingly, the boat is not as heavy as it seems. Transporting it wouldn't be a problem.

The Bluefin has patterned its design from underwater and aerospace technologies. As a result, it can flaunt a guaranteed leak-proof performance. The entire boat is UV-resistant as well. It won't get damaged even if you let it sit under the heat of the sun. Meanwhile, the hull has a double chine construction. This means that the kayak can turn and swerve very efficiently. It won't make its paddler suffer at all!

Pros

  • UV-resistant and leak-proof hull construction
  • Fast and stable sea kayak
  • Can pass through on rough ocean currents
  • Transport-friendly kayak
  • Offers enough storage space for your gears.

Cons

  • Some people don't like its assembled design.

How to Choose a Touring Kayak

How to Choose a Touring Kayak

Who doesn't love to tour in the kayak? From the scenery down to the calmness of your surroundings, it is pretty undeniable that the fun of a water excursion is almost unparalleled.

In this simple blog of mine, I have already featured numerous types of kayaks. I already talked about the tandem kayak, inflatable kayaks, and even kayaks that are worthy for your beloved dogs and pets.

However, it is the first time that I am going to discuss touring kayaks. In all of my contents, I deem that this is the very first opportunity that I have to highlight the features and nuances of a touring kayak.

General Introduction of a Touring Kayak

A touring kayak is not quite the same as other types of kayaks. Take note that it is different from recreational kayaks. It has a unique design that makes it an excellent choice for extended paddling applications. This very boat was designed to accommodate both intermediate and amateur paddlers. One of the critical features of this boat is its user-friendliness. It is not difficult to paddle. And compared to other boat and watercraft, the touring kayak is highly versatile. It can be used in both freshwater and saltwater terrains.

There are some traits that you can spot on a touring kayak that are not present on other kayaks. The first one is, of course, its versatility. Just like I mentioned, you can use it virtually anywhere. Whether you are on a calm river or lake or in a roaring sea, a touring kayak can carry you.

The second trait is their space. Since they are used for touring and leisure, touring kayaks offer enough space for your gears and other amenities. They also have enough room so that you can feel comfortable while you are inside the hull. Most of the time, these touring kayaks will give you enough storage and space so that you can complete your intended time of adventure.

If you have noticed, these touring kayaks have excellent tracking. It is the third feature of a touring kayak that you should be aware of. This particular water vessel has skegs that help them track a certain course. When I say "tracking," it directly refers to the ability of the boat to travel on a straight line. But don't ever think that a touring kayak is not maneuverable.


Factors in Choosing a Touring Kayak

There are numerous considerations in choosing a touring kayak. Sometimes, these considerations do apply to other types of kayaks as well. Let us take a look at them.

Stability

Stability is pretty essential to any types of kayaks. However, you can see the importance of stability when you are already in a touring kayak. Not all the time you are going to paddle on the water. You will tend to rest and take a view of the majestic view around you.

Once your boat stops, it should remain balanced and afloat. It should not be toppled over by currents or any water movements. Otherwise, you will have trouble parking your boat in the water.

There are various types of stability: the primary and secondary. Primary stability refers to the ability of the boat to stay floating while it is not running. It has to be emphasized that the wider the base of the kayak, the better its primary stability.

Meanwhile, the secondary stability is directly related to the maneuverability of the kayak. It is usually experienced whenever you are dealing with rough waters or making a curve turn. A long kayak has an impressive tracking, but it doesn't have enough maneuverability. When you lean turn a kayak, the waterline length is drastically reduced. As a result, you will be able to turn faster. Secondary stability also aids in maintaining the upright position of the kayak regardless of your orientation.

Length of the Kayak

The length of the kayak is also an important matter that I have to elaborate. When the waterline is long, the boat can have a fast and quick transition. While the kayak is moving against the water, its hull is separating the water from the bow. As a result, it can move smoothly on straight directions. Meanwhile, a short waterline or boat length doesn't have enough streamline passage. However, you can guarantee that this one is highly maneuverable.

You can always say that a long kayak has a bigger footprint in the water than a short kayak. In the ocean, the big footprint is not a problem. However, if you are on rivers and streams, it is already an issue. For that reason, many touring kayaks are intentionally made for the seas and oceans. But certainly, you can still find units that work well on rivers where space is quite limited.

However, take into account that longer kayaks have better efficiency in cruising the waters. They also have a higher storage capacity. In fact, from the latter alone, it is already proof that longer kayaks are the ideal choice for touring purposes.

Conclusion

The best touring kayak is an essential water vessel for those who want to explore the vast oceans or the enigmatic expanses of rivers. This particular kayak is suitable for any skill level. It is fun to use and has the right ergonomics to keep your journey safe and comfortable.

You can find a plethora of choices for touring kayaks in the market today. However, the ones that I have listed here are those that have a tested-and-proven reputation. Having them can simplify your kayaking experience. They won't trouble you with any quirky ergonomics. They have solid construction, too, which makes them worthy of being invested.

That's it for now. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.

Now that you have acquired a piece of new knowledge about kayaking, I hope that you can do more in the water. Of course, let me emphasize that the right kayak will be able to change the way you can traverse the water and enjoy your time there. If you want to know the beginner's kayak, kayak for kids, lake kayaks, river kayaks, ocean kayaks, recreational kayaks, kayak for dogs, inflatable kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, tandem kayaks, pedal kayaks, and cost-efficient kayaks, I have them listed in this blog. Check out all the types of kayaks here and see what the market can offer to you.

5/5 - (10 votes)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here