The weather is supposed to be in the 40s with rain off and on all week. So that means that Spring has finally arrived (late and weak). Still, it means it's time for me to follow through with my wintertime promise to start a new summer activity - water stuff. So my question is, should I get a kayak or a paddleboard? Which is more versatile - usable on a variety of water types? Which is better exercise? Hidden problems with either? All opinions welcome.
It might help to clarify. Are you talking about a stand up paddleboard or what is sometimes called a sit on top kayak? Let's throw canoes into the mix. Canoes might be the most versatile. Easy enough to take a passenger (dog, human, etc.), usually paddle a bit slower as they tend to be wider (water resistance) and higher (wind resistance). They also tend to have greater cargo capacities. A 14-15 foot canoe can still be a reasonable solo craft and have the capacity for a passenger. Kayaks are usually narrower and lower so paddle a little easier, and often have small cargo compartments. One can usually find suitable beginner kayaks in the $200-300 range, brand new. Paddle boards I have no experience with but they appear to me that they are more likely to get the user wet (not necessarily a bad thing) and less amenable to cargo. I suppose we could also consider row boats and such but they're not as common. My personal choice is a rather expensive and lightweight 12 foot by 28 inch kevlar canoe that sits like a kayak and uses a double paddle. It's basically an open kayak. It has enough capacity to carry a dog or small child but would be over limit with another person unless that person were under 100 pounds. Also light enough to car top even with arms tired from padddling.
Paddleboard as in "stand up and paddle with a long paddle" It's flat on top and depending on how much you weigh, they come in various lengths. Kayaks come in two basic varieites, sit in or sit on. I'm thinking more about sit on. You use a double ended paddle thingy. I'm not considering a canoe. I don't have a dog or a small child and don't need cargo space. I just want a workout on the water. A couple of hours in the sun splashing around, jump off, go for a swim, etc.
I have a sit on top kayak that I use for fishing, a bit of water play, and as a safety kayak during open water swims/triathlons. It is stable and easy to get on/off when you want to go for a swim. Mine has room for a 90 lb black lab to fit in front of me when he doesn't feel like swimming. It is also stable enough that I can stand on it in flat water for casting. It is a little heavy when hoisting on/off the roof rack.
The right sit-on-top kayak can serve as both kayak and SUP. A sit on is more versatile than sit in, of you roll/have to bail then how will you get the water out of the sit in yak? General exercise/workout only then I would recommend the SUP. You can surf with a SUP and they use both SUP and sit on top for open water ocean fishing. I will be getting a new sit on kayak for coastal fishing this summer and I should be able to do Somme stand up work with it as well for sight casting or general exercise. IMHO talk to an expert or 2 and possibly rent one of each and see what you like best.
Whenever I am in Alaska I try to go ocean kayaking (usually sharing with my wife). Water is cold so need to wear warm clothing and lifevest. Lots of fun, exercise, sea life and bird life, and doable sun or rain. I have never paddle boarded but appears to be popular in Hawaii.
I would like to try ocean kayaking. It looks like a hobby I would enjoy. Maybe if I ever get to live near water (Lake Mead doesn't count)...
At the moment I am leaning towards the paddleboard. However, it's less common out here and so the prospect of finding a good deal on a used board is more difficult/less likely. Kayaking is far more common and so there's more used gear around.
