The Kayak [kahy-ak] was the brainchild of people indigenous to the arctic regions of the world. The boats were used to hunt and fish the inland waterways of the North Atlantic, Arctic Ocean, Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. They were built of stick frames covered with animal skins such as seal. Evidence has been uncovered by archeologists dating back some 4,000 years.

The meaning of ?Kayak? simply means ?man?s boat? or ?hunters? boat? and was a very personal craft built only by the individuals that would use them, often employing the services of the wife to sew the skins together allowing for a water tight skin. A need for a jacket called a Tuilik was laced to the rim of the cockpit gave the advantage of an enclosed craft which when utilizing what is known as the Eskimo barrel roll, would make the kayak almost unsinkable. The kayak, in almost every instance was custom built by using the individuals own measurements, to ensure the most efficient boat available. They were typically 3 times the arm span in length, only as deep as a fist with an outstretched thumb. The cockpit was no wider than the hips plus a clenched fist.

The first three types of kayaks were traditionally known as; Baidarkas from the Alaskan and Aleutian seas, whose rounded shape gave an almost Blimp like appearance. West Greenland kayaks, were more angular in shape, with the gunwales coming up to a point at both the bow and stern and the East Greenland  kayak that had a similar appearance to the West Greenland style, but fit more snuggly to the paddler providing a much steeper angle, stem to stern providing optimum maneuverability.

Some of these same kayak building methods are still being used by natives of Greenland, known as the Inuit, today. The kayak still proves to be a viable means of transportation and a valuable tool in there day to day hunting and fishing.

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The kayak is a small boat with a covered deck. The word ?kayak? is an Eskimo word that means ?small hunting boat?. Kayaks originate from the peoples inhabiting the Arctic Circle, who have been using them for hunting for many thousands of years.

The contemporary kayak is still very similar to the ones that were developed by the Eskimos. The innovations that the modern age has brought are in terms of materials. Instead of wood, plastic is now regularly used. Plastic kayaks are made by inserting polyurethane plastic pellets into a mold made of aluminum. The mold is heated causing the pellets to melt and adopt the shape of the mold. Upon cooling, the kayak is ready. Plastic kayaks are now more common than the fiberglass ones, because of their low cost and lightness.

Fiberglass kayaks start with a wooden mold. The fiberglass strips are then added layer by layer and glued together using resin. More modern materials such as Kevlar and carbon have also become available. However, because of their high prices, kayaks made with such materials are expensive and are destined for professional kayakers who use them in races or whitewater kayaking. In such disciplines, robustness and stability are very important so that users do not hesitate to spend on more performing kayaks.

New users imperatively have to gain the advice of more experienced kayakers in order to find out the exact kayak style that best suits their needs. Local canoe or kayak clubs are proficient at giving such expert advice. Broadly speaking, kayaks can be classified as follows:

1. Whitewater and leisure-oriented kayaks?for rough waters
2. Sea Kayaks; these have a small rudder to facilitate navigation in open waters
3. Sit-on-top kayaks?for amateurs seeking a amusing activity
4. Racing kayaks?usually for professionals
5. Inflatable kayaks

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Kayak Design

Kayaks? of today cover the same basic design principals of the early, somewhat primitive versions. Design parameters are fundamentally the same, but they very greatly, in material and function. Moreover, time has allowed a variety of functionality when considering which type of kayak to purchase.

A more commonly known kayak, that follows the traditional style, is referred to as the monohull open sea kayak or touring kayak.   These and most all other designs were inspired by the native design. The design additions are really what make them much different from there ancestors. Starting out as merely a paddle board with a seat, the extreme carbon fiber high tech versions that are available today, have many custom factors inner twinned with there style and practicality.

Custom fit seats, special alloy foot braces, light weight material and computer aided design methods have lent there way to produce a far more superior watercraft. The design differences rendered by today?s standards provide more ease in navigation and maneuverability. Advancement in design has also given various levels of stability, both primary and secondary, giving an increase in overall speed. The length of a kayak is indicative of the means of use. Longer kayaks are meant to be faster, while kayaks of shorter stature are designed for maneuverability. Most generally shorter kayaks a ideal in rough, whitewater river excursions. There longer counterparts are meant for open water touring, such as lakes and ponds. Touring or open sea kayaks are usually between 16 and 19 feet, and are much narrower. Whitewater kayaks most generally are much shorter, between 6 and 8 feet. The rivers current it what provides propulsion, therefore the shorter the kayak, the more maneuverable they tend to be. The width is a benefit, merely by providing stability, much like a footprint. The wider it is, the more stable it will be.

It is important to note, that length alone, does not predict complete maneuverability. There are certain built in specifics such as the rocker. The rocker is the predetermined curvature of the boat from bow to stern. A perfect example would be a kayak that is intended for whitewater river purposes. By creating a curve which raises the bow and stern above the center most point, increases the ability to maneuver. Therefore this watercraft is considered to have a much heavier rocker.

Hull designs for a kayak are divided into specific categories based on three primary forms. Fish form, sets the widest part of the boat, forward of center; Swede form where the widest portion is aft (to the rear) of center and Symmetrical, where the widest portion is centered. More pronounced ?V? bottoms give the kayak ability to be more maneuverable and more stable in rough water. The opposite is true of a less obvious ?V? bottom, providing easier flow through the water in such instances as a lake or pond.
It has come to a point in the kayaks design philosophy, that has allowed for a combination of designs, creating a more recreational and practical application of a general purpose kayak.

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