Paddleboarding and kayaking are fun water sports that are great for fitness and relaxation. Each sport uses equipment that provides various speed, comfort, and stability levels. However, paddleboard kayak hybrids bring the best of both worlds, and in this article, we’ll go through them in detail.
What is a Paddle Board Kayak Hybrid?
A paddleboard kayak hybrid is a watercraft that is a cross between a paddleboard and a kayak. However, to learn more about these hybrids, let’s first look into the typical differences between paddle boards and kayaks.
Kayak vs. Paddleboard
Paddleboarding and kayaking differ in several aspects, and you can head to Active On The Water to learn more about these sports. However, a fundamental difference is that you should sit on a kayak while paddling. Whereas on a paddleboard, you should stand.
Paddleboards
Stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) have a surfboard-like shape that enables you to move in all directions with a single-sided paddle. In terms of material, you can get inflatable paddle boards, lightweight fiberglass paddle boards, plastic paddle boards, and carbon fiber paddle boards.
You can also purchase paddle boards specific to the paddle boarding activity. For example, you can buy paddleboards for touring, surfing, racing, and riding over turbulent whitewater. It is easy to get on and out of a paddleboard, and they are excellent for speed and maneuverability.
Paddleboards don’t have storage and are easy to transport. Regarding size, they are often 8 to 12 ft in length. SUPs are also excellent for fitness as you often need to utilize your entire body to move around. Additionally, maintenance costs for paddle boards are minimal.
Kayaks
Kayakers, unlike paddleboarders, use a double-sided paddle to provide stability and make it considerably less strenuous to paddle for longer journeys. Kayaks look similar to mini-boats and have waterproof storage available in the hull or the cockpit.
The storage space in a kayak is typically in the watercraft’s hull and uses a watertight seal to prevent your things from getting wet. While you can get either sit-in or sit-on-top kayaks, they still have a designated place for you to sit in the middle of the boat, making them bulkier. Kayaks also have more weight capacity than paddleboards.
Kayaks usually are 9 to 14 ft in length and are more durable than paddleboards due to their size and the fact that they use more durable composite materials than paddleboards. They are often more stable, and it can be easier for a beginner to grasp kayaking. However, since kayaks are larger, it is more difficult to transport a kayak than a paddle board.
Benefits of Owning a Paddleboard Kayak Hybrid
Hybrid SUPs provide a lot of stability due to their broad and open deck area, meaning that you can comfortably sit down or stand up in the middle of the board.
Some hybrid SUPs look similar to kayaks with more flat surfaces, whereas others look more similar to paddleboards with a seat, some storage, and slightly curved edges. With storage capacity, it is convenient for you to carry your gear while stand-up paddling.
Since hybrid SUPs tend to weigh less than kayaks, they are easier to carry and store, often small enough to stack on the roof rack of a car. Since it’s convenient for you to either stand or sit on a hybrid, you can easily stand up to get a better view or sit down without getting wet to take a break or go fishing.
Being able to paddle in different ways can also make longer journeys less exhausting since you strain different muscles from paddling sitting down or standing. In addition, you can easily change your stance or sit down altogether if it becomes windier or the weather becomes harsher.
Examples of Kayak Paddle Board Hybrids
Hybrid SUP for Fishing
With a paddle board kayak hybrid, you don’t need to choose between a kayak or paddle board. An example of a hybrid SUP for fishing is the FishSUP 126 Inflatable Fishing Stand-Up Paddleboard. It is 12 feet long, can carry a load of 227 kg, has a two-person capacity, a board thickness of 15cm, and can fit in a backpack before inflating.
The FishSUP 126 brings all the advantages of kayaks and paddleboards together. For example, it is easy to sit or stand on a FishSUP using its flat space and swivel seats. Unlike regular kayaks, they are comfortable to carry. Additionally, unlike many paddleboards, they can bear more weight.
Touring Hybrid SUP
One of the best hybrids for touring or exploring the water is the HydroForce White Cap Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard SUP and Kayak. It is 10 ft in length and can take up to 94 kg of weight.
The HydroForce SUP and kayak kit includes an aluminum paddle and, similar to a kayak, consists of a backrest so that you can paddle comfortably. Like a paddleboard, it is lightweight and has a flat top, meaning you can effortlessly stand up to paddle. Since it is inflatable, this hybrid is easy to carry and won’t take up space in storage.
Voyage Hybrid SUP
An excellent hybrid for paddling long distances is the Rover Classic Teak Micro Skiff. It has a load capacity of 226 kg and is perfect for accommodating all skill levels. It is 14′ in length and includes a 2-piece adjustable SUP paddle. Like kayaks, it provides optimal stability with a deep V nose, enabling you to paddle through the water efficiently.
Similar to a paddle board, the Rover Classic Teak Micro Skiff has a large flat area suitable for you to stand. Like a kayak, It also has seating space for you to sit down while paddling and fishing. Many reviews also speak for its durability and the speed it can provide during long journeys.
Attaching a Kayak Seat to a Paddleboard
Suppose you already have a paddleboard but want to experience the comforts and benefits that a kayak can provide. In that case, you can use a conversion kit to convert your paddleboard into a makeshift kayak.
Conversion Equipment
If you do not want to purchase a conversion kit, you can get all the equipment individually. However, it can be more expensive and require more effort to retrieve all the materials. You will need a kayak seat, kayak paddles, and paddle holders to convert your paddleboard.
Some SUP paddles have a feature that enables you to remove the top handle and add a blade to convert it to a double-sided paddle. You will need to install a set of loops on the deck to put a kayak seat in place.
Regarding the paddle holders, you can add them to the side of the board, so you have somewhere to store the paddle when you are stationary. One of the most effective ways to install them is to attach a kayak paddle holder to the front and rear of the paddleboard and clip the paddle to the holder.
Conclusion
Overall, a kayak paddle board hybrid is a watercraft that combines the load-bearing capacity and durability of a kayak with the maneuverability and speed that you can achieve with a paddle board. If you’re considering purchasing a hybrid SUP, use the information above to find the best option for your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Easier To Use a Kayak or Paddleboard?
Since you sit down on a kayak, many people believe kayaking is much easier than paddleboarding. Kayaking uses a double-sided paddle, making it easy to paddle your kayak in all directions. Moreover, since you stand on a paddleboard, it can be challenging to maintain your balance for long periods.
What Are the Two Types of Paddle Boards by Construction?
Paddleboards can come in a solid or inflatable form. Solid SUPs use materials like fiberglass, plastic, and carbon fiber. They enable you to move across the water quickly and with less effort than an inflatable paddleboard. However, inflatable SUPs are easier to carry and can better handle bumps on solid objects when paddling whitewater.
Which Is More Expensive: Paddleboard or Kayak?
Paddleboards are typically more expensive than kayaks, depending on the material and whether you purchase a solid or inflatable paddleboard. However, they can also be cheaper to maintain and repair in the long run. A paddleboard of good quality can set you back $800 to $2000. On the other hand, kayaks can cost between $400 to $1500.
Is It Easy To Turn a Paddle Board Into a Kayak?
There are many ways to easily alter or add to your paddle board to function similarly to a kayak. For example, you can add an extra blade to your paddle to convert it from a single-sided to a double-sided paddle. You can also add a seat to your paddle board.