Kayak Information

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Why should I buy a sit on top kayak?

A sit-on-top kayak is the fastest and easiest way to dip your toe into water sports. Sit-on-top kayaks are stable and easy to use for any beginner.

All Conwy Kayaks sit-on-top kayaks are made from high grade LLDPE for long-lasting resistance to UV rays as well as having excellent memory properties.

This means that even after a winter of languishing at the bottom of the garden, your kayak will be in perfect condition and ready to go when you are.

How are Conwy Kayaks made?

Conwy Kayaks sit-on-top kayaks feature a rigid roto-moulded hull design with fixtures and fittings added later. The roto-moulding process distributes the material through out the mould. The nature of the process ensures that the kayak is automatically reinforced in areas where it needs it such as on sharp edges or at the ends of the mould and around the fittings. We have unsurpassed quality control procedures to ensure our kayaks leave the factory in pristine condition and reach you ready to go... you just need to fit the seat!

The design of the hull effectively creates a large floating balloon which you then paddle; this buoyancy is what makes you and the kayak float. Sit-on-top kayaks do not rely on their draft (the amount of water displaced weighs more than the boat and its contents) like a traditional boat.

Many of the features, like foot positions and seat scallops, are pre moulded in the hull so you can literally chuck it in the water and get going. This design makes it easy to add things like storage bins and cup holders into the hull making them even more practical. It goes without saying that the most important piece of additional equipment you can buy is a buoyancy aid or life jacket. All Conwy Kayaks sit-on-top kayaks can be supplied as a complete kit with all fixtures and fittings added in the factory and supplied with top quality seats and paddles.

Our best selling kayak, the Menai is a regular site on the lakes and beaches of north Wales and can be regularly seen whizzing up and down the A55 (usually on the top of cars.)

You can buy the Menai Kayak here

 

If you're looking for something a little more family orientated, our Rhosneigr 2+1 is a brilliant, family-focused all rounder, great for touring, fishing, pottering or just larking about on a lake. Kids love jumping in the water, and the Rhosneigr is a great portable platform for that too.

You can buy the Rhosneigr Kayak here

 

Why can I only buy the Menai or the Rhosneigr?

You will notice from our stock levels that we currently only have two kayak styles in stock.

Supply chains continue to be affected by the Covid-19 and we have worked tirelessly to ensure we have plenty of stock of our most popular kayaks.

As soon as the kayaks come into stock, they will be immediately available on our website.

 

Where will you be using your kayak?

Rivers

Rivers come in many forms. They can be calm and flat, rough, fast, slow, narrow, wide, deep, shallow and many combinations of these. Sit-on-top kayaks are excellent for slower, calm rivers and canals. If you want to get into white water kayaking but are new to the sport, you should consider getting in touch with a local kayak club who can usually offer some training and advice. Whatever type of river you are on, you should remember that water changes its characteristics constantly, both on top and underneath the surface, so always wear a kayaking helmet, buoyancy aid (PFD) and use a paddle leash.

Lakes

Lakes usually mean you will be travelling some distance, so a kayak with good glide and comfort will be important. Remember, you will quite often be further away from dry land than when kayaking on either the sea or a river. It may look calm and peaceful, but you could be far away from effective help, so always wear a buoyancy aid (PFD) and use a paddle leash.

The Sea

There is a very important difference between sheltered, inshore sea kayaking and going offshore. Kayaking in sheltered waters is a great way to gain experience and have lots of fun. Sit-on-top kayaks are far better suited to inshore waters than offshore. Kayaking offshore should not be undertaken without specific training, local knowledge and the right equipment. Always wear a buoyancy aid (PFD) and use a paddle leash.

What activities will you be using your kayak for?

Surf kayaking

Many of our kayaks perform fantastically well in the surf and provide lots of fun. Manoeuvrability is a big consideration in the surf as you need to react quickly to a constantly changing environment, to remain upright as long as possible! Stability is also very important, as kayaking in the surf is by far the easiest way of ending up in the water. Always wear a helmet intended for kayaking, a buoyancy aid (PFD) and use a paddle leash when surfing.

Touring

If you are travelling a long distance, you will need a kayak which has plenty of room and capacity to carry the extra kit you will want to take. It will also need to have excellent glide, so you will use as little paddling energy as you can, to travel as far as possible. Big, long kayaks can be tiring to get on and off the roof of the car and down to the water if you are only going for a series of quick paddles. However, if you are keen to do some miles, then a big kayak with plenty of room is the best option.

Fishing

Stability and space for your gear are the two main features you need in a fishing kayak. Most of our kayaks will be fine to do a spot of fishing if you attach a rod holder, but if you are serious about fishing from your kayak and this will be its main use, then you should go for one of the bigger dedicated models. Many people go for tandem kayaks for fishing as they offer a great amount of cockpit room for your kit and catch if you are paddling solo.

We understand that buying a kayak is an investment and we would like you to help you make an informed decision. Understanding some of the basics about kayaks and kayaking will give you a good insight into what type of kayak you should buy.

Glide and tracking

This is a very important feature in a kayak if you are going on longer trips along the rivers, creeks and estuaries. Good tracking (straight line pointing) and glide (traveling with momentum) means you use much less energy paddling. Usually, the longer the kayak, the better it will travel in a straight line. There are however exceptions to this rule and hull design can play a big part in how well a kayak tracks and glides.

Manoeuvrability

A big consideration if you are intending to use the kayak in the surf. Usually, the shorter the kayak, the more easily it will turn. Smaller adults and juniors may find the longer kayaks difficult to turn - this can become very tiring. The shape and design of the hull will also play a big part in a kayak's ability to turn quickly and easily.

Stability

The stability of a kayak is based on a range of design and load factors and is very important for some activities such as fishing, or for people who are not fully confident on the water. Usually the wider the kayak, the more stable it will be. Whilst this is generally true, certain hull designs have excellent stabilising features whilst remaining relatively narrow. Stability can also be seriously affected by the user's weight and height, so getting the correct size of kayak for you is important - particularly if you are new to kayaking. Please check the recommended loads against your own weight.

We hope you find this information helpful. Our team is here to help with any advice you need when making any purchase.