Top Ocean Kayaks for Thrilling Open Water Crossings

Product Description

This kayak is designed to offer both stability and speed with its long waterline, pronounced keel, and moderate rocker. It’s built for long journeys, featuring front and rear sealed hatches and a center day pod for plenty of storage. The D-shaped hull, with its moderate chine and upswept bow, ensures a smooth and dry ride while balancing speed and stability.

Constructed from thermoformed ABS, the kayak is highly durable, resistant to abrasion and impacts, and provides excellent UV protection, so it stays looking new for years. The Contour II Seat system is lightweight and adjustable, giving you great back support and comfort. You can customize the seat position with Delta’s indexing system, which allows for a 4-inch forward and backward adjustment to suit your needs and improve kayak trim.

For storage, there is a low-profile third hatch in the middle for day trips and two main dry storage areas with rigid bulkheads for longer adventures. The Delta ‘Press-Lock’ hatch covers have a special gasket to ensure they are watertight. The kayak also features padded thigh braces for better control and comfort, and an integrated rescue system with a bungee cord, perimeter line, and paddle recess for easy reentry.

Technical Specification: 

• Best Use: Sea Kayaking
• Material: Thermoform Polymer
• Length: 17 ft. 6 in.
• Width: 27 inches
• Depth: 13.5 inches
• Weight: 65 pounds
• Cockpit Size: 32 x 17 inches
• Seat Type: Padded / Foam
• Number of Paddlers: 2-person
• Paddle Included: No
• Hatch Capacity:
  • Bow: 3,417 cubic inches
  • Stern: 7,384 cubic inches
  • Mid Hatch: 2,075 cubic inches
• Weight Capacity: 560 pounds
• Tracking System: Rudder

Pros:

• Exceptional Performance: The D-shaped hull design combined with the long waterline promises excellent speed, tracking, and stability.
• Versatility: Designed for long-range cruising, the kayak offers ample storage and features for extended trips.
• Comfort: The Contour II seat with adjustable options enhances comfort during long paddles.
• Durability: Made in Canada with high-quality materials, suggesting excellent durability and resistance to wear and tear.
• Safety: The integrated rescue system provides added safety features for potential emergencies.
• Storage: Multiple watertight hatches with large capacities offer ample space for gear.
• Convenience: Features like retractable handles, paddle storage, and deck lines enhance usability.

Cons:

• Weight: At 65 pounds, the kayak might be relatively heavy for some users, making transportation more challenging.
• Price: Given the features and materials, the kayak is likely to be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
• No Paddle Included: This might be an inconvenience for first-time buyers.

3. Best Tandem: Delta Kayaks Delta Traverse 17.5T

Product Description

This kayak combines excellent maneuverability with stability and speed, thanks to its long waterline, pronounced keel, and moderate rocker. It’s designed for long trips, with sealed front and rear hatches and a handy center day pod for storing gear. The D-shaped hull, featuring a moderate chine and an upswept bow, provides a mix of speed, stability, and a drier ride. Constructed from durable thermoformed ABS, it resists abrasion, impacts, and UV damage, keeping it looking new for years.

The kayak includes the Contour II Seat system, which is lightweight, adjustable, and offers great back support and comfort. The seat can be moved forward or backward by 4 inches using the Delta indexing system, allowing for a personalized fit and improved trim control. Storage is plentiful, with a low-profile third hatch for day trips and two main dry storage areas with rigid bulkheads for longer excursions.

Watertight Delta ‘Press-Lock’ hatch covers ensure that your gear stays dry, and the padded integrated thigh braces enhance control and comfort. For safety, the kayak features an integrated rescue system with a bungee cord, perimeter line, and paddle recess for quick reentry. Deck rigging includes raised bungee lines at the bow and stern for securing your paddle and extra gear, while recessed fittings and flush-mounted hatches give it a sleek, snag-free look.

Smooth rudder operation is achieved through channel-mounted and individually tubed rudder lines, and ergonomic, retractable grab handles make carrying the kayak easy. Proudly made in Canada, this kayak is built with high-quality craftsmanship and durability.

Technical Specifications

• Best Use: Sea Kayaking
• Material: Thermoform Polymer
• Length: 17 ft. 6 in.
• Width: 27 inches
• Depth: 13.5 inches
• Weight: 65 pounds
• Cockpit Size: 32 x 17 inches
• Seat Type: Padded / Foam
• Number of Paddlers: 2-person
• Paddle Included: No
• Hatch Capacity:
  • Bow: 3,417 cubic inches
  • Stern: 7,384 cubic inches
  • Mid Hatch: 2,075 cubic inches
• Weight Capacity: 560 pounds
• Tracking System: Rudder

Pros:

• Exceptional Performance: The kayak’s design focuses on speed, stability, and tracking, making it suitable for various water conditions.
• Versatility: With ample storage and features designed for long-distance paddling, the Tarpon 170 is ideal for extended trips.
• Comfort and Customization: The adjustable seating and thigh braces offer personalized comfort.
• Durability: Made in Canada with high-quality materials, ensuring long-lasting performance.
• Safety: The integrated rescue system enhances safety for paddlers.
• Storage: Multiple watertight hatches provide ample space for gear.
• Convenience: Features like retractable handles, paddle storage, and deck lines improve usability.

Cons:

• Weight: At 65 pounds, the kayak might be challenging to transport for some users.
• Price: Given the features and materials, the kayak is likely to be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
• No Paddle Included: This might be an inconvenience for first-time buyers.

4. Best Budget: Riot Edge 14.5

Product Description

Technical Specifications: 

• Best Use: Sea Kayaking
• Material: Polyethylene plastic
• Length: 14 ft. 6 in.
• Width: 22 inches
• Depth: Unavailable
• Weight: 58 lbs. 3.2 oz.
• Cockpit Size: 37 x 19.3 inches
• Seat Type: Padded / Foam
• Number of Paddlers: 1-person
• Paddle Included: No
• Hatch Capacity: Unavailable
• Weight Capacity: 324 pounds
• Tracking System: Rudder

Pros:

• Comfort: The Flex 4 Comfort Seat with its adjustable features and thick padding promises enhanced comfort during paddling sessions.
• Storage: The two 15-inch rubber hatches offer ample storage space for gear, ensuring everything stays dry.
• Performance: The rudder system enhances steering and tracking, providing better control in various water conditions.
• Safety: The inclusion of self-rescue straps and reflective deck lines improves safety for paddlers.

Cons:

• Weight: At 58 lbs. 3.2 oz., the kayak might be relatively heavy compared to some other models, making transportation more challenging.
• Limited Information: The absence of details about the kayak’s hull design, stability, and performance characteristics makes it difficult to assess its overall capabilities.
• No Paddle Included: This might be an inconvenience for first-time buyers.

5. Best Value: Boreal Baffin P3

Product Description

The Boreal Baffin P3, measuring an impressive 17 feet, 7 inches in length, offers extensive storage space, including a third hatch for day use accessible from the cockpit. While the bow hatch opening could be larger, the ample stern storage compensates for this. With a keel width of 23.75 inches, the Baffin maintains speed comparable to the Delta 17. Instead of a rudder, it features a retractable skeg, enhancing course stability in rough, windy conditions, though it’s less effective for steering.

With a load capacity of 348 pounds, the Baffin is suitable for trips up to three or four days. For longer expeditions, consider the Delta 17 for better load management and stability. The Baffin’s fast-drying, fully adjustable seat, along with adjustable foot pedals and thigh braces, ensures comfort for most paddlers, particularly larger or taller individuals.

Key Features

• Long keel for impressive top speed
• Built-in retractable skeg
• Ample storage space accessible from the cockpit
• Reflective safety lines for low-light paddling

Technical Specifications

• Best Use: Sea Kayaking
• Material: Polyethylene plastic
• Length: 17 ft. 7 in.
• Width: 23.75 inches
• Depth: Unavailable
• Weight: 69 lbs
• Cockpit Size: 37 x 19.3 inches
• Seat Type: Padded / Foam
• Number of Paddlers: 1-person
• Paddle Included: No
• Hatch Capacity: Unavailable
• Weight Capacity: 348 pounds
• Tracking System: Rudder

Pros:

• Speed and Performance: The long keel design promises impressive speed and good tracking.
• Storage: Ample storage space, including a convenient third hatch, is ideal for extended trips.
• Stability: The wider keel width suggests good stability in various water conditions.
• Comfort: The adjustable seat, foot pedals, and thigh braces offer personalized comfort for paddlers.
• Safety: Reflective safety lines enhance visibility in low-light conditions.

Cons:

• Weight: At 69 pounds, the kayak is relatively heavy, making transportation more challenging.
• Retractable Skeg: While effective in rough conditions, it might not offer the same level of maneuverability as a full rudder system.
• Limited Information: More details about the kayak’s hull design, seating dimensions, and overall comfort would be helpful.
• No Paddle Included: This might be an inconvenience for first-time buyers.

Ocean Kayak Buying Guide

At Kayak Addicts, we take kayak recommendations seriously, using our extensive paddling experience to guide you to the best choices.

Kayak Type We focus on sit-in kayaks, as they offer superior performance and speed compared to sit-on-top models, which are more suited for recreational day paddles in warm water.

Material Most ocean kayaks are made of durable polyethylene plastic, favored for its impact resistance. Some brands, like Delta, use lighter ABS plastic, while high-performance kayaks may be constructed from fiberglass, offering an excellent balance of speed, stability, and maneuverability at a higher cost.

Speed Longer kayaks tend to be faster. For instance, the Delta 17 combines a long keel with a narrow width for impressive speed. Tandem kayaks, like the Traverse 17.5, benefit from the power of two paddlers.

Maneuverability Longer kayaks may struggle with tight turns, but most come equipped with rudders controlled by foot pedals. The Boreal Baffin P3 uses a retractable skeg for tracking, requiring more advanced steering techniques.

Comfort Modern kayaks feature well-padded, adjustable seats. Ensure a good fit by sitting in the kayak before purchase, especially for larger paddlers.

Stability & Tracking Sit-in kayaks provide excellent secondary stability, crucial in rough waters. Rudders and skegs improve tracking and maneuverability, compensating for wind and waves.

Durability Plastic hulls offer longevity with minimal maintenance, suitable for rocky landings. Fiberglass kayaks, while lighter, require more careful handling.

Portability & Storage Transporting long sea kayaks requires a good roof rack and straps. Use a kayak cart for easier beach access. Storage options vary, with larger capacities ideal for extended trips.

Best ocean kayak for you depends on your needs and conditions. We recommend the Delta 17 for overall performance, but all kayaks on our list offer safety and enjoyment for your sea adventures.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ocean kayak can make all the difference in your open water adventures. Look for features like stability, storage space, and a comfortable seat to ensure you have a great experience. Whether you’re seeking excitement or a peaceful journey, the top ocean kayaks listed here offer something for every paddler. Enjoy the thrill and beauty of the open water with a kayak that fits your needs and enhances your adventure.