Fiberglass, paddle floats, navigation maps, self-rescue…you'd like toenjoy the water in a kayak, but perhaps you aren't feeling ready forthe investment of time and money it takes to get into the sport. Thereare lots of alternatives out there for new and recreational paddlers,one of which is a sit-on-top kayak.

Sit-on-top kayaks havesimilar hull shapes to their traditional counterparts, but instead ofsitting inside the kayak, you sit on a molded-in depression on top. Someare fiberglass, but most are made from tough, inexpensive, rotationallymolded plastic. Sit-on-topkayaks share many benefits with traditionalsit-insides, but often are easier to use and less expensive. There aresit-on-top kayaks designed for fishing, surfing, touring, scuba divingand more. Some of these are considered specialty boats, but mostsit-on-tops are built for multi-purposes and with recreational orbeginning paddlers in mind.

Sit-on-top kayaks have a fewadvantages over sit-insides, one of which is comfort. Paddlers withlarge body types, long legs, or limited flexibility may feel lessconfined paddling a sit-on-top. One of the biggest benefits is theability to do a self-rescue. Because sit-on-tops have an open deckrather than an enclosed one, there is less risk of being trapped in theboat if it tips over. With a sit-on-top kayak there is no need topractice Eskimo rolls or wet exits. That really appeals to new paddlers,and people who don't plan to take their kayaks out on expeditions.

Sit-on-tops are fun and a great way to enjoy kayaking….so, grab a paddle and sit on an Ocean Kayak.