Continued from Paddling/Kayak Comparison Shopping....

Items to Compare on Water

Ease of entry/exit
Are rudder/skeg controls easy to find and use?
How is primary stability?
(Are you comfortable just sitting in the boat)
How is secondary stability?
(Are you comfortable leaning the boat?)
How easy is it to keep on course?
Does the front deck interfere with your paddle?
Can you turn the boat just by leaning?
How does it paddle in wind and waves:
Without the skeg or rudder?
With the skeg or rudder?

Items to Compare on a Paddling Trip

How easy was it to get on and off your car?
Did you have a place to put everything you brought?
How easy was it to keep up with other kayakers?
How easy was it to keep the boat on course:
With the rudder or skeg?
Without the rudder or skeg?
How comfortable was the boat halfway through the trip?
How comfortable was the boat at the end of the trip.

Thanks to Greg Welker, CPA Kayaker