Austin Kayak - Articles and Research

Sit In-side versus On-Top

Which one is better? Which one is for me? What is the difference? Which one sells better? Which one do you like?

These are the typical questions we receive. The problem is there is no one right answer for any one of them. You see, each type of kayak has its own purpose and function. Here is a quick comparison of the differences:

Sit-in-Side	Sit-on-Top
Stay relatively dry	Exposed to splash and drip
Protected from the elements (sun, cold, etc)	Exposed to the elements
Can be difficult to get in and out (especially on the water)	Relatively easy to get in and out (including on the water)
May require a skirt in rough water	Self bailing, handles rough water
Stability is usually very good	Stability is usually greater than sit-inside
Smaller cockpits	Cockpits are open since they are not defined
Deck storage using bungee	Deck storage in tank wells
Minimal access to deck storage	Deck storage very accessible
Fishing is possible but a bit more difficult	Fishing is easier due to the open cockpit and deck storage

As you can tell, there are pro's and con's for each style - not to mention that one's personal opinions affect even our pro's and con's. The bottom line is that no single kayak suits every need and rarely does one suit everyone's needs. Many customers find that over the years they wind up with one sit-inside and one sit-on-top.

The best way to decide this one is to test paddle if you can. If you would like to discuss with us, please call us or email us customer@austinkayak.com and we are happy to discuss.

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