Best Lightweight Kayaks for Seniors
Kayaking is a great way for older adults to stay active, enjoy nature, and get some exercise, whether you are puttering around on a small lake or cruising a craggy coastline. While it is a low-impact activity, paddling uses the whole body, including the legs, arms, and torso, helping to build core strength.
However, kayaks can be heavy and difficult to lug around and finding a kayak that is easy to maneuver, carry, and store can be challenging. Below, I’ve compiled a list the 10 best lightweight kayaks for older people, based on their specifications and reports of people who have used them.
Recommended Kayaks
Here are some of the top kayaks we recommend for seniors looking for a boat, manufactured by quality brands and built with convenience and portability in mind.
Oru Folding Kayak
The Oru Folding Kayak is a pretty unique among kayaks, offering the ability to fold it down and store it in a carrying case. Some inflatable kayaks also allow this, but the Oru is a hard-shelled both, which is unusual. These are a good choice for seniors as they fold down for easy storage and are quite light.
Sun Dolphin Excursion 10-Foot Sit-In Kayak
This kayak is perfect for older adults who are looking for a budget-friendly option that can serve as a fishing platform. Its short and wide design makes it stable, but not as fast to paddle as some other boats on this list. It’s lightweight, easy to transport, and comes with a comfortable backrest and foot rests.
Pelican International Sit-In Kayak
The Pelican International Sit-In Kayak is shorter kayak made from a durable polyethylene material and features a comfortable backrest and footrests. It’s a great choice for casual paddling on lakes, flat rivers and mellow coastal waters.
Intex Challenger K1 Kayak
This kayak is perfect for older adults who are looking for a super budget-friendly option. This is a very affordable inflatable kayak meant for casual cruising in calm waters. While it’s not a boat you would take on a long adventure, it’s can be great for hanging around the lake, river or beach with family.
Old Town Castine 140 Kayak
The Old Town Castline 140 Kayak is a long and lean sea kayak that can handle more lengthy excursions. The length and narrow width make it fast in the water, which saves energy when covering distances. It comes in three different sizes and features a comfortable seat, footrests, and a durable polyethylene material.
Lifetime Teton Angler Kayak
The Lifetime Teton Angler Kaya is a sit-on-top kayak that comes equipped with an adjustable seatback and breathable materials to provide comfort. The kayak is a good choice for someone looking to fish, as it comes with fishing pole holes next to seat and a storage platform on the back for storing gear and fish.
Perception Tribute 12.0 Kayak
The Perception Tribute is another sit-inside sea kayak-style boat designed for women and smaller paddlers. Long and lean, this is a great kayaking for covering long distances. It has a very comfortable seat, a small cargo hold in the back, and netting to hold cargo on the deck.
Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Kayak
The Advanced Elements Advance Frame Kayak is a versatile kayak that will take you anywhere you want to explore. The hybrid folding frame and inflatable model are perfect for seniors who need to store the kayak or travel with it. Combining light-weight aluminum ribs in bow and stern with tough 3-layer construction materials yields an impressively smooth ride through water in a relatively light boat.
Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak
The SE330 Sport Kayak is a versatile kayak that can accommodate two people comfortably and supports up to Class III whitewater paddling, so can be used on moving rivers. Its lightweight design – only 26 lbs – makes transport easy and the package includes paddles, inflatable movable and removable seats, and a foot pump for inflation.
BKC UH-TK181 Kayak
The Brooklyn Kayak Company’s TK181 is a 12-foot, 8-inch tandem kayak that is ideal for fishing trips on open water or down winding rivers, as well as motorboat-assisted outings to explore lakes when waves are choppy. Its wide 34-inch beam offers stability so you can stay balanced even during changing wind and water conditions; plus its intuitive design helps ensure smooth sailing whatever journey awaits.
How to Choose a Kayak
It’s a good idea to carefully consider what kayak will suit your needs best — there are lots out there. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Consider your intended use
Before you start shopping for a kayak, you’ll want to think about how you plan to use it. Different kayaks are designed for different activities, such as fishing, touring, or whitewater kayaking. On the list above, we’ve highlighted kayaks appropriate for fishing and touring.
Determine your skill level
Kayaking can be a fun and enjoyable hobby, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not prepared. Make sure you choose a kayak that’s appropriate for your skill level. Consider taking a paddling session from a local paddling shop or club.
Decide on a sit-in or sit-on-top kayak
A sit-in kayak will keep you dry and protected from the elements, but it can be harder to get in and out of. A sit-on-top kayak is more stable and easier to get in and out of, but you’ll be more exposed to the elements.
Consider the length of the kayak
A longer kayak will be faster and more efficient, but it will also be harder to maneuver. A shorter kayak will be easier to maneuver, but it will be slower. If you plan to travel long distances a long think kayak may be the best choice, but if you’ll be puttering around on a lake, something short and wide will work just fine.
Pay attention to width
A wider kayak will be more stable, but it will also be slower. A narrower kayak will be faster, but it will also be less stable.
Pay attention to weight capacity
Make sure you choose a kayak that can accommodate your weight, gear and other supplies. An overloaded kayak is less stable and could result in a flip.
Consider the material
Kayaks are made from a variety of materials, including plastic, composite, and inflatable. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you’ll want to choose one that meets your specific needs.
Think about storage and transportation
Consider the space you have to store and transport your kayak, and choose one that will be easy for you to handle. This can be an especially important factor for seniors, particularly if you have physical limitations or space constraints.
Check out the features
Different kayaks have different features, such as built-in storage, rod holders, and paddles. Make sure you choose a kayak that has the features you need.
Try before you buy
Before you buy a kayak, it’s a good idea to test it out on the water. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the kayak and make sure it’s the right one for you.
Conclusion
Kayaking is a terrific activity, both for the exercise, but also for the mental and spiritual enrichment of getting outdoors and enjoying nature. If you are looking to get into kayaking, but don’t know where to start, try your local paddling club. Check the American Canoe Club for a listing of clubs around the United States.
Some links on the site will take you to online retailers such as Amazon.com, and when you make a purchase we may receive a percentage.