In the world of paddle craft, there are two words you should know when talking about stability: primary and secondary.
Primary stability refers to a kayak’s propensity to resist rolling; secondary stability refers to its ability to right itself after rolling, or to handle in rough conditions.
Some yak fishermen struggle with primary stability since a lot of craft can be pretty frisky. Getting your sea legs on a kayak is definitely an acquired skill – emphasis on skill.
However, there are things you can do to make your kayak handle better and resist rolling. Here are a few of them.
Get Outriggers for Your Kayak
Getting outriggers for your kayak is pretty much a foolproof way to improve primary stability. Basically, outriggers are like small pontoons that attach to your kayak’s gear track or gunwale and ride in the water next to the hull.
Outriggers for your kayak in essence convert your yak into a small catamaran, or trimaran, if you have one on each side.
They make the kayak much more stable and even the friskiest vessels become leagues more stable when outfitted with them.
Load the Heavy Stuff Low and Center Over the Keel
One important thing you can do is load your kayak wisely. Bring your heavy gear aboard first and place it low in the vessel, preferably in a hold, in the centerline over the keel.
If you place your heavy gear first and center it low in the vessel, it will actually serve like ballast that will help keep your yak riding true.
Don’t Overload
A simple but effective pointer: just don’t bring what you don’t need. It is way too easy to overload a yak (or canoe, for that matter) and the more you’re carrying, the easier it will be to roll the thing.
If you don’t need it, leave it at the dock.
Install a Skeg
Most yak fishermen who install a skeg do so because it helps improve tracking. Like a sailboat’s keel, a kayak’s skeg helps the yak track in a straight line when you’re pedaling or paddling, even if the wind or currents are fighting you.
But the skeg also creates lateral resistance in the water that makes it resist rolling. It won’t make a massive difference, but it will help improve primary stability just a bit, and this is a battle of small degrees.
Ditch What You’re Paddling and Get a New Fishing Kayak
This last suggestion is not actually a tip to improve your current kayak’s stability, but it’s good information. Most sit-in yaks are designed for secondary, not primary, stability. This means they roll easily.
If your current angling outfit is a sit-in, maybe it’s time to upgrade to a modern sit-on. Jackson, HOODOO, Hobie, Native Watercraft, NuCanoe, Old Town and other companies all produce stable sit-on top fishing kayaks that ride securely enough for you to stand and fish in.
Check out what’s in stock online at No Bad Days Kayak; they represent these top brands, along with tons of fishing kayak accessories, and you can even get outriggers for your kayak there, too.
For more information about Viking Kayaks and Hobie Lynx Please visit: No Bad Days Kayak.
