Should you get a sit-in or a sit-on (sit-on-top) kayak? Some people find it hard to decide. It’s up to the kayaker as both options provide varied and distinct benefits.

Read on to learn more about them and figure out which is the best choice for you.

Understanding Sit in Kayaks

Paddlers who don’t want to get chilly from the cold waters usually choose the sit-in kayak, where they’ll remain dry. Aside from this, the sit-in one is not just ideal for staying dry while paddling, but the control involved makes it great for use in oceans or seas too.

What is a Sit in Kayak (SIK)?

Also known as sit-insides or SIS, the sit-in kayak (SIK) is a traditional-looking kayak where the paddler climbs in and sits inside the kayak with the legs under the deck. As a result of the deeper leg support, paddle strokes from the SIK become stronger and more efficient.

Advantages of Sit in Kayaks

The following are the advantages of Sit-in kayaks:

• It protects you from the cold. You can dress a SIK in a skirt, preventing chilly water from splashing into the kayak. There’s a mechanism to tighten the skirt that allows the paddler to stretch this material around the rim of the cockpit, closing off the inside of the kayak.
• It has a storage area. A recreational SIK can store equipment.
• Ideal for multiple persons. Some sit-in kayaks can support up to 500 pounds or more.
• It has better control. This kayak enables paddlers to lean the SIK on its side for upright positions in rough seas or more efficient turning.

Things to Consider When Using a Sit in Kayak

A Sit-in kayak is great for travel, but it has some disadvantages too.

Here are two things you need to consider when using it:

• Difficult to drain water. If you’re staying at a place with a short summer season, using a sit-in kayak can make sure you stay as dry as possible. However, you need to be good at swimming because if the winds get tough and the kayak flips over, you’ll need to go to the shore to drain the water.
• It requires a bit more skill. Sit-in kayaks are more advanced and therefore require more skills to paddle.

Understanding Sit On (SOT) Kayaks

A sit-on kayak may flip anytime while strapped in. Also, the ease of getting in or out makes it an attractive choice for self-rescue.

What is a Sit On Kayak (SOT)?

The SOT is easier to learn than SIK. This kayak has a sealed hull and molded seats for easy slip on and off.

Advantages of Sit On Kayaks

Listed below are the advantages of Sit-on kayaks:

• Versatile. As mentioned, SOTs are easier to get in and out compared to SIKs, making them the top choice for rescuers, anglers, and divers.
• Can re-enter from the water. Pulling back up onto the deck of the sit-on kayak is possible even from the water.
• Contains scupper holes. Plugs can cover these holes to drain splashes of water back out of the kayak.
• It has enough storage. Most SOTs have generous storage for fishing, and the longer ones have enough room for an overnight trip.

Things to Consider When Using a Sit On Kayak

While the SOT is versatile to get in and out of, there are some drawbacks too. Here are the following:

• Sit-on-top kayaks are slower than sit-in kayaks because of the high center of gravity.
• You get full exposure to rain, sun, wind, and waves.

The Differences Between a Sit in vs Sit On Kayak

A sit-on-top kayak may be a more popular choice for beginners, but many people also prefer the sit-inside one. To gain more understanding and figure out what you like, here are some of the differences between a sit on vs sit in kayak:

Activities

Recreation, fishing, and diving are just some of the activities you can do while on the SOT. This kayak is great for warm weather or rescuers who want to slip out of the kayak easily. On the other hand, a sit-inside kayak is great for travel due to less water splashes.

Safety

In kayaking, even the center of gravity makes force. With sit-on-tops, the center of gravity is high --- making it easy to topple when tilted. Most SOTs can easily be flipped. Similarly, SIKs have deeper leg support, making it more stable.

Cost

A fishing kayak, an example of a sit-on-top kayak, typically costs $300, on average. However, an SIK is a greater investment. You’d spend five times or more for a touring or ocean kayak.

Customization

Because of the free space, a sit-on-top kayak is more customizable. You can mount accessories for fishing poles, GPS devices or cameras, rudders, and motors in an SOT. Though less customizable, sit-ins can be customized with padded sits for a comfortable but powerful kayaking experience.

Storage

Aside from the easy maneuverability, sit-on-tops have more storage and open deck space. Conversely, sit-ins may have limited storage, a closed cockpit, and no deck space.

Entry and Exit

Slipping in and out of sit-on-tops is easy. You’re not restricted by anything. Unlike the SOTs, your legs are under the deck of the sit-in kayak, restricting your movements. It takes time to get in and out of sit-ins.

Sit In vs Sit On Kayak — Which Option Should I Choose?

Preferring a sit on top vs sit in kayak depends entirely on what you want. However, you may choose one type over the other because of safety or the need for storage.

When to Choose a Sit In Kayak over a Sit On Kayak

In between a sit in kayak vs sit on top kayak, you can choose a sit in if you don’t want to get wet. The skirting that the paddler can use in an SIK can prevent water from entering the kayak. Also, people choose sit-ins when paddling over strong waves.

When to Choose a Sit On Kayak over a Sit In Kayak

You can prefer the sit-on kayak over the sit-in when you’re a nervous paddler or if you regularly paddle over warm environments. For the outdoorsy type who loves to go on and off the kayak to swim, choosing a sit-on over the other may make more sense.

Final Thoughts

The first step in choosing whether you’d want to paddle a sit-in vs a sit-on kayak is knowing the purpose. Are you going to go fishing in warm waters? Or are you going to go diving, instead, while on a kayak? It would be helpful to ask for recommendations from family, friends, kayak advisers, social media, or dealers to find a kayak that can best support your activities.

Sit in Kayak vs Sit On Kayak Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Between sit in and sit on kayaks, which is safer?

Sit-in kayaks are safer because of the spray skirt, which can protect your lower body from the cold water.

Are sit on or sit in kayaks better for beginners?

Sit-on-top (SOT) kayaks are better for beginners. Though a sit-in kayak can give you more control in maneuvering through water, it is still more difficult to slip in and out of. Because of this, SOTs are a better choice for paddlers who are nervous and would like to get out of the kayak soon.

Are sit on or sit in kayaks better for ocean paddling?

Using sit-in kayaks are better for cold ocean water. The added protection that can be offered by SIKs can protect the paddler from being splashed by chilly water, ensuring dryness and safety from the cold. Also, oceans have great distances where a sit-in kayak is best suited for travel.

Are sit in or sit on kayaks better for fishing?

Between a sit on top kayak vs sit in, a sit-on is the best choice for fishing. There are spaces from which fish can be placed, and the water from the waves or flopping fish can go straight to the scupper holes at the bottom of the kayak. More so, the open design of the sit-on-tops allows for customization, like a kayak fish finder.

Are sit in or sit on kayaks better for tandem paddling with two people?

Sit-in kayaks are better for tandem paddling with two people. As mentioned, some SIKs can handle up to 500 lbs. Also, two-person kayaks are more stable than single-person ones. The paddler that sits on the front sets the beat, and the one behind adapts. If your front paddler is fast, the one at the back has to follow suit.

What other things should I look for when purchasing a kayak?

A longer and narrower kayak can move faster and straighter. The reason is that the longer kayak has more volume, making it float higher. Similarly, lower volume kayaks sit deeper in the water. If you’re new to kayaking, choose a wider one.

Looking for activities to do while undergoing COVID-19? Read ”10 Fun Virtual Date Ideas to Try During COVID-19” to learn more.