How long do kayaks last is a question a lot of kayakers ask.
It is very frequent when new kayakers want to buy their first kayak.
This is because they sometimes want to spend moderately on a kayak that can last for a long period of time.
But to make this possible, a lot of things play a part in the lifespan of a kayak.
How long a kayak last depends on the quality of material used to make the kayak, how the kayak is used, how the kayak is transported and how the kayak is stored.
These four factors play a vital role when the longevity of a kayak is considered.
A kayak can last for years when well cared for.
But if the kayak is poorly cared for, then it will not last long.
What Determines How Long Kayaks Last
1) The Quality Of Material Used To Make a Kayak
No matter how careful you are with some things, they can easily develop faults.
This is always due to some reasons.
One of the most prominent reasons why this can happen is when the build quality of the product is bad.
When the build quality of a product is bad, then the level of care that you provide can be irrelevant to its longevity.
This is because if the build quality of a product is bad, the product will easily develop a fault when used.
This can easily occur in a kayak too when you make use of it.
If the material used in building a kayak is bad, the kayak will easily develop damages when being put to use.
This is even worse when it is an inflatable kayak.
But if the build quality of the kayak is good, then the kayak will last long when well cared for.
2) How a Kayak Is Used
How long do kayaks last also depends on how a kayak is being used.
In making use of your kayak, you have to make sure that you are using the kayak in a very good way.
When this is done, you will help the kayak to perform well.
Not just in the kayak performing well but the kayak will be able to have a good longevity.
But if you are rough in the way that you make use of your kayak, then one of the things you will discover is that your kayak will be frequently faulty.
To avoid this, you have to make sure that you use your kayak properly.
One of the ways of making sure of this is by kayaking on a safe water body.
When you want to kayak on a water body, you have to make sure that it will not affect the kayak.
This is because some certain type of water bodies might affect the kayak negatively when a kayak is used on the water body.
A typical example of this is when you kayak on a very shallow water body that has rocks in it.
This will cause the bottom of the kayak to easily have rough contact with the rocks on the bed of the water body.
This will lead to scratches on the surface of the kayak.
In worse cases, the kayak will develop holes from being punctured by the rocks on the bed of the water body.
That is why you have to avoid kayaking on a water surface that is too shallow to help avoid rendering damage to your kayak.
3) How a Kayak Is Transported
When considering how long do kayaks last, one thing that plays a big role is in how you transport your kayak.
Before you move your kayak from where it is stored to the water in which you want to kayak on, the kayak will not fly on its own there.
It has to be transported by the kayaker that wants to use it.
But in this process of transporting the kayak, a lot of kayakers usually do it the wrong way.
This is when they transport the kayak in a way that damages the safety of the kayak.
One of the ways in which this occurs is when a kayak is dragged.
When you drag a kayak, you are causing harm to the body of the kayak.
As time goes on, the scratches sustained by the kayak from being dragged can easily turn to holes in the kayak.
This will reduce how long the kayak will last.
That is why you have to make sure that you choose the best method that is safe for the kayak when you want to transport the kayak.
One of the ways of doing this is by using a kayak roof rack when you want to transport your kayak with your car.
Apart from using a kayak roof rack to transport your kayak with your car, you can use a kayak trailer if the kayak is too long or use a kayak trolley.
This will help you transport your kayak safely from one place to another without rendering harm to the kayak.
4) How a Kayak Is Stored
A good kayak can be bought and even transported well when used but what happens after it is being used will determine if the kayak will last long or not.
This has to do with how the kayak is stored.
If a kayak is well stored, then it will be able to last for a long period of time.
But if the place in which you store your kayak is not conducive for the safety of the kayak, then you are going to have a kayak that will be damaged quickly.
This is when there are dangerous objects at the place where your kayak is being stored.
These objects can easily damage your kayak when they come in contact with your kayak.
This will cause your kayak to spoil easily.
So when you are considering how long do kayaks last, you have to pay attention to where you store your kayak.
If you store them well, then they are going to function for a very long period of time.
But if you store them in a very bad place with objects that can harm the kayak, then they can be easily damaged.
This will reduce the lifespan of your kayak.
How Long Do Inflatable Kayaks Last
When it comes to the duration of time in which an inflatable kayak can last, some things play a role.
I have seen inflatable kayaks that last more than ten years.
But it always comes down to how you make use of the inflatable kayak.
Apart from that, you have to make sure the build quality of the kayak is good and also endeavor to store it well.
When this is done, then the inflatable kayak will be useful for a very long duration of time.
But if you do not care well for the kayak, then it might not be able to last very long as compared to others that care well for their kayak.
How Long Do Plastic Kayaks Last
Plastics kayak can function for a very long period of time.
But to make sure you achieve this, you have to make sure that you use it the right way.
Due to the way in which plastic kayaks are made, they can easily last for more than ten years.
I have personally seen a kayaker with a kayak that was bought fifteen years ago.
The kayak looked almost like a new kayak due to good care.
And due to this, it can easily last for the next ten years if still used well.
So how long do kayaks last really depends on the quality as well as how you care for them.
When you take care of them well, they are going to last for a very long period of time.
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