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Is a Pedal Kayak Worth It?
If you’ve been on a long boating trip, you know that your arms can get tired pretty fast. The foot pedal kayak is an ideal solution for fishing and traveling across large bodies of water. The expert team at EZ Dock has created this guide on the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision.
Table of Contents:
Pros of Pedal Kayaks
Pedal kayaks are excellent for achieving speed when traveling across the water, and they provide a healthy source of cardio exercise for users. There are several significant advantages to choosing a pedal kayak as your watercraft.
1. Quick Travel
The main benefit of the pedal kayak is speed. Most people have powerful leg muscles for distributing weight and running long distances. When pedaling, you use less energy to move because of the rotational variant of the pedals. It’s also easier to gain momentum and travel across the water at a glide and conserve your energy.
2. Hands-Free Boating
A pedal kayak allows you to use your hands freely. When you’re fishing, you don’t have to put your equipment down to paddle. The hands-free operation makes the kayaking experience more comfortable.
3. Fewer Splashes
Paddling often creates splashes that come into the boat. Pedaling happens beneath the surface of the water, so it’s less common for your clothes to get wet. Foot pedal kayaks also operate more quietly for this reason, making for a more peaceful experience.
4. Intuitive Controls
It takes practice and concentration to navigate with a paddle kayak in the water. A pedal-powered kayak eliminates the need to learn this technique. It’s typically far more intuitive for boaters to use their legs and feet to maneuver through the water with pedals rather than using their arms to paddle.
Cons of Pedal Kayaks
When you choose a pedal kayak, you gain speed but lose the precise maneuverability of the paddles. It’s important to consider the potential drawbacks of choosing a pedal kayak.
1. The Need for Leg Strength
If your legs or ankles are weaker than your arms due to injuries or a disability, then peddling can become taxing. It’s key to consider how you most successfully manage your energy when exercising.
2. A Heavier Hull
A pedal boat is typically heavier than a paddle boat, so it’s not ideal for situations where you’d like an ultralight kayak. Paddle kayaks are a better selection for fishing in the backcountry or at a portage.
3. Adjustments in Shallow Depths
Navigating shallow water with a pedal drive can be challenging because you’ll need to remove or retract the drive.
Is a Pedal Kayak Right for You?
It’s key to balance the benefits and drawbacks of a pedal kayak to understand if it’s right for your unique situation. For example, if you’re navigating tight spaces, you might need a paddle. On the other hand, if you’re planning on moving along an open body of water for a long distance, the pedal kayak is faster and makes it easier to maintain travel.
Whether you choose a pedal fishing kayak or paddle boat, a docking unit from EZ Dock can make it easier to enter and exit your watercraft safely.
Want to learn more? Reach out to our team online today, and we’ll be more than happy to answer all your questions and help you customize a floating dock to meet your needs. You can also get started by requesting a quote online.
