Editing Kayak (section)

=== Length ===
[[File:Kajak.jpg|thumb|[[Sprint kayak]]; long hull, ~no rocker|alt=Long, thin kayak with blunt bow and stern, on flat water, person getting in]]

As a general rule, a longer kayak is faster: it has a higher [[hull speed]]. It can also be narrower for a given displacement, reducing the drag, and it will generally track (follow a straight line) better than a shorter kayak. On the other hand, it is less maneuverable. Very long kayaks are less robust, and may be harder to store and transport.<ref name="long_narrow"/> Some recreational kayak makers try to maximize hull volume (weight capacity) for a given length as shorter kayaks are easier to transport and store.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kayakroofracks.net/car-topping-kayak-strapping-down/|title=Car-Topping and Strapping Down a Kayak|date=May 14, 2016|website=Kayakroofracks.net|access-date=May 23, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wikihow.com/Store-a-Kayak|title=How to Store a Kayak|website=Wikihow.com|access-date=May 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

Kayaks that are built to cover longer distances such as touring and sea kayaks are longer, generally {{cvt|16|to|19|ft|m|1|order=flip}}. With touring kayaks the [[keel]] is generally more defined (helping the kayaker track in a straight line). Whitewater kayaks, which generally depend upon river current for their forward motion, are short, to maximize maneuverability. These kayaks rarely exceed {{cvt|8|ft|m|1|order=flip}} in length, and ''[[Playboating|play boats]]'' may be only {{cvt|5|-|6|ft|m|1|order=flip}} long. Recreational kayak designers try to provide more stability at the price of reduced speed, and compromise between tracking and maneuverability, ranging from {{cvt|9|-|14|ft|m|1|order=flip}}.