Embarking on a sea kayaking trip but don’t know your keel from your bow? Get ready to brush up on your sea kayak anatomy with our beginner-friendly guide. While some parts of a sit-in kayak are self-explanatory, other names require a little more explanation.
Basic Anatomy of a Sea Kayak
1. Bow - the “front” of the kayak that’s pointed in the direction you’re headed
2. Stern - the “back” of the kayak that’s pointed in the direction you’ve come from
3. Port - the left-hand side of the kayak
4. Starboard - the right-hand side of the kayak
5. Deck - the top side of the kayak (may also feature bungees and hatches for storing gear)
6. Hull - the bottom of the kayak
7. Keel - the ridge that extends from the bow to the stern along the kayak’s hull
8. Cockpit - the area in which you sit to control the kayak (between the forward and rear bulkheads)
9. Seat - the place where you sit within your cockpit (may be adjustable or not)
10. Coaming - the lip or rim of the cockpit and where the skirt attaches to
11. Deck line - a stretchy (bungee) or non-stretchy line that can be used to store gear 11) that you want to keep within arm’s reach
12. Hatch - a semi-dry inner cargo compartment where you can store valuables and other gear
13. Carry handles/grab loops - positioned at the front and rear to easily carry your kayak and/or tie it to a car roof rack
14. Rudder - an adjustable flip-down fin that helps to keep you on the right track and is controlled by foot braces inside the cockpit
15. Skeg - a static drop-down fin that keeps you positioned on your preferred track (but doesn’t steer the boat)
16. Bulkhead - an interior wall that keeps water from infiltrating the cargo space
17. Foot pegs/pads/braces - adjustable rests inside the footwell that can be used to control your rudder
18. Thigh braces - supportive pads on the underside of the cockpit’s roof that your thighs press against to aid in maneuvering and controlling the kayak.
