Have you ever stopped to consider how much the modern kayaks has evolved and how it differs from its “ancient” origins?
The most obvious differences can be seen in the design and materials used – the manufacturing process has come a long way in that regard. There’s a lot more to the modern vs. ancient kayak comparison, though; intended use, size, and propulsion methods have changed, as well.
Design
When you think of a “traditional” kayak, a sit-inside ‘yak is probably what comes to mind. There’s a reason for that:
Design-wise, sit-in (SIK) kayaks are direct descendants of the traditional boats made by the Inuit people – which featured a closed cockpit that protected the hunter from the freezing cold waters.
That’s why the introduction of sit-on-top kayaks in the 1970s marks one of the most significant moments in the evolution of the kayak’s design. Removing the closed cockpit of traditional sit-in kayaks and creating an open deck revolutionized kayaking – marking a new era of SOT kayaks.
Materials
Due to the limited resources available, traditional kayaks were not made of durable, long-lasting materials. While the frame could last up to 40 years – with good care, of course – the animal skin used to cover the boat had to be replaced every two to three years.
I’m sure you don’t need me to point out the obvious – but:
Kayaks have come a long way from the traditional, handmade boats constructed from driftwood, whale bones, and stretched seal or walrus skin.
Modern kayaks are made of rotomolded polyethylene, thermoform ABS, or composite materials, such as fiberglass and Carbon fiber – with PVC being the common material for making inflatable kayaks.
Imagine the face of someone who invented kayaks thousands of years ago if you told them we’d have inflatable boats one day!
Dimensions
Another major difference between ancient and modern kayaks is their size:
Ancient kayaks also came in a variety of lengths, just like today’s kayaks. However, compared to today’s boats that measure 22 feet at most – and I’m talking about two-person touring kayaks – it wasn’t uncommon for ancient kayaks to measure 60 feet or more in length.
These massive kayaks were designed to accommodate an entire family – up to 15 people, to be exact. There were smaller, more agile kayaks, as well, but those were primarily used for hunting and sneaking up on animals from the water – which brings me to my next point…
Intended Use
Back when kayaks were first invented, the purpose of a boat like that was to carry hunters – and, generally speaking, make traveling to seasonal hunting grounds possible.
Of course, things look a lot different today:
During the mid-1800s, as kayaking gained traction throughout Europe, there was a huge shift in perception. Kayaks were no longer associated solely with hunting; they’ve branched out into the domain of recreation and leisure activities – eventually evolving into a competitive sport.
When it comes to intended uses, we now have specialized boats designed for specific purposes and environments – running whitewater rapids, fishing, and ocean kayaking, to name a few – and performance-oriented, Olympic-grade kayaks.
Propulsion Method
One factor that may get overlooked when comparing modern and ancient ‘yaks is the propulsion method. That’s probably because a paddle is still the primary means of propulsion – so not much has changed in that department since ancient times.
However, in recent years, we’ve seen the introduction of pedal-drive systems – Hobie introduced the first pedal-drive kayak in 1997 – and electric trolling motors.
Sure, not everyone has switched to one of these “alternative” propulsion methods; I, for one, still prefer the good, old paddle. The introduction of new methods of propulsion still counts as one of the most notable differences between traditional and modern kayaks, though.
