Comfort
The sit-on-top kayak offers comfort for anyone with a large body type, long legs, big feet or flexibility issues. Because you sit in a depression molded into the top of the kayak, these problems are eliminated. Large paddlers do not have to contend with a too confining cockpit opening. Long-legged paddlers can flex or stretch their legs at will. Those with big feet do not have to endure the pain of feet crammed into a space too small.
Self-rescuing
Capsize while paddling a sit-on-top kayak and you simply fall out of the kayak. One of the barriers many had to enjoying kayaking was the fear of being trapped upside down underwater in the kayak.
Also, you do not have to pump out the kayak after a capsize. Simply flip it over and climb in. Scuppers molded into the kayak will drain the water as you paddle.
Gear access
Sit-on-top kayaks often have watertight hatches and an open tank well for gear storage. The tank well really gives paddlers easy access to the gear they bring along. Because of this, sit-on-top kayaks have become popular with divers, anglers and photographers.
Stability
Perhaps the biggest advantage that sit-on-top kayaks have is stability. Some sit-on-top kayaks have enough stability that a paddler can safely stand up in them. The stability offers confidence for beginners and a good platform for anglers and photographers.
