What is the difference between an ocean kayak and a hull kayak?

Question

I'm going on a cruise, but they have ocean kayak and hull kayak listed as one of their activities. I don't know what is the difference between these two. What one is easier to do? thanks!

Answer 1

Hmmm... are you going on a Princess cruise?  I believe the offerings are "ocean kayak" and "transparent hull kayak"....

Here's what that means:

The first one is a sit on top kayak, made by a company called "Ocean Kayak" (there are other manufacturers, but O.K. is very popular):

http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/single_...

The transparent hull kayaks are a gimmick item.  They gave a bunch of these away on the Price is Right, and I keep seeing them on Craigslist from the people who have won them.  LOL  

This is what they are:

http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/11451092/...

The silliness of the transparent hull:  First, it's really an ugly shaped canoe with whimpy flotation in it; I wouldn't really call that a kayak.    It is inherently not going to be as seaworthy as the other kayak.   And.... you can see down into water just fine... You don't necessarily gain anything by looking straight down between your feet thru a clear hull.  You can look down and see the same stuff if you look left or right anyway.

In my opinion, you'll have more fun, and get more boat for your money in the Ocean Kayak, plus it's a much safer platform.  You could swim, climb back on, and keep paddling.  The clear thing is going to be a pain in the butt to try to re-enter.  It may not even be possible without first going to shore.

Have fun on your cruise, rent the O.K., and take lots of pictures!