If you have ever entered into a canoe, kayak, or other flatwater race you have most likely had to list your vessel per its waterline length to width ratio (often seen as L:W). Most flatwater racing organizations follow this universally recognized classification for kayaks:
Single Kayaks
Sea Kayak– L:W ratio less than 9.25:1
Fast Sea Kayak– L:W ratio between 9.25:1 and 10.99:1
High Performance Kayak– L:W ratio is greater than 10.99:1
Double Kayaks
Sea Kayak (SK2)– L:W ratio less than 10:1
Fast Sea Kayak (FSK2)– L:W ratio between 10:1 and 13:1
High Performance Kayak (HPK2)– L:W ratio greater than 13:1
Sprint/Olympic
Flatwater race kayaks such as surf skis are classified by the number of paddlers: K1, K3, K3, K4
Kayak Classifications Chart
The following chart is publicly available courtesy of the Sound Rowers Open Water and Paddlers Club, “a non-profit organization whose sole function is to sponsor human-powered boat racing for weekend and world class athletes.” This chart is the most comprehensive L:W ratio classification for kayaks by make and model available on the internet. Please feel free to reference this chart as tremendous research was invested into its creation.
Manufacturer | Model | L/W ratio | Race Classification |
_ANY_ | Down River Racer | HPK | |
_ANY_ | ICF Sprint and Marathon boats | HPK | |
Action Fish | Empire Fly | 7.9 | SK |
AquaDynamic | Thelon 17 | 8.2 | SK |
Aquaterra | Chinook | 7.9 | SK |
Aquaterra | Scimitar | 8.4 | SK |
Aquaterra | Sea Lion | 8.3 | SK |
Azul Kayaks | Aspen | 8.8 | SK |
Azul Kayaks | Sultan | 9.4 | FSK |
Bear Mountain Boat Ship | Enterprise | 8.3 | SK |
Bergans | Ally Folding Sea Touring Kayak | 10.1 | FSK |
Billington Sea Kayak | Surge | 8.28 | SK |
Boreal Designs | Alvik | 8.3 | SK |
Boreal Designs | Ellesmere | 9 | SK |
Boreal Designs | Fjord | 8.3 | SK |
Boreal Designs | Inukshuk | 8.1 | SK |
Boreal Designs | Muktuk | 8.2 | SK |
Boreal Designs | Narwhal | 8.2 | SK |
Chesapeake Lt. Craft | Chesapeake 16 | 8.6 | SK |
Chesapeake Lt. Craft | Chesapeake 17 | 8.8 | SK |
Chesapeake Lt. Craft | Shearwater 17 | 8.8 | SK |
Cobra | Cobra Expedition | 8.5 | SK |
Current Designs | Altura | 6.2 | SK |
Current Designs | Andromeda | 8.3 | SK |
Current Designs | Breeze | 6.5 | SK |
Current Designs | Caribou | 8.5 | SK |
Current Designs | Expedition | 9.7 | FSK |
Current Designs | Extreme | 9.5 | FSK |
Current Designs | Freedom | 9.8 | FSK |
Current Designs | Gulfstream | 8.5 | SK |
Current Designs | Kestrel 140 | 6.2 | SK |
Current Designs | Pachena | 6.9 | SK |
Current Designs | Piceses | 8.6 | SK |
Current Designs | Raven | 7.3 | SK |
Current Designs | Slipstream | 8.1 | SK |
Current Designs | Solstice GT & ST | 8.5 | SK |
Current Designs | Solstice SS | 9 | SK |
Current Designs | Speedster | HPK | |
Current Designs | Squamish | 7.3 | SK |
Current Designs | Storm | 7.9 | SK |
Current Designs | Stratus 18 | 9.8 | FSK |
Current Designs | Vision 130 | 6.5 | SK |
Current Designs | Vision 140 | 7 | SK |
Current Designs | Vision 150 | 7.3 | SK |
Current Designs | Whistler | 7 | SK |
Dagger | Baja | 8.4 | SK |
Dagger | Cortez 16.5 | 8.3 | SK |
Dagger | Magellen | 8.1 | SK |
Dagger | Meridian | 7.8 | SK |
Dagger | Seeker | 8.2 | SK |
Dagger | Sitka | 9.3 | FSK |
Destiny | Aquila | <8.5 | SK |
Destiny | Deception | 8.8 | SK |
Destiny | Defiance | 8.7 | SK |
Destiny | Kiska | <8.8 | SK |
Dirigo | Dirigo | <8.5 | SK |
Dragonworks | Islander | 8.9 | SK |
Easy Rider | Dolphin | 7.7 | SK |
Easy Rider | Eskimo 15 | <8.4 | SK |
Easy Rider | Eskimo 16 | <8.4 | SK |
Easy Rider | Eskimo 17 | 8.4 | SK |
Easy Rider | Eskimo 18.6 | 8.7 | SK |
Easy Rider | Harpoon 19 | 10.5 | FSK |
Easy Rider | Sea Hawk | 8.4 | SK |
Eddyline | Calypso | 9 | SK |
Eddyline | Falcon (16′) | 8.7 | SK |
Eddyline | Falcon (18′) | 9.7 | FSK |
Eddyline | Fathom | 8.5 | SK |
Eddyline | Heron | 10.7 | FSK |
Eddyline | Merlin | <8.0 | SK |
Eddyline | Nighthawk | 8.5 | SK |
Eddyline | Orca | 8.2 | SK |
Eddyline | Raven | 8.3 | SK |
Eddyline | Sea Star | 9.7 | FSK |
Eddyline | Skimmer | <7.0 | SK |
Eddyline | Skylark | 5.3 | SK |
Eddyline | Wind Dancer | 8.5 | SK |
Eddyline | Zephyr | 8 | SK |
Epic | 18x | HPK | |
Epic | 18x Sport | FSK | |
Epic | Recreational GP | 6.1 | SK |
Epic | Touring Cruiser 16 | <8.8 | SK |
Epic | Touring Endurance 18 | 10.5 | FSK |
Epic | V10/V10L/V10 Sport | HPK | |
Epic | V12 | HPK | |
Feathercraft | K1 Expedition | 8.1 | SK |
Feathercraft | Khatsalano S | 9 | SK |
Folbot Folding K | any as single | <8.0 | SK |
Folding Craft | 500 EX | 7.5 | SK |
Futura | Carrera | <13.7 | HPK |
Futura | Futura | <8.0 | SK |
Futura | Futura II | <12.3 | HPK |
Futura | Futura TR | <14.4 | HPK |
Georgn. Bay Folding Kayak | any as single | SK | |
Heritage | Expedition LP | 8.4 | SK |
Heritage | Nomad | 8.2 | SK |
Hoby Cat | Quest | 5.5 | SK |
Hody Sport | TK-1 | 10.9 | FSK |
HopOnTop | HopOnTop | 6.8 | SK |
Huki | Huki S1-A | HPK | |
Huki | Huki S1-X | 15.5 | HPK |
Hutchinson Design | Baidarka Explorer | 8.7 | SK |
Hutchinson Design | Islander | <9.0 | SK |
Hutchinson Design | Umnak | <8.4 | SK |
HydrTufLite | Sea Runner | 8.2 | SK |
HydrTufLite | Venture | <8.3 | SK |
Impex Kayak | Force Cat 4 | 9.7 | FSK |
Impex Kayak | Force Category 5 | 9.15 | SK |
Innova Kayaks | Seaker 1 | 6.3 | SK |
JKK Kayaks | Supernova | 11.8 | HPK |
JKK Kayaks | Total Eclipse | 11.8 | HPK |
JKK Kayaks | U2 | 11.5 | HPK |
Kajak Sport | Artisan Millenium | 8.8 | SK |
Kajak Sport | Avalon Viviane | 9.9 | FSK |
Kajak Sport | Infinity Active | 7.3 | SK |
Kajak Sport | Viking Expedition | 8.4 | SK |
Kirton Kayaks | Inuk | 10.6 | FSK |
Kiwi Kayak | any as single | <7.0 | SK |
Klepper Folding Kayaks | any as single | <7.0 | SK |
Mad River | Monarch | 7.7 | SK |
Mariner | Coaster | 7.4 | SK |
Mariner | Elan | 8.4 | SK |
Mariner | Escape | 8.9 | SK |
Mariner | Express | 8.9 | SK |
Mariner | Mariner | 10.7 | FSK |
Mariner | Mariner II | 10.2 | FSK |
Mariner | Mariner XL | 8.8 | SK |
Mariner | MAX | 8.3 | SK |
Momentum Yacht Design | Loki R | 9.1 | SK |
Momentum Yacht Design | Loki Sea Race | 13.6 | HPK |
Mont Bell | Ellsmere 350 | 8.5 | SK |
Natural Design | Polaris | 8.6 | SK |
Nautirad | Greenlander 16 | 7.9 | SK |
Necky | Alsek | <7.0 | SK |
Necky | Arluk I | 11.5 | HPK |
Necky | Arluk II/1.8/1.9 | 9.9 | FSK |
Necky | Arluk III | 8.7 | SK |
Necky | Arluk IV | 7.3 | SK |
Necky | Chatham 16 | 7.4 | SK |
Necky | Elaho | 7.5 | SK |
Necky | Eliza | 8.1 | SK |
Necky | Kyook | <7.7 | SK |
Necky | Looksha II | 10.6 | FSK |
Necky | Looksha IV | <8.9 | SK |
Necky | Looksha V | 8.1 | SK |
Necky | Nootka | 7.7 | SK |
Necky | Phantom | 13 | HPK |
Necky | Telsa | <8.5 | SK |
Necky | Tornak | <8.5 | SK |
Nelo | FW 2000 | 14.5 | HPK |
Nigel Dennis | Romany Explorer | 8.2 | SK |
Nimbus | Horizon | <8.7 | SK |
Nimbus | Lootas | 8.3 | SK |
Nimbus | Puffin | 8.5 | SK |
Nimbus | Solander | 8.4 | SK |
Nimbus | Sprint | 10.3 | FSK |
Nimbus | Zoom | 9.23 | SK |
Novus Composites | NC 15 | <8.0 | SK |
Novus Composites | NC 17 | 8.3 | SK |
Novus Composites | NC 19 | 9.1 | SK |
NW Kayak | Cadence | 8.8 | SK |
NW Kayak | Esprit | 8.7 | SK |
NW Kayak | Sportee | <8.0 | SK |
NW Kayak | Synergy | 8.3 | SK |
NW Kayaks | Discovery | 8.9 | SK |
NW Kayaks | Pursuit | 8.9 | SK |
Ocean Kayak | Manta | 6.1 | SK |
Ocean Kayak | Pro S1 109 | 4.8 | SK |
Ocean Kayak | Scrambler | <7.0 | SK |
Ocean Kayak | Scupper | 7.5 | SK |
Ocean Kayak | Sprinter | 10.4 | FSK |
Old Town Canoe | Egret | 7.8 | SK |
Old Town Canoe | Millenium | 8.8 | SK |
P&H | Bahiya | 8.6 | SK |
P&H | Capella | 7.7 | SK |
P&H | Iona | <8.5 | SK |
P&H | Orion | <8.5 | SK |
P&H | Quest | 8.4 | SK |
P&H | Sirius | 8.5 | SK |
Pakboats | Puffin Swift | 6.8 | SK |
Perception | Avatar 16 | 7.8 | SK |
Perception | Carolina | 7.9 | SK |
Perception | Eclipse | 8.6 | SK |
Perception | Sonoma 13.5 | 6.8 | SK |
Perception | Vizcaya | 8.1 | SK |
Prijon | Arctic Tern 14 | 6.8 | SK |
Prijon | Barracuda | 9.1 | SK |
Prijon | Cabalara | 6.5 | SK |
Prijon | Kodiak | 8.5 | SK |
Prijon | Odysee | 7.8 | SK |
Prijon | Seayak | 7.6 | SK |
Prijon | Touryak | 7.3 | SK |
Prijon | Yukon Eskie | 8.4 | SK |
Pt. 65º North | K1 R | 8.6 | SK |
Pt. 65º North | K1 VR | 8.9 | SK |
Pt. 65º North | K1 XP | 10 | FSK |
Pt. 65º North | KIR | 8.8 | SK |
Pt. 65º North | X Lite | 8.4 | SK |
PWS | Avocet | 8.6 | SK |
PWS | Intrepid | 8.3 | SK |
PWS | Osprey | 9.4 | FSK |
PWS | Sea Otter | 7.9 | SK |
PWS | Seal | 10.8 | FSK |
PWS | Thunderbird | 7.8 | SK |
PWS | Widgeon | 7.9 | SK |
Pygmy | Arctic Tern | 8.3 | SK |
Pygmy | Arctic Tern 14 | 7 | SK |
Pygmy | Coho | 8.6 | SK |
Pygmy | Goldeneye | 8.5 | SK |
Pyranha | Orca | 6.8 | SK |
QCC Kayaks | Q300 | <8.8 | SK |
QCC Kayaks | Q400 | <8.8 | SK |
QCC Kayaks | Q500x | 8.8 | SK |
QCC Kayaks | Q600x | 9.7 | FSK |
QCC Kayaks | Q700x | 10.3 | FSK |
Rainforest Designs | Kap Farvel | 8.1 | SK |
Rainforest Designs | Telkwa | 8.3 | SK |
REI (?) | Marlin (on top) | 7.7 | SK |
Riot Kayak | Tourlite 15 | 6.8 | SK |
Seafarer | Solander | 8.6 | SK |
Seafarer | Sprint | 10.4 | FSK |
Seavivor Folding Kayak | Greenland Solo | 9.8 | FSK |
Seaward | 2005 Tyee | 8.1 | SK |
Seaward | Chilco | 9.5 | FSK |
Seaward | Discover Aurora | 7.7 | SK |
Seaward | Endeavor | 8.7 | SK |
Seaward | Navigator | 8.3 | SK |
Seaward | Quantum | 8.8 | SK |
Seaworthy Design | Enetai | 9 | SK |
Seda | Glider | 10.8 | FSK |
Seda | Gypsy | 7.5 | SK |
Seda | Ikkuma 17 | 8 | SK |
Seda | Impulse | 10.4 | FSK |
Seda | Starlet | 8.2 | SK |
Seda | Swift | 8.6 | SK |
Seda | Viking | 8.4 | SK |
Seward | Chilco | 9.4 | FSK |
Seward | Quest | 9.4 | FSK |
Sisson Evolution | >12.0 | HPK | |
Skim Kayaks | Dex | 9 | SK |
Skim Kayaks | Distance | 9.8 | FSK |
Southern Exposure | Legend | 9.5 | FSK |
Southern Exposure | Reiver | 9 | SK |
Think | Evo | HPK | |
Think | Fit | FSK | |
Think | Legend | HPK | |
Think | Uno | HPK | |
Third Rock Kayak | Espresso | 8.4 | SK |
TRAK | T-1600 | 9 | SK |
Triton | Ladoga 1 | 7.2 | SK |
Twogood | Chalupski | 13 | HPK |
Twogood | Mako | HPK | |
Twogood | Phoenix | 11.3 | HPK |
Valhalla | Valhalla | 12.3 | HPK |
Valhalla | Victory | 13 | HPK |
Valley Canoe | Aquanaut | 8.8 | SK |
Valley Canoe | Aquanaut RM | 8.2 | SK |
Valley Canoe | Avocet | 7.9 | SK |
Valley Canoe | Nordkapp | 9.4 | FSK |
Valley Canoe | Nordkapp H20 | 8.7 | SK |
Valley Canoe | Nordkapp LV | 8.7 | SK |
Valley Canoe | Petrel | <7.6 | SK |
Valley Canoe | Selkie | <8.6 | SK |
Valley Canoe | Skerray | 8.6 | SK |
Valley Canoe | Skerray XL | 8.9 | SK |
Valley Sea Kayak | Rapier 20 | 13.8 | HPK |
Venturesport | Black Marlin | <13.7 | HPK |
Venturesport | Eclipse | <13.5 | HPK |
Venturesport | Elan Crosstrainer | <14.6 | HPK |
Venturesport | Shearwater | <13.6 | HPK |
Venturesport | Vector | <12.3 | HPK |
Venturesport | Venture | 7.6 | SK |
Venturesport | Vintage | >8.0 | SK |
Venure Kayak | Ayr 16.5 | 8.5 | SK |
Walden | Vista | <8.0 | SK |
Waldon | Vision | 6.6 | SK |
Westside Boat | Wave Piercer | 11.6 | HPK |
Westside Boat | Wave XL/Ultra | 15.7 | HPK |
Westside Boat | X Par EFT | 14 | HPK |
Westside Boat | X Par Missile | 18.9 | HPK |
Wilderness Systems | Alto | <8.7 | SK |
Wilderness Systems | Arctic Hawk | 9.4 | FSK |
Wilderness Systems | Cape Horn 17 | 8.8 | SK |
Wilderness Systems | Epic | 9.7 | FSK |
Wilderness Systems | Seacret | <8.0 | SK |
Wilderness Systems | Sealution | 8.1 | SK |
Wilderness Systems | Sealution SS/II | 8.1 | SK |
Wilderness Systems | Sealution XL | 8.8 | SK |
Wilderness Systems | Tempest 165 Pro | 8.6 | SK |
Sound Rowers used the following methodology and measurement for the kayak classification chart: Sound Rower’s Kayak Classifications: Tom Cartmill’s System
-Alex
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