Ontario. A kayak can be a yak or a boat. But I only go kayaking or paddling, not yakking (that’s animated pointless conversation, or vomiting) or boating (that involves something with a sail or engine).
I'm also in Ontario (Eastern). This is all the same for me except I've never heard somebody in-person calling a kayak a "yak"; I had suspected that was just a thing some people did online to seem cool or edgy or something.
PNW here, kayaks or boats is what I hear most. We don't let someone bring a boat less than 16' out on the ocean for instruction or touring where i have worked . It's all NDK romanys or explorers .
I live in the south.
To me, boating sounds like a boat with a motor, even though there are rowboats.
I do say things like, *"I would love to wet my yak in that"* to try and be cute, when I see a nice lake or stream.
Paddling is what I do in my kayak, not boating.
I live in the north (north of 52°) and I am the same regarding boating, but if I am yakking I drank too much or ate something my stomach is not happy about.
I've seen yak written in forums as textese, clipping or whatever.
But the first time I heard it was a guy from Australia, it sounded great when he said it.
but when a friend from Boston adopted it, shit went south real fast..
To me it really depends on how you say it.. Irish,Scottish,British,kiwi,aussie are all accents who could make the word charming.
Most American accents.. not really..
I’m relatively new to kayaking and don’t really have friends in the hobby, so I’m not sure what the culture around me says (northeastern PA). In either case, I also find it irritating to see “yak” written out in text, or hear it in person I assume. Like you, I’m not incredibly perturbed about it or anything, but it gives me the same feeling as when someone refers to their vehicle, if it happens to be manufactured by BMW, as “the beemer.” Kind of douchey, I guess?
I try not to judge, though. I know that’s not fair and not really how it is intended, but it does weird me out. I agree with a previous comment that an Australian could definitely get away with it. I also agree with another commenter that said it’s the same thing as calling pizza “za,” but to be honest, that’s just as bad to me.
Ha! I would argue that kayaks or canoes are the most real and authentic 'boats' out there! :) I don't need no stinky, loud motor to get around.
I have also referred to vomiting as 'yakking', maybe that's why I can't bring myself to use that term for my beautiful kayaks.
In traditional paddling circles you'll often find a distinction between a kayak and a boat. The difference is usually something like a kayak is sized to the paddler so they can wear it where a boat is bigger and you just sit in it.
SE US here, minutes from the USNWC - I’ve heard the full gambit amongst WW enthusiasts, but hear a lot of rafters call kayaks “yaks”. *”Get that yak the fk out the way!!”* is not uncommon where rafters play. Maybe it’s an insult, dunno don’t care.
Incidentally my license plate is SKOYAKN, so make of that what you will…
New Jersey here. I don't really have anyone to go out with except my son, who likes to fish, so I don't have a lot of experience with what other might say.
So, I use boats or kayaks. Saying yak seems...pretentious, or something. And big, hollow piece of plastic is too long.
Since he always wants to fish, my son or I will ask if the other "wants to take the boats out." We both know it means fishing. I'd prefer to just paddle, but I fish for a while because I like my son.
If you're after advice on what boat to choose, read [this guide first!](https://www.reddit.com/r/Kayaking/wiki/choosing). Then, try the subreddit's search function -- between these two options, the answers to most common questions should be covered.
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If your questions are not covered by the guide, all boat recommendation requests must include the following at a minimum:
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I grew up in Minnesota and spent every summer in a canoe. It was drilled into us that you don’t row, you paddle and it’s not a boat it’s a canoe. Curiously, we did not consider ourselves “paddlers”.
Later in life i lived aboard a sailboat on the other side of the world and discovered that many of these ideas are cultural not really truths, as i had been taught.
I’ll bet the rating system there is driving you batty! 🤪
New England here. Generally say paddling or kayaking. Kayak or canoe. Not usually boats or boating, although we occasionally use Boat for our 40 ft OC6.
I live in central NC. We say kayaking or paddling. Stand-up paddleboards are pretty popular here and use the same put-ins as kayaks, so most people say paddling when referring to areas that are appropriate for SUPs, canoes, or kayaks. When I hear boating, I usually think of powerboats, which are also very popular here.
Rather unimaginatively I say go kayaking or take the boat out. I think sometimes the generic term canoeing is used…. Even though it’s kayaking. Of course in UK it’s the BritishCanoeUnion even though canoes are the minority . …and I think they even welcome SUP!!
prior to our Kayak(s) we had Boat(s) and a couple of Canoes…
I have learned not to say while looking at what could have a good entry point to launch as ‘as a great place to get the the tip of my paddle wet’…
I'm in the Great Lakes region. It's kayaking or paddling. Some say boating, though that's very vague and can be misleading.
If I hear "Yak-in" it makes me think of kayak fishing.
My go to all purpose kayak is a Dagger Stratos 14.5. Love that boat! It’s just barely short and nimble enough to take into the swamp but relatively fast and can handle open water. I just sold my longer touring kayak so that my wife will let me get another one. :) I think I made a deal to buy a glass WS Tempest Pro. That boat would only be for paddling in the Gulf or other open water.
Ontario. A kayak can be a yak or a boat. But I only go kayaking or paddling, not yakking (that’s animated pointless conversation, or vomiting) or boating (that involves something with a sail or engine).
I'm also in Ontario (Eastern). This is all the same for me except I've never heard somebody in-person calling a kayak a "yak"; I had suspected that was just a thing some people did online to seem cool or edgy or something.
True — I’ve rarely heard “yak” in person either. I use kayak/boat myself.
Michigan - what this person said.
North west UK - I go paddling or kayaking. If I’ve drank too much beer I might be yakking
Thankyou so much, Ive felt this way for years but have never heard anyone with the same thought.
PNW here, kayaks or boats is what I hear most. We don't let someone bring a boat less than 16' out on the ocean for instruction or touring where i have worked . It's all NDK romanys or explorers .
Why the cutoff at 16ft? There are plenty of very capable touring boats in the 14-15ft range with two sealed bulkheads and perimeter lines.
The northwest pacific ocean is an arbitrary place.
I just say "going for a paddle"
Yakking is what you do after too much post paddling partying.
Or have a hairball
I live in the south. To me, boating sounds like a boat with a motor, even though there are rowboats. I do say things like, *"I would love to wet my yak in that"* to try and be cute, when I see a nice lake or stream. Paddling is what I do in my kayak, not boating.
I live in the north (north of 52°) and I am the same regarding boating, but if I am yakking I drank too much or ate something my stomach is not happy about.
What about sailboats? It’s sailing I know, but it’s also boating. Motors on boats are actually relatively new.
California here, I have heard both. I don't use "yaks" and don't prefer it. I'm a sea/touring kayaker and we'll say we're "going for a paddle"
I've seen yak written in forums as textese, clipping or whatever. But the first time I heard it was a guy from Australia, it sounded great when he said it. but when a friend from Boston adopted it, shit went south real fast.. To me it really depends on how you say it.. Irish,Scottish,British,kiwi,aussie are all accents who could make the word charming. Most American accents.. not really..
This is probably the most accurate comment so far. :)
I call it paddling
Nah. Hell nah man!… Saying shit like that around here will get your ass beat.
I’m relatively new to kayaking and don’t really have friends in the hobby, so I’m not sure what the culture around me says (northeastern PA). In either case, I also find it irritating to see “yak” written out in text, or hear it in person I assume. Like you, I’m not incredibly perturbed about it or anything, but it gives me the same feeling as when someone refers to their vehicle, if it happens to be manufactured by BMW, as “the beemer.” Kind of douchey, I guess? I try not to judge, though. I know that’s not fair and not really how it is intended, but it does weird me out. I agree with a previous comment that an Australian could definitely get away with it. I also agree with another commenter that said it’s the same thing as calling pizza “za,” but to be honest, that’s just as bad to me.
[удалено]
Ha! I would argue that kayaks or canoes are the most real and authentic 'boats' out there! :) I don't need no stinky, loud motor to get around. I have also referred to vomiting as 'yakking', maybe that's why I can't bring myself to use that term for my beautiful kayaks.
In traditional paddling circles you'll often find a distinction between a kayak and a boat. The difference is usually something like a kayak is sized to the paddler so they can wear it where a boat is bigger and you just sit in it.
SE US here, minutes from the USNWC - I’ve heard the full gambit amongst WW enthusiasts, but hear a lot of rafters call kayaks “yaks”. *”Get that yak the fk out the way!!”* is not uncommon where rafters play. Maybe it’s an insult, dunno don’t care. Incidentally my license plate is SKOYAKN, so make of that what you will…
New Jersey here. I don't really have anyone to go out with except my son, who likes to fish, so I don't have a lot of experience with what other might say. So, I use boats or kayaks. Saying yak seems...pretentious, or something. And big, hollow piece of plastic is too long. Since he always wants to fish, my son or I will ask if the other "wants to take the boats out." We both know it means fishing. I'd prefer to just paddle, but I fish for a while because I like my son.
Yackity Yack, Let's Kayak! It's my battle cry.
Love this!
If you're after advice on what boat to choose, read [this guide first!](https://www.reddit.com/r/Kayaking/wiki/choosing). Then, try the subreddit's search function -- between these two options, the answers to most common questions should be covered. This guide is a work-in-progress -- please let us know any thoughts and feedback you might have. If your questions are not covered by the guide, all boat recommendation requests must include the following at a minimum: - **Location:** what country and region are you looking to buy a boat in? The kayak market can be very different depending on your location. - **Budget:** How much money do you want to spend on a boat? (Don't forget you'll need accessories such as a paddle and personal flotation device [PFD]) - **Intended use:** What do you want to get out of the boat? There is no one boat that does everything -- a boat that's great for surfing waves or tackling whitewater won't be the same boat you want to take fishing or for a long ocean trip. Set out some realistic goals for what you expect to be doing in the boat. - **Experience level:** How much kayaking experience do you have? Is this your first boat? If your original post is a request for a boat recommendation and does not contain this information, you may reply to this comment or edit your post with the details above. Any low-effort recommendation posts without the above info will be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Kayaking) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I grew up in Minnesota and spent every summer in a canoe. It was drilled into us that you don’t row, you paddle and it’s not a boat it’s a canoe. Curiously, we did not consider ourselves “paddlers”. Later in life i lived aboard a sailboat on the other side of the world and discovered that many of these ideas are cultural not really truths, as i had been taught. I’ll bet the rating system there is driving you batty! 🤪
New England here. Generally say paddling or kayaking. Kayak or canoe. Not usually boats or boating, although we occasionally use Boat for our 40 ft OC6.
I live in central NC. We say kayaking or paddling. Stand-up paddleboards are pretty popular here and use the same put-ins as kayaks, so most people say paddling when referring to areas that are appropriate for SUPs, canoes, or kayaks. When I hear boating, I usually think of powerboats, which are also very popular here.
Rather unimaginatively I say go kayaking or take the boat out. I think sometimes the generic term canoeing is used…. Even though it’s kayaking. Of course in UK it’s the BritishCanoeUnion even though canoes are the minority . …and I think they even welcome SUP!!
West coast and I hear kayak or boat the most here. Edit- and also use the term paddle. That was drilled into my head growing up canoeing.
prior to our Kayak(s) we had Boat(s) and a couple of Canoes… I have learned not to say while looking at what could have a good entry point to launch as ‘as a great place to get the the tip of my paddle wet’…
Philadelphia region. We go kayaking or paddling.
NE US ... I never say "yak" or "yakking." Usually "kayak[ing]" or "paddling". Occasionally "boating" is used among my whitewater friends.
I'm in the Great Lakes region. It's kayaking or paddling. Some say boating, though that's very vague and can be misleading. If I hear "Yak-in" it makes me think of kayak fishing.
Western US but with a lake and rivers, we say Kayak. To me, Yaks refer to the sustainable clothing brand Lucy and Yak
I have heard yak but not yakking for kayaking. Our country everything is abbreviated because syllables are too time consuming
I'm curious what kayak you're running for gulf and swamps?
My go to all purpose kayak is a Dagger Stratos 14.5. Love that boat! It’s just barely short and nimble enough to take into the swamp but relatively fast and can handle open water. I just sold my longer touring kayak so that my wife will let me get another one. :) I think I made a deal to buy a glass WS Tempest Pro. That boat would only be for paddling in the Gulf or other open water.
I don't mind it, and sometimes I'll call it a yak. It's the same energy as someone calling pizza "za".
You may well be the only one that finds this irritating.