USCA K1 Sea Kayak Specs and Models

Extracts from USCA Competition Rules
The extracts for both the Sea Kayak class and the Touring Kayak class specs are given here.

From Section V.I:
  2. Sea Kayak: any single kayak, sit-on-top or surf ski with a maximum overall length of 18' and a 4'' waterline beam of at least 8.5% of length, 40 pound minimum weight, bulkheads plus hatches fore and aft with the exception of pre-year 2000 models, in which case they may have airbags in lieu of hatches and bulkheads.*
    Note: Delegates at the 2011 Annual Meeting voted that surfskis not be required to have bulkheads or hatches.
  3. Touring: any single kayak, sit-on-top, surf ski with a maximum overall length of 20' and a 4'' waterline beam of at least 18''. *
      * Additional rules for the above K1s
        1. Flip up rudders not included in length.
        2. No hull modifications.
        3. Must have sufficient flotation to support a 25 pound weight in a boat full of water.

From Section II.B — Equipment and Assistance:
  4. Weights and Flotation may be added to canoes or kayaks in order to meet requirements of minimum weight and buoyancy. The materials used may be at the discretion of the competitor. All weights and flotation must be securely fastened or permanently built into the canoe or kayak. Securely Fastened: When a canoe or kayak is turned upside down or submerged, the weight or flotation must stay in place.

Most Sea Kayaks also fit Touring Kayak specs, though most Touring Kayaks don't fit specs for Sea Kayak.

Table 1: Examples of generally recommended sea kayak models for racing in the USCA Sea Kayak class.
The models listed in this first table are generally recommended for racing in the Sea Kayak class as "competitive or reasonably competitive designs". These are regarded as good examples, not the only choices.

Manufacturer	Model	Specs	Image
Chesapeake Light  Craft	Pax 18	Length: 18'  [5.5m];  weight 38 lbs Note: these come as a kit with only one hatch; a second must be added to meet USCA specs for sea kayak.
Current Designs	Solstice	Length: 17'7''  [535.94cm];  weight 49-50 lbs
Epic	V8	Length: 18' [5.5m];  weight 29-40 lbs: V8  Club (40 lbs) meets  specs; other layups  need added weight
KayakPro	Nemo	Length: 17'11.5''  [5.47m];  weight ??lbs
Kirton	Inuk	Length: 18' [550cm];  weight 42 lbs
Surge	Sea	Length: 17'7.75''  [538cm];  weight 38 lbs	image to come
Think	Fit	Length: 17' 0.76'' [5.2m];  weight 34 lbs
Valley	Rapier 18	Length: 17'11.5''  [547cm];  weight 46 lbs

Table 2: Examples of sea kayaks not generally recommended for racing in the USCA Sea Kayak class.
Not all kayaks that technically fit USCA's Sea Kayak specs would be good choices for competitive racing in the Sea Kayak class (while they may be fine for other recreational purposes). Examples of poor choices (for racing) include those that may be significantly heavier, wider, or shorter than USCA's Sea Kayak class specs, such as those listed here:

Manufacturer	Model	Specs	Image
Eddyline	Samba	Length: 13'10'' [4.22m];  weight 43 lbs
Necky	Looksha  14	Length: 14'1.5''  weight 57 lbs
Perception	Carolina  14	Length: 14'0''  weight 53 lbs

Table 3: List of kayaks that meet USCA Sea Kayak class specs: they may or may not be suited to racing.
The following is a growing list of models that appear to fit USCA Sea Kayak class specs according either to manufacturer's published measurements or as the result of measuring a single example.  NOTE, HOWEVER, that actual dimensions may vary from boat to boat with the same model name. Actual measurements of the individual boat are what counts. You should measure your boat, especially if the manufacturer's published measurements are close to the limits of the USCA class specs.

Appearance on this list is neither a recommendation for nor against the use of the model for racing in the USCA Sea Kayak class. As a general rule, however, kayaks that are shorter than, say 16'6'' and/or weigh more than 55 lbs are unlikely to be good racing models.