Low seat or high seat - that is the question.

The difference between a raised seat and low seat on a kayak

Recently we’ve had a lot of people ask us about raised seats, especially since the release of our Marlin kayak which has a seat that falls into this category. In order to highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each we have decided to ask a few experts and clients across Europe to give us their thoughts on these different styles.

Kayaks with raised seats have been available on the market for several years now. Brands such as Wilderness Systems, Native Watercraft and Jackson Kayaks came out with different versions of raised seats for fishing kayaks and really helped push the style into the mainstream.



The obvious benefit of a raised seat over a traditional one is that raised seats can be more comfortable and help keep your bottom dry! If you are planning on spending many hours paddling or fishing from your kayak then this added comfort is welcomed.

Saying this, traditional sit on top seats are coming a long way and our new Galaxy Tracker seat, as well as other fantastic seats such as Feel Free’s KingFisher seat have lots of added cushioning, are extremely comfortable and add a couple extra centimetres of height meaning you also stay relatively dry using the low seating position. These seats really do improve the performance of low seats and allow the user to spend a few more hours on the water with added comfort.

One of the key questions with raised seats is stability. By increasing the seating position on a kayak you change the balance of a kayak. Even kayaks whose moulds have been designed with a raised seat in mind will most likely have less stability than if you used the exact same kayak with traditional seats - simply because of the change in weight distribution. The higher up you sit in a kayak the less stable it feels and the more affected you are by the waves and undulations of the water you are paddling in.

This is precisely why we offer the Marlin kayak with both seating options. The lower traditional seat can be used when first getting used to the kayak, and when going on longer treks in more adverse weather conditions. The raised seat is ideal for the more experienced paddler especially on calmer days when you are happy to sit out for hours enjoying mother nature.

Galaxy Team Member, Fran el Mejor, says “From my point of view and after having tried low seats on my previous kayaks I have to say that since I own a Marlin 430 Kayak, that comes with the high seat, I would never go back! I no longer get my bum wet and my legs and waist no longer hurts after a day out paddling. So, in my opinion I say go for the high seat and you won’t be disappointed!”

Another Galaxy team member and previous Spanish national kayak fishing champion, Chinono, has a different opinion, he says “I’m unsure about the stability of a kayak when you are anchored out at sea and using a high seat. I wanted one but when I saw it in action I wasn’t a fan. I am looking for a kayak with space in the center that is free. When you catch a nice triplet of a decent sized fish, I feel like there wouldn't be much space left in the kayak with a high seat. That is my opinion for my specific fishing technique”.

The type of kayaking you want to be doing is another important related aspect. Are you going to be spending many hours in the sea? or are you going to be traveling on lakes and rivers? which typically have flatter waters and therefore make stability less of an issue. Some of the most popular kayaks with high seats were developed with the American market in mind which means they fit to their necessities. Fishing in lakes and mangroves drives different needs than fishing in the sea. This has driven a trend in kayaks with raised seats that are wider and higher than your regular sit on top and for a good reason too - to increase the stability of the kayak…Important when using a raised seat.

We have recently tested many different kayaks with high seats and have also seen many others coming out onto the market. If the high seat on your kayak doesn't have the option to lower it we would recommend looking at a kayak that is wider and higher than a normal design in order to improve stability.

A good example: Jackson Kayaks Big Tuna is built with the high seat in mind. It is extra wide and higher than other kayaks in order to create a more stable platform.



If you compare this kayak to Jackson’s Big Tuna you can clearly see the difference in size of build meaning it would be less stable with high seats. This will not be a problem for the more experienced paddler but beginners should keep this in mind when buying a kayak.

Another important factor to consider is the type of fishing you will be doing and the distances you will be traveling. Paddling longer distances in a raised seat can be more tiring and you have to be aware of your strokes and posture to always make sure you protect your back. Its easy to get lazy on these comfy seats. Windy conditions can also be a negative factor as you are more exposed on a higher seat which increases wind resistance.

If you like trawling and tend to move a lot through the water while you fish, lower seats can be more practical. Staying close to the water allows for long powerful strokes and allows you to maintain a higher speed with more ease. Fishing while anchored out at sea can be a lovely and comfortable experience as long as the water stays calm. If you tend to fish in more open sea then perhaps take Chinonos view and go with a lower seat which might be better and might avoid as much rocking whilst out by your favourite spot.  If you suffer from sea sickness you will probably feel the motion of the ocean more from a raised seat.

Are you going to spend long days on your kayak in calm water? Then perhaps Fran el mejor’s view is the one for you.

You can always buy the kayak you like the look of and make up your own crazy inventions like some of our more creative clients have shown. We always say that you guys are the most creative!


In summary, there are positives and negatives of both styles of seats. What we can definitely say is that high seats add comfort but they also decrease stability depending on the design of the kayak and can also make paddling a little less comfortable. In our view, if you are a beginner and just starting out we would opt for a kayak with a low seat and if you want to increase comfort you could easily add a seat with extra cushioning.

Some kayaks are designed with both options and are versatile and well thought out for all weather conditions and fishing styles. Whatever you chose always make sure you keep the most important factor in mind….Have fun on the water and enjoy the adventure wherever you are!