Humans are inefficient paddling machines. To start with, we are top heavy. When we paddle we have a tendency to rock the boat from side to side and to lean forward, upsetting the fore and aft balance of the boat. We also pull on the paddle at the wrong angle. Therefore, a boat designed to a perfect water-gliding formula is not efficient if we neglect to compensate for the shortcomings of the human form as it affects the boat's movements.

 When testing a kayak, do not choose a boat just because it feels most stable on flatwater - all you are testing is the boat's initial stability. A boat with high initial stability can be compared to the feeling of sitting on a tricycle. You feel secure, and there is little chance that you will tip over, but it sure is difficult to go around corners. A boat with high initial stability will not perform well in waves, just like a tricycle won't work well on side hills.

 A well-designed boat with high secondary stability is like sitting on a bicycle. If you are not an accomplished rider, the bike will feel unstable and you will feel like you are going to fall over. But, with a little practice, you can master the skills required to maximize the bike's performance. Many first-time kayak buyers make the mistake of choosing the boat that initially feels most stable to them without realizing that they are actually losing seaworthiness.

 Secondary stability refers to the degree of satiability a boat has when the paddler leans to the side. A paddler leaning to the side in a boat with relatively high secondary stability will feel it become progressively more stable. A boat with high secondary stability will out-perform a boat with high initial stability in every situation. For example, in difficult conditions when waves come from all directions, secondary stability becomes more important than initial. A boat with higher secondary stability will ride the waves and feel more stable.

 So don't worry if the boat feels a bit tippy at first. Remember the trade-offs between initial stability and performance, and practice paddling the sea-worthy boat until you are comfortable.