typical cruising speed range - sea kayak

What is a typical range of speed if cruising on open ocean. It would be in a wooden kayak, probably weighing 80 lbs + with gear. I know there are many factors affecting speed, so I am looking for a typical range. Thanks,

From personal experience, plastic is slower than fibreglass but a good plastic boat can match or beat a poor fibreglass one. There is also personal ability to consider. I generally have enough speed in my plastic Cappella to move from back to front of a club trip group without any problem. However, when paddling with Nigel Dennis last summer, I trailed at the back quite badly. Switching to one of his Romany Explorer (glass) boats I was up to speed again.

The difference isn't so much the material as it is the waterline length of the boat. The Explorer is a foot and a half longer with less rocker than your Capella. That's what makes the difference in speed. The Capella has the most rigid plastic hull on the market and it stiffer than some 'glass boats I've paddled. There's nothing magic about fiberglass, it just happens that the best boat designs are typically only made in 'glass or other composite materials (kevlar, carbon fiber, etc.).