Sit-on-tops have similar hull shapes to sit inside kayaks, but instead of sitting inside the kayak, you sit in a molded-in depression on top, and your legs are out in the open. SOT kayaks are made from tough, inexpensive, roto-molded plastic. Sit-on-tops are easier to enter/exit and generally more comfortable. SOT kayaks are also much safer than sit inside kayaks for river trips.
There are sit-on-tops for fishing, surfing, touring. Some of these are considered specialty boats, but most sit-on-tops are built for multi-purposes and with recreational or beginning paddlers in mind.
Sit-on-tops have a few advantages over sit-insides, one of which is comfort. Paddlers with large body types, long legs, or limited flexibility feel less confined paddling a sit-on-top. One of the biggest benefits, though, is the self-rescue. Because sit-on-tops have an open deck rather than an enclosed one, there is no risk of being trapped in the boat if it tips over-no need to practice rolls or wet exits. Also, on a river trip, a sit inside boat can fill with water if capsized and be very hard to recover and get to shore. A Sit on Top can never fill with water.
