WHITEWATER KAYAKS
If you're a beginner or a less-aggressive paddler who wants to run rivers and surf the occasional wave, look for a longer boat (eight to nine feet) with more volume (50 to 60 gallons) than the smaller kayaks, designed for playboating.
1) ROCKER refers to the curvature of the hull, both bow and stern. A high rocker helps a boat turn quickly and prevents the bow from pearling, or diving under the surface.
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2) Are you looking for stability or maneuverability? Generally speaking, the sharper the EDGES, the more tippy the boat. But sharp edges also provide more precision and performance when carving your way downstream.
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3) DESIGN
INNOVATIONS continue to take place inside the
boat, such as inflatable hip pads, ratcheting systems
for thigh braces and backbands, and foot braces that
can be adjusted while sitting in the cockpit.
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4) What's your playboating
goal? Do you crave the liftoff of aerial moves, or do
you want to go vertical and swap ends all afternoon?
Advanced boat designs increasingly play into the hands
of one of these two types of paddler. SHORTER
BOATS, with more volume, provide pop off the
water when they resurface quickly. LONGER
BOATS, with thinner ends, slice through the wet
stuff and are more stable when vertical.
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A SKEG, built into the hull,
helps with tracking (paddling a straight line). A RUDDER,
attached to the back and operated with foot controls,
allows easier turns.
5) Whether you pick COMPOSITE
(usually fiberglass or Kevlar) or ROTOMOLDED
(plastic) depends on how much you're willing to pay
for performance and a lightweight boat. Composite boats
are generally much lighter and faster, but if you're
looking for a stable entry into the sport, rotomolded
is an affordable option. All seven kayaks on the pages
that follow are rotomolded.
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6) TOURING
BOATS
When considering LENGTH,
ask yourself two questions: How many days will your
paddling trips last, and what kind of water will you
be covering? If you're just planning on weekends at
the lake, then a 14-footer with one storage hatch will
suffice. But if you'll be in open ocean or paddling
ten days through the Gulf of California, you'll want
a 16- to 18-foot expedition boat.
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