Paddler News Feed

 

•	Canoes
•	Helmets
•	Inflatables
•	Paddles
•	PFDs
•	Sit -On-Top Kayaks
•	Touring Kayaks
•	White Water Kayaks

Return to the
Buyer's Guide Index

One look at your favorite local waterway is all it takes to see where whitewater kayaking is going. Most boats you see are now shorter, slicier and more playful than ever, allowing users to perform acrobatic-type moves that previously only occurred when you got worked in a hole.

The name of the game, in most cases, is specificity, with boats designed for almost every application imaginable. Fueling this craze is playboating, where designs are changing so rapidly that in the blink of a water-douched eye yesterday's playboat becomes today's all-around river runner. Engineering these designs is a game of trade-offs—trying to reach maximum performance in one category without compromising performance in others. Steep creek boats that boof well might be slow on the flats; and playboat edges built for cartwheels might seem too sharp for all-around river running.

Perhaps the biggest change brought about in recent years is in the advent of planing hulls previously found on surfboards. Combined with increased volume amidships, these new hulls enable paddlers to surf, spin and cartwheel easier than ever, and are largely responsible for the new moves being performed. Advances are also apparent in creek boats, which are shorter to reduce the chances of pinning and feature increased rocker for turning and boofing on steep, rocky rivers; and in entry-level boats, designed with initial and secondary stability to make beginners feel more comfortable. Then come slalom boats, with fast hulls and hard edges for carving turns and catching eddies; wildwater boats designed for downriver competition; and squirt boats, whose micro-volume fore and aft reacts to currents below the surface. Today's whitewater market boasts hole-riding boats, surfing boats, boofing boats, squirting boats, beginner boats, intermediate boats, advanced boats, boats for large paddlers, boats for small paddlers—boats for every paddler and every situation. All this, of course, makes it harder on the end consumer. Instead of going down to the local shop and buying a do-it-all Dancer, there are now countless options from countless companies. The hardest part now is deciding what kind of paddling you want to do and then choosing from a multitude of manufacturers.

Features & Specifications

outfitting: Customize your boat to fit your body. A thigh brace and hip pad system that fits you is probably the most critical element of rolling and boat control. Use minicell foam scraps or aftermarket fit kits and pads to get a secure fit for your hips, knees and thighs.

cockpit size: You won't see cockpit length and width measurements listed, as most manufacturers are using large keyhole cockpits on all models for ease of entry and exit. However, some slalom boats and other specialized models use medium and standard keyhole cockpits. Sprayskirts are available to fit all cockpits, including C-1s.

footing: Footpegs or Bulkheads? Discussions center around safety and comfort. Rental fleets are generally outfitted with micro-adjustable footpegs because they are quicker to adjust, can be adjusted in smaller increments and give better access to installing bow floatbags. Some believe footpegs are safer in that they tend to break before your ankles in case of a piton. Others say bulkheads are safer because of increased surface area; bulkheads are generally more comfortable, especially barefoot. Some of the smaller playboats on the market have room for neither, instead relying on the user to insert small pieces of foam.

hull shape: Chines are edges that are submerged when the boat is afloat under normal paddler weight. Hard chines help the boat carve when leaned. Rails are any edge of the boat at or above the waterline. Planing hulls are flat-bottoms designed to help the craft surf, spin and maneuver. Round-bottom, or displacement hull, kayaks are now seen more often in rental fleets and clinics—they're easier to roll and often have better secondary stability.

usage: What the model does best, or what the manufacturer designed it to do. The following codes designate usage: PB=play boat; CR=creek boat; RD=rodeo boat; SK=surf kayak, ski or boot; SL=slalom boat; SQ=squirt boat; DR=downriver or wildwater boat; RR=general river runner.

lenght (l): overall length in feet. The kayak's waterline determines speed—the longer the faster.

width (W): Width affects stability and overall volume and performance.

paddler weight range (pad wt): This statistic relates to a boat's optimum performance range. Manufacturers have a good idea of what size paddler will most enjoy a certain model. This does not mean you won't enjoy a boat whose recommended range doesn't match your size; but it does mean a model may perform differently if you are out of this range.

materials: Whitewater kayak materials are broken down into composites and plastics. Most of today's boats are made of crosslinked-, linear- or high molecular weight extruded (HTP) polyethylene. Rotomolding is often utilized for optimum strength. Crosslinked is known to have good shape-retention and warp resistance, but is harder to repair. Linear polyethylene is rigid, more easily repairable and recyclable. High-density (Super) linear polyethylene is another strong plastic used. A few companies use blowmolded HTP, which produces strong hulls with accompanying weight increases; and another company has started using a new plastic called Xytec, which it claims is lighter and strong. Fiberglass, carbon and Kevlar are generally reserved for racing, competition and squirt boats. Composites are light and easily repairable.

Material codes are the following: PE=polyethylene (CPE=crosslinked polyethylene, SLP=super-linear polyethylene, EXL=proprietary super linear layup, LPE=linear polyethylene, HTP=high molecular weight extruded polyethylene); PL=proprietary composite layup; KV=Kevlar; FG=fiberglass; CP=composite; GR=graphite; CF=carbon fiber; PU=polyurethane.

Volume (vol): Volume in whitewater kayaks fluctuates as much as volume in a river. Where volume is concentrated is often more important than the actual number.

weight (WT): Total finished weight of the boat from the manufacturer.

Msrp (us$): Manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Go to the White Water Kayaks Product Sheet (35K)

Return to the Buyer's Guide 2000 Index