History repeats itself as this year's new designs are less about innovation and more about renovations of classics from more than a decade ago. No more need for nostalgia. But if you're in the market for a new boat this year, you'll want to read on.

THE REVIEWERS
The Assistant
Joe Jackson, 26, six years kayaking; 30 days of whitewater/year; main boats are Wave Sport Y/Jackson All Star
I'm the kayaker you should be leery of at the put-in: confident, knowledgeable, and in way over my head. While I did successfully run Canyon Creek's 18-footer, Big Kahuna, my paddling partners tricked me into it by telling me it was a five-foot boof ledge. I swam twice on the waterfall-studded section of the White Salmon after my buddy  told me, "it's basically Class III." My last Class V trip was also the result of a miscommunication—but, I only swam once. I think I'm getting better.

I'm Busy—For Now
Christian Knight, 32, 13 years kayaking; 50 days of whitewater/year; main boat is Dagger Mamba
I haven't felt bold in Class V for some time now. Years, really. And I'm wondering if that is an emotion I'll ever experience again. I have a wife and two little girls now. So I can't be spending all my time kayaking like I'm 19. And I can't be betting the  life of my daughters' father, on a couple of well-timed paddle strokes. I've got more important things to do, like playing Candyland and cleaning up milk-spills. So if I opt for the Skykomish instead of Robe, or for a flatwater workout instead of the Skykomish, please try to understand.

Man of Renewed Ambitions
Darren Albright, 26, 11 years kayaking; 51 days of whitewater/year; main boat Green Boat.
In more than one way, kayaking has been a rollercoaster ride for me. I started out paddling 150 days a year. Then, a wrist injury limited me to hand-paddling and swimming rapids for a year. Next came the fair-weathered, weekend warrior stage while establishing a career in the fire department, getting married and most recently becoming a father. Lately, I've been able to get out more often. And I have new ambitions: Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon in a single day. The Green Boat and a lot of water is what will make this feat possible.

Dynamic Duo, Jackson Kayak (river)
Joe: The Dynamic Duo has a lot of primary stability, which kept me comfortable paddling Class III and IV. The stability also served as a sort of shock system for when my partner moved unexpectantly. Paddling from the stern felt like guiding the most maneuverable raft in the world. I had to let go of my control issues while in the bow.
Christian: I expected the Dynamic Duo to be as challenging as its predecessor, the Prijon TopoDuo. But Eric Jackson used his popular Hero design to craft the perfect solution for those who want to share the whitewater experience without resorting to a raft. After 30 minutes in it with Joe, I couldn’t wait to take my wife, mom, uncle from Kansas down some whitewater.
Darren: I figured my partner and I would spend the day struggling to stay upright. However, the boat is very stable through the rapids and on edge. The rear cockpit is roomy and unbelievably comfortable. You could probably fit size 14 hiking boots back there. The front is just as comfortable, but feels a lot smaller. It has no problems charging through the big holes and is suprisingly maneuverable. Jaskson did an amazing job with the outfitting.

Specifications
Length: 12'; Width: 26.5"; Volume: 142 gal; Weight: 65 lbs; Capacity: 500 lbs; Price: $1,599; www.jacksonkayak.com
Performance
Speed: B; Stability: A; Comfort: A- (in front); A (in back); Maneuverability: B+; Made in: Sparta, Tennessee; Warranty: Hulls, seats, etc. for a year. Pro-rated after that.

Z.One(M), Pyranha, (river/play)
Joe: The Z.ONE was perfectly maneuverable in Class III. It boofed incredibly well for not being a creek boat. The nose was able to stay on top of water features way better than any pure playboat, but I could have fun and play in this boat as well.
Christian: It felt just as stable as a creekboat in the big water Class IV rapids, was fast enough to catch those elusive on-the-fly waves, and really seemed to glide in the flatwater.  I really appreciated being able to wear my creekboating shoes comfortably. One complaint: too much leakage.
Darren: The Z.ONE is fun to paddle! I was amazed at how well the Z.ONE crashed through holes and stayed on top of big water Class IV. It is suprisingly fast, especially for its size and surfs like a champ.

Specifications
Length: 8' 4"; Width: 25.5"; Volume: 55.5 gal; Weight: 33 lbs; Capacity: 143-209 lbs; Price: $1,099; www.pyranha.com
Performance
Speed: A-; Stability: A-;  Comfort: A-; Maneuverability: A; Made in: United Kingdom; Warranty: One year from the date of retail purchase, that this product is free of defects in material and workmanship only.

Axiom 9.0, Dagger, (river/play)
Joe: If I were only allowed one boat, this would be my pick. It jams when you want speed. It tracks well, and can loosen up in a play feature. I had no problem catching waves and was impressed with how crisply the Axiom hopped from eddy to eddy.
Christian: Hmmm, an all-around, river-running playboat that would survive well on steep creeks. A no-brainer of a choice for extreme races with nine-foot boat restrictions. Why paddle anything else?
Darren: I have never paddled a kayak that is so well-designed for river running, surfing, and creeking. The bow rides over the small stuff, and it punches through the bigger stuff with ease. I was suprised how easily this nine-foot boat could flat spin. It has forgiving edges, great hull speed, and crisp eddy-turns.

Specifications
Length: 9'; Width: 25.75"; Volume: 78 gal; Weight: 35 lbs; Capacity: 180-265 lbs; Price: $995; www.dagger.com
Performance
Speed: A; Stability: A-;  Comfort: B+; Maneuverability: A-; Made in: Easley, South Carolina; Warranty: ... against material/manufacturing defects in the hull/deck for 3 years. Parts/accessories/outfitting for one year. 1st year 100% of cost; 2nd yr: 80%; 3rd yr: 60%

Karnali (M), Pyranha, (creek/river)
Joe: The Karnali's acceleration was tops. And it resurfaced after drops quickly. I could whip it around with a duffek as well as easily catch small eddies or dodge bushes with the ample lean-control this boat offered.
Christian: The Karnali is exactly what I expected from Pyranha—a comfy, stable boat that gives me plenty of hip control. It seemed to float above the fray and had a little speed too. Seems like a good creeker for a weekend warrior willing to push it once in awhile.
Darren: For those of us who enjoy a nice Class IV run with fluffy holes and medium-sized ledges, this would be an excellent choice. The Karnali paddles shorter than it is and has moderate speed. The outfitting adjusts with ease in a hurry.

Specifications
Length: 8' 4"; Width: 25.5"; Volume: 74 gal; Weight: 43 lbs; Capacity: 132-242 lbs; Price: $1,099
Performance
Speed: B+; Stability: A-; Comfort: A-; Maneuverability: A; Made in: United Kingdom; Warranty: One year from the date of retail purchase, that this product is free of defects in material and workmanship only.

Diesel (M), Wave Sport, (creek)
Joe: I could easily adjust the Diesel with a correction stroke, but couldn't make crisp eddy turns. It didn't track very well either. But its ample primary stability coupled with its maneuverability would make this boat great for a drift-and-dodge style of paddler.
Christian: If I was on techy Class V after a year of non-paddling, I'd appreciate its ample primary stability and its planing hull, which enables the utility of half-stroke adjustments. But its soft edges took control from my hips.
Darren: Speed and straight down the river is how I learned to paddle. So the Diesel was too slow for me. If you like a boat that turns on a dime and has soft edges, I think many will really enjoy this kayak. The thigh braces are by far one of the most comfortable outfitting components in years.

Specifications
Length: 8' 6"; Width: 26"; Volume: 80 gal; Weight: 42 lbs; Capacity: 250 lbs; Price: $995; www.wavesport.com
Performance
Speed: C; Stability: A-; Comfort: A; Maneuverability: A; Made in: Easley, South Carolina; Warranty: ... against material/manufacturing defects in the hull/deck for 3 years. Parts/accessories/outfitting for one year. 1st year 100% of cost; 2nd yr: 80%; 3rd yr: 60% 

Green Boat, Dagger, (racing/river)
Joe: The Green Boat forces you to pick your lines at the beginning of rapids. That said, I could not believe how well it grabbed eddies. It felt a little shaky in primary stability but had amazing secondary stability.
Christian: The Green Boat has more fully integrated fitness into my paddling by revealing a new form of kayaking—that is, working upstream through eddy attainments the way a climber works through "problems."
Darren: Having paddled it down the Top Tye, I was surprised with how well it boofed, weaved through the technical boulder gardens, and sped into eddies. It isn’t like the 12-foot arrows of the past. The rocker keeps the bow riding high over the waves and it surfaces through big holes and waterfalls.

Specifications
Length: 11'9"; Width: 24.25"; Volume: 68 gal; Weight: 50 lbs; Capacity: 260 lbs; Price: $1085; www.dagger.com
Performance
Speed: A+; Stability: A-; Comfort: A; Maneuverability: A-; Made in: Easley, South Carolina; Warranty: ... against material/manufacturing defects in the hull/deck for 3 years. Parts/accessories/outfitting for one year. 1st year 100% of cost; 2nd yr: 80%; 3rd yr: 60%