Whitewater/Flatwater kayak suggestions?

Question

Are there any kayaks which are suitable for BOTH whitewater and flat water? If so could you name a few. By whitewater i mean all do-able river classifications. I don't have the space for multiple kayaks to suit multiple needs.

Answer 1

Nope, none can do both well. Maybe look into renting at least for your first few trips. More likely then not you'll end up spending more time on one kind of water (a favorite spot/run). Then you can get a boat that works good there.  Have fun.

Answer 2

White water and flat water or ocean touring kayaks are designed very differnetly and one would be unsuitable to use for the other activity.  However, there is no reason, you can't take a white water out on flat water day trips.    Afterall, many people who begin white water are paddeling essentially flat water much of the time   I've used white water boat onto the lake or even pools to practice my rolls and stroke work, for day paddles down streams or rivers having no white water.

You can also get a general purpose recreation kayak as a post above mentioned which would be good for flat water of bombing down class II rapids, but you wouldn't be able to play well in it.

There are many good brands out there.   I suggest you go to a reputable retail store with a good selection.   Fit is very important, so you want to actually get in it before buying it.  I wouldn't buy one blindly online.

Answer 3

Some "recreation" kayaks can do OK at both, but none really excel at it.

I've got a Prijon Hurricane that is a great river boat and does quite well on flat water as well.

Answer 4

Sorry to tell you...the 'yaks today are pretty specific, and "all classifications" requires a whitewater boat (assuming you will go into IV/V water).  Personally, if I didn't have enough room/money for multiple boats, I'd opt for the whitewater boat...at least you can paddle on flat water safely with it; it's just not as fun as a rec or touring boat, but it will do the job.  A rec or touring boat would get you in a heap of trouble in class IV water.