Like different categories, there is a lot of whitewater kayaks model available. So picking the right whitewater kayak is not as easy as it was before with limited kayak models. These are some of the factors you must consider before buying a kayak.
There are four types of whitewater kayaks. They are play boats, river-runners, creekers, and long boats. Each kayak is for a different purpose. So you should choose your type according to your need. Kayakers who love surfing along the waves prefer playboats. Playboats are around five to six feet long with stubby hull and beveled chines.
Kayakers who love to kayak in rapids and waterfalls choose creekers because of its immense power. If you love speed, then river runners are the best whitewater kayaks for you. The shape of this kayak is a mixture of play boats and creekers. Longboats will be a great choice for you if you like to kayak for a longer period. These types of boats are a combination of the speed of a river runner and power of creeker.
Size is very important for whitewater kayaks as they have a recommended paddle fitting according to the size of the boat. So you have to pick the right boat size and the right paddle weight for you.
Moreover, kayak fishing gears along with other goods weight several pounds. Thus, make sure you choose the right size before buying the kayak.
Kayaks are made of different materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fiberglass, etc. Kayaks that are made of high-quality PVC are more resilient in terms of its resistance from abrasion. Moreover, these types of kayaks are much cheaper. On the other hand, fiberglass made kayaks is renowned for their performance on speed and power. However, these types of kayaks are quite expensive and can damage easily on rocky streams and rapids.
Weight capacity of a kayak is very important as it indicates how many person or how much weight the boat can carry in the water without causing any problem. You may need a heavy kayak with great storage capacity if you want to carry heavy loads. But if you prefer speed, then you should pick a light kayak.
Picking the best kayak is not an easy task. As you have to consider a lot of things, you can find yourself on a dilemma while buying a whitewater kayak. Here I have discussed five whitewater kayak models that many experienced kayakers considered as best of 2019.
This whitewater kayak is made of 840 Denier tarpaulins, and it has independent PVC bladders. With its self-bailing system, advanced elements attack whitewater kayak is very effective against toughest water conditions and has a great durability.
This kayak is very popular among the anglers because of its double enforced hull and adjustable straps and seats. The hull is much thicker than normal whitewater kayak means hull won't break during your ride. The adjustable straps and seats allow kayakers to enjoy a very comfortable ride.
The only drawback of this kayak is the weight. So you may need more efforts to move the kayak on the river.
The Sea Eagle Explorer Inflatable Kayak is made of 1000 Denier Fabric with the incorporation of latest technology of welded seams and a double floor system. This kayak is designed for up to Class IV whitewater kayaking. It means you can kayak on powerful rapids, large waves, and constrained passage.
High price and heavy weight is the main concern of this kayak.
This kayak has a contour-ergo fitting system to improve the kayaks maneuvering and navigating in the open water. Moreover, the foot braces, thigh braces, and hip pads insure a comfortable kayaking experience on whitewater.
Unfortunately, there is no storage capacity for belongings in Dagger Nomad Creeking Whitewater Kayak.
The Innova Safari 330 is very renowned for the materials used in its hull. Its hull is made of Nitrilon (a durable PES fabric coated with rubber). Nitrilon is a great material for whitewater kayaking as Nitrilon resist abrasion, aging, and UV degradation thus increases the durability.
One of the main features of this kayak is its 18-gallon dry-bag storage. You can easily store your goods and carry them with you while kayaking. Some other features of this kayak are:
Low weight limit and high price can be a downside for this kayak.
