Do river kayaks work ok for lakes?

If by "river" you mean a boat designed for use in white-water rapids, yes you can use it on a lake though it will not be quite as fast or track as well as a boat designed for flat water lakes and ocean use. A white-water kayak is made to turn quickly and will tend to be shorter, fatter and have a flatter bottom for negotiating shallow, rocky waters. Flat-water boats are longer, have narrower beam (width) and a deeper, sharper keel line -- some will also have a moveable rudder to aid tracking and turning (all these features make a flat-water boat unsuitable for rapids). Also, a paddle the right length for white-water will be a little shorter than what would be ideal for distance straight paddling on a lake. You'll have to paddle a little harder to stay straight and get any speed.



It's kind of like with snow skis: longer, narrower ones go faster straight downhill while shorter, wider ones are used for the quick turns and jumps of mogul skiing.



So, a "river" boat is "OK" on a lake but not great.Do river kayaks work ok for lakes?
definitely!Do river kayaks work ok for lakes?
Yes

the only thing that makes a "river kayak".... termed such

is the fact that it is constructed considerably stronger

to withstand the rigors of river navigation....



So... kayak on sailor....

give the lakes of the world a spin !!



鈽?////Do river kayaks work ok for lakes?
c_kayak_fun summed it up: "ok" but not great. I can think of 2 reasons why you'd consider a river (whitewater) kayak instead of a regular recreational kayak for the lake:



1. You have an interest in both whitewater and lake paddling.

2. You found a really good deal on a whitewater kayak (sometimes used old-school whitewater boats go for $100 or less if you're patient).

lund boats