What is the most versitle kayak there is out there?

I want a kayak that can handle rapids, but is ok to take out onto a lake or slow river also. I'm looking for the SUV of Kayaks!What is the most versitle kayak there is out there?
The problem with most "versatile" kayaks is that they don't do any one thing really well. Many manufacturers of entry level kayaks will describe their hulls as being versatile for a variety of uses... but what makes a hull great at one thing (handling rapids) intrinsically makes it horrible at another (paddling on a slow river / lake).



To top that, descriptions of any paddle craft are totally subjective. People seem obsessed with "the fastest" the "most versatile" or the "easiest to paddle," etc., but what they fail to mention is paddler height, weight, and skill level. If I've been paddling whitewater for 10 years, I could probably take just about any kayak down a class II or III drop with ease. A novice whitewater paddler would likely capsize and / or find it very challenging at best.



And on top of that: what kind of rapids? Do you know the whitewater class rating? Is it a river or creek? (That can make a big difference in hull choice too.)



To make sure you get the most out of your boat purchase, buy the kayak that is suited to your height, weight, and local water. If the closest rapids are an hour away, but there's a lake with a nice stretch of quiet creek to explore just 10 minutes away... guess where you're going to do most of your paddling? :) Buy the quiet water boat, and when you decide to try rapids, you can always rent.



If all else fails, the only kayak I know of that comes close to being a true rapid runner (old school) and being manageable on the flat stuff is the Prijon Yukon Expedition.What is the most versitle kayak there is out there?
Ah, you newbie kayakers with your fantasies...



There is no such thing. That's like saying you want a Formula 1 sports car you can take off road or a fast, light road racing bicycle that can also stump jump on single track.



A boat designed for quick turns and stability in white water will be short, wide and flat-bottomed so it will be slow and poor tracking in flat water or a river. A sea kayak that's long and narrow with a fast-chined hull profile for swift forward speed and tracking will not be maneuverable in rapids. The paddles are different too.



You can get a mid-sized plastic "hybrid" that you could use for both but it won't perform very well for either purpose so it will just hold you back from developing any skill or having optimal fun. Serious kayakers have separate boats for different waters for good reason.What is the most versitle kayak there is out there?
Easy! A four meter whitewater slalom kayak. A quality boat in either glass/resin or rotomolded plastic will answer your specifications. Don't neglect lessons if you are a first-timer.
Save your money and take a kayak intro course FIRST !

You wouldn't take a road bike with skinny tires offroad jumping over things

just like a mountain bike with big fat tires isn't comfortable for 100 mile trips



Take a look at

http://bit.ly/KayakPurchase

http://bit.ly/KayakAnimation