Rapids

Best river running playboat kayak for small people?

I am 100 lbs and 5 feet tall... I used to own a yellow dagger ID.. 6.8 I think... But it was the smallest in the dagger ID line... but It was so tippy I spent most my time rolling non stop.. I sold it and I want to buy another boat that is better.. I loved that it was light and I could portage easily.. but is there another boat thats just as light but is less tippy and more forgiving? I would like a cross between a river running and playboat... What are the pros and cons of getting a fullout playboat and use it to run the river as well?

Public Comments

1. You need to equate your boat with your skill level. Have you considered attending classes or a kayak school? Check with available/nearby dealers and learn when they will have 'try-out days'. Before we had playboats the standard four meter kayak was used as the playboat. River running in a short kayak may simply be onerous especially if there are long flat stretches.
2. It's going to be impossible for us to point you to a specific model. Pretty much anything that's going to be more forgiving is going to be less playful. Playboats are designed to do tricks, get vertical, stick in holes, and catch edges. In the last few years, manufacturers have started producing slightly more forgiving river-running playboats, such as the Jackson Fun series, Wavesport EZG, and Pyranha Z.One series (formerly Inazone). If the ID felt too tippy, look for something with a little more volume in the ends and a little more rounded edges. If the ID felt too big, like you were sliding around in it, extra foam in the knees and hips may have made a difference. If you were used to paddling more forgiving river-runners or creekboats, playboats are going to feel tippier, and you'll need to edge aggresively and confidently when crossing eddylines. As far as pros and cons, one con of course is that a playboat is less forgiving. But that can also be an advantage, making you a better paddler. You can get away with a lot in a big river-runner on easy water, but you'll pay for it when you move to harder stuff. The big pro, IMO, is that playboats are more fun (at least up to Class III). I'm no expert playboater, but I really like being able to 'feel' the river more running it in a little playboat.