Whitewater kayaks need to be more than just durable. They also need to be designed for high performance, stability and rapidly changing water dynamics. So if you are planning to buy a new whitewater kayak then here's what you should know.Look At The Hulls
There are two main types of kayak hulls: Displacement hulls and Planning hulls. Displacement hulls have profiles and cross sections that have smooth, continuous curves. These types of hulls feature more streamlined shapes, which allow them to flow through the water more easily. This means that displacement hulls are generally easier to control when going in a straight line, but also more difficult to manage in situations where you need to make sharp turns.
On the other hand, planning hulls are designed to provide more control. They feature sides with defined angles as well as flat bottoms. These characteristics allow these types of boats to skim the water's surface, which allows them to spin more easily. The downside, though, is that because they are easier to turn, they are harder to manage when traveling in a straight line.
Consider the Kayak's Volume
A kayak's volume refers to the amount of water that it can displace when it is submerged with its cockpit closed. The higher the kayak's volume, the higher the kayak will float, and the higher a kayak floats, the easier it is to control.
The best way to determine a kayak's volume is to examine how it handles your weight. Look at the volume that occurs below the waterline while you are inside your kayak. If the volume is high then you should be able to control your vessel more easily. If the volume is low then you can expect a sportier ride. Consider this tradeoff when you buy your kayak. Do you want more control or more excitement?
Finally, remember that your weight is the most important factor in determining your kayak's volume. So if you are interested in a particular whitewater kayak, be sure to test it before you buy it.
Pay Attention to the Chines
Chines refer to the edges of a boat's hull located below the waterline, and the harder they are, the better their performance will be. Hard chines will allow you to make sharper turns, reduce your paddle strokes and steer your kayak by hip angle. The only downside is that they require more focus and control. So if you do buy a boat with hard chines, be sure to practice with it a bit before you use it for real.
On the other hand, softer chines don't perform as well as kayaks with hard chines, but they are easier to control. The downside is that they often require more paddle strokes and are more suitable for beginners. Consider the Length of the Kayak You Want to Buy.
Finally, you should consider the length of the kayak that you wish to buy. Longer whitewater kayaks offer more speed but are harder to control and turn. In contrast, shorter boats are more manageable but offer less speed and performance.