Kayak Chart
Kathmandu Coast to Coast Kayak Comparison Chart
Kathmandu Coast to Coast Kayak Comparison Chart
Below is a breakdown of kayaks within their categories. Please note that it is difficult to grade kayaks into three categories and a number of the kayaks below will blur the line in terms of their category choice. Other factors to take into consideration are;
- The person’s body shape, this can affect kayak water line etc which may result in the kayak being more or less stable.
- Cockpit comfort, some cockpits are very tight which can create discomfort which in turn will create instability
- Different kayaks will have different stability characteristics in different river dynamics i.e. some kayaks will be stable through wave trains, but tend to grab and be unstable in boil situations, and vice versa.
Category Definitions
Sea Kayak
- Generally the most stable option all grade 2 kayakers should be able to comfortably kayak in these in grade 2 situations
Stable - Generally a multisport dedicated kayak rather than a sea kayak. Again all grade 2 certified kayakers should be able to comfortably paddle these in all grade 2 situations without fear of instability.
Intermediate
- Stable in flat water conditions, stability is less in grade 2 conditions. Intermediate kayaks generally need both experience kayaking and kayak specific fitness to manage in Grade 2 situations.
Elite- Generally unstable in both flatwater and grade 2 conditions. Usually require consistent forward momentum to remain stable. Kayakers will require both significant river kayaking skills and kayak specific fitness to manage an advanced kayak in Grade 2 conditions, specifically the C2C course.
| Stable | Intermediate | Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Kayak (Barracuda Beachcomber) | Ruahine Firebolt | JKK UFO 6.4 |
| VOK Arrow XL | Quality Kayaks Ultimate | JKK UFO |
| VOK Arrow | JKK Meteor 2000 | Wildabout Phantom |
| JKK Eclipse 5.7 | Brainwave Python | Brainwave FB2 |
| Brainwave ExpressO | Ruahine Firebolt | Andrew Martin Sharp 6.5 |
| Brainwave Express | Ruahine Opus | Andrew Martin Sharp 6 |
| Ruahine Swallow | Saracen Ultra | Sisson Evolution Edge |
| Saracen | Zen racing Kayaks Mentor | Sisson Evolution Classic |
| JKK Eclipse | Sisson Nucleus100 | Sisson Evolution Extreme |
| Sisson Centrix | Sisson Nucleus80 | Ruahine F1 |
| VOK20 | Sisson Nucleus60 | Andrew Martin Pinnacle |
| Zen racing kayaks Spirit | Paddling Perfection Excalibur | JKK U2 |
| Ruahine Gladiator | JKK Total Eclipse XL | VOK Wahoo |
| DMK Renegade | JKK Total Eclipse | Flow Rush |
| Sisson Esprit | Ruahine Gladiator | |
| VOK Epic | VOK Corsiere | |
| Ruahine Intrigue | Wildabout Spook | |
| Sisson Eliminator | Saracen X | |
| Barracuda Enigma | Flow Rockstar | |
| Flow Aspire |
