I'm looking into getting a touring kayak and the new material Perception is
using for their boats seems like a good balance, price vs. performance. I
just worry about how strong it is. I would like to use the boat on some
rivers (the Green and Colorado) as well as the ocean, and I worry about
hitting rocks in short sections of 3rd class rapids. Is this a valid
concern? Thanks-

If you're using a touring kayak in class III rapids, you're cooler than I
am.. I can barely do it in my WW boat.

In any case, the Airalite isn't really suitable for that kinda thing. It's
slick and fairly light and looks a bit like fiberglass from a distance, but
it's strength doesn't really compare to plastic or even fiberglass. It
breaks and cracks with relative ease.

IMO your money would be better spent getting a nicer roto boat or a use
glass one.

"Tony O" wrote in message
...
I'm looking into getting a touring kayak and the new material Perception
is
using for their boats seems like a good balance, price vs. performance. I
just worry about how strong it is. I would like to use the boat on some
rivers (the Green and Colorado) as well as the ocean, and I worry about
hitting rocks in short sections of 3rd class rapids. Is this a valid
concern? Thanks-

Thanks for the info. I wasn't really talking about running rapids for the
sake of running rapids; what I was concerned with was, as I'm touring, if
there is a short section of rapids, could I avoid portaging? I'm getting
the sense that the Airalite is maybe not the best thing. What about for
strictly ocean and lake travel (and some easy river)? You said it breaks
and cracks with relative ease. That's scary. Could you give me an example
of a situation that may result in breakage? Please forgive my ignorance!
I'm new at this...

"Jon C" wrote in message
...
If you're using a touring kayak in class III rapids, you're cooler than I
am.. I can barely do it in my WW boat.

In any case, the Airalite isn't really suitable for that kinda thing.
It's
slick and fairly light and looks a bit like fiberglass from a distance,
but
it's strength doesn't really compare to plastic or even fiberglass. It
breaks and cracks with relative ease.

IMO your money would be better spent getting a nicer roto boat or a use
glass one.

"Tony O" wrote in message
...
I'm looking into getting a touring kayak and the new material Perception
is
using for their boats seems like a good balance, price vs. performance.
I
just worry about how strong it is. I would like to use the boat on some
rivers (the Green and Colorado) as well as the ocean, and I worry about
hitting rocks in short sections of 3rd class rapids. Is this a valid
concern? Thanks-