Gear Review: Pyranha Loki Kayak

Value Rating: 10 Durability Rating: 10 Overall Rating: 10 Location of Test: Clackamas River Duration of Test: A long play day Product Name: Loki Product Brand: Pyranha Best Use: Class 3 or 4 play boating Comes in a Small, Medium, and Large LENGTH - 7'1” / 7'1.5" / 7'2" WIDTH - 23" / 23.5" / 24" VOLUME - 39 / 49 / 59 U.S. Gal WEIGHT - 30 / 33 / 34 lbs PADDLER - 88-154 / 125-198 / 175-243 lbs The Full Review: I took this out for a very long day on the Clackamas river the other day and had by far the best day I've ever had in a play boat. The first thing I noticed about this boat is that it is close to a foot longer than typical playboats. This translated into stability while running rapids. One thing I hate about the typical short Playboat is that I always end up back bracing while in choppy water. I never found myself doing that in this boat. This boat has a pretty sharp edge on it, so if you’re not careful you could get flipped in some dynamic water. But if you learn to use it you will have a ton of fun snapping in and out of big and little eddies all the way down the river. Another great feature of this boat is the low volume stern. This provides ample opportunity for stern squirts anywhere you'd like. This boat is easy to squirt because it has a wide tail with lots of surface area. I was doing it with ease in fast and slow currents, and I am no master at this trick. Surfing is another thing the Loki does in style. The flat hull provided excellent surfing on waves and holes. Because I am in-between the medium and the large boats for weight, I went with the Large. This is because some people say they are uncomfortable boats to be in. For all-day comfort, I’d get the size above what you normally paddle. The Good Stable Great for stern squirts Surfs like a dream Can still run some difficult rapids Comfortable Sharp Edges Cartwheels Stout outfitting The Bad: Can't be your only boat Can be uncomfortable for larger paddlers The Bottom Line: Pyranha made an awesome boat here. If you want endless fun and down river play I would highly suggest this boat. Unless you are a professional play boater, I would say this should be your second boat after a dependable creek boat. Using boats like this will improve your edge control and probably your roll too! When water levels are low or your local runs start getting a bit too familiar, its time to pull out the Loki! Good luck!