2025 Kayak Rankings
One
of the benefits of no sponsers is getting to try different brands.
Pyranaha boats typically don't suit my paddling style so I don't have
any. Following is a quick rundown of kayaks I've owned or currently
own, ignoring plastic quality, creek boats, in order of which I'd
choose to paddle any given day.
1. Dragorossi DRX
Nimble, forgiving, resurfaces well, holds speed well, super easy to roll, fun to steer off the stern rails.
2. Waka OG
A good kayak for running hard stuff, kind of boring otherwise, more stable and slower than the DRX.
3. Jackson Gnarvana
A halfway point between the DRX and OG, best of both or the worst of
both? It's an ugly boat from both inside and outside the cockpit.
4. Liquidlogic RMX 96
The best big boat out there, but it's big, and I'm not, the most edgy of them so far too.
5. Prijon Beast
The best boat Prijon has made so far (that I've paddled). Hard to roll,
can get hung up on the stern. Fastest of them through whitewater but
the RMX feels faster in flats. I also feel pone to falling out of it,
minimal thighhooks.
6. Dagger Code
Rather slow, boring, and gets pushed around, without feeling more stable than the DRX, OG or Gnarvana.
7. Liquidlogic RMX 86
Fast but hard to turn compared to the others, a long water line makes it hardest of all these to boof as well.
In use, I find myself paddling the Prijon Beast most days, because of
the plastic quality. The DRX is my pick for runs I'm not as comfortable
on. If I had to pick just one to own it would be the DRX. If only two I
could see it being the Beast for easier stuff and OG for the hardest
stuff, but for what I like in a kayak the OG doesn't feel like it
dances with the water, it's just a little too point and shoot for my
taste. The Liquidlogic RMX 96 is probably the best big person kayak out
there, but I'm not a big person and the plastic is terrible with
customer service to match, in my experience.
