Hi, i am new to kayaking an just got my first boat, an AZUL Odyssey. The dude who sold it to me said that i should expect it to take the same rapids as an open canoe. Now, an open canoe can do class III - ish, so if i have a spray skirt on and i just punch through everything, what should i expect my kayak to take me through before i need to upgrade?

i understand that it is not a whitewater boat, so don't bash me on that. I needed a yak that could afford, carry camping equipment in, and still do roughish rivers.

Since Azul is made by Riot kayaks it has a much tighter fitting cockpit than most recreational kayaks. This is to your advantage in rougher water as it will allow you to control the boat better.

Really at the end of the day your skill is more a limit to the boat than the boat is to your skill. Many of the regulars here would be perfectly capable of taking the boat down a III. If you have paddled white water then you are most likely not capable of doing it safely. I would suggest taking a course on paddling in white water before attempting anything even II. Remember to always paddle in a group and try to make sure that at least a few paddlers in the group are confident in the water you are planning to paddle.

Another note, some III may be possible while others are not. If it is a technical III, meaning a bunch of rocks to avoid it will be harder as the boat will not turn as quickly around the rocks. If it is a wave train that you just have to get to the bottom of then you may have no problems.

You can do class III in a rec kayak most of the time

i have taken whitewater canoe lessons, and will be getting a formal kayak lesson in the fall. would the same principals of canoeing rapids apply to kayaking the same thing?

yes and no you can determine your lines like you do in a ww canoe. but that is about it

Azul Odyssey, more info:

playak.com/kayaks.php?id=646

Thanks to helx, Playak's new touring & sea kayak fairy