I like the idea of a do everything boat. I have lots of great whitewater but alos lots of lazy rivers and tons of coastline worth paddling. Has anyone actually paddled this in real significant say Class IV whitewater? I am curious what the consensus is.

Be curious to see if there are enough XP9 users out there yet to answer. You may get more info by emailing the folks over at Liquid Logic or going to their web page. There are lots of pics of Woody and the gang chronicling their recent Grand Canyon trip. Sure they will tell you it's great like every manufacturer but I find the LL folks to be honest folk.

Can't say more other than I take my XP9 into 35-40 knot wind swell conditions on the Indian River and it is a blast! Not the same as mountain white water I know. Rough conditions, flat conditions; I find it to be an excellent boat. I've paddled it on flatwater for 12 miles and it's great for that too. But I think of it as my rough water kayak.

Woody here... I know...I know... I'm biased as hell "but" the XP 9 paddles great. One thing you will notice right off the bat is how stable it is. We designed it to be a little wider than most ww kayaks so that stability would not be an issue. How does it paddle on class IV? On big water class IV its awesome...again very stable, on class IV steeps creeks... not as good but still very forgiving and stable (just not as quick turning).... see I can be honest. Woody ps: the XP is designed for folks that want a "do it all" kayak .... however that does not mean it is meant for steep technical creeks.... its a river runner that has speed, stability, has a forgiving edge... and lets not forget the skeg which works great in the flats.
The XP is a great boat .... I along with 15 other people are taking them down the Grand again this Jan. I hope you check it out and I hope you enjoy paddling it. woody