great boat if you can get one used, especially for beginners

I like to paddle creeks as well as Class 3-4 water. I've taken this boat on the Chattooga, Natahayla and mainly played on the Saluda River in Columbia. This boat is higly maneuverable and yet easy to control. For the beginner, you're not as likely to be flipped into a roll arbitrarily. However intentional rolling is a breeze in this boat! The chines and dimensions provide for stability and adaptability in all types of water. This is also a very comfortable boat to be in for hours on the river. I've played in this boat many times from sun up to sun down and was never uncomfortable. There are better boats for rodeo-playing, but for the beginner > intermediate paddler wanting versatility, fun and perhaps a good family kayak (because it's great for teaching kids and stable enough to put in the skeptical significant other in also!) this is the boat to have!

Creeks, chutes and ladders of the Chatooga (TN) at 1.8 - 2.3, Natahala (TN), Saluda (SC) at level 2-5.