[damichi11]

Hey all,

My friend just pull a permit for the Grand Canyon for 2013. We have already decided that we are going to do this as a self-supported kayak trip. We both have done self-supported trips before, just not this long out of whitewater boats (we have done longer sea kayaking trips).

I was hoping for people's opinion on what kayaks works best and which ones are not so good.

 

[Cutch]

Here are some of my thoughts.... The Colorado Kayak Chronicle: Pyranha Large Fusion Review, Photo Dump & Self-Support Fun from 2010 & 2011

XPs and Fusions worked well for our Grand, but a fiberglass Cheta was the envy as far as packing space goes (it's roughly the volume of the XP and Fusion combined). That said, I caught better surfs and tighter eddy's than the Cheta paddlers. The Green Boat made a strong showing also.

 

[Dwave]

Fluid makes a Solo Exp that has a bulkhead-sealed rear compartment with a hatch. it's a creeker so plenty of volume there and i've used it to do many overniters. lots of space to pack, completely dry rear bulkhead with an easily removable hatch, plenty of room for comfort, room directly behind the seat and in front of the bulkhead to store stuff for the day including rescue gear, and it actually surf ok for a creeker. on a grand self-support, you're going to store stuff in front of your foot brace and behind the seat.

 

[Mike Hartley]

Lot's of info here:

Earthen Exposure: kayaks

 

[Melrose]

Self Support Kayak Camping