: Pardon all the background, my question is roughly this. How sever are class I
: and class II rapids. Will we alway have to portage this boat around them?

My biggest worry about a double kayak in class ii would be steering--
you'd need to maneuver somehow, but a stern-mounted rudder would
sometimes work against you in fast current. It's not as easy in a kayak
for the guy in the rear seat to steer as in a canoe (but it could
probably be learned easily enough). You'd have to keep the current from
turning the boat sideways. And in high water, some class ii could
bang a boat up. We're not talking riffes of doom here, but the kayak
would take a beating.

: We live between Nashville and Knoxville and while there are lakes we can
: use the kayak on, this area of tennessee has some marvelous rivers Like
: the Big South Fork with camping opportunities. I don't understand if these
: seakayaks can even make the bends where there aren't rapids. Any
: information would be greatly appreciated, including alternatives.

I think this is a traditional use for a nice-sized canoe--the guy in the
back can steer a little more easily, especially when the current wants
to spin the boat. But a kayak with some rocker could maneuver well
enough, and if it can be done on a log raft, a kayak can do it better.

Still, it may be better to build 2 shortish singles--it looks as though
not many folks on this forum could stop at building just one.

Arlen