The Dagger Katana 9. 7 Kayak isn't a samurai sword, but it does slice through the water with wicked abandon whether you're running Class III rapids or on a luxurious weekend paddle on your favorite low-volume river with your best friends. Unlike the Axis, Dagger's other cross-over kayak, the Katana is based off a whitewater boat and then tweaked so paddlers won't work up a sweat crossing a mirrored pond. Whether you're carrying adult beverages and snacks for the pack picnic on the lake or hitting some high-volume creeks in the throes of spring run-off, the Katana will keep you high, dry, and wearing a -eating grin all day long. Dagger took linear polyethylene and roto-molded it into a minimal and balanced progressive rocker hull that tapers into beveled and flared side-walls. Novice paddlers will appreciate the initial stability of a balanced boat, and experienced river rats will enjoy secondary stability from defined edges. Slipping between boulders on a bit of foamy fun is simple. The high-volume bow and the rounded stern deck shape helps the boat shed water so you're not scavenging river bottoms for undiscovered treasures. A drop-down skeg makes flat water paddling pure joy since you'll be tracking a straight line. In addition to shape, the other hint that the Katana kind of likes a rough-and-tumble ride is the Contour Ergo seating and creek seat. Adjustable leg lifters reduce pressure points on your upper thighs and rear end. Adjustable hip pads and seat give you a customized fit without paying custom-boat prices. The bulkhead plate comes out for a safer footbrace and additional storage space up front. Between stern hatch and bulkhead in the bow, you can stow your gear in a balanced fashion. If only you could achieve this kind of balance off the water.
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