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Posted by: seadart
on Jun-20-12 2:14 PM (EST)
A older whitewater boat like a Necky Jive is extremely easy to roll, it's 24 inches wide, and bobs like a cork. The smaller cockpit and float bags, and foam pillars inside keep the water volume much less. It's not very fast to paddle, but fast enough if you are just out exploring. The boat has good rocker and is made for playing in rough water.
A boat like the Cobra Strike was designed for paddling on the ocean, and is safe for a beginner, because if you tip over, you climb back in and it takes all of 10 or 20 seconds. It will paddle faster than a whitewater boat, but not much faster for longer trips.