Consider transition boat
Posted by: Celia
on Sep-20-12 10:38 AM (EST)
Something that has the safety features of two bulkheads and full perimeter rigging. It is enough to leave someone comfortable and a good paddler can make these boats do a lot in the nastiest stuff. A lesser paddler will find they want to go back to shore when things get nasty - which is a good thing.
Trying to purchase a sea kayak that will:
Fit an unknown range of possible paddlers in size,
Have the desired blend of tracking and maneuverability,
And be forgiving in nasty stuff
is a very expensive order.
By the time anyone you want to paddle with is out in the conditions you name, they should have acquired a bucket load of skills on their own as well as a boat that fits them well and the gear. Have you been in the conditions that you name yourself by the way, done rescues in them and all of that?
Over time you will acquire more boats anyway, let that process occur and at some point you will have a good array of guest boats.