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This is a review of the SVX200 2003 model which is still available out there and one that I recently purchased. I had one of the newer single SVX100DS models but it lacked durability and I was able to get my hands on the SVX200 for the same price. If you can get your hands on the older 2003 models of the XK1 or XK2 you'll have a stronger boat. The zodiac style material hold up to a hard life on the river. It holds 650 lbs so it rides fairly high and should have no problem with two people. I recently put 350lbs in one and saw no ill effects.

The major draw backs are its length, weight, and skegs. At thirteen and a half feet, it lacks a certain amount of maneuverability. It weighs 40 lbs dry but considerably more when you actually have to carry it any distance. The tracking fins (skegs) on the bottom are bound and determined to find every rock they can. Its blue and white coloring are a bit better than the typical yellow of the newer model. The carrying bag is a joke but it is just about too heavy to want to haul around anyway. I inflate it and throw it on a kayak cart which fits in the boat for the ride down river. I've had a minor piece of rubber require re-gluing and the foot pegs could use a bit longer plastic shaft so they don't fall out of the straps that hold them.

All in all I give it a 8 and only detract for weight and for not having thigh straps. The cheap price cancels out the cheap carrying bag.

I recently purchased the SVX100DS and was excited to get it out on the water. I'm a big person at 250lbs so the add of "big people and big water" was a definite draw to the product. Inflation was pretty quick and the bottom floor was stiffer than any I had seen to date. I took it on its maiden voyage in self-bailing mode and noticed immediately that I had made a mistake. My size caused me to be riding in 6 inches of water in the boat. The stiff floor offered no improved buoyancy.

I own the older XK1 which has an inflatable tube floor and it works great in self-bailing mode. I had a 5 mile paddle with a boat full of water which was a pain. To add to my experience, the first rock I dragged across slit the bottom open to the tune of a 9 inch gash. Once again the older models superior hull design never had such a problem. I did enjoy good maneuverability in the white water where the boat is swamped by the waves. The problem was the dead water where the boat was swamped by the self-bailing holes. The self-bailing holes are the size of golf balls. It also doesn't come with the thigh straps which were standard with the older model. The bag is superior as it actually fits the boat. I do not have any idea as to performance with the bailing holes closed as I beat feet back to the store to return the boat.

My opinion is low as the new model is a definite step back from previous models. I give it a four.

This is a follow-up to the review I gave a year ago. I've had ample time to experience the River XK-1 and I have some more understanding of its value or lack of it. I have a good 20 rides in mine now.
It is not a calm water kayak albeit has no problem floating in calm water. It tracks terrible if you are fighting a current and trying to paddle against it. It can be turned on a dime and can spin like one. The self bailing holes must be plugged to experience any real speed in calm water. They of course will probably leak as mine do. If you are rafting conflicting water (rapids and calm), you'll have to make your bailing decision before you inflate because you can not access the plugs after inflating.

It gets great marks for ample supply of D-rings and the thigh straps. It hauls 400 lbs. and inflates to a rigid form. I find my biggest problem is when maneuvering a rock garden in a fast current, getting broadsided by large submerged rocks cause the boat to stop and the rider to want to keep going. A top heavy rider may find it too unstable. I have scarred mine and have had to do some minor repairs where some glued edges have given up. I probably overinflated on too hot of a day and caused that problem myself. The repair kit seems to have enabled my fixing the issue.
From what I hear about the newer versions of this kayak, if you could take the best features of both, you'd have a great kayak. It is a boat for a big paddler as a fully inflated floor will help keep your butt off of the rocks. Of the 4 or 5 inflatable and hardshell kayaks I've owned, this is the only one I've gotten tossed from (see early broadsided comment). The tubes are slippery when wet and slightly impede deep water reentry. If you inflate the floor before the side tubes, your base will be wider and you'll gain some stability. It is rated for class IV white water or whatever you dare attempt. I doubt I'd take it past class III due to stability issues.

I have to give this kayak a 10 on cost, a 9 on features, a 9 on durability, a 5 on tracking, a 6 on stability, and a 6 on speed/drag for an overall rating of 7.

I recently purchased this Sevylor production model for West Marine. It is styled similar to the RIO but is a bit longer, narrower, and with less curvature of the bow and stern. It has two tracking fins on the bottom which help it keep a straight line while paddling but can't help it from doing the duck spin when you stop. West Marine sells it for $199 and it comes with air pump, bag, and 4 piece paddle. It wasn't listed on their website or catalog but they had it in the store. Its cons are it is slower than a hard shell and better suited for fast water. It has a canvas upper that absorbs water and requires some drying after use. It spins when you quit paddling. The bottom and cushion chambers use the old style pool toy valves and are a pain when deflating. The pros are this a good boat with a 350 pound capacity. It has an included rear storage bag, albeit not a dry bag, that is big enough to store quite a bit, A padded seat with fanny pack and bottle holders add to its storage. It has a tuff denier nylon canvas covering to protect the air tubes. It is comfortable with its full length inflatable floor and additional air cushion under the seat. Light enough to pack and haul around. It has plenty of tie downs, and handles for portages and hauling gear. I only rate it an 8 due to speed and tracking issues. Its closet relative would be the Sevylor Rio.

The prodigy 100 is a new kayak out in 2007. The dealer told us it was replacing the swifty. I bought it for my wife who is a first time kayaker and a non-swimmer to boot. The boat is rated up to 275 lbs. and has the larger cockpit so there is no clautophobia. It seems to track well and doesn't appear to have much drag. My wife loves it and was able to learn how to control it very quickly. It proves to be very stable and she was able to get in and out easily. Plenty of room behind the fold down seat to store gear. At $330 it was a great deal. It has adjustable foot rests that can be adjusted on the fly. It has padding to protect your thighs and knees which is exceptional for the price. It is perfect for the first time kayaker. I give it an 8 because at 10 feet, it is a bit short to be a touring kayak and it doesn't have a storage compartment or deck rigging. Still a wonderful recreational kayak.

I like a large cockpit and need a boat that can handle a large body. The patriot is such a boat. It has the most generous cockpit this side of a sit on top kayak. I'm 6 foot, 260 lbs. and I have no problem getting in and out of the patriot. It easily handles my size and isn't tippy even though I carry my weight high. It seems to move nicely and has very little drag. I've spent 7 hours in it over the last two days and enjoyed every minute of it. It won't turn like a ducky but it will track and scoot along on the water. The rear compartment is room enough for just about anything you'd need for an overnighter and it will stay dry. The cockpit has plenty of room for additional items like a small cooler. The seat could have more padding but it is adequate. This boat will let you tour and play.

I just bought the XK-1 (2003/red)and it presents a slight learning curve. This is a first impression after only 4 hours in it. I'm 250lbs and carry my weight high so the XK-1 can be a little tippy with me. I took a spill the first big water I tried a crossing maneuver on. The open water handling is bit of a chore as it lacks a skeg or rudder. If you are doing some paddling between the whitewater expect some poor tracking, especially into the wind or current. The advanced rocker takes the big swells with ease and it zooms in the white water. It bailed fine and deck firmness was excellent. It is a bit heavy for treking it any great distances (portages) but rides fairly shallow on the water. The thigh straps make great shoulder harnesses for carrying it. Lots of room for me (big guy) and my gear and cooler. The seat doesn't offer great support but it offers some. It is not a touring kayak.

I've had the Tahiti for about 6 months and have a love hate relationship with it. It got me hooked on kayaking and has survived some class II/III white water. It doesn't respond quite as fast to turns in the class III and had me resting up against a rock now and again. If you buy it, buy a skeg. Maneuvering without a skeg in calm water is a pain. I managed to snap my first skeg in half on a class II chute but have wasted no time in replacing it. It seems to be fairly thick skinned and more durable than I thought it would be. I would not recommend it as a two person kayak unless you are very short legged. I recommend one person with a beer cooler to fully utilize its potential. I've found that its 400lbs capacity is excellent for a 250lbs person. It is super easy to get in and out of even in deep water. The color drives me nuts.