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We are moving back to kayaks after years of rafting (and in my case, years of kayaking in the mid-late '70s in Holoform Riverchasers on the New, Gauley, Cheat... and sea kayaks in Baja...) and many years canoeing (Allagash, Red River, Boundary Waters, Algonquin Park...). We've taken the Traverse 10' and 9' on three-day trips on the Deschutes (3+), John Day (2+), Grande Ronde (3) all in Oregon. I also checked out the Jackson Karma RG (2 days on Deschutes) and Dagger Katana (couple of hours on the Willamette).

The Traverse is a really good multi-day river boat; I think it will easily handle medium size Class IV rivers (say the Rogue, next Spring now that I have a reliable roll back). It is quicker turning than the Katana or RG and just as stable - It tracked well enough on flat sections - though it still needs to be paddled like a whitewater boat, with hip action. People complaining about the tracking are, I imagine, trying to paddle as if it were a flatwater boat.

Between the cargo hatch, space behind the seat and space in front of the foot pegs it easily took the gear for a three-day solo... and between the two boats we could very comfortably do five nights. The optional hardtop is must-have; when we tried without it there was persistent leakage and constant fear of the standard hatch cover coming off. Because the cockpits are big, my wife (5'4") has a hard time keeping her sprayskirt on during a roll - me no (6' in the 10').

Perhaps the only low-grade element of the boat are the foam foot peg inserts. I understand that they will help make sure your foot does not get wedged in the pegs (and maybe they will even help hold the front pillar in place, since it is only fixed, to the deck, on top), but cutting them to shape is tricky (since JK states they are essential, it would be good to include a template for cutting) and the string and toggle arrangement does not inspire confidence.

All in all, we are really happy with them!