It sounds like this is only for calm water. I was looking at Pearce Ferry to South Cove on the Colorado river, but there some rapids just down stream from Pearce Ferry. But the rest of the trip looks relativity calm. Now I’m think its not such a good idea with this kayak. Thanks for the heads up. I want to have fun not kill myself! Thanks for the bulkhead link. I think I’m going to give it a try. I’m wondering if I can use Styrofoam instead of foam rubber for extra fidgety or would the boat flex and break the seal. Are the factory ones foam or rubber? I was looking at the new version of this model and it said that you can move the front seat back for single paddling but this older one doesn’t seem to go back far enough. It looks like an easy mod. I like the sponge idea.
Thanks for the bungie advise. Sounds like a good idea.
The bulkhead material is not a rubber material it is a closed cell foam. Same stuff pool noodles is made from. Stuff like Styrofoam will soak up water and are far to brittle for this job.
If you want the storage space you will need the bulkhead and also a hatch that seals well and stays on in the event of capsize. Most of the ones I see on rec-kayaks now have a locking latch of some kind with a rubbery tight fitting seal.
If you don’t want to go thru the process of doing all that just stick a yoga ball in there and blow it up. They come with a little pump but I filled mine with my compressor being very careful not to go overboard. I put the plug in and they have held air for a couple years now. One in each end will make a world of difference when you practice flipping the kayak and reentering it. There are a number of videos of different ways two people can work together to reenter. If it were me I would go with a ball in each end and go out and start playing.
I have a bleach bottle that I cut the bottom out of that works as a bailer. I have a cord on it with a clip and I keep it behind the seat. If you can get back in the boat even with a few inches of water in with you it only takes a minute to bail most of it out. Kayaking even rec-kayaking is a wet sport.
I feared it coukd be an older model, otherwise, you would’ve seen it coukd be moved. Flat water is the safe bet. You want 2 or 3 inch neoprene micro cell foam. Its dense, flexes and conforms, durable, UV resistant.
You have to decide whether the added flotation is worth the cost and convenience. You can carefully taper the foam to fit using a very sharp knife. Realize that if the boat fills with water and the seal is not waterproof, the bulhead won’t offer a watertight compartment.
Thanks again for all the help. I really would like to make a dry compartment. It would be nice to have at least one dry spot.
No, no rapids w this boat. Not remotely what it is intended to handle
They really mean flat water with this one
The rapids are a class 4 to 5 depending on when you go. They only go for a short distance. That’s why I considered it. But after listening to you all I think I’m going to pass. Its a shame because the rest of the trip looks awesome. Thanks, you all more than likely saved me from a disaster.
You can still have fun. I wouldn’t do class five in any boat.
Much better choice. All it takes is a few feet to be in major trouble at class 4 and 5. But make sure you also find pull out points that are well away from those spots. That should be findable in local whitewater info.
It fails credibility that the approach to a class 4 or 5 would not include some 1 and 2. Neither of which are where this boat should be…
Of course going to the issue of how you get the boat around those stretches physically. Frankly, best to avoid thru trips at first to make sure you are well clear. Paddle upstream first then float back to the car. Or stay in enclosed bodies of water.
A DIY repaired bulkhead in a rec-kayak will give you a reasonable dry place to carry things like jackets etc. on flat water where the likelihood of flipping is really slim. I would never as others have mentioned use the boat in anything beyond very mild sub class 1 water. Basically your boat is a canoe shaped like a kayak in terms of usage. The bulkhead will be a great help keeping the boat afloat even if capsized in flat water, but I wouldn’t trust it in heavy WW.
Now many people take canoes into WW, but they fill the boat with flotation leaving just room for them to kneel and paddle. That’s way different than an open non-protected canoe. In my canoe that I don’t take into WW I still run with 3’ of flotation in each end just in case. We go out in inland lakes that are basically flat water, but wind can pick up and boats can cause wake etc. Without the flotation I would be inclined to stay within a short swim distance of shore with it I feel more comfortable with doing short crossings and being out where the fish are biting. The flotation is as much about saving the boat as it is giving myself a good chance of reentry or swimming the boat in. I personally feel better say in her Rec-kayak knowing she has the yoga ball under her bow deck than that she has the sealed compartment with hatch in the stern.
If you want some dry storage and have some extra space in the cockpit a dry bag is also another good choice.
Thanks again. I think I’m just going to put in at south cove. The water is pretty protected there. Looks like I need to stay in calm waters by the sounds of things. There are some protected waters ay Lake Havasu also. If this works out well I may get a better single kayak to do more things. The wife wants calm water, close to shore anyhow.
My plan is to seal the bulkhead and put the exercise ball in the bow like you suggested.
I ordered a couple dry bags. I’m sure they still shouldn’t sit in a puddle of water all day.
I was going to put a drain plug in, but with the bulkhead sealed I’m not sure where to put it.
Dry bags can sit in water just try to keep the roll top out of the water. I personally prefer a canoe to a recreational kayak for rivers. Easier to portage for one thing. I haven’t done any WW in several years now, but always did it in tandem or solo canoes. Never class 5 and only a few times with a run that had a class 4.
I thing I’m going to keep it calm for now, until I get my feet wet. Lol, no pun intended. Then see where it goes from here. I’m glad I found this forum. You guys are great and been very helpful.
I’m hoping I can seal the bulkhead up pretty good and put the dry bags in there.
Based on my limited white water experience, I was more confirtable in a canoe using canoe paddles
We have a house out there, maybe you would like Lake Mohave? Telephone Cove is a great spot.
Are the canoes better in white water than the kayaks designed for that?
That’s good to know. Is telephone cove easy to access? I haven’t been there. I have launched boats at Kathrin’s Landing. I think that’s pretty close to telephone cove.
Yes it is. You can find it online probably, it’s a dirt road. It’s too hot out there now but you know that if you are in Arizona. 
I suggested it because it’s a smaller lake, very beautiful and less boats.
You know how Havasu gets — lots of racing boats and partying people drinking on speed boats.
You could even try that casino on the Colorado River
The Avi. (For ramp access) maybe you can see it on Google Earth?
You could pick the shore where the breeze blows you toward the shore vs out and just nibble the edges your first time out. That’s what I always do in a new spot until I see the conditions.
Wear some booties or water shoes, it’s rocky
Another thing you need to be aware of is kayak hull design is part of what makes a boat appropriate or even safe for specific waters.
Though to the novice observer, a recreational style short kayak may look not much different from a whitewater kayak, they are absolutely not the same. Recreational style kayaks like yours are designed to be stable and easy to paddle on flat, calm water. They tend to be wider and flatter bottomed than touring or sea kayaks and are not as maneuverable and responsive as the snug-fitting, rockered hulls of boats designed for negotiating rapids. But a broad flat hull that makes a kayak comfortably stable for a leisurely trip on a slow river or calm lake, makes it vulnerable to capsizing in rough water and waves. Sea kayaks have a more vee shaped hull and are narrower so that they can cut through waves and won’t broach when hit from the side. And their smaller cockpits will support a taut spray skirt that will keep waves from washing into the hull, as well as allow the paddler to brace themselves and remain inside the boat if it does capsize so that they can roll back or have an assisted rescue without having to exit the boat in deep water.
Be patient. You’ve acquired a well made boat for casual flatwater cruising and you will enjoy using it for that. If and when you gain the experience (and some instruction never hurts, both for paddling technique and safety practices) you may wish to progress to more challenging waters and can consider moving on than to a boat or boats that are appropriate for those conditions and adventures.
Just as with kayaks (per my previous post), there are many styles of canoes designed for various sorts of whitewater and canoes designed for flat water. Neither canoes nor kayaks are “better” or “worse” for whitewater – with appropriate gear it is a matter of personal preference and skill.
MohaveFlyer brings up a good point that you need to consider in choosing your paddling destinations: many large dam empoundments and lakes are full of power boaters and jet skiers who can create massive wakes and confused wave situations, especially in narrow channels and near shore (where their wake waves reflect off the shore and create a rough water situation called clapotis.) So even on calm days you can encounter some pretty challenging paddling conditions if there are a lot of motorized craft in the water. Even though my own sea kayaks can handle that kind of rough water, I still prefer to avoid such areas on holiday weekends.
Thanks for the info and the pics. Are those pics of telephone cove?
As far as the boat Design will the boat wakes put me in the drink?
I was hoping to be able to put in at Pirates cove in Needles Ca. Then follow the gorge down to Lake Havasu. Do you think that is possible? I know there a lot of fast boats running through there. That’s not good if this boat cant do that. If I nose into the wake will that work out?