First, thanks to Rocky Mountain Adventures for letting me put these two amazing kayaks through the paces. The medium Flow is 8’5” long, 26.75” wide, and 77 gallons, with a recommended paddle weight of 130-190 lbs. The medium ReactR is 8’11” long, 27.5” wide, and 86 gallons, with a recommended paddler weight of 155-210 lbs.
My first impression of the Flow was that it felt like a bigger Antix 2. It’s short, maneuverable, stable, and forgiving. In comparison, the ReactR is longer, faster, and a little less forgiving. The Flow was designed to be a little smaller than a normal creek boat to provide a more playful river-runner or to fill the gap for paddlers between sizes of a normal creek boat. The ReactR felt like a true medium and felt more like a typical creek boat than a river-runner.
I was shocked to learn that the ReactR is 2.5” wider than a medium Scorch and 0.25” wider than a medium Jackson Gnarvana. Despite this uncharacteristically wide design for Pyranha, the ReactR still carves and tracks well and maintains Pyranha’s “sporty” feel. I suspect the boat still feels narrower because the true flat portion of the planning hull ends a few inches short of the sides, where it begins the sloped transition to the side wall. In comparison, the Flow holds the full-width planning hull with less transition to the side walls. As a result, the Flow has a little more primary stability but takes more effort to get on edge and carve.
No test is complete without side surfing a few holes! I found that I had an easier time finding the balance point and maintaining my side surf in the Flow whereas the ReactR required a little more reliance on my paddle for stability.
Bottom line: If you want a sporty, fast, boofing machine, go with the ReactR! If you want a confidence inspiring, forgiving, stable, yet playful design, Flow is the clear choice!
-RMA Team Paddler Ryan Baird
Both are in-stock now at Rocky Mountain Adventures
