If you’re considering kayaking across open water, who would you sooner trust with your life than the Brits? After all, they’re on an island surrounded by decidedly angry seas, and the Royal Navy’s global adventures are the stuff of legend. Shortly after the P&H Company’s adapted a short river kayak to boldly cross the Irish Sea between Ireland and the U.K in the early 1970s, they’ve been producing “Best Of” kayaks like the Quest LV. This sleek, 17’7” expedition-class kayak is built for speed at only 48 lbs. But, the carbon-kevlar Quest LV is surprisingly stable with a long waterline length that ensures a superior speed and smooth transition on choppy waters. Well-padded thigh braces and an optimal load capacity make the Quest LV ideally suited for longer open-water crossings, and experienced paddlers will be delighted at the control they have as leans produce excellent carved turns. This seaworthy kayak’s light weight also makes it an excellent choice for lake-to-lake portages and similar adventures.

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