I own both kayaks and I would rather go with the explore to kayak, the reason is the Explorer - is self bailing has better seats that raise you out of the water in the bottom of the boat has an upturned nose to keep water from splashing you paddles are better quality. I have taken the explorer down a class 3 river the cabarrton river in Idaho with no problems. Take the skeg off if you do rivers, will just cause you problems if you dont, mainly you will loose it. Only use tue skeg in lakes or ponds.