PARTY BOAT
The Dirigo’s supersized rear cockpit has room for a pony keg, a well-behaved Lab, or, because it comes with a removable child-size jump seat, a water-ready grom. Primary paddlers have adjustable foot pedals, swaths of gunwale padding for your knees, and a “dashboard” complete with a cup holder and a small dry hatch (in the front only) for your cell phone or wallet. There’s a hinged rear hatch for larger items; it twist-locks, so there’s no fiddling with fancy seals. 15’3″, 80 lbs; oldtowncanoe.com
Bonus: The jump seat easily goes in or out with two hand-tightened screws. Add a rudder for another $200.
Bummer: The back hatch is a bit leaky.