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A touring kayak can open up a world inaccessible by any other means. Lazy rivers, sparkling blue lakes, remote islands and thousands of miles of unexplored shoreline unfold with the stroke of your paddle. Whether you're kayaking the remote San Blas Islands of Panama or the rusty dilapidated docks of New York City, you'll want to find the best boat possible for the specific location, duration and condi- tions of your expedition. Before buying a boat, consider your primary goals. Are you planning on international trips to paddle exotic waters? Is a multiday Great Lakes odyssey on your agenda? Are there prime paddling paradises in your backyard, like Oregon's Deschutes, Colorado's South Platte, . or West Virginia's New? If you are planning on an international dream trip and expect to log lots of air miles, a fold ing or inflatable kayak might be the best choice. Here's a list of top-of-the- line touring kayaks within four cate- gories: local urban paddles, overnight paddles, multinight expedi- tions and international kayak travels. We've picked one boat-the best boat out there-per category. The boats below are selected for their all- around handling characteristics, as well as durability and construction. Wider, shorter boats tend to be more stable, while longer, narrower boats generally have the advantage of speed. There are many other boats on the market, from Olympic speed- racing kayaks to recreational sit-on- tops that are more difficult to overturn than a presidential election but the following boats are ideal for paddlers who want a touring kayak for diverse locales, something that handles well on local lakes but tours downriver or up coastline as well. Like the ideal cross -training shoe, these touring kayaks will perform well in a variety of situations. TEXT: NANCY BOUCHARD LOCAL URBAN PADDLES For day paddles you'll want a quick, multi-purpose boat that is perfect for Utah's Lake Powell, the non- canyon sections of the Green in Utah and Colorado and the ,:"ild and scenic Buffalo River in Arkansas. LIQUID LOGIC SALUDA The new Saluda is designed for inland waterways, placid lakes, lazy rivers and up to Class II water-a solid choice for everyday use. At only 46 pounds, the boat isn't too heavy to repeatedly heft off and on to a car rack. Its superlinear plastic hull has greater impact strength, durabi lity and abrasion resistance than the simple linear plastic that most multipurpose boats utilize. Standout features are adjustability and comfort. A large open cockpit eases entry and exit . Adjustable aluminum foot braces and a rotational-molded seat ensure proper paddling position. The dart-like design and recessed (streamlined) keel make fo r great efficiency in the water, superb tracking and good speed without sacrificing stability. There's sufficient storage in the sealed foam bulkhead to pack a small tent and sleeping bag for an overnight trip. LiquidLogic, www.liquidlogickayaks.com. $765 For overnight or weekend trips, you'll want equality among maneuverability, speed and cargo space- a boat that excels at anything from slow moving rivers, lakes and inner sounds to open ocean. Optimal excursions are Washington's San Juan islands, San Francisco Bay and Florida Keys. OVERNIGHT PADDLES NOVUS COMPOSITES KAYAKS OVERNIGHTER The NC Kayak's 43-pound Overnighter offers all ofthe above. It's a Greenland-style boat, with a sleeker design than many traditional touring boats, with an upswept bow and stern, superb handling characteristics and excellent stability. Not to mention fast. The narrow bow and stern cut through water like a spear. A longer-than-average waterline length ensures that the bulk of the boat is submerged, adding to speed and tracking. Four cubic feet of storage accommodate a tent, sleeping bag, and provisions for a long weekend. The Overnighter is a classic that has been on the market for several years; NC recently introduced a new version, the Explorer, that's the same boat with 1.5 additional cubic feet of cargo space. Novus Composites Kayaks, www.novuscomposites.com. $1,650 (the Overnighter), $1,900 (the Explorer) MULTINIGHT EXPEDITIONS For weeklong cruises around Wisconsin's Apostle Islands or multinight adventures into the Florida Everglades, you'll need a boat with good storage capacity, stability and handling. This would be a boat ideal for tours along the Maine coast, especially island hopping in Acadia National Park. SEAWARD KAYAKS QUEST X3 This handcrafted, V-hulled Quest X3 is already famous for its quality and constru ction. Excellent hull speed and maneu- verability make the 19-foot -long boat one of the fastest of its ilk and a favorite amongst guides. A straight keel, witH just the right amount of rocker, makes it t rack like a locomotive. There is a compass mounted on the front deck and fiberglass bulkheads to keep provisions dry if you capsize (they also keep the boat afloat even if it's full of water). The pivoting foot pedal system keeps your legs in position, even while you're controlling the rudder. Since your center of gravity doesn't shift, accidental roll-overs are rare. The f iberglass version (59 pounds) is less expensive; the Kevlar model (52 pounds) is more impact resistant and lighter. Seaward Kayaks, www.seawardkayaks.com. $2620 (fiberglass), $3210 (Kevlar®)