Gnarwhal
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Description
The Gnarwhal is our beginner/intermediate focused whitewater packraft. Its perfect for Lightwater and Class III whitewater adventures. The hull design is incredibly stable, forgiving and easy to paddle when things start to get wild and you need that extra bit of help to make it through the rapid upright. And when you fall out, the self-bailer means you don’t need to go to shore to reset.
NEW IN 2025
When we first introduced the Gnarwhal in 2017, our goal was a packraft that could not only handle harder whitewater but could also make whitewater more approachable for the average paddler who didn’t have years of kayaking experience. And we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. The Gnarwhal is one of our most successful models of all time, beloved by everyone from novices to pros.
Over the years, more advanced paddlers have moved on to the latest designs like the Wolverine, Valkryie and the Mage. This allows us to really focus the Gnarwhal on the beginner to intermediate paddler who wants the most forgiving, easy to paddle, and approachable to learn whitewater packraft.
Starting with the hull, we used the large volume 2024 Gnarwhal hull for the large and extra large sizes, which provide the most support and stability for larger paddlers. The small and medium sizes are based on the medium volume 2024 Wolverine hull, which is easier to maneuver for smaller paddlers.
We chose a self bailing configuration because that is the easiest to learn to paddle in. It has fewer parts to keep track of and no skirt to put on and take off. When you swim you can just self rescue and keep moving without going to shore to drain and reset.
The 3-point thigh straps are also new for 2025. They are lightweight, incredibly comfortable, easy to fit, and provide plenty of support for up to Class III/IV whitewater.
Finally, we have redone our sizing to be the same across all sized boats. We are using a true to size fit similar to your other outdoor gear and clothing. The goal is enough knee bend to positively engage your thigh straps, but with more relaxed position for better downriver performance. 2025 Gnarwhal sizing is generally about two inches longer than 2024 and earlier sizing.
RECOMMENDED USE
Whitewater
The Gnarwhal is our most stable and forgiving whitewater packraft, but it lacks the performance features of the Mage and Valkryie. The self bailing design allows you to self rescue if you flip and continue floating without having to go to shore and reset with your spray skirt. We recommend the Gnarwhal for beginners looking to develop more confidence and experienced paddlers that are tentative or intimidated and want a more forgiving boat in technical whitewater.
Lightwater
The Gnarwhal is ideal for lightwater focused adventures. It's the highest performance model in our lightwater collection and ideal for the beginner to experienced paddler that wants the most forgiving and easy handling boat. The Self-Bailing build with 3-point thigh straps provides maximum control with minimum fuss for warmer water trips.
The Gnarwhal is a great versatile alternative to the Expedition for warm water. Its perfect for beginner to intermediate paddlers in lightwater and whitewater. If the Expedition is the most versatile Alaska packraft, the Gnarwhal is the most versatile New Zealand packraft.