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All the boats made by the major manufacturers are safe. You need to sit in a few boats and see which one feels the best to you. Without any measurements from you, like height, weight, and shoe size, no one can really give you a good feel.
Safety observations on boats that I have paddled in a variety of situations:
1. Owned an Eskimo Salto. The lack of a center pillar freaked me out. I know several people that own one, and they don't seem concerned. I can't claim that I have ever seen one folded. The grab loops made out of the plastic are rather big and can be hard to get a carabiner on.
2. I know two people that have had issues with the Jackson Rocker ropes breaking either on their backband or foot pegs during pitons. I'm sure this is what they were designed to do, but if you hit hard enough to break the rope, ramming your feet into the front of the boat or your back into the cockpit isn't going to help any. Still, a good boat. I do recommend you paddle it in a higher volume setting. It feels like a different boat in creeks with some real push.
3. Bliss-Stick Mystic - My favorite boat and the one I paddle. I recommend you take the time to silicone the screws that go through the plastic. This ensures a dry ride that will equal that of a Jackson or Eskimo boat. The cockpit (IMHO) seems a little narrow, so if you are a person with wide hips, I think it could create issues getting in and out. I'm 5'10" and 150-160 lbs, and I have no problems with it.
I've spent a little time in a Jefe, Magnum, and Nomad. They all seem like good boats. I'm sure those giving an honest review could tell you a few potential problem areas. I just haven't paddled them enough to give an honest review. For me, the Mystic is what I felt the best in. Like most of those above, your mileage may vary.
-brian |
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The one you feel the best in. New 
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