I kayak. I have got a pyranha fusion, it is a good all rounder so it is suitable for up to grade 3 white water, sea and canals. Can be a bit pricey though and is likely to cost about £400 second hand.
I've only rented a sit on once before... it was in over 30c weather on a wide very slow moving river. I've been in a friend's cockpit type once or twice- and I've rented cockpit type Kayaks as well... so I am more familiar with them. Another thing about cockpit models that worry me is that in my price range I'm looking at plastics, not Kevlar models... so I'd need to keep it in my garage. I'd be worried about getting black widows in my cockpit unless I got a really good tight cockpit cover. No matter what I do, my garage does get black widows in it occasionally... I have to check everything thoroughly in the garage before using it... I'd hate to be out in the middle of a lake and get a black widow bite. I know they make covers. On the other hand... we have some fantastic river systems near me... nothing too choppy... but if a sit on top is not practical for anything but the calmest river- maybe I should get a sit-in instead... and just make sure I block off the cockpit really well. Most of the places I'd use the kayak near me are lakes though...
I learnt in one of them (not sure if it was a fusion tho). As for the black widows....**** that Cling film is the answer to that tho....wrap the ****er up good...I'd be using a few rolls just to make sure
