I can only speak for the two kayaks I have and both are round bottomed. This one and the Shooting Star that is 21 inches wide. The Shooting Star is more tipsy as you can imagine and requires bracing with the paddle now and then. I can't ever remember bracing with this one and I have purposely taken it out it big waves just to test it and get a feel for it's safety and stability after I am safely seated in it. The first time I entered this boat I stepped off a dock into it and went flying out the other side. And it didn't paddle worth a damn until I put the skeg pictured on it and that made it perfect for me. It will track like a long kayak yet still turn on a dime which I think the length, amount of rocker and the just right skeg all works together.

John