Anyone use an inflatable kayak?

This is something I have been very seriously considering, so the thread is very useful.

For me, there is no point in getting one if I can't use it for a little more than ferrying stuff to and from the boat. It would be nice to use for extended exploration, nothing major but an hour or 2 of paddling perhaps.

From my experience, my back seizes up in agony after a little paddling if I cannot brace my legs properly. In a conventional kayak your bum is well clear of the bottom of the boat and you can brace your knees solidly against the 'lid' of the boat while your feet are firm on a foot rest.

Do these inflatable/collapsible allow anything like that? How comfortable are they for extended paddling? I cannot imagine that sitting flat on the floor, like the picture of the Sevylor Colorado suggests, allows any serious paddling

Thanks
 
We have a Sevylor Yukon, 2 person, which has solid foot braces for each of us. Some of the other models do not, and foot braces was was one of the criteria when we were looking at the different models. You adjust the position of the back rests to your leg-length - it works OK for us.
 
The BIC one has two canvas seats that clip in and ar adjustable so you are not sitting on the floor. There is no solid support for the feet though except the back of your front seat passenger :-) . Back pain could be an issue for extended paddling but we never go very far so can't say I have experience the problem
 
My Stearns does have a clip in seat, but I don't use it. I just sit in the back of the kyak, in a slumped position. There is a cover half way down the boat that zips across the boat, but I don't know if that would give enough support to your knees.

The reality is though, an inflatable kyak is nowhere near as capable as a proper rigid kyak. Its slower and harder to paddle - its an awful lot more stable though and you can lie down in it if you get tired.
 
whipper_snapper said:
.
.
I cannot imagine that sitting flat on the floor, like the picture of the Sevylor Colorado suggests, allows any serious paddling

Thanks
Click to expand...

You don't sit on the floor in the Colorado. It has two bucket seats with an easy to inflate cushion. The seats can also be moved backwards and forwards to suit the crew.

There is also a removable plastic skeg for improved tracking.
 
I am also interested in this thread as i need a new inflatable dinghy for cruising. So am more interested in the difference between inflatable dinghy's and inflatable kayaks. We don't carry an outboard because we are young and fit and its too much hassle. Our boat also has pretty low freeboard amidships.

I was looking at this canoe for my girlfriend and I to cruise in:
http://www.advancedelements.com/advancedframe_convertible.html

I would imagine that the argument would look like this: I would appreciate it if someone with more experience would correct / confirm my ideas.

Advantages of Kayak:
- Easier to stow
- Just as quick to inflate
- Some are self bailing (not sure on the one i posted)
- Faster?
- More Seaworthy?
- Less resistance if towed (not planning to do this much)
- Greater range for exploring
- Harder wearing? (seem to have protective cover over bladders
- More chambers in case of puncture
- You can look forward when paddling
- Potential use as liferaft? (have 4 man liferaft as well) People seem to do very long voyages in solid kayaks. Like the idea of paddling out of trouble.

Disadvantages:
- Difficult to get in and out of (how difficult?)
- Limited load carrying
- Limited room for guests (lots of trips when friends come over)
- Any others?
 
Last edited:
We have an Advanced Elements kayak onboard which we use in the Med. It's great - it paddles as well as a glassfibre version, is extremely stable and has a very good load carrying capacity. We use it alot. However, I don't think that it replaces an inflatable dinghy for general useage - ferrying people/shopping/water/ etc. The shape is wrong and it's just a bit too tippy for loading up at docks and quays. Great fun though for long trips, exploring and so on. If you're planning to get an inflatable kayak, don't mess about with the chaeaper versions - get one of these. You won't regret it.
 
Cspirit said:
We have an Advanced Elements kayak onboard which we use in the Med. It's great - it paddles as well as a glassfibre version, is extremely stable and has a very good load carrying capacity. We use it alot. However, I don't think that it replaces an inflatable dinghy for general useage - ferrying people/shopping/water/ etc. The shape is wrong and it's just a bit too tippy for loading up at docks and quays. Great fun though for long trips, exploring and so on. If you're planning to get an inflatable kayak, don't mess about with the chaeaper versions - get one of these. You won't regret it.
Click to expand...

But the cheaper versions are probably better load carriers......decisions decisions

Could you for instance fit a jerry can of water or fuel inside the Advanced Elements kayak? And some bits and pieces strapped on top?

I guess the answer is that it does not replace the dinghy for that sort of thing...? But at a pinch, could the Advanced Elements kayak do a bit of load carrying ?


I see the UK dealer is based in Bangor, I might just pay them a visit when I am in UK next. It looks like I could easily take one as hold baggage. I wonder if I can have a look/play with them or if they are just a mail order front.....
 
Last edited:
The other kayak we were looking at is the sevylor Yukon
http://www.sevylor-inflatables.co.uk/product.php/639/sevylor-yukon-kayak
which now has the edge as it self bails (how i have trying to bail out our red crest). Also a bit cheaper as I can buy it through work. I guess if there is only one person in it you could stack jerry cans and shopping in the other seat, would take alot to account for 150kg. This one probably wouldn't paddle as well as advanced elements but maybe a bit more practical.
 
SeamanStaines said:
We have had an advanced elements two man Dragonfly for a few years, absolutly fantastic. We have the extra tube stiffener for surf work but I have never felt the need to use it. It gets used more than the dinghy for trips ashore. I think they still make them.

We purchased ours on line from America http://www.airkayaks.com/ no issues getting it (took about two weeks), service was great, after a couple of years we had a split near a valve in the inner tube. I contacted them to ask how to repair it with a photo, a week later a complete new inner tube arrived free of charge.

There is one for sale on ebay that looks a good deal

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dragonfly-Inflatable-2-Man-Kayak-Very-Slightly-Used-Once-/300697458887?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_CanoesKayaks_Rafts_SM&hash=item4602f718c7#ht_3098wt_90
Click to expand...

www.airkayaks.com is one of our best dealers. They also have lots of used AE kayaks available with nice discounts.
 
inflatable canoe

Hi we have a sevylor colorado. As others have said not fast but very stable. Ideal for exploring creeks etc. We always take a large umbrella with us. Sailed from Porth Navas to Gweek under full brolly against the tide !
 
Mmmmm no not i am using this Kayak i have my own Kayak and this is flat from the bottum side and a bow shape like a boat on the front and i htink this i=type of Kayak are the best for fishign and riding in the deep and biggest ocean waves...
 
Conachair said:
Might invest in one.

Looks like one might be great for exploring and day to day use getting ashore.
Would need to be pretty tough though.
Any thoughts from the long term anchorers?
Click to expand...

I found your post searching for my own Inflatable Kayak to use to hit the tight spawning spots this spring.

Im partial to this one Inflatable Boat I found made by Saturn

http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_fishing_kayaks.asp

Its out of stock so Im guessing it must be fairly popular but I havent found much in terms of reviews on the Brand.

Any pointers from anyone out there? The price is GREAT but its still a chunk of money.

Any feedback would be appreciated! :encouragement:
 
We bought a pair of Sevylor Colorado's at SAB a few years ago and they're great. For a family of 4 they're brilliant for pottering around and exploring the creeks etc - ours had great use on the Deben a while back, very stable and can carry an adult and child and some gear very easily. Surprisingly ok to paddle and steer and of course you can fold em up and chuck em in a locker...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top