ashtead
Well-Known Member
Be interested to hear how it goes . Don't forget the buoyancy aid though .
inflatable kayak tender
- Thread starter solent clown
- Start date
DFL1010
Well-Known Member
Solent, is it one of these style?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/2-man-inflatable-kayak-2017-green-id_8387561.html
Considering getting one for myself since they seem ideal for one/two people. I'd be interested in your impressions.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/2-man-inflatable-kayak-2017-green-id_8387561.html
Considering getting one for myself since they seem ideal for one/two people. I'd be interested in your impressions.
Lightwave395
Well-Known Member
I'd be concerned these are more in the 'beach toy' category than serious kayaks, we tried several inflatables before deciding and the 'get what you pay for' rule seems to apply. Most of the cheap ones seemed to us to be of pretty light build quality and tracked badly at best.
We wanted to do some 'proper' exploring in reasonable safety and have now kayaked around Newtown at one end of the scale and the Morbihan at the other.
We're lucky (or unlucky...) enough to have a bigger boat so eventually bought a Bic Tobago rigid kayak which although obviously heavier than an inflatable feels safe, tracks perfectly, handles choppy water well and as a bonus fits exactly between the pulpit and the base of the mast.
We wanted to do some 'proper' exploring in reasonable safety and have now kayaked around Newtown at one end of the scale and the Morbihan at the other.
We're lucky (or unlucky...) enough to have a bigger boat so eventually bought a Bic Tobago rigid kayak which although obviously heavier than an inflatable feels safe, tracks perfectly, handles choppy water well and as a bonus fits exactly between the pulpit and the base of the mast.
solent clown
RIP
we have a big grp tandem kayak, a serious piece of kit, but it is just too unwieldy. It is a shame as it has waterproof lockers and even drinks holders moulded in..
Intertestingly the one we have bought has fins that slide into mounts underneath, which should help, but no it is not an adventuring tool, more a fun toy. having said that, when pumped up it is very rigid. A lot more so that I had imagined. The bladders are removeable and replacable too, they fit inside the tough canvas type cover, Those being replaceable was a major selling point for me. The floor inflates too .
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
We bought a secondhand Sevylor Colorado 2 person kayak last year: saw it on the back end of a boat in Ag Eufimia for €120,bought it for €100. Didn’t use it much last year, as it was a pain to transport inflated and we only had a manual pump. Sorted an electric pump this year (Rule dinghy pump plus a small 12v battery); it now take no effort to inflate in about 5 minutes, so it getting much more use.
I’m impressed with the quality of the build: outer of heavy duty pvc on the bottom, upper is a cordura lookalike. The bladders are all enclosed, zips to access them for replacement or repair. It’s light enough to be handled by one person, has a fin to help it track (tried it without, didn’t work!) and is reasonably stable.
However, that’s all in the Med, where if it all goes wrong, the worst that’ll happen is getting wet in a warm sea. Not sure I’d be so sanguine in UK waters.
I’m impressed with the quality of the build: outer of heavy duty pvc on the bottom, upper is a cordura lookalike. The bladders are all enclosed, zips to access them for replacement or repair. It’s light enough to be handled by one person, has a fin to help it track (tried it without, didn’t work!) and is reasonably stable.
However, that’s all in the Med, where if it all goes wrong, the worst that’ll happen is getting wet in a warm sea. Not sure I’d be so sanguine in UK waters.
solent clown
RIP
well we tried it. It was great, very much more stable than I had anticipated, I can sit my full weight on one side tube and it only just capsizes. It is an odd feeling to be on the water instead of the hull feeling more in it, but the three fins made it very directional. It suffered less from the wind than we had anticipated also. Ploughing through speedboat wakes was fun, and even when it was rolling about just one slap of a paddle tamed it straight away. It rolls a bit, but stiffens up as it goes. It feels very solid and strong on the water.
Seat backs need careful lashing as they seem to come loose. The height and width of the tubes make paddling slightly different, the tubes seem to be closer to the paddle tubes than in a hard canoe, so a bit of care not to rub them is required.
Inflatable seats very very comfortable, yet firm.
We left the centre seat out and managed to stow a bag full of provisions in there.
As we are using it again tomorrow night to see what it is like off weston shelf and the Test, we chose to leave it inflated and put it on the deck of our 24fter... It took up an awful lot of room so not really an option to leave inflated.
On inflation, it was not technical, but fairly physical with the stirrup pump. It took me 5 mins. Book said 10 but I went for it to see how quickly I could do it. That did not include pumping up the seats, I forgot to time that, about 30 seconds each I reckon.
The valves are an absolute pleasure with none of the vices of some inflatables.
Weight wise, Karen is able to help carry, it only weighs 17kg.
Walking through the marina and across pontoons was fun, it is long enough to have to be careful about one of us being pitched into the drink. All the more reason for deflating and getting a cordless electric pump to do the initial inflating.
It is wetter than a proper kayak but not too bad in that respect.
Pics are not great, it is longer and thinner than it looks in those.
IMG_20180902_172921 by mark punksteel, on Flickr
IMG_20180902_172901 by mark punksteel, on Flickr
IMG_20180902_172925 by mark punksteel, on Flickr
IMG_20180902_172937 by mark punksteel, on Flickr
Seat backs need careful lashing as they seem to come loose. The height and width of the tubes make paddling slightly different, the tubes seem to be closer to the paddle tubes than in a hard canoe, so a bit of care not to rub them is required.
Inflatable seats very very comfortable, yet firm.
We left the centre seat out and managed to stow a bag full of provisions in there.
As we are using it again tomorrow night to see what it is like off weston shelf and the Test, we chose to leave it inflated and put it on the deck of our 24fter... It took up an awful lot of room so not really an option to leave inflated.
On inflation, it was not technical, but fairly physical with the stirrup pump. It took me 5 mins. Book said 10 but I went for it to see how quickly I could do it. That did not include pumping up the seats, I forgot to time that, about 30 seconds each I reckon.
The valves are an absolute pleasure with none of the vices of some inflatables.
Weight wise, Karen is able to help carry, it only weighs 17kg.
Walking through the marina and across pontoons was fun, it is long enough to have to be careful about one of us being pitched into the drink. All the more reason for deflating and getting a cordless electric pump to do the initial inflating.
It is wetter than a proper kayak but not too bad in that respect.
Pics are not great, it is longer and thinner than it looks in those.
IMG_20180902_172921 by mark punksteel, on FlickrIMG_20180902_172901 by mark punksteel, on FlickrIMG_20180902_172925 by mark punksteel, on FlickrIMG_20180902_172937 by mark punksteel, on Flickr
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Hydrozoan
Well-Known Member
We have a couple of these; for sheltered waters only. They are well made and weigh only 7kg each, and don't take up too much room on a 32 footer. It is good to be able to paddle independently. https://www.advancedelementskayaks.co.uk/product.php/542/advanced-elements-firefly
solent clown
RIP
It is this one, we thought for a few quid more it has greater load carrying capacity as a tender or camping kayak.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/3-man-inflatable-kayak-2017-orange-id_8387563.html
solent clown
RIP
interesting, I will show Karen
Hydrozoan
Well-Known Member
They do not track as badly as we feared, and for our modest paddling they are very convenient on and off the boat; we have got rid of our rigids. Advanced Elements also make larger and more sporty single and double inflatables, but they are a good deal heavier. If you are interested, keep an eye on Decathlon; we were expecting to have to buy from the main UK agent, but to my surprise Decathlon had them at the time at a useful discount.
PS I think it was this site that I found useful when first looking into inflatables:
http://www.inflatablekayakworld.com/inflatable-kayak-reviews/
gjgm
Well-Known Member
I d suggest trying a fairly cheap 5 to 10 quid electric pump and then finish the pressure bit with a foot pump.
I do this with 2.4 m tender and it results in no effort at all... and pretty quick. If the pump has inflate,deflate nozzles it makes packing down pretty quick too!
I do this with 2.4 m tender and it results in no effort at all... and pretty quick. If the pump has inflate,deflate nozzles it makes packing down pretty quick too!
solent clown
RIP
yes that is one of my plans. I am looking for one of the cordless ones too.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
They certainly are popular. I haven't yet worked out why. Basically the same principle as a canoe, but with nowhere to sit?
I saw a beautiful wooden one this weekend, but I agree that the inflatable ones are so jolly rigid, they're probably as good as wood. Is it mere mischief that makes me think such a stiff platform could be mounted entertainingly with an outboard?
solent clown
RIP
we are buying little trolling motot next week to try on the kayak, just for fun. I magine having two on a paddleboard, steering with thrust, what could possibly go wrong....
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Daft of me to think it hadn't already been tried. Five years ago, too. 
Seajet
...
There is a handy clinic in Switzerland,,,
Paddleboards are like using a screwdriver to bang in a nail, but inflatable kayaks seem an option as long as one and SWBO are fit and she has a good sense of humour - and both in buoyancy aids, not lifejackets, and treat it as in a racing dinghy( use a backpack to stow the BA' / LJ' s ashore, but Don't wear it afloat ! The return trip from a pub / restaurant in the dark might be interesting, so a couple of waterproof torches might be handy.
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solent clown
RIP
we have used the kayak a couple of times now, on the Itchen, and out on the Hamble for a more extended trip.
I am pleased to say it was good in wind, easy enough to paddle against the Hamble tide, and most surprisingly, very stable as a tender when getting on an off a yacht. Such was the gunwale height we both had to stand in the Kayak to get out, and neither of us had any problems. It was infinitely more stable than we had hoped. Downside is getting slightly wet, and same for stowage, no biggie if prepared.
We now have the trolling motor, a cheapy £50 job, bought trade, I will report back on that when I make the mount and try it.
43146498_2218835568400558_1657784941632552960_n by mark punksteel, on Flickr
I am pleased to say it was good in wind, easy enough to paddle against the Hamble tide, and most surprisingly, very stable as a tender when getting on an off a yacht. Such was the gunwale height we both had to stand in the Kayak to get out, and neither of us had any problems. It was infinitely more stable than we had hoped. Downside is getting slightly wet, and same for stowage, no biggie if prepared.
We now have the trolling motor, a cheapy £50 job, bought trade, I will report back on that when I make the mount and try it.
43146498_2218835568400558_1657784941632552960_n by mark punksteel, on Flickr
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