Orhun Karpuz Sit On Top Kayak

Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable Kayak Review - the Best Cheap Kayaks

The fastest growing trend in the kayaking industry is clearly the use of inflatable kayaks. Today’s technology makes these inflatable crafts more rugged and maneuverable, while remaining lightweight and portable. Even seasoned kayakers are gradually making the switch to inflatable kayaks.

Inflatable Kayaks are Extremely Portable

If you have ever owned a hard-shell kayak, you realize how difficult it can be to transport your kayak. You have little alternative to strapping your kayak to the roof of your vehicle. Then you have to drive to a road accessible ocean, lake or river. Next you have to awkwardly carry your hard-shell kayak to the water. Hopefully the water isn’t too far from where you had to park your vehicle.

With an inflatable kayak, you simply fold the deflated kayak into a backpack and you can go anywhere. Most inflatable kayaks are less than forty pounds in weight and some are even less than thirty pounds. They also fold up very compact once deflated. Transporting them in the back of your car is no problem at all. Then think of all the mountain trails you can take your inflatable kayak to. You could easily paddle on remote lakes or rivers. Or how about taking your kayak on vacation with you? Bring it in your luggage on the plane and you could be kayaking almost anywhere in the world. That would be pretty difficult to do with a hard-shell kayak. You could take an inflatable kayak on a city bus or bicycle to the water. During off season, the kayak would take up minimal storage space.

Inflatable Kayaks are Tough and Durable

When most people think of an inflatable kayak, they picture a cheaply made plastic boat for kids. They picture a kayak that would burst from hitting the smallest rock or branch. If you’ve owned one of the older, cheaper style inflatable boats, you know you also have to invest in repair patches or a roll of duct tape.

New high quality inflatable kayaks are changing people’s impressions of inflatable boats. New inflatable crafts are made from puncture and abrasion resistant rubber, often reinforced with polyester fabric. This is much stronger than the PVC material used for most cheap inflatable boats. Under normal circumstances it is quite unlikely that you would puncture these new rubber materials. Even if you did, most inflatable kayaks have at least three separate air chambers.

Inflatable Kayaks are Easy to Use

What is easier than carrying your kayak right to the water’s edge and inflating it with a foot pump within five to ten minutes? Most people have pumped up an air mattress at least once as a child. Then after it is filled to the appropriate air pressure, set your inflatable kayak in the water and get in like any other kayak. You can straddle the kayak and then sit down. Or you can place your paddle across the kayak to brace yourself as you get in.

Kayaks are very stable, but with inflatable kayaks it can be much easier to get back in if you fall out. You simply grab the cockpit of the kayak and pull yourself up like you’re getting out of a swimming pool. This makes an inflatable kayak very convenient for snorkeling or swimming. Before getting back in, it is easy to dump out any water that gets aboard. Some inflatable boats are even self bailing.

Another misconception about inflatable kayaks is that they have very poor maneuverability. People think you would have very little control in an inflatable kayak. This isn’t the case with newer inflatable kayaks though. Many of these inflatable boats have optional foot controlled rudders to make for easy turning without missing a stroke. Some of these optional rudders just help the kayak track straight. A lot of inflatable kayaks have maneuverability comparable to hard-shell boats.

Where Can I Use an Inflatable Kayak?

Inflatable kayaks are made in a variety of styles to accommodate almost any conditions. For the casual kayaker, there are lower priced models best suited for flat-water lakes and rivers. There are more expensive models designed for moderate or advanced whitewater. Many models are even suitable for surfing. Many people like to use their inflatable kayak for fishing or hunting. You can get to more remote locations or fish directly from your kayak. Inflatable boats are also great for shallow water that would be too difficult for a hard-shell boat to manage.

Conclusion

For either a beginner or an advanced kayaker, inflatable kayaks are becoming a popular choice. They are extremely versatile and much cheaper than a hard-shell kayak. For less than half the price, you would be able to take your kayak to a variety of places that you never thought possible. While you probably wouldn’t be able to perform any barrel rolls, you can still have a lot of fun with an inflatable kayak. Once you try an inflatable kayak, you’ll wonder why you ever used a hard-shell.

About the Author

Check out TaigaWorks.ca for a wide variety of camping gear including inflatable kayaks and Gore-Tex jackets. Taiga Works manufactures and sells high quality outdoor gear at reasonable prices.

MB100 High Pressure Electric $89 Designed for our Sport Boats, PaddleSkis, & Kayaks (except the SE-330), the MB-100 high speed electric pump is specifically designed for higher pressure inflatable boats. Hooks up to a car battery. Just set the pressure gauge to the desired pressure and turn on.

Deluxe Kayak Seat $39 Deluxe Kayak Seat. A great kayak seat that provides extra back support for paddling or rowing. Works in all of our kayaks.

Bow Storage Bag $21 This trim, attractive bag fits on the bow of our 420x, 380x & 340x kayaks. Great for storing snacks, sodas, repair kits or a spare pump.Also fits on our 395ps and 435ps paddleski models.

Repair Kit For Transom Boats $15 Repair kit for Transom Sport Boats, Explorer Kayaks and Paddleski models. Includes two pieces of hull material, tube of glue & Halkey-Roberts valve replacement tool.

kayaks $10 kayaks

Kayaks $24.99 Kayaks - Photographic Print

Sea Eagle 380xd Inflatable Kayak $899 Sea Eagle 380x inflatable kayak. 12'4" long, holds 2 adults. Rated for up to class 4 whitewater.

Sea Eagle 8FD Inflatable Boat $549 9' 7" Four man inflatable boat. Complete with motormount, floorboards, two seats, oars, pump, repair kit

Sea Eagle 14SR Deluxe Inflatable Boat $2299 Sea Eagle 14SR Inflatable sport boat. Deluxe Package. Carries 7 adults, 40 HP engine. Double reinforced 19" inflatable tubes.

8.10YT Yacht Tender Inflatable Boat $999 3 man foldable inflatable boat. Inflates in minutes, folds to fit in any trunk. 5 hp. capacity, makes a great yacht tender or RV companion

Sea Eagle 10.6SRD 5 man Inflatable boat $1499 10' 6" Inflatable boat Deluxe package. HOlds 5-people, 15 hp. capacity. Rugged 1000 denier fabric, reinforcement layers under hull. Great for yacht tending.

Sea Eagle 12.6 SRD 6 Man inflatable Boat $1799 12' 6" - 6 man inflatable boat. Rugged 1000 denier material, maintenance free plastic floorboards. 3 year warranty. Complete kit - see page for details.

Nylon Carry Bag for inflatable boat $25 Our storage bag is a convenient way to transport your Sea Eagle. This 26x43 inch bag will comfortably hold a deflated SE-6, SE-8, SE-9, or SE-330 and several accessories (i.e. oars, pump & motormount).

340xd Explorer Kayak $849 2 person inflatable kayak, great for camping and whitewater.

395ps PaddleSki $899 2 person inflatable rowing catamaran kayak. Great for sea kayaking!

Not Inflatable $21.99 Not Inflatable - T-Shirt

Kayaks I $14.99 Jairo Rodriguez Kayaks I - Art Print

Kayaks II $14.99 Jairo Rodriguez Kayaks II - Art Print

Kayaks for Rent $19.99 Jonathan Hicks Kayaks for Rent - Photographic Print

Sea Eagle 9 Fisherman's Dream Kit $599 Rugged 11' x 4'8" Inflatable boat featuring super thick 38 mil Polykrylar hull material, wooden floorboards, two seats, motormount, oars, foot pump and repair kit.

Sea Eagle 330 Deluxe Package $299 Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Canoe. Rugged 33 mil polykrylar hull. 11'2" x 2'10" Only 26 lbs. Complete with two seats, two 7' 10" paddles, footpump, and repair kit.

SE370 Deluxe Kayak $349 12 ft kayak featuring:Self bailing drain valveThree deluxe one-way valvesLashed down inflatable spray skirtsI-beam construction floor2 skegs on the bottom for better tracking & speed Pressure Gauge and Repair KitBow & Stern Grab Line3 year warranty

Kayaks for Rent and Sale $124.99 Lou Jones Kayaks for Rent and Sale - Wall Mural

Kayaks, Isla Victoria, Argentina $24.99 Kayaks, Isla Victoria, Argentina - Photographic Print

Stern Storage Bag $18 This trim, attractive bag fits on the stern of our canoes. Great for storing snacks, sodas, repair kits or a spare pump.

Nylon Seat Bag for Aluminum Seat $39 Makes excellent use of the dead space underneath the wooden seat. Nylon flap secured with Velcro makes attachment easy. Comes with Nylon shoulder strap to carry to and from your boat. Storage capacity: 14 x 24 x 9.

Sea Eagle 375fc Fold Cat Pro Angler $1299 Pontoon boats are a great way to get to places where fish are hiding. But who has 35-40 minutes to spare to put your boat together? Most rowing frames take that long to assemble. Our FoldCat has a unique folding support system that can be inflated and assembled in 5 minutes by one person.

SeaEagle.com life jacket $39 Sea Eagle Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets are good looking and durable. Features four plastic closures on adjustable nylon straps for a comfortable, secure fit.

Sea Eagle Surf Mat $19 Great Fun on the Ocean!Two built in skegs let the Sea Eagle Surf Mat track down the face of a wave like a North Shore pro! Double I-Beam construction makes it rigid and bouyant, and an extra heavy PolyKrylar material make it tough and durable.

A-41 Large Bellows Pump $39 A high capacity footpump made of durable ABS plastic. Packs down for easy travel. Comes with adapter valves for Motormount boats, Transom boats, Paddleski, and kayak models.

MB-50 Electric Pump $39 The MB-50 electric pump inflates our motormount boats in a matter of minutes. Includes a cigarette lighter adapter for automotive use. Includes multiple valve adapters and a nine foot battery cable. This pump is for the SE6, SE8, SE9 and SE330 models.

Deluxe Fly Fishing Seat $39 Our new Deluxe Fly Fishing Kayak High Seat provides super comfort and great back support like our regular Deluxe Kayak seat, but it sits you up 3” higher for greater casting comfort. Can be used with the SE 330, 395 ps, 435 ps, 340x, 380x, & 420x.

Swivel Seat $49 Padded Swivel Seat. Can be used with the Seat Spider or attaches to our Fold Cat.