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Tandem Inflatable

Solo Inflatable Kayak Buyers Tips

If you are considering purchasing a solo inflatable kayak you will likely have noticed that there is a lot of different options to choose from. The popularity of inflatable kayaks has increased over the last few years and so has their quality and durability.

It is very possible to get an inflatable kayak that is affordable yet still offers great quality and lots of good features. Below are a few things to keep in mind while you do your research.

Size and Weight

Solo inflatable kayaks will typically be lighter than tandem inflatable kayaks but the actual weight can vary greatly from model to model. If you plan on taking your kayak traveling with you then it will be very important to look for one that is light enough to take anywhere, including on an airplane. Also if you plan to bring a lot of gear along with you then it is important to look for a model that offers enough cargo room for a multi-day excursion.

Load Capacity

This can be quite important for two reasons:

1. If you are a larger person then be careful of choosing an inflatable kayak that has a very low load capacity
2. If you plan on doing multi-day excursions with lots of gear then you want to make sure your inflatable kayak can hold everything you need and still paddle efficiently through the water.

Speed and Tracking

It is true that inflatable kayaks are not known for being super fast but there have been huge improvements in recent years that greatly help with not only speed but with tracking as well. A kayak with a skeg or a rudder will usually offer the best tracking. If speed is important to you then look for a model that is long and slim. The wider models will typically not paddle as fast although they do offer optimum stability.

Price

The prices of inflatable kayaks can vary from $100 right up to over $2000. An average price point is around $500 although it is very possible to get a good quality inflatable for less. I would suggest for a solo inflatable kayak to look at models between $300 and $500. This will ensure that you are not getting a lemon and purchasing a model that will perform well and hold up well after lots of use.

My Favorite Model

After doing a lot of research myself I finally chose to purchase the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame inflatable kayak. It is not a top of the line model but it did meet all of my needs. It is a good quality kayak that has some excellent features and performs well in the water… all for a very reasonable price. For recreational flatwater use the AdvancedFrame is fantastic and I have really enjoyed paddling it.

There are lots of models to choose from so it will not be difficult to find one that suits your needs. Whichever one you choose to go for make sure to read the consumer reviews before you purchase in order to get some honest tips and advice from those who have actually used it.

About the Author

Learn much more about solo inflatable kayaks and find pictures and my comprehensive review of the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame inflatable kayak.

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

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

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.

Tandem $93.99 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Tandem (or in tandem) is an arrangement where a team of machines, animals or people are lined up one behind another, all facing in the same direction. Tandem harness (the original use of the term in English) is used for two or more draft horses (or other draft animals) harnessed in a single line one behind another, as opposed to a pair, harnessed sidebyside, or a team of several pairs. Tandem harness allows additional animals to provide pulling power for a vehicle designed for a single animal. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 138 Publication Date: 2010/08/04 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.32 inches

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

AB-25-3 OARS $30 Our AB-25-3 Oars will row a Sea Eagle 6, 8 or 9 at a surprisingly brisk pace. Aluminum shaft with ABS plastic blades. Length is 56 inches long. (pair)

AB25-5 OARS $39 Designed for our Transom Boats, these oars connect with oarlock pins for fast, comfortable rowing. Collapsible for easy transport. 5 ft. 5 in. long.

AB40 7' 10 Double End Paddle $95 The asymmetrical spoon blade design of this kayak paddle allows for smooth entries and an even pull, maximizing the power from your stroke. Made with ABS/Fiberglass composite blades and an aluminum shaft that disconnects in the center. 4 lbs

seaeagletest $100 test

Inflatable Axe $5.99 Inflatable Axe

Inflatable Nunchaku $7.99 Inflatable Nunchaku

Tandem Pram $24.99 Tandem Pram - Photographic Print

Tandem Bicycle $24.99 Tandem Bicycle - Photographic Print

Preparing the Tandem $24.99 Preparing the Tandem - Photographic Print

Tandem Duo $24.99 Tandem Duo - Photographic Print

Voiturette-Tandem $24.99 Voiturette-Tandem - Photographic Print