For those of you who feel the call to explore the outdoors by paddle but don’t want to deal with the heavy lifting or storage of a hardshell boat, then an inflatable kayak might just be your perfect ride.
Inflatable kayaks can be awesome but there is a lot of misinformation out there. The key to making a great purchase is education.
So let’s get started with everything you need to know about inflatable kayaks.
Click the links below to find answers to the most common questions about inflatable kayaks.
Or just keep scrolling down to read them all!
- Where can I try an Inflatable Kayak?
- What are inflatable kayaks made of?
- How easy is it to puncture an inflatable kayak?
- How safe are inflatable kayaks?
- How stable is an inflatable kayak?
- Are inflatable kayaks easy to get in and out of?
- How fast are they to inflate?
- Can I use an electric pump to inflate an inflatable kayak?
- Do inflatable kayaks track well?
- How long is the standard warranty?
- Can I fish from an inflatable kayak?
- Can an inflatable kayak keep up with a hardshell kayak?
- Can I take it traveling with me?
- How heavy are inflatable kayaks?
- Can they handle some whitewater rapids?
- Can I bring my dog in an inflatable kayak?
- How do I secure my gear?
- What should I wear kayaking?
- How do I care for my inflatable kayak?
- What are my options for purchasing an inflatable kayak?
WHERE CAN I TRY AN INFLATABLE KAYAK?
Options for trying one before purchase are very limited.
Buying online is super convenient but with a purchase like this it can be hard to know what you are getting without trying it out.
I get a lot of emails from people asking where they can try an inflatable kayak. Trust me I get it. It’s tough when you have never seen, felt or tried one before.
That’s where independent reviews, pictures and especially videos can really help to make an informed choice.
However if you are dead set on trying one out first your best option is a rental outfitter in your area.
They often use inflatables because they are built tough and easy to pack away. However be warned that the inflatables they use are often the larger more stable options that offer the most stability.
The truth is inflatable kayaks can differ greatly in so many ways. So my best advice is simply to do your research, make the choice that feels right and make sure it comes with a decent guarantee and warranty.
BUY FROM A COMPANY THAT OFFERS A GUARANTEE.
Companies like SeaEagle.com, one of the oldest and most popular inflatable kayak manufacturers offer not only a 3-year warranty but also a 180-day guarantee.
If you are unsatisfied with your purchase you can return it for a full refund within 180 days.
Guarantees like that make buying online a little more comfortable and safe.
WHAT ARE INFLATABLE KAYAKS MADE OF?
Inflatable kayaks are made of either PVC, Pennel Orca or Nitrylon.
There are three main materials that are typically used to make inflatable kayaks and boats.
1. PVC MATERIAL
The large majority are made with PVC material. PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride and it is a type of durable plastic that can be made softer and more flexible with the addition of plasticizers.
There are a lot of benefits to using PVC such as:
- It can be extremely durable.
- It can last a really long time.
- It is cheap to buy and use in large quantities.
- It can be welded or glued.
- It is very easy to patch.
- It can be used as a coating on other types of materials such as nylon to increase the strength and tear resistance.
The strength of the kayak can depend on the thickness of the PVC layers used.
The downside to PVC material is that it is not resistant to chemicals, extreme temperatures or UV rays.
For this reason it is always recommended to use a UV protectant spray such as 303 Protectant on your inflatable kayak to keep the material protected from UV damage.
2. PENNEL ORCA MATERIAL
Pennel Orca material is a synthetic rubber that is extremely tough and durable.
Inflatable kayaks made from Orca material have some great benefits such as:
- They are abrasion resistant.
- They are resistant to UV rays.
- They are resistant to chemicals and extreme temperatures.
Inflatable manufacturers that choose to use this material will use it as an exterior coating on the kayak.
The interior of the kayak will often be made of nylon or polyester then coated with the Orca material on the outside of the kayak.
These kayaks are extremely tough and will often have a much longer warranty such as 5-10 years.
They are great for heavy whitewater and rugged use.
The downside is the higher price tag as this type of material is much more costly to use in the manufacturing process. It also must be glued as opposed to welded. Welded kayaks are often smoother and more aesthetically pleasing (less glueing errors).
3. NITRYLON
Nitrylon is a lamination of nitrile synthetic rubber and natural rubber over a 1200-denier low-stretch polyester fabric.
This type of material is slightly more environmentally friendly than PVC or Pennel Orca.
I only know of one company that is using it right now and that is Innova.
The benefits to Nitrylon are:
- It is very puncture and abrasion resistant.
- It is actually stronger than PVC.
- It is easier to patch than PVC.
- It will handle extreme cold weather better.
The downside is that Nitrylon is a very heavy material. For that reason it is only used on the outer chambers of the boat where there will be the most wear and tear.
IS IT EASY TO PUNCTURE?
Most are built fairly tough and are not easy to puncture.
However the answer to this question will depend on which type of material the kayak is made of and also how thick or how many layers the material has.
In general punctures are rare. As with anything inflatable it can happen but with proper care it is unlikely to get a puncture.
The cheaper kayaks (under $500) will be more susceptible to punctures than the higher priced and more durable models.
That being said in over a decade of paddling all types of inflatable kayaks I have never once had a puncture (knock on wood).
Be conscious of not dragging the kayak over sharp objects or crashing into docks that have barnacles and your kayak will be fine.
You are more likely to have a leak in the seams than an actual puncture, which did happen to me once.
I was out paddling an older kayak with my two dogs and suddenly heard a burst of air from the front inner seam of my kayak.
Within minutes the left side of my kayak was deflated. Being a good 30 minutes away from shore I panicked slightly mostly because I had my two dogs in the kayak with me.
However the great thing about inflatable kayaks is that they all have three separate air chambers. So if there is a leak in one, the other two will keep you afloat and get you back to shore safely, which is exactly what happened with mine.
Besides being a little harder to paddle, we were totally safe and made our way slowly back to shore with absolutely no trouble.
Once I got back home I located the leak, patched it up and it now works good as new.
HOW SAFE IS AN INFLATABLE KAYAK?
Very safe. More safe than most people realize.
We basically covered this answer in the last question. With three separate air chambers, one on each side and one for the floor, I consider them to be extremely safe.
Most are very stable and easy to navigate. I would say staying safe just takes a little common sense.
These are the top 5 safety tips to be aware of:
- Don’t take your inflatable kayak in whitewater unless it is designed for that intended use.
- Be aware of the weather and tides. If you have a lightweight cheaper model stay on flat water close to shore.
- Take note of the wind, it can change quickly and dramatically. It is NOT fun getting stuck heading back into strong winds and can be quite scary.
- Take care of the kayak by drying it off completely and storing it away from the elements to keep the material and seams strong and durable.
- Wear a PFD at all times with a whistle attached to it and always let someone know where you will be paddling.
HOW STABLE IS AN INFLATABLE KAYAK?
Most are super stable and take quite a bit of effort to actually tip.
You may have noticed from your research that inflatable kayaks are typically quite wide and consequently very stable. They can range in width from 28″ to up to 40″ wide.
The leaner the width, the less stable the kayak will be but the faster it will go in the water.
If you need more stability then go for a wider or larger model. It will be ultra stable and comfortable to paddle.
ARE THEY EASY TO GET IN AND OUT OF?
Because they are so stable they are easy to get in and out of no matter your age or abilities.
I get asked this question a lot and the answer is that it is quite easy.
Most are very stable and easy to get in and out of especially if you are getting in from the shoreline.
Getting in from a dock is a little tricker but very doable. It helps if you have a friend who can hold the kayak steady for you.
Getting back into the kayak from the water (if you have fallen in or if you go for a swim) takes a bit of practice.
It would be wise to practice in calm water so you know what you are doing in case of an emergency.
I generally try and grab the opposite side of the kayak then swing my leg over and basically shimmy my way back inside the kayak. It’s not graceful but it works. 🙂
HOW FAST ARE THEY TO INFLATE?
With a hand pump they take 5-8 minutes to inflate depending on the size and your speed.
Most inflatable kayaks come with either a foot pump or a hand pump. They are quite easy to use and do a good job to fully inflate the kayak.
The larger the kayak the more air it will need so the longer it will take.
The majority don’t hold much more than 3 or 4 PSI of air pressure so they are FAR easier to inflate than and an inflatable paddle board that holds up to 15 PSI of air.
The exception is the Sea Eagle Razorlite – my kayak of choice – which can hold up to 10 PSI of air and is therefore more rigid than any other inflatable.
However the Razorlite has thinner sides so even with the higher air pressure I actually find it faster to inflate… It takes me only 5 minutes max.
CAN I USE AN ELECTRIC PUMP?
Definitely yes, just be sure not to over-inflate.
The electric pump that I like using the most is the Shark II electric pump. It allows you to set the PSI level and leave it. It will shut off automatically when it reaches the right level.
If you use a different pump be careful not to over-inflate and pop the kayak.
DO INFLATABLE KAYAKS TRACK WELL?
Most track decently, some better than others.
This is a valid question because they don’t come with rudders that can be used for steering. Instead most inflatable kayaks come with a tracking fin.
Certain models definitely track better than others.
I have tried a few kayaks over the years that drove me crazy because there was so much yaw movement. It can feel like you are going nowhere fast. Size, shape and the rigidity of the kayak can all be a factor.
Inflatable kayaks have come a long way over the years in design and construction and a few companies now use rigid high pressure floors in their kayaks and/or rigid keels, which greatly helps to improve the overall performance.
I rarely have any major issues with the tracking anymore with the newer models I have been reviewing.
HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY?
The warranty will vary by company and can be anywhere from 1-year to 10-years.
The large majority of inflatable kayak manufacturers offer a limited 1-year warranty.
Exceptions are:
- Sea Eagle offers a 3-year warranty.
- NRS offers 3-10 year warranties depending on the model.
- AIRE offers a 10-year warranty on their high end models.
CAN I FISH FROM AN INFLATABLE KAYAK?
Inflatable kayaks are fantastic for fishing.
Yes absolutely! In fact using an inflatable kayak for fishing is very popular and has many advantages:
- They are portable so you can use them to get to those pristine locations that aren’t accessible by larger boat.
- They are easy to transport and store in small spaces
- They are easy to wash after use and dry off.
Although technically any inflatable kayak can be used for fishing, there are a couple that are fully decked out for anglers and have added reinforcement in the right places for extra durability and functionality.
If fishing is your passion I highly recommend taking a look at our Best Fishing Inflatable Kayaks article.
CAN I KEEP UP WITH HARDSHELL KAYAKS?
Your inflatable kayak will keep up with a hardshell of similar size.
This is a great question because sometimes you might be paddling with friends who don’t have an inflatable and the last thing you want is to be dragging way behind.
If you really want more speed then take a look at the Sea Eagle Razorlite. This is the model I use when out paddling with my kayaking group.
It tracks beautifully and cuts through the water smoothly.
CAN I TAKE IT TRAVELING?
Heck yes!!
That’s one of the reasons inflatable kayaks are so great. You can take it in an RV or on a larger boat.
You can check it on the bus or onto an airplane. I have never had any issues traveling with mine.
Just pack it up well. I sometimes add some bubble wrap or towels around the kayak or paddle and make sure the bag is fully secure when checking it onto an airplane.
HOW HEAVY ARE THEY?
Weight varies by size and material however I find most people are pleasantly surprised by how easy they are to carry.
Weight of course can vary depending on the size of the kayak and on the type of construction.
The lightest ones are around 15 – 18 lbs. but most weigh between 30 – 40 lbs.
A really light kayak can be great for backpacking but when it is too light it tends to be really susceptible to getting blown by the wind. Just something to keep in mind depending on your needs.
CAN THEY HANDLE THE RAPIDS?
Some inflatable kayaks are rated for up to class IV rapids.
There are quite a few really great whitewater inflatable kayaks and several crossovers that handle well on flat water and whitewater.
NRS, Sea Eagle and AIRE are three manufacturers that make some really durable and fun whitewater inflatable kayaks.
Check the class rating to know whether the kayak can handle mild to moderate rapids.
CAN I BRING MY DOG OUT WITH ME?
Paddling with dogs is no problem in the majority of inflatable kayaks.
I paddle with my dogs all the time. I have three, two little guys and a 75 lbs. German Shepard. I often will put a towel down for them but their claws really aren’t sharp enough to do any damage.
It is very common to see dogs hanging out in inflatable kayaks with their owners and it is such an awesome activity to share together. So bring your furry pal with you!
Just one note of caution: It is not easy for a dog to get back into an inflatable kayak from the water if he jumps in. Be sure that he wears a PFD with a handle so you can help pull him back up.
HOW DO I SECURE MY GEAR?
Secure gear to the D-rings or bungees or store inside the cockpit.
Many inflatable kayaks will come with D-rings or bungees already attached. You can strap your gear to the D-rings to keep it safe and secure.
If your kayak does not have any D-rings you can buy them separately and glue them on if needed.
Depending on your model you can likely store gear inside the kayak and possibly on the front and back spray skirts as well.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR KAYAKING?
The only thing you have to remember is to dress for the weather & the water. See options below.
Remember that with an inflatable kayak you are more exposed to the elements so clothing takes a bit more consideration.
What you should wear will depend on the environment and possibility of taking a swim.
WARM WEATHER CLOTHES
If the air and water are warm then you can dress as you would for a day at the beach. However bring sun screen with you and a hat.
I often wear a rashguard or UV protective clothing for longer excursions.
On hot days you will be at the mercy of the suns rays as they reflect off the water and onto your skin.
You can burn fast! I had my worst burn ever on my legs while kayaking an inflatable in Hawaii. I was SO mad at myself for allowing that to happen. So don’t forget to protect your legs!
Also always wear your PFD!
COLD WEATHER CLOTHES
For cooler weather the most important thing to remember is layering and to avoid cotton. Cotton will absorb moisture and make you freeze.
Your insulating base layer should be synthetic fibres such as wool or fleece that wicks moisture outward.
Your outer layer will be your protection from the elements so needs to be both windproof and waterproof.
If you are sea kayaking or whitewater kayaking you will need a jacket and pants that have gasket seals to keep water from getting in around the neck and wrists.
FOOTWEAR
I have seen kayakers wear a whole range of different shoe types while out paddling from regular sneakers to reef shoes to sandals to wetshoes and even seen many going barefoot during the hotter months.
In Vancouver we get four full seasons so I tend to wear different footwear depending on the time of year.
During the summer I will normally wear either my flip flops or my Keen Newport H2 sandals – Love my Keens, they are super comfortable and great for in and out of the water! They are ideal if you are paddling to a location that you can hike at.
During the colder months I wear neoprene booties often with a pair of wool socks or water socks with the booties as well.
Tip: Pack an extra pair of wools socks to change into after use so your feet are happy on the way home.
HEADWEAR
Most months of the year I either wear a ball cap or a sun hat with a wider brim. This will not only help keep the sun out of your eyes but offer a bit of protection for your face and neck.
If the weather is cold you may need a wool toque for added warmth.
Whitewater kayakers will need a helmet and possibly a neoprene toque underneath.
GLOVES
I used to wear a pair of paddling gloves year round because they provided good protection from blisters.
However once I got a pair of Yak Grips for my paddles I no longer need them during the warmer months. If you suffer from paddling blisters Yak Grips are a must!!
They’re cheap and 100% worth using. They provide extra cushioning and comfort for those longer excursions, I highly recommend them.
During the colder months gloves are a must. You won’t get far with freezing cold hands.
I have a few different pairs that vary in thickness. Which pair I wear will depend on the temperature outside.
In my experience even the thickest kayaking gloves don’t keep my hands warm enough during winter outings.
So for those extra cold days I will use a thin wool glove liner inside my neoprene paddling gloves for added warmth.
PFD
Kayaking with a PFD is mandatory in most places. Keep one in your kayak or better yet wear it at all times.
A PFD can work well as another layer of protection in cold weather too.
I have a couple different ones. I use my Stohquist Womens’ PFD for ocean kayaking.
For calm water lakes and rivers I normally wear the Onyx A/M 24 life jacket. This one has a lower profile design that isn’t as hot to wear in mid summer and also provides great range of movement.
Whichever one you choose just make sure that it is Coast Guard Approved.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY INFLATABLE KAYAK?
Dry well after use and store in a cool area.
This one is an important question because if you care for your inflatable kayak properly it will last longer.
Keeping your kayak in tip top shape will ensure you get to reliably use it for many adventures over the years.
These are the top 5 tips to keep your kayak strong, durable and leak free.
1. DRY COMPLETELY AFTER USE.
Bring an old towel with you and dry your kayak off completely. It is easiest done while the kayak is still inflated. Then deflate the kayak and dry off any left over water droplets before you roll it up.
Sometimes water can get inside the cockpit so it is often helpful to flip the kayak upside down once on land to drain out any excess water.
When storing the kayak away for a season I take extra precautions to make sure all moisture has been wiped away to avoid mold.
2. STORE IN A DRY. COOL SPACE.
I would suggest storing the kayak either in your garage, in a storage locker or in a closet in your home.
Don’t keep it outside even if it is under cover. I find the material lasts much longer if the kayak is stored indoors away from the elements and differing temperatures.
If you want to store your kayak while still inflated it is best to keep it off the floor.
3. DON’T DRAG IT ON GRAVEL OR ROCKS.
Seems like common sense but easy to forget. Even if your kayak is built strong and tough, rocks can be sharp. If they don’t puncture the material they will most certainly scrape it.
Better just to avoid that and carry your kayak safely over sharp rocks or gravel.
4. AVOID PADDLING OVER SHARP DEBRIS IN THE WATER.
If you’re kayaking in shallow water you might encounter sharp sticks or debris sticking up through the water.
To be safe paddle around them, don’t risk your kayak but going over top if you don’t have to.
5. USE 303 PROTECTANT SPRAY A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR.
303 Protectant spray will protect the material on your boat from the harsh UV rays from the sunlight.
It doesn’t cost much and one bottle lasts quite a long time. I only use mine once or twice a year.
If you live in a year long hot climate you may want to use it more. Instructions are on the bottle but basically you just spray on and wipe off. It only takes a few minutes and is well worth the effort.
6. BE AWARE OF EXTREME TEMPERATURES.
The air pressure in your inflatable kayak can expand or decrease depending on the temperature outside.
In extreme heat the air pressure will expand. In extreme cold the air pressure will drop.
Be aware if your kayak is out all day in very hot or cold weather. You may need to either add more air or release a bit of air to allow room for this fluctuation.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
View our Inflatable Kayak Buying Guides below.
We have reviewed a ton of inflatable kayaks and have put together a great list of our top pics.
Click the category below to find the right inflatable kayak for you! 👇
Hi Allison,
Thanks a lot for this great site! It has been very useful for us. We are just delving in to the world of Kayaking after we had a great day out in a hired Kayak on the Danube here in Germany a few weeks back. We enjoyed it so much that I ordered a pair of Story 3-man drop-stich kayaks so the 5 of us can do some river tours and explore our local lakes.
Our kayaks comes with a slide-in tracking fin (similar to your Razorlight I think) and I was wondering if these fins can get damaged or knocked off if you come across a big, unseen stone in the water. I noticed on sea kayaks that they have their tracking/steering fin fastened to the outside of the kayak right at the back. They can turn with the fin and I think the fin would just hinge up if it hit something. Is there anything like this that can be fitted to an inflatable kayak? Would a fin at the back help with tracking? It doesn’t necessarily have to steer just hinge up if it hit some rocks.
Our kayaks are arriving tomorrow (we can’t wait!!) so I am very interested to look to see if anything could be retro fitted on the back to help with tracking.
Thanks for your help!
James Walker
Breitnau, Germany
Hi James,
Sorry for my late response! I’ve never had a fin get knocked off or broken while paddling. However I did have one fin break when I dropped the back end of the kayak too hard on the ground by accident once. My fin has hit rocks in the water before and I haven’t had issues although I’m usually fairly careful with it. Sea Eagle used to have a kayak that had an outside steering fin that could be lifted up but I don’t believe it’s offered anymore and I’ve never seen another one for inflatable kayaks similar to the ones you see on sea kayaks. It would be really cool to have something like that but I’ve never an add on like that unfortunately.
Christie & Allison,
Thank you so much for the insght. I have been debating with my wife on this for the past month. We leave next week for Maui & then the big island for almost two weeks. I absolutely do not want to deal with the hassle that comes with renting a kayak, I want to be on my own time, not someone else’s time. With that said I have been researching where to go kayaking keeping in mind I do not want it to be super windy or choppy, obviously a bay is ideal. If you have any recommendations as to where to go kayaking & put in either in Maui or the big island I would greatly appreciate it. It needs to be smooth and comfortable it will be my wife, myself, and our two young girls. Of course PFDs at the ready.
Thank you
Can you comment what is the best between the following 3 kayaks?
1. Sevylor Madison
2. Z tango 200
3. Aqua marina memba 390
The Aqua Marina has the best tracking and glides the fastest. The high-pressure floor on the Aqua Marina Memba really helps with performance. It’s the best of those three options.
The Z Tango and Sevylor Madison are both very comfortable but slower to paddle so they will take a little more effort to propel forward and to keep on a straight course. I prefer the Z Tango over the Sevylor Madison personally but both are stable and easy to paddle. Hope this helps!
Hi Allison,
I appreciate all the useful information you give. I just ordered a Sea Eagle Fast Track 385FT, partly because of your advice. Can’t wait to receive it. I am used to a hard sided kayak and always use my foot braces to help me paddle. I’m concerned that my inflatable will not have them. I know I saw somewhere a comment from someone about using swimming pool noodles as foot braces, but I can’t find it again. Can you direct me to that?
Also, the foot braces sold by Sea Eagle state they can only be used for one seat because of the valves, but they don’t say which seat they can be used with??? Are they for the rear or forward seat and could they be used in the middle when paddling solo? Help, please.
Thank you!
Carla
Hi Carla, Here’s the comment regarding the pool noodle, I’ll just copy and paste it here…”What I did to fix that is recreated the old footrest model– A strap and pool noodle attached to the closest D-rings to my feet. It works beautifully.”
I think the pool noodle is a great idea. I’m actually going to try this myself. You would just need a bungee that you could put through the noodle and clip to the side D-rings. If the d-rings aren’t in a convenient spot you could easily glue some extras on – really simple to do. For the Sea Eagle footbrace it would work fine for the back seat, it’s the valve up front that stops it from working well with the front seat option. BUT if you plan on paddling it mostly solo you could push the seat back slightly and probably still use the footbrace up front, placed in front of the side valve. I haven’t tried it myself but I think this should work. Honestly though the pool noodle might be a simpler solution as you could move this around where needed. Hope you love the FastTrack, it’s a great kayak!!
Hi Allison,
I just bought an Intex Excursion Pro K1 but not yet got it lake-borne yet.
I’m a tad confused about the skegs: one for shallow and one for deep waters.
At the risk of appearing dumb, at what point does one decide when to use either; and what is the difference in kayak performance when using either?
If you would like to check my local waters, I live in Metung, Victoria, Aus. And surrounded by lakes and rivers!
My wife will be happy if you can advise: I’m 67 and only ever kayaked once in my life and, thus, she is freaking out at my new hobby😂
I keep telling her that if I die kayaking I’ll die a happy man!
Your website, btw, is the best I’ve seen in relation to inflatable kayaks.
Hi Jonathan, thank you so much. I’m so glad you have found my website helpful! With regards to the skegs it’s actually a great question…
Basically if the water is deep enough for the larger skeg not to touch the bottom of the lake or river then use that one. It will provide better tracking and make it much easier to keep the kayak moving in a straight line. Therefore it will be a more efficient paddling experience for you.
With no skeg attached inflatable kayaks don’t tend to track well at all. So the fact that Intex has included a smaller skeg for shallow water is really nice. If paddling in shallow rivers where there are rocks and debris then the smaller skeg will be more useful as it won’t likely hit the ground but it will still help to keep the kayak tracking and maneuvering as it should – Not as good as with the larger skeg but still very helpful.
I love that you are starting kayaking at 67! Perhaps your wife will end up loving it as much as you! 🙂
Happy paddling!!
Hi Allison, Do you have a recommendation for a smaller pump to take on the water? Mine is huuuge and I don’t want to have to take it as it takes up space. What do you think of the hand held battery pumps? Also you have not tried the Aquaglide Deschutes models – this is what I have but have not put it to the test yet. Is there a reason? Thanks
Hi Anne, I like the K-Pump as a smaller portable hand pump to bring out with me in the kayak. I have the K-Pump20 but it also comes in a mini size, which is even smaller – although a bit back breaking to use. I haven’t tried a hand held battery pump, only the electric pumps that plug into the 12V connector in the car or battery cables. Is there a specific pump you are looking at?
Only reason I haven’t reviewed the Aquaglide Deschutes models is just because I haven’t gotten to them yet. However I like the Aquaglide kayaks and plan to review the Deschutes soon hopefully. Would love to hear your thoughts on it after you have tried it.
Can you add additional protection to the bottom of an inflatable Kayak?
I’ve never done it myself but I knew of someone who added gorilla tape strips to the bottom of their inflatable kayak for extra protection and they said it worked well. I’m pretty sure most manufacturers will tell you to use something like that at your own risk. I haven’t heard of any other ideas though.
I’m trying to decide between the Aquaglide Chelan XL and the Sea Eagle Razorlite. Looking for the 2 person model that has the ability to convert to a solo. Thoughts?
Hi Jeb, Both good kayaks, you can’t go too wrong either way. Between those two the Aquaglide Chelan XL is slightly more stable and a little slower to paddle. The Razorlite is leaner and cuts through the water a little more efficiently. So just really depends on your comfort level. I personally prefer the Razorlite. It’s honestly one of the better inflatable kayaks I have tried and I use it often. Plus the Razorlite comes with a slightly longer warranty, 3 years as opposed to 2 years with the Chelan XL. Hope that helps, good luck with your decision!
Hello
I am looking at kayak for a 1600 km trip solo with about 80 pounds of gears , thinking about doing 20 miles a day in slow moving water but sometime rapids up to class2 , any recommendation in US or even in Europe for a reliable boat .
Thanks
Sounds like it’ll be a fantastic trip! Take a look at the Sea Eagle kayaks. They are built tough, ideal for multi day expeditions with lots of room for gear and able to take heavy loads. I would say either the FastTrack or the 380X would be your best bet.
Question about length. I am interested in both moderate whitewater as well as flat water and slow rivers. For one person, do the 2 person versions go faster/slower or do better/worse in white water?
Also, the removable skeg on the sea eagle seems like a good idea for flexibility, but they seem less well liked. Is the skeg a good idea?
I am 6’3 250 lbs. Any suggestions?
I like the removable skeg personally. It definitely does add some versatility. The 2-person models will glide nicely on calm water but won’t be as quick to turn and maneuver in whitewater. It’s tough to get a kayak that performs great in both conditions. The Sea Eagle 380X is one of the better models that can crossover. It’s not fast but it is extremely comfortable and can handle most types of water. The NRS Maverik II is another option but much more costly.
Hi Allison!
Thanks for all the helpful information. I’m looking for an inflatable kayak for a single paddler that will accommodate gear for a trip of several days length, and I’m not finding information about gear volume capacity. Maybe it’s not really a limitation for open kayaks, but I was thinking of a decked boat for better protection, so volume capacity for gear would be important. That said, what are your thoughts on pros and cons of open or decked for this type of use. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks very much!
Julia
Hey Julia! I’ve gotten used to paddling open deck kayaks and I don’t mind them at all. It’s true that they don’t offer as much protection from the elements but they are great for loading up with gear or if you have dogs. However if you wanted to go with a decked kayak for multi day trips there’s a couple I would recommend. One is the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Expedition. My review on this kayak is so old, I really need to redo it with the latest model. It has been improved upon over the years and I think is much better than it ever used to be. It offers space under the deck as well as bungees for securing dry bags and gear on top of the deck as well. I think that one could definitely work.
Another option is the Innova Swing EX – not the regular Swing but the EX model offers much more space for gear inside and deck bungees for securing lots more. I really like Innova and how they make their kayaks (they are more environmentally friendly). Plus their kayaks are MUCH lighter than the Advanced Elements and easier to carry. If you wanted to go with a closed deck, either of those would work for multi-day trips.
Hope that helps!
Hi! Crazy question….
I was thinking of taking our inflatable Kayak to Maui. My husband thinks its a bad idea. I am not looking to go island hopping…. I only wanted to play around on it close to shore in calm water.
I know there are tons of rentals. I have been to Maui more times than I can count. My husband has only been there twice, and for that…. he thinks he’s an expert on knowing all things Maui. 🙂
Am I the only one that thinks it would be fun and safe?
Any opinions?
TYIA
Christie
I’ve done it and it was awesome!! We were so thankful we brought it. I find rentals in Maui so expensive and having the kayak with us gave us so much freedom to explore different areas. We just stuck close to shore in calm areas but it was super fun. It cost us $50 to check it as an extra bag of luggage on the airplane and had no issues. Have a fantastic trip! 🙂
(Reposting as reply instead of comment)
Christie & Allison,
Thank you so much for the insight. I have been debating with my wife on this for the past month. We leave next week for Maui & then the big island for almost two weeks. I absolutely do not want to deal with the hassle that comes with renting a kayak, I want to be on my own time, not someone else’s time. With that said I have been researching where to go kayaking keeping in mind I do not want it to be super windy or choppy, obviously a bay is ideal. If you have any recommendations as to where to go kayaking & put in either in Maui or the big island I would greatly appreciate it. It needs to be smooth and comfortable it will be my wife, myself, and our two young girls. Of course PFDs at the ready.
Thank you