Purchasing an Inflatable kayak soon

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by JerryHeeve, Jun 11, 2015.

  1. JerryHeeve
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    JerryHeeve New Member

    Hope this is posted in the right place, but I just wanted to see if anyone here has had any experience with inflatable kayaks. I will be purchasing one soon because I need something that is portable.

    I have done a lot of research on this one http://inflatablekayakreviews.org/solstice-flash-2-person-kayak/ and it seems to be built quite well, and has a lot of value for the price.

    Just wanted to see if anyone could confirm my research based on past experience.

    thanks!
     
  2. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    Don't do it.
    At least get a take down kayak.
    Yostwerks.com will show you how to build your own if you need to go cheaper.
     
  3. Poida
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    Poida Senior Member

    Jerry

    It depends on what you want your kayak for.

    Just for a bit of fun to paddle around with the kids at the beach OK.

    If you want to do some serious kayaking a waste of time. I've only had one inflatable kayak and wouldn't have another.

    If you notice when the man in the demo paddles, the kayak is snaking as this type of kayak doesn't keep a very straight line.

    Paddling with a side wind will be a ***** and if the wind is blowing from behind it will want to turn you around.

    There are kayaks that you can assemble but I've had no experience with them.

    Poida
     
  4. Tantalus
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    Tantalus 1963 kauri cruiser

    Check out the ones with a clear see-through floor - pretty cool. Or if you can afford it, check out a Molokini
     
  5. Squidly-Diddly
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    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    Ditto all that. Took a Sevylor out on a calm lake and could only do in circles.

    OK for mild surf play or class II rapids.

    Also real handy for air mattress in damp locations with high sides to keep most creepy crawlers out, or for a small "pool" for the kids to play in, or to keep some live crawdads, etc. Emergency water storage if they tell you the water is about to be shut off. 270' protection/insulation/water proofing would make it good for cold weather survival cocoon.

    I've considered throwing on top of a wagon or van roof for car top air mattress.


    One of my back burner design projects is a Universal Survival "Coffin". Basically an inflatable kayak, with roof structure, and integrated solar still in the roof to produce fresh water from seawater, or urine, etc. Ballast tanks like inflatable life boat for ballast or non potable water storage(on land). Protection from both extreme heat and cold, as well as about 300lbs combined micro life boat. Lot better than floating in open water in a life jacket or even a "survival suit". Radar reflectors, etc. Self inflating (maybe with low cost consumer loadable vinegar/baking soda device) with cheap backup hand billows pump. Under $200.
     
  6. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    Once, holidaying on the isle of Gigha, I watched a canoe approaching the shore.

    As it got nearer, I noticed the occupant was wearing a salt encrusted dry suit, and the canoe was inflatable. I asked him if he had come over from the mainland, (a distance of some 3 miles) and he said yes, but this was just the end of his journey, and he had travelled from Taynloan on the mainland, to Applecross, a journey of some 400km, carrying all his camping gear, through some of the most difficult waters in the world, and then deflated the canoe, and returned to Taynloan on a series of public buses.
     
  7. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    There are unique people in the world who can overcome any obstacle.
    Did you find out what brand the canoe was? There probably are uniquely well built boats even as inflateables.

    Most of us are not so gifted.

    An inflatable could be more manageable when loaded with supplies rather than get pushed and blown around when it is not deep enough in the water.
    Same as some rigid boats.
     
  8. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    You're quite right, of course. This fellow, a frenchman in his 60's, I think, measured the calories in every meal. His one treat each day was a coffee on his folding rocket stove. He was interested in my pedal cat, but I think regarded it as excessive.

    An inspiration, and perhaps a warning at the same time!

    I can't remember the name of the canoe, I'm afraid, but it was a small and robust affair, rather professional and relatively expensive. He wasn't quite satisfied with it, and was considering another model. I suppose the point being that until meeting him, I had considered inflatable canoes to be beach toys, and this changed my perception.

    Years ago, the mountain bike manufacturers Muddy Fox sponsored a race from Fort William to Inverness by mountain bike and windsurfer. One team, instead of using a support van for the change over from bike on track to windsurfer on loch, were entirely self sufficient on Brompton folding bikes and Airtec 2000 inflatable windsurfers.

    I have huge admiration for this kind of stubborn outside the box thinking and determinedness.
     
  9. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

  10. Squidly-Diddly
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    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member


    There should be a race over some mountains, then across open water, then more mountains, then more water, requiring racers to carry their bikes/boats and change over more than once. I'm thinking some route in SF bay might work, maybe even through the city, since we got "city streets" as steep as most "mountains".

    Maybe through SF on bikes, then across the Golden Gate by water, then up in Marin Co a bit(hilly) then across N Bay by water.
     
  11. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    Down through Berkeley, Oakland, into the water again, under the Bay bridge, round Alcatraz, and grand finish at Fisherman's wharf!

    For younger men and women than me! :D
     
  12. ImaginaryNumber
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    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Audrey Sutherland is an inflatable kayaking legend who initially solo SWAM some of the most inaccessible coasts of the Hawaiian Islands (while towing a styrofoam cooler holding her food), but then graduated to doing the same and more (like 12,000 miles more!) by inflatable kayak.

    Alone in a Rubber Boat

    Go Simple, Go Solo, Go Now – The Life of Audrey Sutherland




    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyg1dG6M0GU
     

  13. Milehog
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    Milehog Clever Quip

    The cheap high volume 'kayaks' are downwind boats. Don't use them with an offshore wind blowing. My wife's Advanced Elements 10' ish inflatable paddles surprisingly well, all things considered.
     
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