Are Inflatable Kayaks Any Good?

RiderOnTheStorm

there are a few threads on this very subject but most recent is 10 years old so hoping for some more up-to-date info / opinions.

Looking at getting an inflatable kayak (possible 2 person) for river / canal use only. Thinking inflatable because we dont have much space at home and have to go through the house to get to the back garden / shed , so a 'rigid' is out of the question. And then there's the transport to the river (think it will be easier to put deflated in the boot of our Fiat 500).

Are they robust? Will they sag in the middle? How long to inflate / deflate (think I can motorise the infate part). How much to spend? Saw them @ Lidl / Aldi … are they any good?

Any such thing as a stand-up-paddle-board / kayak combo?

many thanks

denismc

I had one many years ago, Sevlor I think was the name of the brand, very robust, inner bladder with a tough outer canvas and a hard plastic bottom.

I remember dragging it across rocks and gravel and even going over some light rapids.

The only big downside I found is that they catch the wind so paddling in open water could be hard work, so they are not great on exposed lakes or estuarys.

A life jacket is essential.

I have an Advanced Elements straitedge inflatable kayak and it's been great so far. They do a fishing orientated version with attachment points and a rigid seat. They are fairly expensive but worth spending the extra on. If you buy one of the cheap Lidl ones then expect a season or two.

It's slow in the water because it presents a bigger profile to the water and so has more drag, I added a keel to speed mine up a bit. They have three distinct boyancy bladders so are fairly much unsinkable and very difficult to capsize. They do some more streamlined versions than the straightedge but they tend to be more expensive.

I recommend them if you can't accommodate a rigid.

RiderOnTheStorm

thx for quick replies folks! I will look into those ….

SharkMX

I bought one thinking it would be rubbish. Getting great fun out of it this year.