Inflatable kayaks - yay or nay?

[inactionman]

Seeing as I'm a misanthropic grumble guts when it comes to birthdays, the missus has suggested I choose my own birthday gift this year.

I am gravitating towards an inflatable kayak or canoe, but have almost no clue on what I'm after.

I'd like something that would mostly be used on lochs but could go on sea, is inflatable (can't really store or shift anything rigid), and - if I go for canoe- something I could take kids on that they won't die using.

Anyone tried/own one?

[Ymx]

How about one of those things you stand up on?

Paddle board.

[inactionman]

How about one of those things you stand up on?

Paddle board.

I'm a man of leisure (which can be translated to mean I've the balance of a man who has spent all day drinking)

[inactionman]

I'm not against a paddle board, just wondering if it might be easier in kayak with 5 and 6 year olds.

[Slick]

Seeing as I'm a misanthropic grumble guts when it comes to birthdays, the missus has suggested I choose my own birthday gift this year.

I am gravitating towards an inflatable kayak or canoe, but have almost no clue on what I'm after.

I'd like something that would mostly be used on lochs but could go on sea, is inflatable (can't really store or shift anything rigid), and - if I go for canoe- something I could take kids on that they won't die using.

Anyone tried/own one?

I’ve just asked last week for exactly the same. Could also do with some advice!

[Slick]

My wife has just bought a paddle board and the kids love riding on it. Problem for me is I’m so stiff through the ankles that I can’t kneel on the bloody thing to get going

[inactionman]

My wife has just bought a paddle board and the kids love riding on it. Problem for me is I’m so stiff through the ankles that I can’t kneel on the bloody thing to get going

I've only tried it once, in Greece (so actually quite nice to fall in and cool off) - although uncomfortable for longer periods I could ride easily enough kneeling, but every time I tried to stand I hit a sort of 'no mans' land' at half crouch where I'd either be able to jump into a standing position or hit a mad wobble and faceplant over the side. I had a hit rate of about 1 standing to 3 overboards.

I think you're supposed to almost jump in one movement, but I've got such little hip flexibility I had to do it in instalments.

Can you use the paddleboard down at Porty? Looks a bit tricky getting out past waves.

[Stranger]

I have one (Decathlon) that is great on the slow flowing Rhone near me, perfectly good for a few hours on the water. It has good stiffness - you can stand in it. it takes 10 minutes to inflate and you're on your way.

Never tried it in fast moving water, or the sea

[Slick]

My wife has just bought a paddle board and the kids love riding on it. Problem for me is I’m so stiff through the ankles that I can’t kneel on the bloody thing to get going

I've only tried it once, in Greece (so actually quite nice to fall in and cool off) - although uncomfortable for longer periods I could ride easily enough kneeling, but every time I tried to stand I hit a sort of 'no mans' land' at half crouch where I'd either be able to jump into a standing position or hit a mad wobble and faceplant over the side. I had a hit rate of about 1 standing to 3 overboards.

I think you're supposed to almost jump in one movement, but I've got such little hip flexibility I had to do it in instalments.

Can you use the paddleboard down at Porty? Looks a bit tricky getting out past waves.

Yeah, she's had it out only at Porty so far. It's pretty calm a lot of the time actually, but she had a couple of attempts when it was a bit bumpier and found it tough getting beyond the rough stuff. Most days there are some folk out though.

[Niegs]

Old school Canadian canoeist here... where would you be using it? Any chance of it getting poked by under-water/shoreline sticks or rocks? I mostly do rivers and my brand new fibreglass canoe got a nice gouge on my second trip.

I'd recommend reading the reviews on a good outdoors site like REI ... and saw a long warning about washing/drying after using in salt water.
https://www.rei.com/product/198281/tahe ... th-paddles

That was just the first and cheapest I looked at. Main page: https://www.rei.com/c/inflatable-kayaks

[Kawazaki]

Don't buy one would be my honest advice. You'll use it once or twice then store it in the shed or loft and it will go mouldy and/or just get forgotten about. Rent one when you need to.

[Guy Smiley]

My wife has just bought a paddle board and the kids love riding on it. Problem for me is I’m so stiff through the ankles that I can’t kneel on the bloody thing to get going

I've only tried it once, in Greece (so actually quite nice to fall in and cool off) - although uncomfortable for longer periods I could ride easily enough kneeling, but every time I tried to stand I hit a sort of 'no mans' land' at half crouch where I'd either be able to jump into a standing position or hit a mad wobble and faceplant over the side. I had a hit rate of about 1 standing to 3 overboards.

I think you're supposed to almost jump in one movement, but I've got such little hip flexibility I had to do it in instalments.

Can you use the paddleboard down at Porty? Looks a bit tricky getting out past waves.

Yeah, she's had it out only at Porty so far. It's pretty calm a lot of the time actually, but she had a couple of attempts when it was a bit bumpier and found it tough getting beyond the rough stuff. Most days there are some folk out though.

The whole too stiff through the ankles or hips... or knees etc....

I had to do full physical for a return to work after an eye problem (!) as I'd been away 3 months. I aced most of it but I told her I'd fail the balance test and I did. Standing on one leg with eyes closed... try it.

She explained to me that people who can't balance are way more likely to suffer falls later in life and we all know stories of gramps and a broken hip. The issue with losing the balance is the loss of function in the small stabilising muscles and the best way to try and regain some or all of that is....


stick to the board. Stick to it... fall off, falll over, feel foolish... but stick at it. Those muscles will switch on and come into play. You're banking on your future while having some fun in the now.

[Slick]

I've only tried it once, in Greece (so actually quite nice to fall in and cool off) - although uncomfortable for longer periods I could ride easily enough kneeling, but every time I tried to stand I hit a sort of 'no mans' land' at half crouch where I'd either be able to jump into a standing position or hit a mad wobble and faceplant over the side. I had a hit rate of about 1 standing to 3 overboards.

I think you're supposed to almost jump in one movement, but I've got such little hip flexibility I had to do it in instalments.

Can you use the paddleboard down at Porty? Looks a bit tricky getting out past waves.

Yeah, she's had it out only at Porty so far. It's pretty calm a lot of the time actually, but she had a couple of attempts when it was a bit bumpier and found it tough getting beyond the rough stuff. Most days there are some folk out though.

The whole too stiff through the ankles or hips... or knees etc....

I had to do full physical for a return to work after an eye problem (!) as I'd been away 3 months. I aced most of it but I told her I'd fail the balance test and I did. Standing on one leg with eyes closed... try it.

She explained to me that people who can't balance are way more likely to suffer falls later in life and we all know stories of gramps and a broken hip. The issue with losing the balance is the loss of function in the small stabilising muscles and the best way to try and regain some or all of that is....


stick to the board. Stick to it... fall off, falll over, feel foolish... but stick at it. Those muscles will switch on and come into play. You're banking on your future while having some fun in the now.

I’ve got world class balance dude. I just can’t kneel on a paddle board

[Guy Smiley]

Kneel down before my Godly Advice, peasant

[TB63]

Don't buy one would be my honest advice. You'll use it once or twice then store it in the shed or loft and it will go mouldy and/or just get forgotten about. Rent one when you need to.

Also good advice re Thai brides..

[Slick]

Kneel down before my Godly Advice, peasant

Sweet advice bro

[Sards]

Inflatable kayaks are great if there's no wind. A bit too much wind and you will be swept from one end of the lake to the other with absolutely no control. You will find yourself looking for somewhere to get out and drag the thing to shore and pulling it back . Been there. My next stop was fitting an electric motor. Just to combat the wind. I used mine for fishing. Ended up constantly fishing on the drift because thats what it does. Got fed up and sold it

[TheFrog]

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/be ... ayaks.html

[Stranger]

The one I have is the second one down on that list

[Marylandolorian]

Don't buy one would be my honest advice. You'll use it once or twice then store it in the shed or loft and it will go mouldy and/or just get forgotten about. Rent one when you need to.

Also good advice re Thai brides..

Lol

As mentioned by Sards windy conditions will be a big problem.

A foldable one might be a good option. https://www.orukayak.com/pages/compare/kayaks

[Punter15]

The reason it’ll end up gathering dust is that after one use you’ll realise that it’s a piece of crap. Get a proper touring kayak and a roof rack, you’ll love it.

[Niegs]

The reason it’ll end up gathering dust is that after one use you’ll realise that it’s a piece of crap. Get a proper touring kayak and a roof rack, you’ll love it.

And there are all kinds of way to stow at home (unless you have a tiny apartment).

https://www.watersportswhiz.com/kayak-storage-ideas/

(bonus: getting a peek at Ms. Taylor, if you don't mind her 'howdy y'all' accent)

[mat the expat]

Look up Oru folding kayaks - exy but clever.

I nearly bought one last year after discovering the Ozzie reseller lived in my apartment complex. Didn't have storage space for full-size.

Moving now and will get a full size one

[Sards]

Look up Oru folding kayaks - exy but clever.

I nearly bought one last year after discovering the Ozzie reseller lived in my apartment complex. Didn't have storage space for full-size.

Moving now and will get a full size one

Moving again

[Sandstorm]

My wife has just bought a paddle board and the kids love riding on it. Problem for me is I’m so stiff through the ankles that I can’t kneel on the bloody thing to get going

I've only tried it once, in Greece (so actually quite nice to fall in and cool off) - although uncomfortable for longer periods I could ride easily enough kneeling, but every time I tried to stand I hit a sort of 'no mans' land' at half crouch where I'd either be able to jump into a standing position or hit a mad wobble and faceplant over the side. I had a hit rate of about 1 standing to 3 overboards.

I think you're supposed to almost jump in one movement, but I've got such little hip flexibility I had to do it in instalments.

Can you use the paddleboard down at Porty? Looks a bit tricky getting out past waves.

Paddle boards are just like bikes. Travel too slow/stop moving…..you fall off. Get it moving fast…..while sitting or kneeling and then you can clamber to your feet while it’s still moving. Then keep the momentum.

[mat the expat]

Look up Oru folding kayaks - exy but clever.

I nearly bought one last year after discovering the Ozzie reseller lived in my apartment complex. Didn't have storage space for full-size.

Moving now and will get a full size one

Moving again

Soon - this was just an intermediate gaff so we can relocate properly

[Sards]

Look up Oru folding kayaks - exy but clever.

I nearly bought one last year after discovering the Ozzie reseller lived in my apartment complex. Didn't have storage space for full-size.

Moving now and will get a full size one

Moving again

Soon - this was just an intermediate gaff so we can relocate properly

Can't keep up

[mat the expat]

Moving again

Soon - this was just an intermediate gaff so we can relocate properly

Can't keep up

First move in 9 years

[pjm1]

Not sure of budget, but will share my experiences as a user and subsequently buyer of inflatable kayaks.

• "Normal" inflatables are ok for a bit of fun, cheap and easy to transport
• But they have limitations: they're crap in wind, harder to steer well and slow (too much drag)
• Drop stitch inflatables are the way to go... but they're considerably more expensive and harder to get. Forget Decathlon and the like if you want one
• I've had our DS kayak out on the sea quite a few times (not a great idea when waves were well over 0.5m!) and also it did get folded up when we "surfed" back in, it was tremendous fun... and utterly inadvisable
• DS kayaks are much closer to a hard shell, but obviously not quite the same. For us, it's a perfect compromise between the pros of a hard shell and the portability, storability and convenience of an inflatable

We bought ours online peak-Covid, from this place and would recommend them in a heartbeat. Also had lots of attention and positive comments when paddling in it, from green-eyed fellow water users: https://bluewavekayaks.com/glider-drop- ... -blue.html

[Sards]

Getting ready for summer

Totally random. Our next 2 summer holidays are in a cottage on a river. Of course there are canoes to hire but it's going to be costly. And you are limited to a time. So over dinner a few nights ago we were discussing it and the 2 boys suggested inflatable kayaks. I started looking around and it's something you really need to research. I Googled reviews on all the ones I looked at. Most common complaint was leaks because of the thickness of the material. I had completely forgotten this thread. I mentioned that on a large water surface inflatable craft get blown all around. But where we are going on a river it's not that wide or as large a water surface that one would struggle. And it's between mountains so not so windy on the water. But the thickness of the craft bothered me. We have been through various inflatable devices and they pop easily. Especially on a river with branches above and below the water. But once again it's not cheap to go for the thicker skinned kayaks and then you may as well go for a proper kayak at the price. One of the boys suggested going second hand because it's not something you are going to use regularly , at most a few times a year. Found this beauty at a very good price. Triple layer skin. ( it's heavy). Takes 4 and it has an electric motor which is great when you are in a struggle. Boys can play in it up the river and I will feel comfortable. Also a great opportunity to get to some fishing spots we haven't got to yet. It has fishing rod holders too. It has a solid base ( made from plastic rectangular tube slipped into a pvc sleeve that squeezes between the pontoons. So not likely to pop the floor either. I was happy that my one lad mentioned that this is the best time to look. Being winter. And people are clearing their garages.
I suppose it's horses for courses.
What we paid second hand will cover our kayak hire for the first holiday. Second holiday it's free.

[inactionman]

Spoiler

Show

Getting ready for summer

Totally random. Our next 2 summer holidays are in a cottage on a river. Of course there are canoes to hire but it's going to be costly. And you are limited to a time. So over dinner a few nights ago we were discussing it and the 2 boys suggested inflatable kayaks. I started looking around and it's something you really need to research. I Googled reviews on all the ones I looked at. Most common complaint was leaks because of the thickness of the material. I had completely forgotten this thread. I mentioned that on a large water surface inflatable craft get blown all around. But where we are going on a river it's not that wide or as large a water surface that one would struggle. And it's between mountains so not so windy on the water. But the thickness of the craft bothered me. We have been through various inflatable devices and they pop easily. Especially on a river with branches above and below the water. But once again it's not cheap to go for the thicker skinned kayaks and then you may as well go for a proper kayak at the price. One of the boys suggested going second hand because it's not something you are going to use regularly , at most a few times a year. Found this beauty at a very good price. Triple layer skin. ( it's heavy). Takes 4 and it has an electric motor which is great when you are in a struggle. Boys can play in it up the river and I will feel comfortable. Also a great opportunity to get to some fishing spots we haven't got to yet. It has fishing rod holders too. It has a solid base ( made from plastic rectangular tube slipped into a pvc sleeve that squeezes between the pontoons. So not likely to pop the floor either. I was happy that my one lad mentioned that this is the best time to look. Being winter. And people are clearing their garages.
I suppose it's horses for courses.
What we paid second hand will cover our kayak hire for the first holiday. Second holiday it's free.

Looks good

I bought a paddleboard - some Gul Cross thing - and we had great fun on holiday with it - the kids could sit on it like a boat. The kids also loved going out on two-man canoes split with my and my wife, they're probably next on the Christmas Wishlist - still wondering if we go for inflatable or not.

I hired a catamaran dinghy - RS Cat 16 - on one of the lochs and the girls had great fun, but couldn't really see how I'd store or move one (or, to be frank, afford one) so will park that for now.

[Sards]

Spoiler

Show

Getting ready for summer

Totally random. Our next 2 summer holidays are in a cottage on a river. Of course there are canoes to hire but it's going to be costly. And you are limited to a time. So over dinner a few nights ago we were discussing it and the 2 boys suggested inflatable kayaks. I started looking around and it's something you really need to research. I Googled reviews on all the ones I looked at. Most common complaint was leaks because of the thickness of the material. I had completely forgotten this thread. I mentioned that on a large water surface inflatable craft get blown all around. But where we are going on a river it's not that wide or as large a water surface that one would struggle. And it's between mountains so not so windy on the water. But the thickness of the craft bothered me. We have been through various inflatable devices and they pop easily. Especially on a river with branches above and below the water. But once again it's not cheap to go for the thicker skinned kayaks and then you may as well go for a proper kayak at the price. One of the boys suggested going second hand because it's not something you are going to use regularly , at most a few times a year. Found this beauty at a very good price. Triple layer skin. ( it's heavy). Takes 4 and it has an electric motor which is great when you are in a struggle. Boys can play in it up the river and I will feel comfortable. Also a great opportunity to get to some fishing spots we haven't got to yet. It has fishing rod holders too. It has a solid base ( made from plastic rectangular tube slipped into a pvc sleeve that squeezes between the pontoons. So not likely to pop the floor either. I was happy that my one lad mentioned that this is the best time to look. Being winter. And people are clearing their garages.
I suppose it's horses for courses.
What we paid second hand will cover our kayak hire for the first holiday. Second holiday it's free.

Looks good

I bought a paddleboard - some Gul Cross thing - and we had great fun on holiday with it - the kids could sit on it like a boat. The kids also loved going out on two-man canoes split with my and my wife, they're probably next on the Christmas Wishlist - still wondering if we go for inflatable or not.

I hired a catamaran dinghy - RS Cat 16 - on one of the lochs and the girls had great fun, but couldn't really see how I'd store or move one (or, to be frank, afford one) so will park that for now.

The lads are amped. Put it all together yesterday. And then folded it up again.

[Slick]

Spoiler

Show

Getting ready for summer

Totally random. Our next 2 summer holidays are in a cottage on a river. Of course there are canoes to hire but it's going to be costly. And you are limited to a time. So over dinner a few nights ago we were discussing it and the 2 boys suggested inflatable kayaks. I started looking around and it's something you really need to research. I Googled reviews on all the ones I looked at. Most common complaint was leaks because of the thickness of the material. I had completely forgotten this thread. I mentioned that on a large water surface inflatable craft get blown all around. But where we are going on a river it's not that wide or as large a water surface that one would struggle. And it's between mountains so not so windy on the water. But the thickness of the craft bothered me. We have been through various inflatable devices and they pop easily. Especially on a river with branches above and below the water. But once again it's not cheap to go for the thicker skinned kayaks and then you may as well go for a proper kayak at the price. One of the boys suggested going second hand because it's not something you are going to use regularly , at most a few times a year. Found this beauty at a very good price. Triple layer skin. ( it's heavy). Takes 4 and it has an electric motor which is great when you are in a struggle. Boys can play in it up the river and I will feel comfortable. Also a great opportunity to get to some fishing spots we haven't got to yet. It has fishing rod holders too. It has a solid base ( made from plastic rectangular tube slipped into a pvc sleeve that squeezes between the pontoons. So not likely to pop the floor either. I was happy that my one lad mentioned that this is the best time to look. Being winter. And people are clearing their garages.
I suppose it's horses for courses.
What we paid second hand will cover our kayak hire for the first holiday. Second holiday it's free.

Looks good

I bought a paddleboard - some Gul Cross thing - and we had great fun on holiday with it - the kids could sit on it like a boat. The kids also loved going out on two-man canoes split with my and my wife, they're probably next on the Christmas Wishlist - still wondering if we go for inflatable or not.

I hired a catamaran dinghy - RS Cat 16 - on one of the lochs and the girls had great fun, but couldn't really see how I'd store or move one (or, to be frank, afford one) so will park that for now.

Let’s get that morning in Porty booked in! I am going to Gladhouse Reservoir next week to learn on the paddle board and then keen to get out a fair bit after that

[inactionman]

Spoiler

Show

Getting ready for summer

Totally random. Our next 2 summer holidays are in a cottage on a river. Of course there are canoes to hire but it's going to be costly. And you are limited to a time. So over dinner a few nights ago we were discussing it and the 2 boys suggested inflatable kayaks. I started looking around and it's something you really need to research. I Googled reviews on all the ones I looked at. Most common complaint was leaks because of the thickness of the material. I had completely forgotten this thread. I mentioned that on a large water surface inflatable craft get blown all around. But where we are going on a river it's not that wide or as large a water surface that one would struggle. And it's between mountains so not so windy on the water. But the thickness of the craft bothered me. We have been through various inflatable devices and they pop easily. Especially on a river with branches above and below the water. But once again it's not cheap to go for the thicker skinned kayaks and then you may as well go for a proper kayak at the price. One of the boys suggested going second hand because it's not something you are going to use regularly , at most a few times a year. Found this beauty at a very good price. Triple layer skin. ( it's heavy). Takes 4 and it has an electric motor which is great when you are in a struggle. Boys can play in it up the river and I will feel comfortable. Also a great opportunity to get to some fishing spots we haven't got to yet. It has fishing rod holders too. It has a solid base ( made from plastic rectangular tube slipped into a pvc sleeve that squeezes between the pontoons. So not likely to pop the floor either. I was happy that my one lad mentioned that this is the best time to look. Being winter. And people are clearing their garages.
I suppose it's horses for courses.
What we paid second hand will cover our kayak hire for the first holiday. Second holiday it's free.

Looks good

I bought a paddleboard - some Gul Cross thing - and we had great fun on holiday with it - the kids could sit on it like a boat. The kids also loved going out on two-man canoes split with my and my wife, they're probably next on the Christmas Wishlist - still wondering if we go for inflatable or not.

I hired a catamaran dinghy - RS Cat 16 - on one of the lochs and the girls had great fun, but couldn't really see how I'd store or move one (or, to be frank, afford one) so will park that for now.

Let’s get that morning in Porty booked in! I am going to Gladhouse Reservoir next week to learn on the paddle board and then keen to get out a fair bit after that

I haven't learnt how to ride (do you ride a paddleboard? Paddling a paddleboard sounds odd) the board properly yet, it's mostly kneeling and falling in but it's all good fun.

Let me know how you get on a Gladhouse, I was going to take the kids to Threipmuir as I've seen wild swimmers there but there's barely more than half a dozen people at any given time. I'd obviously prefer not to have an audience, although someone to call the ambulance is always handy.

[Sards]

Bought second hand. Was brilliant. Takes 4 kids easily. 3 adults at a squeeze. Trolling motor so not fast but enough to beat the current.

Cruising the Breede

[Slick]

We were literally getting in the car to go and buy an inflatable for my birthday when I got a message from a friend up the road saying he wants to get rid of his old sea kayak and did I want it for free!

It’s pretty old and the rudder needs fixed - although he reckons it’s not needed. So I now have a Necky Looksha touring kayak. Whatever that is.

I’ve been out in it twice before and I’m definitely going to have to work on flexibility through the hips but seems like a great thing. Although pretty heavy, going to struggle a bit getting it down to the beach!

[Sandstorm]

We were literally getting in the car to go and buy an inflatable for my birthday when I got a message from a friend up the road saying he wants to get rid of his old sea kayak and did I want it for free!

It’s pretty old and the rudder needs fixed - although he reckons it’s not needed. So I now have a Necky Looksha touring kayak. Whatever that is.

I’ve been out in it twice before and I’m definitely going to have to work on flexibility through the hips but seems like a great thing. Although pretty heavy, going to struggle a bit getting it down to the beach!

Make sure it’s seaworthy. My brother and his mate went a mile offshore in Maui in their kayak and it sank. Barely survived the swim back to shore last September.

[Slick]

We were literally getting in the car to go and buy an inflatable for my birthday when I got a message from a friend up the road saying he wants to get rid of his old sea kayak and did I want it for free!

It’s pretty old and the rudder needs fixed - although he reckons it’s not needed. So I now have a Necky Looksha touring kayak. Whatever that is.

I’ve been out in it twice before and I’m definitely going to have to work on flexibility through the hips but seems like a great thing. Although pretty heavy, going to struggle a bit getting it down to the beach!

Make sure it’s seaworthy. My brother and his mate went a mile offshore in Maui in their kayak and it sank. Barely survived the swim back to shore last September.

Well that’s brought down the mood.

Like I say, I’ve been in it twice before and it was fine. I’m too much of a scaredy cat to go that far out…

Sounds awful though, glad they were OK

[weegie01]

We were literally getting in the car to go and buy an inflatable for my birthday when I got a message from a friend up the road saying he wants to get rid of his old sea kayak and did I want it for free!

It’s pretty old and the rudder needs fixed - although he reckons it’s not needed. So I now have a Necky Looksha touring kayak. Whatever that is.

I’ve been out in it twice before and I’m definitely going to have to work on flexibility through the hips but seems like a great thing. Although pretty heavy, going to struggle a bit getting it down to the beach!

Make sure it’s seaworthy. My brother and his mate went a mile offshore in Maui in their kayak and it sank. Barely survived the swim back to shore last September.

Did they spot any sheep?

[Sandstorm]

We were literally getting in the car to go and buy an inflatable for my birthday when I got a message from a friend up the road saying he wants to get rid of his old sea kayak and did I want it for free!

It’s pretty old and the rudder needs fixed - although he reckons it’s not needed. So I now have a Necky Looksha touring kayak. Whatever that is.

I’ve been out in it twice before and I’m definitely going to have to work on flexibility through the hips but seems like a great thing. Although pretty heavy, going to struggle a bit getting it down to the beach!

Make sure it’s seaworthy. My brother and his mate went a mile offshore in Maui in their kayak and it sank. Barely survived the swim back to shore last September.

Did they spot any sheep?

No, but a whale cruised underneath them.