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The Benefits of an Inflatable Kayak

Intex Challenger K12An Inflatable Kayak is lightweight, and since there is no rigid structure, it takes up very little space once deflated and folded. These characteristics of Inflatable Kayaks lead to two advantages: portability and simplicity.

Get more info here for the best inflatable kayak in the market this year.

 

Light Enough to be Carried

The Inflatable Kayak shares this advantage with folding kayaks but is generally lighter, cheaper, more robust, and easier to use.

 

Keeping and Storing your Kayak

Once deflated and rolled up, Inflatable Kayaks may be placed in the closet or stored in the basement. The total volume of a folded inflatable kayak depends on its length and quality of construction. In general, inflatable kayaks take up the space of a suitcase or kayaking excursion bag.

Take your Kayak to Any and All Places

An Inflatable Kayak allows the paddler to travel to distant destinations with his very own kayak. This is naturally useful to navigate in places where there is no opportunity to rent kayaks, or to which shipping services are expensive or unreliable. Inflatable Kayaks become simple baggage that can be stored for boarding. If shipping services are available, inflatable kayaks are easy to send by carrier or mail. If you are transporting your own kayak, there is no need to load and secure the kayak onto the roof of the car. No need for roof bars, poles, or other costly accessories. Just drop the inflatable kayak in the trunk or place it in the back seat.

Freedom of Use

Practicality

To actually put an inflatable kayak into service, one must first take the time to inflate the boat. But the time required between taking the kayak out of the trunk and launching is not much longer than the time needed to take down a rigid from the top of a car and carry it up to the water.

Boarding

To board an inflatable kayak, simply sit down on the back deck of the inflatable kayak behind the cockpit, place one foot into the cockpit, then slide down into the seat. Because inflatable kayaks naturally absorb shocks, it is especially easy to land quickly in the surf with an inflatable kayak, this being an advantage over ocean kayaks or other types of rigid kayaks.

Directing and Controlling the Kayak

Beginners quickly learn how to direct and control the kayaks with the double kayak paddle. Inflatable kayaks are simple to re-board after being capsized.

Pleasurable and Exciting Kayaking Excursions

Inflatable kayaks are not specialist vessels. Open stable, spacious, and easy to control, inflatable kayaks forgive errors and are safe. Therefore, inflatable kayaks are ideal for inexperienced children and friends.

Versatility

Since most inflatable kayaks are not specialized, they make possible various types of kayaking excursions for coastal exploration, rafting, and even kayak fishing expeditions.

Upkeep

Inflatable Kayaks are very solid and support shocks well, although one must be careful of sharp objects and abrasions. In case of a puncture, simply apply a patch. Keeping your inflatable kayak clean can be somewhat more time-consuming, because rigid kayaks may be simply rinsed before being stored, while inflatable kayaks must be carefully dried before being folded.

Efficiency: Speed and Distance traveled per unit time

All things being equal, the more rigid the boat, the more efficiently it can be propelled through the water. Composite kayaks are among the fastest kayaks, but with proper technique, experienced paddlers can maintain a healthy rate of speed with an inflatable kayak in non-extreme wind conditions and moderate sea.

Turning and Tracking

Speed is clearly a weakness of inflatable kayaks especially in crosswinds or adverse conditions. The rudder is known to provide better control to the paddler for directional changes. For tracking, The skeg is a simple device for aiding tracking and allowing the kayak to stay on course.

Comfort

Inflatable kayaks are not readily yielding to pressure or weight and are not soft or flabby. Inflatable kayaks should be inflated to the recommended pressure to ensure their proper nautical qualities.

Ease of loading

Loading inflatable kayaks are easier than rigid ocean kayaks or fishing kayaks equipped with watertight compartments and hatches. But the lack of watertight compartments requires that kayaking excursion bags be tied to the boat, so as to not be lost in case of capsizing.

Strength and Robustness

Inflatable Kayaks are not fragile. The covering is made of a material resistant to puncture and abrasion. The more solid inflatable kayak variants are made of durable nylon-covered rubber. The points to watch inflatable kayaks are the quality, strength, and durability of valves and anchor points.

Security

Compared to rigid kayaks, drift and wind resistance are significantly more important for inflatable kayaks. In high winds, direction and control may require more effort to advance an inflatable kayak towards a target destination. In the event of capsizing, it would be impossible to swim and catch up to a lightweight inflatable kayak to be carried away by the wind. The paddler MUST be attached to his boat.

Kayak Reviews of Inflatable Kayaks Cheaper than normal kayaks?

In making the Inflatable Kayak Reviews one myth that must be dispelled is that inflatable kayaks are less expensive than rigid ocean kayaks or fishing kayaks. As with other types of kayaks, inflatable kayaks are manufactured according to different quality standards and their prices vary accordingly from high price ranges to small.

Are you thinking of buying an inflatable kayak? See our guides for the best inflatable kayak for whitewater.

 

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About Julian Thompson

cb787c59d2808e1f609076e790ca977e?s=90&d=mm&r=gCertifications: Certified Kayaking Instructor (AKA)
Education: American Kayak Association
Lives In: Denver Colorado

I am a kayaking expert/instructor who has been fishing for over 15 years. Fishing is my passion, but kayaking keeps me on the water. I love to share my knowledge of techniques and tips with others. I live in Colorado with my wife and two kids and own a small kayak rental business On Grand Lake where I rent and instruct.

2 thoughts on “The Benefits of an Inflatable Kayak”

  1. Awesome post! As a follow up, I recently wrote a post myself comparing these kayaks:
    Let me know what you think! 🙂

  2. I want to start kayaking and I have bought a inflatable Intel explorer do you have some advice where to begin…starting in a pond then river to lake? I am a nature photographer and I want to take photos along the way..is that possible in a kayak.

    Thanks so much Kathy

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