Inflatable kayaks
Inflatables are fun and are good boats to teach kids with. They can eliminate a lot of the fear kids (and adults) have of capsizing. Although in theory they can take on whitewater I wouldn't try them in anything over Class I or I 1/2. If you are short on storage space, inflatables can be a smart choice since they will only take up a small corner in your garage or apartment.
Inflatable kayaks: easy to use and light.
Inflatable kayaks are generally a lot sturdier than most people would imagine. Generally the mental image that comes to mind when "inflatable kayak" is said is one that looks like an inflatable toy. However, this is far from the case and in fact, some of these inflatable kayaks can even be used for whitewater touring.
There are a few benefits to inflatable kayaks that should probably be mentioned first, however. These benefits probably seem relatively straight-forward, but they are all reasons to get an inflatable kayak on their own. First of all, inflatable kayaks are probably the most buoyant of any type of kayak. This makes sense, since the kayak essentially consists of blown up inner compartments. If you're looking for a kayak that will more than likely stay upright, then this is probably the best option for you.
You should also consider just how easy it is to move around with inflatable kayaks in contrast to some of the other kayak types. First of all, most of the available kayaks that are made out of other materials are actually fairly heavy. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, kayaks are at least a little bit heavy and you have to have the right rack on your car in order to travel with them.
One major advantage to the inflatable kayaks, however, is that they can easily be broken down and stored. All you have to do is deflate, fold, and pack your kayak up before you go anywhere. One disadvantage is that you'll have to inflate your kayak before you're ready to actually start paddling, but this is definitely a minor concern when you consider that you'll be able to bring your kayak on an airplane if you need to.
The last thing you should consider about inflatable kayaks is that it is much easier to store them - which may mean that they will last longer than a lot of the other kayak designs. After all, in order to store an inflatable kayak, you only need enough room to store the deflated kayak. For a regular type of kayak, you'd need to have enough room for the entire boat.
In short, if you're looking for a convenient, light, and easy to use kayak design, then inflatable kayaks are definitely the type for you.
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.kayakhelp.com. Please visit his complete kayaking guide for all skills and ages. |
