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Inflatable Kayak Buying Tips
As you may already know, specialization in the design of today's new inflatable kayaks is now in the forefront of the minds of the designers. Each distinct group is specifically designed for a different set of applications and is built and equipped with different components and equipment. Most new inflatable kayaks today fall within one of these specific categories.
 
If all you need is a small kayak to get you from ship to shore, then a typical inflatable tender is the best answer. If you're after a medium sized boat for diving or water sports there are many choices as well. If a large rigid-hulled inflatable (Rigid Inflatable Boat or RIB) for recreation, rescue or work is what you need, there are again many exotic designs available with a wide variety of standard and optional components. The choice is quite wide through the entire spectrum, ranging from very compact models with simple slatted or inflatable floors, to larger tenders with inflatable or wooden keels and solid wooden or aluminum floors, up to the fiberglass or aluminum rigid-hulled inflatables. To avoid confusion, before buying, or even shopping for an inflatable, discuss and decide on exactly what the uses or requirements will be for your new inflatable kayak. This will minimize the models to choose from, which in turn will minimize confusion.
 
 
The location and availability of the dealer is important. You want easy assessability for your inflatable kayak needs. Whether its parts, repairs or just technical support and friendly customer service tips, a dealer can be a close friend. In particular, as a new boat owner and perhaps new to inflatable kayaks, you may have questions; need to claim warranty, or need regular servicing to maintain a warranty. Any way you look at it, quality and reputation is best.
 
 
Years ago, inflatable kayaks where the most expensive boats on the market and only a few people could afford them. This was due to the use of exotic materials and the hours of meticulous hand labor which went into their construction. Now, the boats still use the best materials, but in the late seventies, the companies started investing millions of dollars in computer-driven assembly equipment. This enabled prices to be dramatically reduced as economies of scale rose, enabling more and more consumers to enjoy affordable inflatable boating. Sevylor, now Stearns®, are now the leading low-cost producer thanks to these technological investments. So be wary of inflatable prices substantially below the Sevylor line. They may be either produced in developing countries by unskilled labor, or marketed by companies who are unaware of the importance of profit margins. They will be glad to see your dollar today but may be unwilling or unable to fix a problem later, or supply that much needed spare part.
 
 
You may be enamored with competitor's claims, all of whom will promise they have the best or longest warranty. There was even a lifetime warranty offered some years ago by an inflatable boat company that soon enough disappeared. A lot of manufacturers use attractive warranties as a substitute for quality or proper boat design, or simply to shore up a lack of product features. You should also be sure in your own mind that the company will be around long enough to deliver. Stearns® has been around for over 50 years, building inflatables and offers a limited 1-year warranty, and they have the wherefore to be around for a long time. Stearns® warrants their products to be free from defects in material or workmanship. Products that prove to be defective under conditions of normal and proper use during the warranty period, because of defective workmanship or faulty material, will be replaced or repaired without charge.
 
Introducing: Star Inflatables
 
THREE YEAR WARRANTY- our products are backed by a three year limited warranty, which covers defects in material and workmanship, also, available two year extended warranty.
 
Star Inflatables are rugged, sharp-looking riverboats with models built for both private and commercial use, while still offering our product to you at the most competitive prices.
 
 

The Best-Cheap-Kayaks
 
The fastest growing trend in the kayaking industry is clearly the use of inflatable kayaks. Today’s technology makes these inflatable crafts more rugged and maneuverable, while remaining lightweight and portable. Even seasoned kayakers are gradually making the switch to inflatable kayaks.
 
Inflatable Kayaks are Extremely Portable
If you have ever owned a hard-shell kayak, you realize how difficult it can be to transport your kayak. You have little alternative to strapping your kayak to the roof of your vehicle. Then you have to drive to a road accessible ocean, lake or river. Next you have to awkwardly carry your hard-shell kayak to the water. Hopefully the water isn’t too far from where you had to park your vehicle.
With an inflatable kayak, you simply fold the deflated kayak into a backpack and you can go anywhere. Most inflatable kayaks are less than forty pounds in weight and some are even less than thirty pounds. They also fold up very compact once deflated. Transporting them in the back of your car is no problem at all. Then think of all the mountain trails you can take your inflatable kayak to. You could easily paddle on remote lakes or rivers. Or how about taking your kayak on vacation with you? Bring it in your luggage on the plane and you could be kayaking almost anywhere in the world. That would be pretty difficult to do with a hard-shell kayak. You could take an inflatable kayak on a city bus or bicycle to the water. During off season, the kayak would take up minimal storage space.
 
Inflatable Kayaks are Tough and Durable
When most people think of an inflatable kayak, they picture a cheaply made plastic boat for kids. They picture a kayak that would burst from hitting the smallest rock or branch. If you’ve owned one of the older, cheaper style inflatable boats, you know you also have to invest in repair patches or a roll of duct tape.
 
New high quality inflatable kayaks are changing people’s impressions of inflatable boats. New inflatable crafts are made from puncture and abrasion resistant rubber, often reinforced with polyester fabric. This is much stronger than the PVC material used for most cheap inflatable boats. Under normal circumstances it is quite unlikely that you would puncture these new rubber materials. Even if you did, most inflatable kayaks have at least three separate air chambers.
 
Inflatable Kayaks are Easy to Use
What is easier than carrying your kayak right to the water’s edge and inflating it with a foot pump within five to ten minutes? Most people have pumped up an air mattress at least once as a child. Then after it is filled to the appropriate air pressure, set your inflatable kayak in the water and get in like any other kayak. You can straddle the kayak and then sit down. Or you can place your paddle across the kayak to brace yourself as you get in.
 
Kayaks are very stable, but with inflatable kayaks it can be much easier to get back in if you fall out. You simply grab the cockpit of the kayak and pull yourself up like you’re getting out of a swimming pool. This makes an inflatable kayak very convenient for snorkeling or swimming. Before getting back in, it is easy to dump out any water that gets aboard. Some inflatable boats are even self bailing.
 
Another misconception about inflatable kayaks is that they have very poor maneuverability. People think you would have very little control in an inflatable kayak. This isn’t the case with newer inflatable kayaks though. Many of these inflatable boats have optional foot controlled rudders to make for easy turning without missing a stroke. Some of these optional rudders just help the kayak track straight. A lot of inflatable kayaks have maneuverability comparable to hard-shell boats.
 
Where Can I Use an Inflatable Kayak?
Inflatable kayaks are made in a variety of styles to accommodate almost any conditions. For the casual kayaker, there are lower priced models best suited for flat-water lakes and rivers. There are more expensive models designed for moderate or advanced whitewater. Many models are even suitable for surfing. Many people like to use their inflatable kayak for fishing or hunting. You can get to more remote locations or fish directly from your kayak. Inflatable boats are also great for shallow water that would be too difficult for a hard-shell boat to manage.
 
Conclusion
For either a beginner or an advanced kayaker, inflatable kayaks are becoming a popular choice. They are extremely versatile and much cheaper than a hard-shell kayak. For less than half the price, you would be able to take your kayak to a variety of places that you never thought possible. While you probably wouldn’t be able to perform any barrel rolls, you can still have a lot of fun with an inflatable kayak. Once you try an inflatable kayak, you’ll wonder why you ever used a hard-shell.
 
THE INFLATABLE KAYAK- A glorified pool toy or viable kayak option?
 
by Libby Bliss
 
This article first appeared in Ocotober 2006 Canoe and Kayak.
 
The answer is viable kayak option, and here’s why. First, inflatable kayaks are incredibly versatile traveling companions. Generally weighing from 25 to 48 pounds, most inflatables fold into duffel bags the size of a large suitcase, making them easy to carry onto a plane, load in a car, or even strap to a pack mule. Second, should you have a shortage of space at home, they can be stored in a closet or under a bed. Third, they’re inherently buoyant, more so than their hardshell counterparts. They’re also easier to climb back into if you need to execute a self-rescue.
 
The earliest known examples of the craft were inflated animal skins used to float goods across the water. Records of this have been found as far back as 880 BC Assyria, and from the Sung and Ming dynasties in China.
 
In modern times, the ancient kayak forms once made of animal skins, bones, and wood have been re-created using fiberglass, plastic, and PVC. The five inflatable kayaks reviewed illustrate a variety of contemporary styles.
 
Inflatable kayaks, also known as inflatable canoes, are frequently not considered by anglers in search of a boat for fly fishing. This is understandable, since many people just are not familiar with these boats. Yet, any angler in search of a boat for fly fishing - whether it be on rivers or lakes - should strongly consider at least taking a look at them. Depending on what you need a fly fishing boat for, how you will be using it and where you will be using it, and inflatable kayak may actually end up being the perfect fly fishing boat.
 
Inflatable Kayak or Canoe : Defined
So what, exactly, is an inflatable kayak? An inflatable kayak is really more of an inflatable canoe. Unlike a traditional kayak, you do not strap yourself into one of these kayaks - and thus can't do fancy maneuvers like an Eskimo roll. Inflatable kayaks all have a V shaped hull, allowing them to be effortlessly maneuvered on both rivers and lakes. And, best of all for people who fly fish on slower waters, an inflatable kayak is probably the easiest boats of any on the market to paddle - far easier than rafts, float tubes or even pontoon boats.
 
Uses for an Inflatable Kayak or Canoe
What makes, at least in my opinion, inflatable kayaks such ideal boats for fly fishing is their incredible versatility. There are so many uses for inflatable kayaks, and they are so portable and easy to set up, that anglers are likely to find themselves using inflatable kayaks and canoes for far more than just a fly fishing trip. So, let's cover some of the uses an inflatable kayak offers.
Fishing - Inflatable Kayaks are generally in the order of 10-12 feet long. This allows an angler to sit comfortably in the seat and to fly cast with accuracy. Some of these kayaks also now come with special seats that increase the height at which the angler sits, making casting even easier. Two anglers, provided they are careful with how they cast, can also fly fish from the boats at the same time.
 
River Running - Quality inflatable kayaks are rated to handle either Class III or Class IV whitewater, depending on how the kayak was constructed. An inflatable kayak constructed from various fabrics will be fully capable of handling Class IV whitewater while a more traditional vinyl and PVC kayak (which are less expensive) will be able to run Class III whitewater.
 
Multi-Day River Voyages - Inflatable kayaks have a surprisingly large capacity, exceeding that of hard shell kayaks. Capacity generally ranges from 400-600 lbs., allowing all sorts of camping gear to be taken on longer river journeys. A solo paddler in a quality inflatable kayak can easily take 300 lbs of gear, allowing for river trips of 1-2 weeks.
 
Lake Paddling - Inflatable kayaks are incredibly easy to paddle on lakes. The lightweight, V hull and low profile all make paddling on lakes, even in windy conditions, simple. And the paddling method to propel an inflatable kayak is extremely simple - even beginners can pick up the motions in just ten minutes or so. Many good kayaks also have the option of adding a directional skeg to them. This skeg allows the kayak to track almost perfectly straight, even when paddled by a single person. In comparison to traditional canoes, inflatable kayaks are much simpler to paddle for a single person.
 
For those not familiar with the river rating system, Class IV whitewater is basically not fishable from a moving boat - as this type of water has very large waves and drops up to 5 feet. Thus, any angler floating in this type of water will be content to simply hang on.
Features and Benefits of Inflatable Kayaks
 
Now that we've explored some of the things an inflatable kayak can do, let's move on and talk about the features and benefits found in inflatable kayaks.
 
Portability - Inflatable kayaks are probably, second only to float tubes, the most portable fly fishing boat a person can buy. Inflatable kayaks deflate and roll up into their own carrying case. This carrying case, which will weigh anywhere from 20-45 lbs (depending on the type of kayak you have), can easily be lugged around and fit in the back of any trunk. The lighter kayaks can even be backpacked in to remote locations.
 
Simple Set Up - Inflatable kayaks are incredibly simple to set up. Just take them out of the bag, lay them out flat, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Inflation can be done either with an electric pump or by using a standard bellows pump. Either method works just as well as the other to inflate the kayaks, although the electric pump does save a couple of minutes. All in all, most inflatable kayaks can be fully inflated and ready to go in about 10 minutes using a foot pump, 5-7 minutes using an electric pump.
 
Durability - Inflatable kayaks, as they are designed for heavy duty river running, are extremely durable. An inflatable kayak rated for Class IV whitewater will withstand even the meanest encounters with rocks, logs and other obstructions. Inflatable kayaks rated for Class III whitewater are almost nearly as durable, as the softer fabric literally bounces the kayak off of obstructions. And, should you happen to develop a puncture or tear in the kayak, it is easily fixed. Use either the supplied repair kit - which sets up quickly and allows the kayak to be back on the water in less than 30 minutes. A piece of duct tape even works for short term and emergency repairs.
 
Ease of Use - Inflatable kayaks are extremely simple to use, even for beginner paddlers. Paddling and maneuver of inflatable kayaks is so simple, in fact, that beginner paddlers will quickly figure out all the basics. This is much different than a traditional hard shell kayak, which requires some skill in paddling.
Safety and Stability - Inflatable kayaks are very safe boats. Unlike canoes and traditional hard shell kayaks, inflatable kayaks are very difficult to tip over. While you can do it, you really have to work at it. The reason for this is because inflatable kayaks have a flat bottom, making them very stable.
 
Capacity - For inflatable boats, inflatable kayaks have an excellent capacity. Whether you want to use it for day trips or multi-day floats, these kayaks can take all the gear you can throw at them.
Affordability - Inflatable kayaks are extremely affordable. A good quality inflatable kayak rated for Class III whitewater from Sea Eagle costs around $300. A Sea Eagle Class IV inflatable kayak will run around $700-800. Thus, in comparison to hard shell kayaks and canoes, inflatable kayaks are very easy and light on the pocketbook.
 
Quality Concerns of Inflatable Kayaks for Fly Fishing
 
There are many inflatable kayaks on the market today. Many local discount stores now carry cheap inflatable kayaks that sell for less than $100. While at first blush this seems great, beware, as you get what you pay for. The problem with these cheap inflatable kayaks is that they are only rated for Class II whitewater and are made of very inexpensive and not very durable PVC vinyl. This vinyl punctures extremely easily, requiring constant upkeep. Worse yet, the seams on the kayak are poorly put together. And, once a hole develops in the seam, the kayak is essentially lost as repairs on seams rarely last long. And finally, these inflatable kayaks can not be used in colder weather. Using these kayaks in conditions below 40 degrees or so will cause the fabric to become hard and brittle, meaning the kayak can literally fall apart when on the water.
Overall, these cheap inflatable kayaks are find for the kids to use on your local ponds or just off the shore your favorite beach. However, if you plan on doing any type of river floating, never use these kayaks - especially if you will be floating through remote terrain.
 
Inflatable Kayaks for Fishing : Summary
 
Generally, if an angler wants a boat of many uses (they will be wanting a boat for both fly fishing as well as river running and general float trips), an inflatable kayak is a tough boat to beat. In my own opinion, if an angler can only afford one type of boat for fly fishing and wants that boat to be very versatile, an inflatable kayak is the best boat to get. With an inflatable kayak, you get the most bang for your dollar, and the durability of the kayak will provide many, many years of floating and fly fishing pleasure.