Inflatable Kayaks

[Rainier70]

But the weight of a battery and trolling motor can be carried separately. I think my group 24 battery weighs around 45-50 lbs. But you could go with a wheelchair battery that weighs more like 25 or 35 lbs, just less running time for the motor.

I think Gonefishin has a NFO Assault. Both the Assault and my Renegade weigh about 25lbs. Not as light as the 13lb Preditor, but they aren't hard to move around either. If you were closer I would let you try mine out.

Good luck on your decision. Just enjoy whatever you get, and get out there fishing.

[lrrowe]

Here is a new inflatable.
A canoe this time.
I am not sure I like it. Click on the first video.
http://www.rapidmedia.com/canoeroots/ca ... 4-84713637

[dexstrom]

With that flat bottom and really high sides it's going to be a real pain to paddle in any wind conditions, IMHO. My inflatable kayak is about half that high and can get pushed around by a strong wind so it takes work to paddle a straight course.

Daniel

[S. Heisley]

I just recently bought an inflatable kayak, made by Coleman. I like it. I tried a friend's before I bought, along with two other non-inflatables. I felt most comfortable in the inflatable. My friend's inflatable has been in use for 4 years and is still going strong. I talked to a ranger at Whiskeytown National Park and he said that inflatables are very safe and you have to work at it to puncture one; and, still it will float because there are several separate air chambers. (Whiskeytown Lake is famous for smooth kayaking. Also, more people kayak in Redding, CA than in any other city in the USA.) The only draw-back to the inflatable is that your bum does get wet; but, so what! I like that everything, kayak, seat, paddle, pump, and life jacket fits into a tall Rubbermaid-style tub and slips right in the back of my car with no problems. The picture, below, was taken before I got my life vest; but there's room for the life vest too!

[Java Jack]

hi bob,
i don't know a thing about inflatables but am well versed in Eddyline kayaks, I have one of their Caribbean 14's which I fish out of in the back bays of New Jersey & have taken it into the ocean as well. Eddyline also makes a 12' version which tips the scales at 45#. That weight should make it easy for you & the wife to load & un-load...
No, they are not cheap nor are the inexpensive. Depending on where you purchase the 12 footer is around $1200 to $1400...
Here's a link to the Eddyline site and how their boats are made:http://www.eddyline.com/technology-innovation/thermoforming-the-new-kid-on-the-block/
The Caribbean is the driest boat I've paddled over the past 10 years... It is quick, easy to paddle, easy to maneuver & easy to carry.
The 14' version weighs in at 54#... I paddle the 14' version because a longer boat tracks straighter that a short on & in the long run is "easier" to paddle...
Just offering another alternative...

Charlie

I just started looking at Kayaks and trying to figure out what would work best for my wife and I. We are pretty set against Sit On Top models as they just seem like they would drag a lot on top of the water and be hard to paddle on a day trip. Therefore, we are looking at the sit inside designs. My wife's sister has wilderness pungo 120. Looks OK but I recently I stumbled across the Eddyline Rio and Eddyline Sky and both look like they would move cleanly through the water. Not sure what the real difference is between these two.

I think we want something that will paddle cleanly and more efficiently through the water and will track well (for a shorter model around 12 feet). We know NOTHING about Kayaks and what are good brands vs bad ones. What materials they are made from (other than the large plastic materials (like Little Tykes stuff) or how to pick a good Kayak. Not sure what Thermoform vs other construction materials/techniques are and how important that is in a Kayak.

It seems you can get them for 200 up to 2000. As novice, recreational folks, I know I don't need a 2000 Kayak but I aslo want to spend my money wisely and not cheap out and get something that will just frustrate me and wear me out trying to get across a lake.

[rowerwet]

I know my sawfish kayak was mentioned above, but I wanted to share that I have been using it often the past few weeks going for hour+ paddles after work. So far it beats every expectation I had for it.
It paddles at 4+ mph no sweat, and I can push it up to over 5 mph in a sprint. The best part is being able to portage with it slung over one shoulder, carrying my paddle and seat in the other hand.
I'm working on a longer hull design to be launched next spring. For $100 you can't beat it.

[dexstrom]

I just started looking at Kayaks and trying to figure out what would work best for my wife and I. We are pretty set against Sit On Top models as they just seem like they would drag a lot on top of the water and be hard to paddle on a day trip. Therefore, we are looking at the sit inside designs. My wife's sister has wilderness pungo 120. Looks OK but I recently I stumbled across the Eddyline Rio and Eddyline Sky and both look like they would move cleanly through the water. Not sure what the real difference is between these two.

I think we want something that will paddle cleanly and more efficiently through the water and will track well (for a shorter model around 12 feet). We know NOTHING about Kayaks and what are good brands vs bad ones. What materials they are made from (other than the large plastic materials (like Little Tykes stuff) or how to pick a good Kayak. Not sure what Thermoform vs other construction materials/techniques are and how important that is in a Kayak.

It seems you can get them for 200 up to 2000. As novice, recreational folks, I know I don't need a 2000 Kayak but I aslo want to spend my money wisely and not cheap out and get something that will just frustrate me and wear me out trying to get across a lake.

Eddyline are really nice kayaks, a little more pricey than the tupperware plastic ones but they ride well in the water. The best thing for a newbie is to visit a kayak shop and ask to try out the models you are interested in, all kayak shops I know of will be glad to set you up for a demo paddle. And you may even be able to get a discount on a demo kayak that they are going to sell if it's the end of the season.

[SeaFlea]

I just started looking at Kayaks and trying to figure out what would work best for my wife and I. We are pretty set against Sit On Top models as they just seem like they would drag a lot on top of the water and be hard to paddle on a day trip. Therefore, we are looking at the sit inside designs.

So, uhhh, Java-Jack, tell me, how can you be set against something if you don't know or understand what that something is?

Sit-on-Tops ( SOT ) are generally wider than sit-inside kayaks ( SIK ) making them more stable than their skinny brethren.
The Sky is 10' long & 26" wide, has a capacity of 250#, weighs in at 32#. because of it length, tracking may be problematic & my be tippy at 26" wide.
The Rio is 12' long, 24" wide, has a capacity of 270# & weighs in at 35#. should track well but at 24" wide, it may be tippy for a novice.
The Caribbean 12 is 12' long, 30" wide, has a capacity of 300# & weighs is at 45#. At 12' it should track well & will be pretty damn stable at 30".

I have not paddled the Sky nor the Rio, I have paddled the Caribbean 12 and can tell you it is easy to paddle and does not "drag" on the water.
Matter of fact, this l'il boat is pretty damn quick!! I've fished out of one a couple of times & it's as stable as the day is long!!
At 45# it is easy to put on top of the car.

The SOT's are not barges because of their hull design. 99.9% are fast as hell and make day trips easy & enjoyable.
I'm thinking you may not want to judge a book by it's cover...

Daniel ( "dexstrom" ) is 100% correct - get out and test paddle some boats. Demo boats and rental fleets are being sold this time of year and at very affordable prices ( like 50 cents on the dollar ). If the kayak shop won't let you test paddle then walk away & find one who will.

Good luck!

Charlie

[lrrowe]

I fish and paddle around in a 12' Wilderness Tarpon SOT. I have floated the easier rapids of the James River in VA and my local calm water (as much as it can be with the indifferent big boaters) and have always felt secure. I believe it is about 33 inches wide and I can stand in it if I wanted to. I have canoed a lot but never been in a "sit Inside " one.
This just one man's opinion....as long as I stay with kayaks, I will stay with the SOT's.



It's one short coming to this older body is it's weight....about 65 lbs. I am now, just starting to think about inflatibles.

[SeaFlea]

hey Bob!

I had a Tarpon 120 for about 6 years - it was awesome!! Tracked well, carried me & a ton of gear and always got to the fish!!
The Tarpon 120 was like the VW of the kayak fishing world - very dependable & Wilderness stands behind it's products.
Inflatables certainly have their place. They stow easy when not inflated, don't weigh a ton like older rotomolded boats & are convenient as hell!! Best of luck to ya in your search for your boat!

Charlie