Inflatable Kayaks

[lrrowe]

One of the original concepts or plans for use for our CT was that we would carry a 12' and 10' SOT kayak inside it as we visited the many places where we could launch them.
So I designed our 6x14' CT interior to be able to have a "galley" type setup at the back in and yet still be able to carry the kayaks.

I have progressed this far with the back galley wall.


But now comes the rub. As my wife and I carried the kayak (only about 70 lbs) to the CT and loaded it, we suddenly realized that we are not getting younger, only older and weaker (opps....meant less strong). We wondered if the concept or plan was a valid one anymore. Yes we will go where there is water both to cruise around in and for me to fish in. No white water. Now we are wondering if we should start looking into inflatables for such journeys. They should be easier to haul around with the CT and they will take up less precious space.

I know some about inflatables and will continue to research them. But if anyone has some unique insight about them for our application, we would appreciate hearing about them.

(See viewtopic.php?f=42&t=61777&start=135 for build story.

[Cosmo]

You might consider Oru Folding Kayaks.

I had a space and weight problem too.

They are not cheap but very seaworthy and the bay model only weighs 25 pounds each.
I have 2 of them and love them. They are 12 feet long and track well. I like them better than frame and skin kayaks such as the Folbot which is far heavier and more complicated to put together. I feel the Oru skin is more durable than the rubberized skin folding kayaks. Oru only has 7 parts to assemble.

Things may have changed but inflatables I have tried were not very responsive and were heavy.

My last kayaks were rigid 16 ft sea kayaks. I had to sell them to fit the trailer in the garage. Oru solved that problem. Combined with folding bicycles I am ready for land or sea. I have 2 of the new Oru Seakayaks on order - those are 16 footers and should arrive in November.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9x2F8ldkTM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScontRXj95I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiNMSZbLIH0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik92k8qddqA

Assembly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQMCrqSEg7k

http://www.orukayak.com

Have fun
Cosmo

[Fred Trout]

Could take a look at rowerwet's foam kayaks (~15 lbs) and mouse boats (13.5 lbs). Easy & cheap to build, light, stable.

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=58623&start=120

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rowerwet ... tos_albums

[lrrowe]

Cosmo, thanks. I will keep that idea on my list. But the price is high, yes.

Fred Trout,
Actually I forgot about rowerwet's project. I do recall thinking how interesting it would be for me to try. But I had better finish some interior house projects in order to keep some peace here at home before I bring that idea up.

[daveesl77]

My wife bought one of the cheap inflatables and loves it. Wouldn't be taking it down any big rapids, but for paddling around lakes she loves it. Weight is about 35#. It think it is a Challenger model. I 'll look tomorrow, cost was about $70

dave

[dexstrom]

When we bought the trailer I sold our tupperware kayaks and bought an Advanced Element DS Convertable http://tinyurl.com/q4y7ztc. I paddle mostly solo but wanted the tandem option for when the wife wants to join me, so the larger kayak works for us. Much easier to haul around and store, too. Airkayaks is a great company with excellent customer service, they sell most of the best inflatable kayaks in the market.

Daniel

[S. Heisley]

I just got back from a camping trip where I was fortunate enough to be able to try out 3 different kayaks. One was a hard 7' long; one was a hard 9'(? not certain) long and one was an inflatable. The inflatable was 4 years old and still going strong; however, the lady that owned it "upgraded" to the hard 7' long model. Of the three, I liked the inflatable the best; however, I think I'm going to go with a 30 pound fold-up dingy like the one you can see here.: http://www.portableboatplans.com/foam-boat.php The builder created this version specifically for the reasons that you've been discussing. I've already purchased the plans from Duckworks and have been researching further. I'd call it a type of "foamie" that folds to 4' x1' (The front half stores inside the back half) and I figure that , since I can't see out my back window when I'm pulling my trailer, I can set it on top of my ice chest and trailer step stool in the back of my SUV to take it on camping trips. The builder says that it costs about $160 to build. If I decide, for certain, to build it, I'll be posting about it later this summer. Time will tell....

[lrrowe]

Cindy, I am not sure that concept (shape) will work for me but I will never close my mind on any idea until the last minute. Please do post your progress if you start one.
I am not in a rush on this decision. I have friends who have an inflatable that they used to float a relative easy portion of the Upper James River in VA with me and others and they did very well. I was on Jackson Cuda 14 footer and they were right there along with me. There were rocks showing in the fairly easy rapids (I do not know how to call them a Class I or II) and they just bounced off them.

[lrrowe]

When we bought the trailer I sold our tupperware kayaks and bought an Advanced Element DS Convertable http://tinyurl.com/q4y7ztc. I paddle mostly solo but wanted the tandem option for when the wife wants to join me, so the larger kayak works for us. Much easier to haul around and store, too. Airkayaks is a great company with excellent customer service, they sell most of the best inflatable kayaks in the market.

Daniel

Thanks Daniel for the link.
I browsed it and found this candidate for me to consider. It is set up for fishing and is marketed so as to be able to handle low level white water. It also has a pretty impressive video (paddled by a pro most likely).
Not cheap, but one to add to a list to consider.

http://www.airkayaks.com/aquaglide-blac ... -paddlers/

[S. Heisley]

I'll put this review article here, in case someone like me is in the beginnings of research:
http://www.inflatablekayakworld.com/5-b ... le-kayaks/

[dexstrom]

Thanks Daniel for the link.
I browsed it and found this candidate for me to consider. It is set up for fishing and is marketed so as to be able to handle low level white water. It also has a pretty impressive video (paddled by a pro most likely).
Not cheap, but one to add to a list to consider.

http://www.airkayaks.com/aquaglide-blac ... -paddlers/[/quote]


Take a look at the NRS Pike, same price point and the drop stitch floor is soooo much better than the traditional IK floors. I love the Drop stitch floor on my kaykak.
http://www.nrs.com/product/16363/nrs-pi ... able-kayak

[lrrowe]

Thanks dexstrom.
Yes, I did stumble across this choice also. So far the posted choices all are interesting. But the one thing I notice about the NRS is that it checks in at 51 lbs. This is getting up there close to a molded 10' SOT.

[SeaFlea]

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

[Rainier70]

Check out North Fork Outdoors kayaks and pontoons. Dave Scadden's boats are awesome! High quality and very maneuverability. I don't have one of his kayaks, I have a NFO Renegade frameless pontoon boat. I love the ability to use fins for position when fishing. My Renegade isn't as quick as a kayak, but the oars or a small electric motor can get me across a lake fairly quickly.

His boats are light and pack up into a pretty small package.

Here is a link to his current sale: http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/FourthofJulyBlowout/

There is usually some sort of sale going on.

And link to his regular site: http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/

[lrrowe]

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

Thanks SeaFlea,
I had previously done a lot research on kayaks and I do not recall seeing this EddyLine brand. They look nice. I will keep this link for my continued review.

PS....I will driving up to your neck of the woods (Washington, NJ) for a family memorial service on 8/14...unfortunately not with my trailer.

Check out North Fork Outdoors kayaks and pontoons. Dave Scadden's boats are awesome! High quality and very maneuverability. I don't have one of his kayaks, I have a NFO Renegade frameless pontoon boat. I love the ability to use fins for position when fishing. My Renegade isn't as quick as a kayak, but the oars or a small electric motor can get me across a lake fairly quickly.

His boats are light and pack up into a pretty small package.

Here is a link to his current sale: http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/FourthofJulyBlowout/

There is usually some sort of sale going on.

And link to his regular site: http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/

Good links Cindy. I had no prior interest in these styles of watercraft before, but thanks to your link, I now wonder if as I get older and for fishing, if this style would be much better choice. Yes they are up there in price but boy were some extremely light. And I wonder if the higher sitting arrangement isn't better for a sore back. I sat in my 12' Wilderness System Tarpon tonight while it was in my CT for fitting purposes and it did not feel well in my back area. This was the first time I sat in it since my back surgery a year ago. I did like the Predator model and the "lifetime" guarantee. If I never find the cure for back issues, then the lighter models of anything will become the most important criteria for selection, no matter how much more they cost.

(PS and the models which take trolling motors are also intriguing...opps, there goes the weight savings)