Inflatable kayaks

[hack1of2]

We’re not quite ready to invest in decent kayaks or canoes since we would rarely use them except for a few geocaching weekends out of town each year. Plus storage in our already crowded garage would be an issue. But I recently saw inflatable kayaks from numerous vendors on eBay for $79-$99 and thought that might be worth taking a look at.

Does anyone know about inflatables and are they any good? Will they even last one outing without leaking? Thoughts?

[BeccaDay]

If you get one let me know how you like it. We can only fit 4 in our canoe and so all 5 of us can’t go together. I’d like to get a second smaller canoe or kayak.

Not all who wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien

[Trekkin and Birdin]

I haven’t tried one myself, but looked into it. I have a nice Current Kestrel, but thought about an inflatable for short runs. When I was reading up on them, the good ones were still a couple hundred bucks minimum and everything I read suggested including the stabilizer bar that can fit into a channel along the bottom to help them track straight.

For easy little paddles, it’s maybe not a bad idea, but I’ve also been told to be sure that it handles your weight. We did meet someone using one last summer on the Cannon River….small people, btw….and they said it’s been okay for their use. Don’t remember what type they had, though.

[Kelso]

I’ve never been on an inflatable one but for the prices you speak of they seem pretty steep consider I got my brand new river kayak for only $80. Just some input.

[CodeJunkie]

Considering the nature of caching, I don’t think I’d recommend an inflatable. Thinking about the caches I’ve canoed or kayaked to, I don’t think it would take long before you’d have a hole that you’re patching.

Every year it seems like Menards runs their entry level kayaks on sale in the springtime for around $150. This includes the paddle ($30 ish). If you can time it with the 11% rebate you can bring the total price down to around $130. This is an “each” price and I’m assuming you’d probably want 2, but still a pretty good deal for an entry into the kayak market. I bought one of these to have as a 2nd kayak and they’re perfect for the occasional use, but durable enough to last and hold up against gravel, reeds, etc.

[Mister Greenthumb]

Dunham’s has a large selection of kayaks starting under $100 and up.

[kbraband]

It never ceases to amaze me that someone would spend as little as possible when their personal safety is involved. Please read this article before plunking down any of your hard-earned cash for an imitation kayak: http://www.examiner.com/article/ultra-cheap-kayaks-are-floating-coffins . If you’re interested in learning more, let me know. As an ACA Level 4 certified kayak instructor, I will gladly offer beginner or intermediate kayak lessons to WGA members free of charge, simply because I don’t want anyone — geocachers or otherwise — to die as the result of a kayak accident.

[gotta run]

Oh come on now kbraband, that’s just a little bit overblown. Make that a lot overblown.

We don’t have geocachers asking about going down a class 3 rapids; they are asking about flat water recreational kayaking.

I’ve paddled and/or received training in whitewater kayaking, rec kayaking, and canoeing. You’re 10x more likely to dump yourself out of the average tippy canoe than you are out of your Fleet Farm ‘yak unless you decide to do something really stupid. And if you do, it’s the stupidity that killed you, not the craft you were in.

My advice is to avoid the inflatable ‘yak and spend a few hundred on an entry level craft you don’t have to worry about patching.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[Walkingadventure]

I dumped myself once (or twice) in one of GR’s nice ‘yaks. I was on the bank trying to get in. Sensible planning should get you through.

If I was ‘yaking out to an island swimming distance away, that’s one thing. Going out for a multi hour excursion in a blow up toy is very different. FF is great for me ad my short trips.

Following the signals from space.

[kbraband]

And if you do, it’s the stupidity that killed you, not the craft you were in.

I agree. If someone has a kayak that is not suitable for the conditions they are paddling in, it’s not the kayak that may kill them; it’s their… well, you called it stupidity. I’ll be kinder and call it lack of knowledge.
And I’m not just talking about class III whitewater either. I teach a lot of entry level kayaking lessons. What you don’t know CAN hurt you.

[Lostby7]

I took my newish 17 footer out to Ottawa Lake last month to practice rolls (which I haven’t done in years) and open water entrys. I was OK with the open water entrys but could only successfully manage about 6 of 10 rolls….not a very good average. I’m out of practice on what is a necessary skill. While I’ve been paddling for about 15 years I know I’m not skilled enough for big lakes even with a more expensive (and appropriate) craft.

As far as inflatable kayaks go, they have their place and so long as you respect their limitations they should be OK.

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