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Hello.
I'm fairly new to kayaking and I am looking to buy a new kayak. I am considering one of these inflatable kayaks. It seems like the cheaper and more convenient option. Has anyone had experience using inflatable kayaks? Are they durable? Would you recommend buying one?
Is fishing a bad idea with this type of kayak? Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Is fishing your main reason for wanting a boat?
I just want to get out and enjoy being on the water. Eventually I'm hoping to buy fishing gear too. I haven't gone fishing since I was younger and my dad would take me out. I'm just worried that sharp hooks combined with an inflatable boat might be a bad idea. Maybe I should just get the inflatable kayak for now, then save up for a plastic kayak when I get the fishing gear.
Are you looking to get out on the flat water or white water rivers? I don't think inflatables are cheap. But you won't need a skirt, and they are easier to get back in if you dump. If you'll be on flat water the only reason I would look into an inflatable is if you want to paddle and fish in places with a long approach. Then it might be easier to roll up your kayak to haul it than to carry a plastic boat. Of course you'll need to carry a pump too. Or if storage space is a real premium where you live. If you'll be on road accessible flat water and fishing a plastic sit on top seems like the way to go to me, or a canoe, much easier to paddle around than an inflatable. WW fishing might wok out pretty well in an inflatable though because they are pretty stable. I wouldn't worry too much about the hooks if your careful. They handle rocks OK.
Well I live right near the ocean. So to start it would primarily be out there. Storage space and portability are the main reasons I'm considering an inflatable kayak. It sounds like I'll have to look more at where I'll be taking my kayak before making my decision. Most places will be road accessible, but I don't see myself putting a rack on my car. Thanks for your help.
I have been using a stearns inflatable for about 5 years. Super solid construction. I don't take good care of it at all. Full on dirt / rock butt slides into the rivers, and many crushed barnacles in the sound failed to do any damage to the heavy duty material below waterline.
I bought an inflatable because I wanted to cruise around the sound and still be able to float some of the rivers around here. No complaints, and I doubt that any legal fishing hooks would penetrate any of the material (at least on a stearn).
I bought an inflatable though I was initially skeptical, and I'm glad I did. It fits in snowboard bag so I can check it free. I've brought it to Ireland, and it's going with me to Panama. I've used it in lakes & rivers. Some products are better than others. I bought the AF Expedition from Advanced Elements and can recommend it highly. I've been offered money for it on the spot, and people always watch me rigging up. I can fit this kayak in the stowage of a traditional kayak!
Inflatables are an awesome way to get into kayaking. As mentioned above, they are quite stable and easy to get back into in case of a swim. I've been in 3 different inflatables (Tomcat 1-person, 2 person & the Strike) and I've loved them. As a matter of fact, b/c of my experience in inflatables, I'm going to give hard-boating a try next year. One of the problems with inflatables however, is that they are mostly designed for moving water -- not flat. They weathercock a lot in the wind which could quickly become an issue on the ocean. And as far as angling goes, you'll have to rig up some sort of way to stow your gear if things get a bit rough as they're quite open & exposed.
While you mentioned that you don't want to get a rack, I still suggest that you look into an open sit-on-top kayak, like the Ocean Kayak Prowler or the Wilderness Systems Tarpon or the Perception Angler. These boats are also quite stable and are purpose-built for angling, making things like trolling much easier. You don't necessarily need a rack either -- you can just get foam blocks and a couple of NRS straps. And depending on the brand, some of these boats can handle up to Class III whitewater as well.
In regards to getting an inflatable first and a hard boat second, that's not a bad idea. These things hold their value fairly well so you won't lose too much of your investment. Good luck and have fun! Either way you go, you'll probably have a blast.
Has anybody used or owned a Ocean Kayak XK17 U230? It is a large double inflatable Kayak that has the option of a third seat. It would fit our needs for a day touring kayak for the lakes in GTNP & YNP.