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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and in fact designed several models. The one that has been produced the most is a three-tube model of unparalleled maneuverability and load bearing capacity. This boat which is fourteen feet overall, can carry 6 passengers, their baggage, and a guide.
Not all Pontoon boats are 14 feet long. Some are 8 or 9 feet long as well. Pontoon boats come in all sizes and prices from $200 to $1,000. Users looking for an 8 foot Pontoon should expect to pay $500 to $700 for a new entry-level boat.
9-foot inflatable pontoon boats
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Have you considered investing in a boat merely for the joy of being able to take it out on the water whenever you feel like it and not having to worry about costs when it comes to renting one? If this is the way you have been able to enjoy your love for being on the water you know that renting a boat even just for a few hours can take a big chunk out of your wallet. One thing that can be agreed upon is that there is no better feeling than to be able to cruise the waters
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You and your family are heading out early in the morning for a day of fishing in your brand new fishing boat. You hit that highway that leads to the lake, excited voices echoing throughout your SUV. Your wife and kids are just as delighted with the new boat as you are and are discussing the whopper they hope to catch. You arrive at the lake, launch the runabout that contains the entire family's fishing gear and in no time at all, you are skimming across the water, every family member safely encased in a lifejacket. You just know that
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A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat with air inflatable collars. RIB hulls are made of fiberglass, aluminum or composite materials. The soft bumpers or fenders, called ""sponsons,"" can be air tubes, or all foam systems. These boats are powered by a variety of motors and usually come from the manufacturer as a package – boat with tube, motor and trailer.
Rigid inflatable boats are more like traditional boats, with hulls supported by a rigid material. The main benefits of these boats are superior performance and easy assembly. To assemble, one simply has to inflate the tubes. However,
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Inflatable fishing boats are great yacht tenders/camping boats that are light enough to be carried in a backpack. Some 8-foot inflatable fishing boats are good for two and gear, and are large enough to float in moderate whitewater rivers. They can also be used as a large yacht tender. Inflatable fishing boats that are 9-foot long can carry enough gear for a long outdoor journey, and make a great fishing boat.
Most inflatable fishing boats fold small enough to be transported easily in a car trunk. They weigh around 40 lbs without running boards and are lightweight enough to be carried
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