The fastest growing trend in the kayak industry is clearly the use of inflatable kayaks. Current technology makes these inflatable boats more resistant and maneuverable, while remaining lightweight and portable. Even experienced kayakers are gradually switching to inflatable kayaks.

Inflatable kayaks are extremely portable

If you’ve ever owned a rigid kayak, you realize how difficult transporting your kayak can be. You have few alternatives to attaching your kayak to the roof of your vehicle. You then have to drive to an ocean, lake, or river accessible by road. Next, you must clumsily carry your rigid kayak into the water. Hopefully the water is not too far from where you had to park your vehicle.

With an inflatable kayak, simply fold the deflated kayak into a backpack and you can go anywhere. Most inflatable kayaks weigh less than forty pounds and some even weigh less than thirty pounds. They also fold very compact once deflated. Transporting them in the back of your car is no problem. Then think of all the mountain trails that you can take your inflatable kayak on. You could easily paddle remote lakes or rivers. Or how about taking your kayak with you on vacation? Take it in your luggage on the plane and you can kayak almost anywhere in the world. That would be quite difficult to do with a hard shell kayak. You can take an inflatable kayak on a city bus or bike to the water. During the off-season, the kayak would take up minimal storage space.

Inflatable kayaks are sturdy and durable

When most people think of an inflatable kayak, they think of a cheaply made plastic boat for kids. They imagine a kayak that would explode when it hit the smallest rock or branch. If you’ve owned one of the oldest and cheapest inflatable boats, you know that you should also invest in repair patches or a roll of duct tape.

New, high-quality inflatable kayaks are changing people’s impression of inflatable boats. The new inflatable boats are made of puncture and abrasion resistant rubber, often reinforced with polyester fabric. It is much stronger than the PVC material that is used in most cheap inflatable boats. Under normal circumstances, it is highly unlikely that you will puncture these new rubber materials. Even if it did, most inflatable kayaks have at least three separate air chambers.

Inflatable kayaks are easy to use

What’s easier than taking your kayak to the water’s edge and inflating it with a foot pump in five to ten minutes? Most people have inflated an air mattress at least once when they were children. Then, once it has been filled to the proper air pressure, place your inflatable kayak in the water and go up like any other kayak. You can straddle the kayak and then sit down. Or you can place your paddle through the kayak to prepare as you enter.

The kayaks are very stable, but with inflatable kayaks it can be much easier to get back in if you fall. Just grab the cockpit of the kayak and stand up like you’re stepping out of a pool. This makes an inflatable kayak very convenient for diving or swimming. Before getting back in, it’s easy to dump the water that gets on board. Some inflatable boats even self-anchor.

Another misconception about inflatable kayaks is that they have very poor maneuverability. People think that you would have very little control in an inflatable kayak. However, this is not the case with the newer inflatable kayaks. Many of these inflatable boats have optional foot-controlled rudders to facilitate turning without missing a hit. Some of these optional rudders just help the kayak go straight. Many inflatable kayaks have maneuverability comparable to rigid boats.

Where can I use an inflatable kayak?

Inflatable kayaks are made in a variety of styles to suit almost any condition. For the casual kayaker, there are lower priced models that are better suited to 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 reach more remote locations or fish directly from your kayak. Inflatable boats are also great for shallow water that would be too difficult for a rigid boat to handle.

Conclution

For a beginner or advanced kayaker, inflatable kayaks are becoming a popular option. They are extremely versatile and much cheaper than a rigid shell kayak. For less than half the price, you can take your kayak to a variety of places you never thought possible. While you probably won’t be able to do any barrel turns, you can still have a lot of fun with an inflatable kayak. Once you try an inflatable kayak, you will wonder why you ever used a hard hat.