Inflatable Canoe
The big advantage of an inflatable canoe is that it allows you to carry lots of gear down a river little effort. Some inflatable kayaks can do the same. The difference between hard-shell canoes & hard-shell kayaks is distinctive and important. The difference between inflatable kayaks & inflatable canoes is much less distinctive and much less important. With a canoe, you get more carrying capacity and can sit higher in the boat. You use a single bladed paddle to canoe, a double blade for kayaking. You can paddle inflatable kayaks and canoes with either a canoe or kayak paddle. Our raft guides use inflatable kayaks (Aire Lynx II's) when they guide. They have lots of carrying capacity. Some of the guides paddle the Lynx II's like a canoe. They use a single blade paddle and kneel.
Inflatables Designed as CanoesMost inflatable manufacturers do not make inflatable canoes. Here are two inflatable boat manufacturers that build them: soar1.com and aire.com
Both are good quality boats with a similar design. Canoe Paddle or Kayak PaddleCanoes are designed to be paddled with a one-blade canoe paddle.Inflatable canoes can be paddled good with either a canoe paddle or a kayak paddle. If you are new to paddling, the two blades of kayak paddle make it much easier to steer. A canoe paddle allows you to get a much more powerful stroke, but it is more difficult to steer.
Moving Water or Calm Water?Inflatable canoes need moving water. They are great in whitewater or any river with a noticeable current.Paddling them on water with no significant current is challenging. If you are going to be on lakes, oceans, or rivers with little current, you need a different boat. A One Person BargeAn inflatable canoe functions great as a one-person barge. You can carry lots of cargo. And, if you have moving water, you can carry lots of cargo with little effort. They are stable and easy to steer.Avoid the Cheap OnesCheap inflatables designed as canoes don't work well. A canoe design takes stresses differently than a kayak design. Cheap inflatables designed as canoes don't do a good job handling stress.You sit higher in a canoe. The cheaper inflatables don't handle this well. You are less stable. That's not a good thing. In this category, stick to the good quality boats. Or, choose an inflatable kayak. Some Final ThoughtsInflatable canoes are a specialty boat. They have large carrying capacity and allow you to sit higher. You can get this same thing from many two person inflatable kayaks.If you are an experienced canoer and need lots of cargo room, they are great. The ones from SOAR and AIRE are both great.
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