Inflatable Kayak Blog

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Sep 7, 2008, Best Inflatable Kayak

What are our choices for the best inflatable kayak overall and for flatwater and whitewater.

Sep 7, 2008, Recreational Inflatable Kayak

Looking for an inexpensive inflatable kayak that you can use on different types of water? A recreational inflatable kayak may be the answer.

Sep 7, 2008, versatile Inflatable Kayak

Is the Sea Eagle inflatable kayak a good value.

Aug 9, 2008, mick barnsley uk

I have used my fastback kayak five times in the last three weeks' three times on canals once on a pond and once on a lake. It is stable well made and

Aug 9, 2008, Mick BARNSLEY UK

I have used my fastback kayak five times, three times on canals once on a pond and once on a large lake. each time i use it i get more cofidence in

May 18, 2008, Coleman Exponent Fastback Kayak

Tried my Coleman Fastback for the first time, actually it was my first time on a kayak. The kayak sets up quick and the valves are tough and easy to

May 18, 2008, Coleman Sit inside

Hi: I purchased a Coleman Sit Inside kayak about 2 years ago. In that time I have taken it through rives, 4-6 seas, lakes etc. Pros: 1. Easy

Apr 22, 2008, Used Inflatable Kayak Sale

We're having a used inflatable kayak sale. We have great boats from NRS and Hyside for sale. They come with a guarantee.

Mar 28, 2008, Paddling Upstream?

I'm new to kayaking. I'm considering an inflatable kayak to be used on a fairly slow/moderate river (Susquehanna River in Central PA) for fishing and general paddling. I've been told that I will be frustrated by the extra effort required to paddle an IK stream...which I will do often.

Is that your opinion as well. Would you advise me to go directly to a hardshell and stay away from inflatables? Your opinion and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

Reply: You have wise advisors. Inflatable kayaks are much more stable, the cost for this stability is increased drag. If the river current is doing the work, that's not a big deal. If you are doing the work, it becomes much more important.

Some of the inflatable ocean kayaks might work. They are designed for flatwater and don't quite as much drag as other ik's.

A sit-on-top hardshell kayak might work well for you. You get the paddling advantages of a kayak, with the openness of an IK. Many are now being used for fishing.

Mar 26, 2008, Patching Coleman

i just bought a coleman inflatable 2 man kayak and wanted to know if there was some kind of material or glue or something that i could put on the outer layer of the kayak to help keep in from getting punctured?

Reply: You can paint on urethane. I don't know if it's appropriate for a Coleman. Outfitters use it, but they are usually putting it on heavier and tougher material.

You can get it at rivergear.com and other raft repair suppliers.

Mar 21, 2008, NRS Bandit in Alaska

How would review of Bandit change if used for wilderness run in AK, solo with gear in drybags up front? Stability, 'tippy', handling affects (based on your experience with this model)?

Reply: Using a two person Bandit for a solo and gear works good. You might want to put some gear behind you and some in front of you. The boat will handle best if the center of the weight and you are just a little rear of center.

Concerning "tippy" - the Bandit is a whitewater design. This means it has better secondary stability and less initial stability.

If you are running all flatwater, you'll spend a lot of time correcting your direction. The Bandit does not track well in calm, flat water.

If you are running water with a good current, some ripples and maybe some rapids, then the Bandit will work good.

Mar 20, 2008, Whitewater inflatable kayak

I'm looking into buying an IK. I read your reviews and found them very helpful, thanks. I mostly would be kayaking Class II/III whitewater, but I want something that can handle Class IV. I also want a kayak that can hold enough gear to do a two or three day trip. I was leaning towards the Tomcat, but after reading your reviews I'm leaning towards the Rio Bravo. What size would you recommend? The 9'9" or the 12'? I'm leaning toward the 12' for the gear space. Thanks.

Reply: The larger boat would probably work better. The one person ik's don't have a lot of room for gear.

There are a couple of things to consider with the Rio Bravo: One, they are not as easy to find as Aire's or Bandits. Hyside has had production issues with the Rio Bravo line and thus there is limited supply. Two, the thwarts (seats) in the Rio Bravo are not movable. Movable seats are helpful when one person is paddling a two person ik. If you go for the Rio Bravo, you can turn the boat around and run it backwards. That will help you center yourself.