Inflatable Whitewater KayakWhitewater and inflatables were made for each other. A one or two person inflatable whitewater kayak is your ticket to great fun. Whitewater is what made inflatable kayaks popular. "Orange Torpedo" trips using Sevylor inflatable kayaks started in the late 1960's. Inflatable kayak use exploded with whitewater rafting outfitters in the 1980's. Whitewater rafting was a big business. Then came a widespread drought and periods of low water that lasted for a few years. The solution: the inflatable whitewater kayak. It can run in much lower whitewater. The drought ended, but the popularity of theses boats continues. It gives you independence, stability, and a hands-on feeling; all with little experience. Many outfitters now offer them as an option on their trips. Our Inflatable Whitewater Kayak Reviews...NRS Bandit inflatable whitewater kayakHyside Rio Bravo... Thrillcat by Custom Inflatables... Aire Lynx... Aire Tomcat... Riken... Star... More on Whitewater IKsToo Costly, Too Cheap, or Just RightUntil a few years ago, you had two basic choices for an inflatable whitewater kayak:1. A commercial (outfitter) quality boat. Great boats, but very expensive for the casual user. 2. "Recreational" quality boats. These didn't cost much, but had limited use for whitewater.
Two things have happened in the last few years to fill the middle of the market. 1. Makers of commercial grade inflatables started offering a less expensive line. This has been tried before (the Momentum line of rafts), but the quality was not there. There are three or four makers of commercial grade rafts that are making a good quality inflatable whitewater kayak that is significantly less expensive than their commercial line. Boats in this category include the Hyside Rio Bravo series, Custom Inflatable Thrillcats, and NRS Bandits. These are all great outfitter quality boats, but they have a price that is a little friendlier for the private user. We use all of these boats in our rafting operation. The Aire Tomcat deserves a mention here. It doesn't quite fit into the category because it is not a commercial grade boat. Its quality is much less than its big brother, the Aire Lynx. Still, The Aire Tomcat is a much better inflatable whitewater kayak than most of the "recreational" boats. Its price is a little more than the "recreational" boats, but a lot less than the commercial grade inflatable whitewater kayaks. The Hyside Rio Bravo series, the NRS Bandit, and the Custom Inflatable Thrillcat are all much better quality boats than the Aire Tomcat. They don't cost that much more.
2. Makers of "recreational" inflatables are making some better quality and more expensive inflatables. Sea Eagle and Sevylor are two makers that have traditionally made "recreational" boats, but now also make a good quality inflatable whitewater kayak.
Boat WiselyJust because your boat can handle Class IV whitewater doesn't mean you can.Just because you can paddle Class IV whitewater doesn't mean your boat can handle it. Make good decisions. Go with a group of experienced paddlers.
Inflatable kayaks and whitewater were made for each other. Choose the right boat, on the right river and go with the right people. It's a recipe for great fun.
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