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02-23-2015, 08:44 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2015 30' Flying Cloud
Berrien Springs
, Michigan
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 92
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Best Inflatable Kayak/Canoe
In a Spring Trips thread there was an interesting sideways on inflatable canoes and kayaks with a picture of a Sea Eagle in its natural state - upside down! Followed by some helpful comments on newer inflatables that are more stable.
I used to enjoy being wet all the time but for chilly mountain lakes I'd like something that is stable enough to keep me dry, and ideally I want something that could even mount a small sail - perhaps with outriggers, oh and a trolling motor! Lazy, yup....
The best thing I have seen is the Paddleski. Any other contenders?
https://www.seaeagle.com/PaddleSkiKayaks
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02-23-2015, 09:10 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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I don't own an inflatable Kayak but I've read Innova are good and they are lightweight. However, they do run a little more expensive.
Top 5 Inflatable Kayaks
Kelvin
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02-23-2015, 09:19 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
League City
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,139
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Can I save folks some rummaging and clicks and re-post the bulk of my content from that other thread?
I would be interested in hearing accounts from people who have stored inflatables long term. How did they hold up? Did you see break-down of your hull material? An inflatable is such a great idea for Airstream owners, whether trailer or motorhome - unless there are caveats.
Repost:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
I have two. The first is a Sea Eagle FastTrack 385 two-person model. ...
The second is a brand-new single-seat Sea Eagle Razorlite ...
....
I looked 'em up... the FastTrack is obviously built for stability. Quite the premium on the price, however. I'm a bit concerned because they obviously did put substantial effort into the redesign but appear to be using much the same hull material as years ago. What I have found is that, while the hull stands up superbly to use, it doesn't do well in storage. Remember your materials science and what happens energetically at one and two dimensional points (corners and ridges). I've seen scary degradation at many of the crease marks in the 330; in fact, the one time I had to haul out and patch on the fly, it was at a crease mark. So I tried to "fluff" the deflated boat periodically so that the stresses would not accumulate perpetually in all the same spots, but that didn't seem to work well, so I'm left with a creased-up boat that I know will fail in any one of about a hundred different spots, given enough time. And it's hard to get excited about taking it out when I don't know which chamber is going to let go next.
What is the solution for this? Store partially or wholly inflated? Now there's a hassle - kinda defeats the purpose of having an inflatable. I would be amenable to dropping almost a grand on another inflatable but only if I knew that there was an effective workaround for this because I would want that kind of investment to last more than ten years.
Part of the problem with narrower model stability seemed to be the load weight. It might work better with higher loads. I am only 130 pounds wet (and wet I did get). Even routinely tossing a couple of small children into the nose of the thing, the CG was really high relative to the waterline, so any movement or reaching had a huge impact (see photos with one child, two children... too high, fixin' to roll). The children would get anxious because they would feel how unstable it was, and having no desire to get dunked in a Houston bayou, they'd take to whining... sigh...
Anyway my point is, as one person with a narrower model, you might not like that effect.
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02-23-2015, 09:24 AM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2015 30' Flying Cloud
Berrien Springs
, Michigan
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 92
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Thanks for that link. Who'd have thunk - a whole site called Inflatable Kayak World. On digging deeper there is another page with best three for fishing, families, big people, small people, lightest, traveling, whitewater, etc, etc. Several brands I'd not seen before.
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02-23-2015, 09:25 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
2015 30' Flying Cloud
Berrien Springs
, Michigan
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 92
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02-23-2015, 09:47 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Davenport
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,146
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Since you are looking for something that can be used with a motor and or sail, look at the Portabote. You would have alot of options. I have one, the 12 foot model,and run with a 6hp motor or trolling motor depending. The portabote size is the length plus 4" wide and 15" tall FOLDED. The length is either 8, 10, 12 or 14 feet long.
I had a Zodiac, but ran into a mouse problem when I stored it the garage.
mike
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02-23-2015, 09:53 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1999 30' Excella 1000
small town
, Maryland
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 802
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I bought a used Hobie i9s kayak last fall. New ones are pricey, but you can find used ones on ''One craiges''for around 900.00 to 1,200.00. Check out ''you tube'' if curious. It has the mirage drive which keeps your hands free to fish, photograph, or eat lunch. Try renting one before you buy. It deflates and folds down to the size of a large suit case. I couldn't be happier I use to paddle, now I peddle.
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02-25-2015, 10:29 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Ponce Inlet
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 168
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DuncanK1
I used to enjoy being wet all the time but for chilly mountain lakes I'd like something that is stable enough to keep me dry, and ideally I want something that could even mount a small sail - perhaps with outriggers, oh and a trolling motor! Lazy, yup....
The best thing I have seen is the Paddleski. Any other contenders?
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We recently purchased an advancedframe convertible( Advanced Elements Advancedframe Inflatable Kayak at Austin Kayak - ACK - Product Details ) We like it, but we are both novice paddlers so take it for what its worth. Very stable and has optional zip in decks to help keep you dry. But there is no option for a trolling motor.
We also considered Saturn ka boat and fishing kayak ( Saturn 13' FK396 PRO-Angler Series Inflatable Fishing Kayaks). both of these look like they meet your must haves.
Also here is one more inflatable review site http://www.paddling.net/inflatable-kayaks.html to help add confusion to your search
Good luck in your quest
Benn
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02-26-2015, 09:53 AM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Classic
Kingwood
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 262
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I too have an Advanced Elements and am vey happy with it. An option is a small downwind sail that I have not purchased, so no comments on that. There is no provision for a motor, so it is just a plain old kayak. We have the convertible model so it can be used by one or two people. I did add the optional inflatable back seat as I didn't like the original seat. My wife is happy with the original seat.
Happy with the quality, ease of inflation/deflation and tracking. Easy to carry in the back of the truck.
__________________
2011 30' Classic
2015 Ford F250 4X4 Platinum
ProPride Hitch
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02-26-2015, 10:18 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2016 28' Pendleton
Currently Looking...
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 840
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Hi from AZ. . . Although it's not an inflatable, has anyone here tried an Oru kayak ? very interesting design, same idea as inflatable, seems to be just as portable. thanks, Craig
__________________
WBCCI 2851,4CU
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02-27-2015, 01:28 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
2009 23' FB Flying Cloud
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Prince William,
, Virginia
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 24
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Had paddle ski. Loved it; very stable. Like Airtamden, I had a major mouse problem during winter storage. Plan to keep next one inflated and hung in garage.
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02-27-2015, 01:38 PM
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#12
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Site Team
1964 26' Overlander
1964 19' Globetrotter
OlyPen
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,930
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I just ordered one of these:
not inflatable but extremely well reviewed and very portable - no pump needed
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02-27-2015, 02:42 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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Wow, that looks like a great solution. I don't have a place to store a canoe or kayak and it would save having to purchase a mounting system on my tow vehicle too.
Thanks
Kelvin
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02-28-2015, 08:43 AM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
1962 22' Safari
Vintage Kin Owner
kansas city
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 195
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I have a portaboat 12'-6" with a troll motor, love it is very stable!
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02-28-2015, 09:48 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Airtandem
Since you are looking for something that can be used with a motor and or sail, look at the Portabote. You would have alot of options. I have one, the 12 foot model,and run with a 6hp motor or trolling motor depending. The portabote size is the length plus 4" wide and 15" tall FOLDED. The length is either 8, 10, 12 or 14 feet long.
I had a Zodiac, but ran into a mouse problem when I stored it the garage.
mike
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Our Zodiac works great for us with or without a motor ...
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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03-03-2015, 03:12 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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Quote:
Originally Posted by InterBlog
I've seen scary degradation at many of the crease marks in the 330; in fact, the one time I had to haul out and patch on the fly, it was at a crease mark. So I tried to "fluff" the deflated boat periodically so that the stresses would not accumulate perpetually in all the same spots, but that didn't seem to work well, so I'm left with a creased-up boat that I know will fail in any one of about a hundred different spots, given enough time. And it's hard to get excited about taking it out when I don't know which chamber is going to let go next.
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I looked at the material specs of the Sea Eagle 330 vs the Fasttrack 385:
330: K-80 Polykrylar
Fasttrack 385: The 1,000 denier woven base cloth gives tremendous strength and the PVC coating on both sides creates a waterproof, air-tight seal.
The price difference is substantial between the two. I'm not too keen on the PVC but many inflatables use PVC in their construction.
Innova is PVC free. I was looking at the Sunny but I prefer the design of the Fasttrack. The price is similar plus there are a bunch of accessories for them.
Innova is made in the Czech Republic and Sea Eagle, China.
So far the Fasttrack is my first choice. You can even get sail kits and put electric motors on it.
I found a cool electric motor for Kayaks, Torqeedo 403. Water proof lithium battery, built in gps and a range of 21 to 26 miles at 2.6 miles an hour. Whole thing weighs only 15lbs. Unfortunately, its $1900.
Torqeedo Ultralight 403 with integrated battery for kayaks and canoes
Kelvin
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03-03-2015, 04:31 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2014 25' FB International
Dayton
, Ohio
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 23
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We purchased 3 Zoik Inflatables last year and very much enjoyed them. Ocean, lake and river with a little white water and it was good for all. I decided to go with the Zoik because there are pluggable self bail ports and the weight is pretty low. We got two singles and a double.
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03-03-2015, 10:34 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
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Not a yak.. just a boat..
Porta Bote | The Revolutionary Folding Boat
I have seen and used.. quite interesting and 'usable'..
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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03-04-2015, 06:10 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2008 23' Safari FB SE
Boulder
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 510
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Quote:
Originally Posted by streaminwild
I bought a used Hobie i9s kayak last fall. New ones are pricey, but you can find used ones on ''One craiges''for around 900.00 to 1,200.00. Check out ''you tube'' if curious. It has the mirage drive which keeps your hands free to fish, photograph, or eat lunch. Try renting one before you buy. It deflates and folds down to the size of a large suit case. I couldn't be happier I use to paddle, now I peddle.
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The Hobie inflatables are very nice. You might check with the dealer as they sell arm extensions (side pontoons) for the regular Hobie kayaks that greatly increase stability and would prevent a tip over. They may also work on their inflatables.
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/...igger-Kit.html
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04-14-2015, 09:10 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1999 30' Excella 1000
small town
, Maryland
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 802
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bonginator
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The i9s is 3 ft. wide and pretty stable. Good enough to stand up and take a ............ ....................picture . I forgot to mention that you can buy a sail for this kayak. 275.00
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