Inflatable Kayaks?

[Airtandem]

is it true that if one "rolls" an ORU it sinks ??? There is NO floatation ??

[Ndcctrucks]

Originally Posted by Peter417

The life expectancy of soft sided kayaks is under 10 years. You can expect the seems to give way first and there is no way to repair them. Hard sided kayaks for us and they go on the roof leaving plenty of storage.

Nice point about inflatable life expectancy; but the OP specifically asked for info about inflatables.

Can we please keep focused?

[trailerKat]

Experienced Great Lakes and Michigan river paddlers [long time paddle club members, symposium attendees + private lessons.] We tow with a GMC van so no way we wanted to lift 2 17.5ft Pygmy mahogany sea kayaks [38lbs] or a 12ft rotomold [50lbs] on that roof, plus constant exposure to sun and weather isn't good for most boats. We got older, our travel style changed [from tents to teardrop to Airstream], paddle style changed [no more multi-day open water or river trips.] Sold the Pygmy kayaks, the rotomold, a great 12ft Poke-Boat [28lbs] and bought 2 12ft Oru kayaks that perform well and are stored INSIDE the van along with our e-bikes.

[jan55255]

Has anyone looked at or owned the Sea Eagle Fastcat Catamaran? It’s a little large as inflatables go. We’re looking for something a little larger and maintaining the ease of an inflatable.

[streaminwild]

I have a Hobie I9S. Never had any problems. It folds to the size of a large suitcase. Watch Youtube videos for more information. Look on Craigslist for slightly used one.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by Ndcctrucks

Nice point about inflatable life expectancy; but the OP specifically asked for info about inflatables.

Can we please keep focused?

The OP asked about the pros and cons of inflatables because he was not aware of alternative racks that would not interfere with his bed cover.


Are you with the forum police?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by mojo

The OP asked about the pros and cons of inflatables because he was not aware of alternative racks that would not interfere with his bed cover.


Are you with the forum police?

Thank you; I was thinking the same thing! Where do we get these folks interjecting like they are a site monitor? I read the OP post as asking pro/con on inflatables and racks also...

[Jim Pona]

Originally Posted by Bcc75

We are considering adding Kayaks this year to our growing list of activities that we do while camping. I had decided on buying traditional hard sided kayaks and then looking at some sort of truck mounted carrying racks. The issue for me with this would be that I would have to remove my trifold bed cover on the truck to mount the rack. That cover comes in handy in keeping gear dry and secure especially with our unpredictable weather here in the south. I use it as a secure storage locker at the campsite to secure various items that aren't being used at any given moment. Then I thought about inflatable kayaks which would eliminate the transport issue. At first the idea seemed a little too out there for me but after looking online and reading reviews, etc. It seems that the game has been changed with these things and technology and quality have improved. So I thought I would throw it out there to you guys and see if anyone has had any experience with the inflatables. If so, pros, cons, and what brand you have would be helpful.
Thanks!

Ditto djarret’s comments about Advance Elements brand. We are in our 4th year with a double and are very pleased. Well designed well made, and it tracks pretty well. Folds to a large suitcase sans size and weighs about 52 pounds.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Jim Pona

Ditto djarret’s comments about Advance Elements brand. We are in our 4th year with a double and are very pleased. Well designed well made, and it tracks pretty well. Folds to a large suitcase sans size and weighs about 52 pounds.

Not sure which kind of blow up model we purchased...it was a "deal" on Offers the wife jumped on. Have not tried it yet; it is very heavy...toted it to/from AZ last year...did not use...too heavy to get out of truck bed. Wish I still had my hardsided Old Town Durego's kayaks...but wishing ain't helping.

[Peter417]

Originally Posted by Ndcctrucks

Nice point about inflatable life expectancy; but the OP specifically asked for info about inflatables.

Can we please keep focused?

Let me be specific. I was on a float trip with my Airstream club. a Club member had high quality inflatable kayak for him and his wife. Mid way through the float a seam in one side let loose. This was not repairable in the field if at all. They were sinking. He had to pawn his wife off on a canoe that had sufficient capacity. He floated lopsided down the river for about 4 hours very slowly with half his boat submerged. He had to paddle much harder than the hard sided boats before the failure. After the failure he had no choice but to bring up the rear of the group.

[Janet H]

Another recommendation for an Oru here - more stable and more durable than an inflatable and about the same transport size when you factor in the pump for the inflatable.

[Bcc75]

After all of the research I’ve done and reading all of the comments, at least for me anyway I think when time to pull the trigger, I’m going with the Oru. At least for me, that seems to be the way to go.
Thanks again for all of your input.