Which inflatable kayak to purchase?

[camy252]

Hey guys,
Im looking into purchasing my first kayak and due to budget and space constraints Im looking into inflatable ones. I have looked at some guides but nothing that helpful so thought id drop a line here.

Basically im looking to do mainly sea kayaking (off coast of scotland) for mostly fishing and some exploring so I dont need anything fast or agile. Something stable with some storage space and can also handle a larger weight cap. I weight about 94kg so im looking at ones with high weight cap or 2 person ones that can be converted into single. Price range between 70-150 pounds so obv low budget.

Ive had my eyes on a sevylor tahiti 2 person. It converts to a single and is excellent value for money but im unsure about how it will handle in the sea and for fishing so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Camy

[crashnodrog]

If you have to buy an inflatable have a look at the Advanced Elements convertible. It is nowhere near the expense of the Feathercraft inflatables, appears to perform better than the Sevylors and be better constructed but gets good reviews.

http://www.advancedelementskayaks.co.uk/

[maryinoxford]

Also, have a look at Song of the Paddle: http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/
because there are more users of inflatables there than here.

Paddling.Net can be a good source of info, too: http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/

Gumotex make good quality inflatables, usually a tad more expensive than Sevylor, but probably tougher. Keep an eye on Ebay and you might pick up a used Sunny, or a Solar 410c; these can both be set up as singles or doubles.

Mary

[YvonneB]

I would second the vote for Advanced Elements, ruggedly made but be aware as for all inflatables they are vulnerable in high winds and your forward motion will be considerably reduced in a headwind. . If I were going on the sea in mine I would consider getting a made to measure sprayskirt from Reed as the one they supply is of stiff material and Ive never got a good fit with it.

[Mikebelluk]

I've had a Sevylor Tahiti for 6 years, and have had some good sport in it, I paddled 18 km in it once..never again, as it's quite wide, and as you sit low in it paddling is awkward. For fishing it's fine, but get a small anchor and rope to sling over the side, especially if its windy.
On reflection I should have bought the Colorado version for a little more as the seats are better, and more secure, however if I could have afforded it, the Gumotex Safari is a much better boat.

[PlymouthDamo]

Be careful. If you're going out to sea, you'll want a strong boat, whereas most boats in that price range are little more than toy rubber dinghies.

Build-quality should be your number one concern - it needs to be made from some very robust material. I can vouch for Gumotex's 'Packlite' material, which is very light but stands up to a battering. As well as checking out the Song of the Paddle forum, there's a load of good info on inflatables on the following website:

http://apaddleinmypack.wordpress.com/

[camy252]

Great replies thanks guys.

I really wish I could put more to my budget but at the reduced price from amazon, its hard to pass up! However I will look into advanced elements and gumtex and see whats available. The title 'toy rubber dinghies' is something thats always haunted me with these kind of things. I have always had my eye on an Ocean Kayak scrambler 11 which has had me druelling on my keyboard, and I immediately dismissed the inflatables but when it comes to storage space and the fact I will be mainly using it for calm seas fishing I figured I wouldnt be able to justify the expensive rigid and then all the transport difficulties!

I also figured that at £80 I might aswell try the Tahiti and if I sinks too low in the middle (which is another worry), tracks poorly, and then bursts cos a fishing hook got caught in it then ill let you all say I told you so and then go buy a 'real' one!

[Kayaks'N'Beer]

Great replies thanks guys.

I really wish I could put more to my budget but at the reduced price from amazon, its hard to pass up! However I will look into advanced elements and gumtex and see whats available. The title 'toy rubber dinghies' is something thats always haunted me with these kind of things. I have always had my eye on an Ocean Kayak scrambler 11 which has had me druelling on my keyboard, and I immediately dismissed the inflatables but when it comes to storage space and the fact I will be mainly using it for calm seas fishing I figured I wouldnt be able to justify the expensive rigid and then all the transport difficulties!

I also figured that at £80 I might aswell try the Tahiti and if I sinks too low in the middle (which is another worry), tracks poorly, and then bursts cos a fishing hook got caught in it then ill let you all say I told you so and then go buy a 'real' one!

Word of advice: beware flat-calm water! It might look all flat and calm when you set out but that can change pretty rapidly for no reason that was forecast. By all means buy as cheap a boat as you can get your hands on but make sure the money you've saved is spent on good quality safety kit.

[camy252]

OKay, liking the look of the colorado and can probably manage the budget for it. Just one question, can it be converted into a one man or would it be okay to sit in the back seat and put gear in the front or will I just throw the balance off that way?

And in reply to above, dont worry I have kayaked, surfed and sailed for years so got some good equipment plus knowledge where it counts but thanks for tips.

[username Chris S]

I've never paddled one but I think solo in a Colorado is no problem. Have a look at the gallery here from around NYC. There's also a report on my blog of a guy who paddled his Grabner IK along the Scottish Sea Kayak Trail as far as Torridon, sat in the back with payload up front, obviously. He managed fine.

It's not a bad looking IK for a Sevy, but one thing to bear in mind with these sorts of boats is that because they have the airtight but vulnerable air chambers inside a nylon hull 'sock', the gap between the two usually gets wet and it's a lot of work to dry them, especially up in Scotland, I imagine. And after paddling in the sea you'd want to rinse it well. I think AE IKs are the same, though it must vary from boat to boat - perhaps it's not a big issue. That's the advantage of 'tubeless' boats like Grabners and the Sunny/410C (I think the smaller Gumo Safari would be rather tippy for sea fishing). A quick rinse and wipe and they're dry enough.

People often cite strong headwinds as the drawback with IKs. In my experience headwinds are the least of your worries. I'm the same weight and assuming not all your 94 kilos is blubber then you'll still keep moving into 20+ mph winds (waves notwithstanding), even if the Colorado is nearly a metre wide and only 3.3m long. A greater problem is winds of that strength and more from the sides or back - something I only discovered recently as I'd never go out in those sorts of conditions normally. Because an IK is light, high sided, and bobs on the water like a lilo rather than cuts through like a slick sea kayak, it's pretty hard to keep it on line in those conditions, though you'd hope the Colorado's hull strakes might help here (I doubt it).

So make sure you watch the weather, stay close and carry all the usuals - the harshellers will have a field day if you get in trouble ;-)

Chris

btw: there are Colorados going here for £240. They sell Gumoes too - have a look at the Twist 2 - that what I'd buy if I was spending £300 on an IK. It will last for years and years.

[JohnGreenview]

I'd go for the Advanced Elements. I have the Convertible. It is excellent. Look at You tube to see fishing uses. I have friends with some of the other examples mentioned and the Advanced Elements is much safer on open seas. Lomo custom spraydecks fit and are better than the nylon spraydecks. Drying is not much of a difficulty if you have a back garden. I have been out with folks on composites (I have a composite) and speed and direction compare well. Very stable.

By the way, go for the expedition level boats, not the cheaper ones which are not intended for open seas. A single is on ebay though the convertible will give more storage.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Advanced-Elem ... 3f0f8ed7a0

[username Chris S]

None other than Douglas W. liked the AE Convertible after a quick spin:
http://seakayakphoto.blogspot.com/2007/ ... frame.html

I assume it's the same model. I met a motorhoming couple last summer in the Summer Isles who also loved their Convertible for inshore excursions.

[JohnGreenview]

Chris S

I was one half of the couple you met. I think!

John

[username Chris S]

Ahh, that was you then. Thanks for the cuppa ;-)

C