Inflatable Kayaks
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Amazon has the Advanced Elements Advancedframe Convertible Kayak (2-person) on sale for $642 on one of their short term (1hr?) holiday deals - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J2 ... 1438543682
The "deal" price starts at 9:40PST today and will likely be a good bit less than the $642 price.
The "deal" price starts at 9:40PST today and will likely be a good bit less than the $642 price.
El and Bill
New member
We used a Sevylor kayak for many years, to run white water rivers in the West. It is to inflatables as Timex is to watches, in our experience. Inexpensive, easily replaced, suitable for most purposes, but it requires some extra precaution in its use (don't slam it up on a rocky beach).
On our 22, we had a small two-person Sevylor raft -- another Timex for us, and it worked in that role for many years. It was a life raft and a dinghy. Was it the best and most durable that money could buy? Did it impress our friends and neighbors? Of course not -- but it was reliable for us and a great 'Timex.'
On our 22, we had a small two-person Sevylor raft -- another Timex for us, and it worked in that role for many years. It was a life raft and a dinghy. Was it the best and most durable that money could buy? Did it impress our friends and neighbors? Of course not -- but it was reliable for us and a great 'Timex.'
After doing some reading, I decided to upgrade our Advanced elements inflatable Kayak. It has had a lot of hard river and beach use with the grandkids and no scratches on the bottom.
We are putting in the "backbone" and the drop stitch high pressure inflatable floor. This should make it faster and more seaworthy. We are planing another AK trip in the RV this summer, and it will tag along, with the Hobie mirage i 9. Not sure if we will take the dinghy and motor or not. But no C Dory....
We are putting in the "backbone" and the drop stitch high pressure inflatable floor. This should make it faster and more seaworthy. We are planing another AK trip in the RV this summer, and it will tag along, with the Hobie mirage i 9. Not sure if we will take the dinghy and motor or not. But no C Dory....
RobMcClain
Member
All this talk about inflatable kayaks started us rethinking our bulky and heavy 9' Zodiac inflatable, one that also has a slight leak. We originally bought it when we had a sailboat and then kept it after we sold the sailboat thinking we'd use it with our Venture - but we haven't to date. So we just listed it on Craigslist and it sold within 2 days. We now plan to buy an inflatable kayak, probably a Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack but not certain about that one yet. They kayak will be much more maneuverable, lighter and easier to store, and more fun for our use. Plus, no state registration, no more motor to store, and no more spare gas required. I much prefer using a paddle to a motor and love the feel and peace it provides. Whichever kayak we decide upon we want it to allow configuration for both tandem and single use, and I've noted that many do. As is often expressed on this site, the discussion is excellent and most beneficial, especially to newer owners as we still are. Thanks!
Rob
Rob
Just a question:
I can see where the inflatable kayak would be a great substitute for an inflatable or rigid dinghy in many situations, being lighter, easier to hoist and store, and not requiring a motor or gas, but you'd give up some things, among them:
1. Capability to carry more than two persons, a large dog, a major order of groceries/supplies, etc.,
2. Ability to ago long distances or against strong current and/or wind, or to make fast passages (as with a planning dinghy).
What other limitations would there be? I'm really unfamiliar with this topic, residing and boating around inland lakes.
Joe. :teeth :thup
I can see where the inflatable kayak would be a great substitute for an inflatable or rigid dinghy in many situations, being lighter, easier to hoist and store, and not requiring a motor or gas, but you'd give up some things, among them:
1. Capability to carry more than two persons, a large dog, a major order of groceries/supplies, etc.,
2. Ability to ago long distances or against strong current and/or wind, or to make fast passages (as with a planning dinghy).
What other limitations would there be? I'm really unfamiliar with this topic, residing and boating around inland lakes.
Joe. :teeth :thup
RobMcClain
Member
I can only speak to the type of inflatable we had, which was a Zodiac Fastroller with an inflatable high-pressure floor and separate inflatable keel. It was only about 8 feet 9 inches in length and had a load limit of 3 passengers, but the boat interior was so small you really couldn't fit 3. The problem we had is the boat weighed about 70 pounds empty and was very hard for 1 person to lift and carry because of its bulk. The tubes on the Fastroller models, at least the ones produced around 2004, were about 2 inches wider in diameter than most other inflatable tubes. While the boat was relatively stable in the water, the wide tubes added bulk and made it very hard to get in and out of the boat. They also made the boat harder to row.
As for the inflatable floor and keel, both were separate pieces but they were connected by a tube that let air pass between them; thus, when you filled the floor you also filled the keel. Problem was, if one leaked so did the other. After a few years we noticed the floor lost pressure after several hours . We tried and tried to find the leak but never could We finally took the boat to our local Zodiac dealer and he ran into the same problem before realizing the leak was in the fitting that connected the tube between the floor and keel. He learned this because around that same time he received another boat with the same issue and that allowed him to zero in on the problem. Because Zodiac had not produced enough of these spare parts the replacement had to come from the factory in France and it took 3 months before he received it. The boat was completely useless until then. The part also cost $50 for a stupid little piece of plastic and a new ~16" piece of tubing that was of a unique diameter that looked to be roughly 1/2 inch. It seemed to us the part was about $45 overpriced but we had little choice. Even the dealer seemed disgusted, but not enough to give us a price break.
We used a Honda 2HP engine which is a great little motor. The boat made ok headway in sloppy water, but that little Honda is pretty loud when running which takes away from some of the fun. I had more fun rowing the boat, but the big tubes made it more difficult and less comfortable to row. I still deferred to rowing more often than not, but when the wind kicked up that particular inflatable was really buffeted about, whether using the motor or rowing.
The big floor in the kayak was really filled up with 2 adults. If you were going any distance you also needed a Jerry Jug of gas, mooring lines, and any necessary safety gear such as life jackets and a Type IV cushion. Once all this was in the boat there wasn't much room for anything else. The big floor filled up very quickly.
While an inflatable kayak is much thinner in width, the added length and usable storage compartments would seem to make it a bit more versatile from our perspective. It is also much easier and more efficient to paddle, and we can paddle it as a tandem when desired instead of just 1 person rowing and one acting as a passenger. Sure, the kayak can develop air and/or water leaks too, but that is a possibility with any sort of inflatable. I especially like that I can fully handle it in and out of the water by myself.
These are just my quick thoughts based on the Zodiac we had...
Rob
As for the inflatable floor and keel, both were separate pieces but they were connected by a tube that let air pass between them; thus, when you filled the floor you also filled the keel. Problem was, if one leaked so did the other. After a few years we noticed the floor lost pressure after several hours . We tried and tried to find the leak but never could We finally took the boat to our local Zodiac dealer and he ran into the same problem before realizing the leak was in the fitting that connected the tube between the floor and keel. He learned this because around that same time he received another boat with the same issue and that allowed him to zero in on the problem. Because Zodiac had not produced enough of these spare parts the replacement had to come from the factory in France and it took 3 months before he received it. The boat was completely useless until then. The part also cost $50 for a stupid little piece of plastic and a new ~16" piece of tubing that was of a unique diameter that looked to be roughly 1/2 inch. It seemed to us the part was about $45 overpriced but we had little choice. Even the dealer seemed disgusted, but not enough to give us a price break.
We used a Honda 2HP engine which is a great little motor. The boat made ok headway in sloppy water, but that little Honda is pretty loud when running which takes away from some of the fun. I had more fun rowing the boat, but the big tubes made it more difficult and less comfortable to row. I still deferred to rowing more often than not, but when the wind kicked up that particular inflatable was really buffeted about, whether using the motor or rowing.
The big floor in the kayak was really filled up with 2 adults. If you were going any distance you also needed a Jerry Jug of gas, mooring lines, and any necessary safety gear such as life jackets and a Type IV cushion. Once all this was in the boat there wasn't much room for anything else. The big floor filled up very quickly.
While an inflatable kayak is much thinner in width, the added length and usable storage compartments would seem to make it a bit more versatile from our perspective. It is also much easier and more efficient to paddle, and we can paddle it as a tandem when desired instead of just 1 person rowing and one acting as a passenger. Sure, the kayak can develop air and/or water leaks too, but that is a possibility with any sort of inflatable. I especially like that I can fully handle it in and out of the water by myself.
These are just my quick thoughts based on the Zodiac we had...
Rob
I have the AE's Straitedge single kayak and really like it. I'm pretty critical of a kayaks performance because I have toured in my Current Designs 18 foot single quite a bit. The Advanced Elements design is good for a small kayak. It tracks very well, I can load it with gear, groceries, etc. it makes better speed than a rowed inflatable, even an Alaska Series. It does not carry as much, and no motor mount.
The one disadvantage that I could add to Joes list would be that they may not be as easy to enter and exit at the boat. They can be a bit more unstable than a dinghy until you get your CG settled down. I've never turned mine over, but having announced that, I'll probably be going for a swim in the near future. :?
Robbi
The one disadvantage that I could add to Joes list would be that they may not be as easy to enter and exit at the boat. They can be a bit more unstable than a dinghy until you get your CG settled down. I've never turned mine over, but having announced that, I'll probably be going for a swim in the near future. :?
Robbi
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?full ... _photo.php
This is a link to a photo of my kayak that is in my photo album.
Robbi
This is a link to a photo of my kayak that is in my photo album.
Robbi
We had the tandem West Marine version (circa 2007) of the Advanced Elements... unlike Robbi, we did manage to roll ours a time or twelve. That particular model wasn't adjustable for the seats and didn't track worth a hoot when paddling solo. Also, the leg room in the forward position was tight athwartships. I don't see that particular model being carried anymore. Getting in/out of that kayak from the boat was a challenge. It did fold up reasonably compact.
Night and day difference with our current hard kayaks. But, for carrying capacity, stability, and keeping dry, the inflatable dinghy is a better solution (for us) most of the time.
Night and day difference with our current hard kayaks. But, for carrying capacity, stability, and keeping dry, the inflatable dinghy is a better solution (for us) most of the time.