inflatable kayaks?

[tent peg]

I had to get rid of my tourer as the missus wanted chickens and it was in the way in our rather small back yard.

since then I've been looking at inflatable kayaks and pack rafts. My thinking is, if I buy the right one I can do way more than I ever could with the cumbersome hard shell tourer.

I'm lost though and could do with some advice. i'm drawn to the sevylor pointer but it is going to be difficult to carry my kit in there. And I'm going to have to save up.

looking around there are bigger boats much cheaper and much more expensive. Sevylor tahiti is rumoured to have navigated the Amazon!

confused am I!

 

[widu13]

I've had COPIES of the pointer, which burst. I then burst a Sevylor Hudson (but it was in 6-8' surf). I've considered pack rafts but they are really for downstream or lake crossing only. If I were to buy an inflatable again it would be the larger Pointer, a Gumotex or an Advanced Elements.

 

[SCOMAN]

I had a Sevylor colarado that I bought to get into canoeing and due to it's ability to pack small (relatively). Unfortunately the merest gust of wind had me heading down wind faster than I could paddle. I have since tried a rigid and yes the wind is a challenge but not half as much as an inflatable. I still hanker after one as I travel all round Scotland and occasionally have time to go afloat.

 

[Teepee]

I have the Tango Ta3oo. It takes 280kg, so can take 2 guys and all kit.

I've had it for a couple of years now. Doesn't get used much as it's nowhere near as fun to paddle as my rigid and does a 3rd of the speed. Great fun using an umbrella to propel it though and it makes the best air mattress at night I can imagine.

 

[bopdude]

I have the Tango Ta3oo. It takes 280kg, so can take 2 guys and all kit.
I've had it for a couple of years now. Doesn't get used much as it's nowhere near as fun to paddle as my rigid and does a 3rd of the speed. Great fun using an umbrella to propel it though and it makes the best air mattress at night I can imagine.

:You_Rock_

Cheers mate, spat my coffee, MODS can we have a spit coffee smilie please

 

[Shewie]

How about a folding canoe? Spendy but it's get over the storage problems and more characteristic of a hard shell.

http://catalog.bergans.us/ally-canoes

http://pakboats.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=147

http://klepper.com/en/folding-kayaks.html

 

[Robmc]

Not a Kayak, but I have an Intex Excusion 5;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EXCURSION-B...36&sr=8-1&keywords=intex+excursion+5+boat+set

Massive carrying capacity, and coupled with an electric outboard a great way to get to the islands in the Scottish lochs. They also do smaller versions and are very well made. Definitely not back-packable though!

 

[ozzy1977]

Those Kleppers are fantastic bits of kit, wish I could get one.

 

[neoaliphant]

Not a Kayak, but I have an Intex Excusion 5;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EXCURSION-B...36&sr=8-1&keywords=intex+excursion+5+boat+set

Massive carrying capacity, and coupled with an electric outboard a great way to get to the islands in the Scottish lochs. They also do smaller versions and are very well made. Definitely not back-packable though!

I was thinking about buying one of these this summer, or more probably the seahawk.
Any problems? Has anybody used the seahawk.

 

[Robmc]

No problems with mine, I will be fitting a folding plywood floor in mine to make moving around easier.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

Ooh, that Bergans Ally canoe looks rather Beautiful. Anyone know the price of one from a UK seller? Will add it to the wish list...

J

 

[Shewie]

Ooh, that Bergans Ally canoe looks rather Beautiful. Anyone know the price of one from a UK seller? Will add it to the wish list...

J

Brace yourself J ....

http://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?ActionID=67174912&PBCATID=1572255&PBCATName=Canoe

 

[ozzy1977]

The bergans are quite expensive, I sem to recall tamarack sold them.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

Brace yourself J ....

http://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?ActionID=67174912&PBCATID=1572255&PBCATName=Canoe

That isn't as bad as I was expecting. And cheaper than the car I would need to transport a non folding canoe...

J

 

[oldtimer]

I have a Sevylor Colorado which does well for inshore trips on the Mediterranean and local rivers. It lives in the back of the campervan and is quickly ready for use at any opportunity. However, it is a compromise that will never be as fit for purpose as a canadian or sea canoe. It is sensitive to wind but is safe enough to take grandchildren on day trips and I like the ease of portage. It is perfect for my needs: these might not, though, be yours.

 

[tent peg]

some really good options, thanks to everyone for the input!

Beautiful as they are, I can't justify the spend on the folder. plus, I'm hoping to carry and camp with the boat, something I couldn't do with the tourer, so pure inflatable it will be.

Intex boats get good reviews but their kayaks don't seem up to much. would the sevylor Colorado type boat take two men plus packs? also I have heard some of the sevylor boats leak?

 

[Robmc]

Here's another one to consider, a bit more expensive than the Colorado though;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX5useK5NVM

You can find them on Amazon.

 

[Huon]

Secondhand Pouch Bootes are pretty reasonably priced:
http://m.kleinanzeigen.ebay.de/s-an...tszubehoer-deutschland/faltboot pouch/c211-l0

 

[andibs]

Check out Song of the Paddle. Loads of reviews and blogs of what people have done in them

Andy

 

[tent peg]

Pretty much narrowed my search down to a Sevylor Colorado. Just need to save up now.