Inflatable Canoes

[Kepis]

I've had a look at a few folding canoes/kayaks onthe web this afternoon, and they are way out of my price range, looks like i shall just have to content myself for the time being with hiring a canoe up the local lakes/reservoir when i want to go for a paddle .

 

[ol smokey]

I've had a look at a few folding canoes/kayaks onthe web this afternoon, and they are way out of my price range, looks like i shall just have to content myself for the time being with hiring a canoe up the local lakes/reservoir when i want to go for a paddle .

I bought a Sevylor RANGER in October past, Not prepared to content myself till they got in the spring supply, I am regretting it somewhat in that I really wanted the RIO model which is given a great rightup in the reveiws of inflatables on Song of the Paddle.
the difference being that the RIO can take either a skeg to keep it in a straight course, or an outboard motor, or both. The Ranger featured on this thread already has two shallow
plastic strips underneath which are supposed to keep it on a straight course, but have little effect. I used to have a glassfibre Kayak and found that the inflatable hardly tracked at all. I only got it to potter about and get across to islands on lochs to camp etc.,
Awayfrom the maddening crowds, so it will still be O.K. for that in calm weather.
I only had it out for the first time yesterday in very slight wind, but found it hard to go in a straight line at all. I am going to try and fabricate a Skeg of my own design to overcome this problem. I think that the RIO by Sevylor would be a much better buy or the COLORADO which is still an a reasonable price range compared to rigid canoes.
My honest opinion is that if you have the patience to hang on till you can afford it and can
rent storeage space, say an unused lockup I would go for a rigid canoe every time.

Mine has been dried out in the back garden today and is now getting a final airing in the house on the upstairs landing, thanks to my very understanding wife. Hope this has been of help.

 

[tetra_neon]

re: the outboard motor mount

what sort of motors does an inflatable sevylor accept? does it only accept 12v trolling motors, or something with a little more hp?

 

[tetra_neon]

sorry to double post.

i'm really interested in the sevylor rio - with the skeg/skegs slotted into the motor mounts, it's supposed to handle very well on flat water. i'd be interested in hearing from someone who has loaded a week's worth of gear and supplies and taken to the water in one.

the hiring a kayak in sweden costs slightly over £100 for two weeks. one of these rios can be had online for only twice that amount!

 

[andy_e]

re: the outboard motor mount

what sort of motors does an inflatable sevylor accept? does it only accept 12v trolling motors, or something with a little more hp?

From what I've read they only take trolling motors.

 

[CRAZY FROG]

Following Andy_e's post about inflatable canoes in this post http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=384858, i d like to get peoples opinions about them, im fairly interested in getting a canoe myself, but the problem i have always had is finding somewhere to store the thing, whereas an inflatable version will obviously pack away quite nicely and not take up too much space, an added bonus i can see is not having to strap the thing to the roof of my car, also where i live im fairly limited to tidal rivers for inland paddling, although there are a couple of reservoirs around i can go to, but the sea is less than a mile away, are these inflatables suited to marine paddling as well as inland paddling.

Opinions & recommendations appreciated

I would not reccommed inflatable canoes. I preffere the more solidly built open canoe like the waterquest 14, or the prospector15 as a more viable option

 

[Wayne]

Maver if your looking for a folding canoe have a look at Pakboats. I used them on the Bloodvein in Canada and in northern Finland. Great kit.

Also if you fancy a paddle give me a shout I have several opens and will be happy to let you have a go.

 

[Kepis]

Maver if your looking for a folding canoe have a look at Pakboats. I used them on the Bloodvein in Canada and in northern Finland. Great kit.

Also if you fancy a paddle give me a shout I have several opens and will be happy to let you have a go.

Cheers Wayne, appreciated

 

[Wayne]

You have got my number so when your in this country for more than 5 Minutes give me a shout. The Arun above Stopham bridge is a lovely trip. Nice flat water with plenty of interest.

 

[Kepis]

Im in country all of the time at the moment Wayne, no job at the moment

 

[Wayne]

Im in country all of the time at the moment Wayne, no job at the moment

In that case we will have to get you out in a canoe.

Hard to believe the workaholic has taken some time off.

 

[Kepis]

aye, been out for few weeks now, having some me time before i go back to the grind though, going out for a paddle sounds like a fine plan, think you have my email & phone No.?

 

[helixpteron]

Stuart,

Good choice on the Alpacka Raft, they're very popular with cross country mountain bikers as they can load their packs and bikes onto their Raft, and pack their Raft onto their packs.

A young American couple have recently completed an expedition from Seattle to Alaska using Packrafts, ski's and hiking. A genuine wilderness craft for sure, at under 5lbs!

I've listed some sites including Alpacka Raft's, the photo's of the little Rafts are amazing, as are the details of the Seattle-Alaska Expedition.

https://www.alpackaraft.com/store/index.cfm?CategoryID=53&do=list

http://www.alpackaraft.no/zencart/i...age=en&zenid=a33576d864f2f440402e814719208ab8

http://www.aktrekking.com/Packrafts/

http://www.backpackinglight.com/packrafting.html

A new Packrafting and mountain biking expedition, bikes, packs and paddler carried on Alpacka Rafts.

http://lostcoastbike.blogspot.com/

I have a yellow Denali Llama with deck and spray skirt, 7 additional Grab Loop mounts and other custom features, which will be leaving Alpacka to wing its way to me, this week. (o:

The Denali Llama, Sawyer Packraft 5 piece Paddle and the Stormy Seas EXP100-Expedition PFD make for a very compact, lightweight system.

http://www.stormyseas.com/vests.html

The Denali Llama is used to ferry passengers accross water one at a time, having carried the packs already. That's why expedition groups carry this model, as one Packraft ferries all people and packs. They carry a huge volume and weight of gear given their size and weight.

http://www.alpackaraft.no/zencart/slides/Hulahula19.jpg?zenid=a33576d864f2f440402e814719208ab8

http://www.alpackaraft.no/zencart/slides/Hulahula18.jpg?zenid=a33576d864f2f440402e814719208ab8

http://www.alpackaraft.no/zencart/slides/Hulahula2.jpg?zenid=a33576d864f2f440402e814719208ab8

http://www.alpackaraft.no/zencart/slides/DSC02058.JPG?zenid=a33576d864f2f440402e814719208ab8

http://www.alpackaraft.no/zencart/slides/Hulahula4.jpg?zenid=a33576d864f2f440402e814719208ab8

Whitewater Packrafting (over a rock!) with passenger.

http://www.alpackaraft.com/gallery/index.cfm?fa=gallery-detail&photo=159&categoryid=16

Packrafting, the doggie paddle!

http://www.alpackaraft.com/gallery/index.cfm?fa=gallery-detail&photo=181&categoryid=18

No other craft goes with you, or takes you, kit, mountain bike, passenger (human or canine) so far ~ The Ultimate Personal Craft!

I have no connection with Alpacka Raft other than as a customer whom bought a Packraft following extensive research, their help with custom aspects has been invaluable, I have no hesitation in recommending this Company.

 

[squantrill]

Following Andy_e's post about inflatable canoes in this post http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=384858, i d like to get peoples opinions about them, im fairly interested in getting a canoe myself, but the problem i have always had is finding somewhere to store the thing, whereas an inflatable version will obviously pack away quite nicely and not take up too much space, an added bonus i can see is not having to strap the thing to the roof of my car, also where i live im fairly limited to tidal rivers for inland paddling, although there are a couple of reservoirs around i can go to, but the sea is less than a mile away, are these inflatables suited to marine paddling as well as inland paddling.

Opinions & recommendations appreciated

Be aware that inflatables sit on top of the water and not IN the water like a proper canoe. Allthough manypeople find these canoes nice on a summers holiday in inshore waters Im not sure I would want to use it for anything else.
If you intend parking up paddling a half hour back to the car and home they are great if you intende wilderness paddling then re-consider and get a foldable or a proper canoe. they are more forgiving. and they dont get damaged half as much as an inflatable

Although saying that rafts are inflatable and they go down rapids on a regular basis

Good luck..

 

[Wayne]

Maver I only have your old work email.

You can get my details off my website.

 

[mortalmerlin]

Looks like fun Stuart, im thinking more along the lines of one of these,

not for serious wilderness paddling, just for fun up the local river or out on the sea.

I have one of these, I have used it in the Ardeche for two years but sadly it started to leak after rubbing against rocks (to be fair it was on a small rapid and I was going quite fast). Now I just rent one of the solid plastic ones. If your just pottering around on the river they're fine but anything semi-serious and they're not.

They do tend to be difficult to get to go in a straight line as the bottom is more or less flat. The more expensive versions have a kind of keel to make them a bit easier to paddle. There is room in mine for me and one of the kids or just me and a barrel behind me. Paddeling can be a bit difficult if your going far as you have to reach round the sides and I found I was getting rubbed raw after a while (about 10km).