inflatable kayak/canoe

[Bushcraftsman]

Hi,

just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these before and whether or not they'd recommend them?

Thanks

 

[Grendel]

Good post since I was thinking about one of these a while back myself since have a motorbike and soft top car neither of which you can carry a canoe on.

It all depends on your weight and how much kit you carry and where you will use it. It also appears with inflatable canoes the good quality ones can be just as expensive if not more than ridged plastic kayaks. A good site to look at the different sorts is here:

http://www.inflatable-kayaks.co.uk/single-inflatable-kayaks.htm

Also take a look at this thread:
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67121&highlight=inflatable+canoe

 

[Bushcraftsman]

wow you werent joking when you said they were expensive, I would love to get into kayaking or get a canoe! a couple of my mates have them and have all acquired them very luckily! one got his out the skip down by our school because they were throwing it out due to it being "outdated" but it still works perfectly well! another got his wait for it.....by finding it had been dumped in the woods we camp in! the one time I wasn't there! maybe its a sign Thanks for the links Grendel

 

[Bushcraftsman]

I also will only be using mine on calm waters...lakes and rivers

 

[Grendel]

From what I gather inflatables are more difficult to keep in a straight line since they can be blown off course easily due to the low weight on the water so the aftermarket keels you get for some are worth getting apparently. I know its been said before but you get what you pay for and like you I cant afford £250+ for somthing that may occasionally get played with a couple of times.

Another option would be approach Scouts or Cadets and ask if they have any old ridged fibreglass ones you could take off there hands for them.

 

[scottishpinz]

I have sevylor kayak similar to this http://www.sevylor.com/Sevytexreg-2-Person-Kayak-P2153C41.aspx and have found it great on rivers, lochs and lakes. Its my favorite boat out of a rotobat kayak, and an open canoe!

 

[Tyla]

I have a sevylor colorado. They are great as long as the current or tide isnt too strong, then it can be hard work. Great fun for exploring though!

 

[sandbender]

I have tried an inflatable kayak at one of the Scottish meets, It wasn't so great, but perhaps nice to carry to a calm and remote loch. The folding canoe used by Lars Monsen in the Nordkalotten 365 series looked more useful.

You can see it in the opening titles here...

[video=youtube;CQMHKWfnDzo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQMHKWfnDzo[/video]

...or watch the whole episode and see him walking in with the canoe in backpack mode.