The Inflatable Kayak

Comfort, Convenience, & Durability

Inflatable kayaks have come of age. With their new materials and designs they offer advantages over traditional hard-shell kayaks. They are easier for beginners because they're easier to master and much more stable. They're more forgiving and much more durable due to advances in fabric durability. They are a little sluggish to respond, but the more expensive models are more rigid and solve that problem.

One of the greatest advantages of an inflatable kayak is its compactness. It fits nicely in the trunk of your car or can be checked as baggage on any airline flight.

The newest versions of inflatable kayaks include models for whitewater, sea kayaking, and playboating. They have self-bailing bottoms and clean lines--in all very few drawbacks when compared to earlier models.

Most high-quality inflatables have either a nylon or polyester fabric base with a protective coating that makes the fabric airtight and abrasion resistant. Some of the more durable coatings include PVC, Hypalon, and neoprene. The best way to go is to purchase your inflatable from a top-quality manufacturer.

A great improvement in the newer inflatable kayaks is the self-bailing floor. It allows water to escape through holes in the floor near the tubes. Most of the floors are constructed of closed-cell foam or the floor itself is inflatable.The self-bailing option is an expensive one and the extra material can add weight to the boat. Some whitewater kayakers believe that the addition of a self-bailing floor makes the kayak more "tippy" becauses it raises the height of the craft off the water.