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Half/Pint
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 16 City/Region: Rocky Mount/Wilson (NC)
State or Province: NC
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Half/Pint
Photos: Half/Pint
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:26 am Post subject: Inflatable Kayak |
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I'm thinking about purchasing an inflatable kayak. I need some advice on what brand and model. I will be using it in flat water on the coast and inland lakes and creeks.
Any advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated |
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JamesTXSD
Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 7447 City/Region: from island boy to desert dweller
State or Province: AZ
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: "Wild Blue" (sold 9/14)
Photos: Wild Blue
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:49 am Post subject: |
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We had a double made by Advanced Frame, sold by West Marine; didn't care for the way it tracked, and using it solo had the front of the kayak out of the water. We sold it less than a year later.
When we were in the Tetons, my wife sold the Sevylor inflatable two person kayak. Not sure the model, but it actually tracked better than the more expensive Advanced Frame we had. It wasn't heavily built, so you'd want to be careful around sharp rocks onshore.
If money is no object, the Hobie inflatables are very nice. I like the pedal action, they are stable and track well. The only downside is the size when packed down: about the dimensions of a travel trunk.
Those are the ones I have experience with - hope that helps. _________________ Jim & Joan
CD-25 "Wild Blue" (sold August 2014)
http://captnjim.blogspot.com/
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bcassal
Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 193 City/Region: BLoomington
State or Province: IN
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Carpy
Photos: Carpy
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:48 am Post subject: |
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We bought a Sea Eagle fast track double and have been very pleased with it. It inflates easily, I can do it on the foredeck. It is very stable and tracks well. It packs into a reasonably sized bag and I stow it on a roof rack. It weighs about 35 lbs.
Carpy |
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colobear
Joined: 23 Jan 2005 Posts: 2154 City/Region: Denver
State or Province: CO
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Photos: C-Cakes
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:05 am Post subject: |
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We have an Innova Helios 2 person Kayak and have been satisfied with it. It weighs about 25 # and collapses into its own drybag backpack. _________________ Patti and Barry
formerly C-Cakes, now
rving around N. America |
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Sarge
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 488 City/Region: Edmonds
State or Province: WA
Vessel Name: Sea Badger
Photos: Gigi
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:39 am Post subject: |
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I have had a similar experience as Carpy.
We bought 2 Sea Eagle Classic 385ft Fast Track tandems and have really enjoyed them. They have a keel, which allows them to track better than most inflatable kayaks. We also stored them on the cabin of our boat, but I kept them inflated and just strapped them down.
As an example of how we used them, we had them on a trip to Lopez Island and used them to travel all over Fishermans Bay. It was quite windy but they were able to track straight with the keel.
I just looked and they aren't cheap...
Best of luck with your search,
Sarge |
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BrentB
Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 4419 City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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We bought Sea Eagle SE370 Inflatable Kayak with Pro Package (better seats, pump, storage bag
, paddles) for $250 from Amazon sight un seen and never been in a kayak before. It fits 2 well (I am 6'4" with long legs) and rated for 550 lbs and 12' long. It is easy to inflate with the foot pump and easy to pack up and store in the storage bag. We use it to explore the Pt Charlotte FL canals and have not used it in open water but it is very stable will explore the Harbor soon. We really like it and didnt spend a fortune. I usually take it out in evenings for one or 2 hours while the Admiral is fishing. We enter it off the dock which takes a little skill and cant use the sea wall b/c it is full of barnacles. It would be very easy to use at the beach.
It is a lot of fun and we are kayak novices. It is a great way to met and yak at our neighbors.
Keep in mind this is an entry level kayak and a huge selection of kayaks are available to fit your needs. _________________ Brent Barrett |
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Sasscom
Joined: 01 May 2011 Posts: 71 City/Region: St. Michaels
State or Province: MD
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: ViewFinder
Photos: ViewFinder
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:44 pm Post subject: Inflatable Kayaks |
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We own two AIRIS kayaks by Walker Bay, and while we have appreciated their light weight and stability, we have been disappointed by their durability. Each one now has six patches covering small air leaks. The skeg fell off one of them, and it took two months to get a replacement part from Walker Bay. We don't abuse these, but we do pull them up on sandy beaches. Some of the holes are on the sides or on top of the inflatable floor. I think the fabric is not dense enough to withstand even the slightest abrasion. Over the years we've owned many inflatable dinghies, even cheap ones, and we've never had so many problems. Recently, the logo and name plates glued to the sides have become sticky to the touch, like rubber cement. The dealer says we either spilled gas on the kayaks, or have paddled through gas. Nonsense. There's probably a good reason Walker Bay has discontinued most models. We finally decided to get a small Achilles LT-2 dinghy for our TomCat, and we now use the kayaks as little as possible. Very disappointed. _________________ George & Stacey
"ViewFinder"
2009 TomCat
Suzuki 150s |
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Dora~Jean
Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 1506 City/Region: Simi Valley
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Dora~Jean
Photos: Dora~Jean
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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I have 2 tandem Sevylor kayaks, we use them a lot. They're comfortable and stable. However, you MUST buy the rudder accessory ($15 I think) or they won't track worth a #$%&@. _________________ Steve & Carmen
"Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance" (Samuel Johnson)
Dora~Jean C-Dory 25 2002-Present
Corsair F-31 Trimaran 1996-2002
MacGregor 26X 1988-1996
Glaspar Seafair Sedan 18 (2)
StarCraft 19 & 22
Catalina 17 & 22
Crestliner 19
+4 Previous, 1/2 sail, 1/2 power |
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20dauntless
Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 879 City/Region: Mercer Island and Decatur Island
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Retriever and Nordic Tug 37
Photos: Retriever
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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I've got an Advanced Elements Advanced Frame (single) kayak and love it. It's no touring kayak, but it's perfectly capable of dinghy duties. It's super stable, paddles reasonably quickly, and tracks decently. Similar performance to Ocean Kayak sit on tops that I've used.
Oh, and it's been surprisingly durable. I used it all last summer in Alaska, plus a bunch of other times, and have yet to have an air leak. _________________ My boating blog...http://samlandsman.blogspot.com/ |
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MikeR
Joined: 21 Apr 2013 Posts: 475 City/Region: Mill Creek
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2016
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Photos: MikeR
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Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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My wife and I each have Advanced Elements single kayaks. Purchased new from REI in 2004 and used regularly in the summer months in both fresh and salt water, and they are still like new (wash and dry thoroughly after use in salt).
Performance wise, I'll echo everything 20dauntless said - tracks well enough for a 10' kayak, and super stable (lots of fun bobbing around like a cork on Lake Union on busy 4th of July days). We have launched at Cornet Bay and paddled to Skagit Island, used them for exploring Fossil Bay on Sucia Island and Fidalgo bay from Anacortes, taken all over Lake Washington, and even a quick trip out into Admiralty Inlet from Marrowstone island on a calm day.
As with any inflatable boat, you want to make sure they are fully inflated to proper pressure. |
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Two Bears
Joined: 07 Nov 2009 Posts: 296 City/Region: Orofino
State or Province: ID
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Two Bears
Photos: Two Bears
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 12:23 am Post subject: |
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About 10 years ago I bought a Sea Eagle dink and used it as a tendor for our sailboat. First trip with it was Desolation Sound and I took it to shore to do a stern tie. Just briefly touched a barnical (Sp?) covered rock, and barly made it back to the boat before it deflated completly. We've tried an inflatable kayac and getting in and out for the two of us (neither of which is a dainty dew-drop), is quite difficult and subject to probable dunking in anything more than calm water.
For all of the above, I have gone to a heavy duty dink, an Achilles LT-2 made of Hypalon, which is quite heavy and I find I avoid using it. Even that now has two patches.
Was my experience unlucky or unusal? Am I missing something?
Chuck _________________ Chuck & Penny Raddon
Orofino, Idaho |
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ssobol
Joined: 27 Oct 2012 Posts: 3387 City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 3:30 am Post subject: |
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There are modular kayaks. You can assemble them in single or dual configuration. These are not inflatable, but do break down to manageable pieces. BassPro sells them, but you can probably get them elsewhere. |
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Stan Major
Joined: 20 Feb 2013 Posts: 195 City/Region: DeLand
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2013
C-Dory Model: 16 Cruiser
Vessel Name: The Pegstan
Photos: The Pegstan
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 5:54 am Post subject: |
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I have a SATURN sit-on-top inflatable kayak that I bought on line for $499. Added a collapsible seat. It's fun at the beach and have fished off of it. Used to tie it down to the roof of the car inflated but found it is easier to carry in a bag while collapsed and inflate with a foot pump which only takes few minutes. It does not track as well as a decent kayak. _________________ Stan Major (386) 785-4396
2013 C-Dory Cruiser 16
Fishing out of New Smyrna/Edgewater Florida |
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Chester
Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Posts: 1176 City/Region: home
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sold to lovely couple
Photos: Chester
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Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Our Advanced Elements inflatable kayak is so, so much better in every way than the high windage Sevylor we have. |
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onthewater
Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 45 City/Region: Southwest Missouri
State or Province: MO
C-Dory Year: 2007
Vessel Name: Sal Salis Vita
Photos: Sal Salis Vita
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Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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We recently bought two Sea Eagle Fast Track 385 inflatable kayaks, and have had a ball with them! As mentioned, they have an inflatable keel, and also incorporate a fixed skeg, so they track beautifully (even in a strong cross wind, or substantial boat wakes/waves).
The high pressure air floor is most sturdy, and provides a strong feel of stability (unlike some dinghies we've experienced over the years).
We also purchased the automatic battery powered air pump which makes inflation a snap! These are sit-on (as opposed to a "sit-in") inflatables and the seats are also inflate. (The seats look a little "goofy", but are very comfortable in use, and provide a comfortable angle for paddling).
Even though these are tandem kayaks, we paddle them as singles, which allows our two 75 pound pups to ride along!
We're not sure how they'll hold up long term, but to date they've been great.
PS They are sort of "pricy" but what cost "fun"?!? _________________ 2007 Cape Cruiser 26 Marinaut |
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