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Now this is something that I want - and was going to get one this year - but between one thing and another never got around to it.
Now I went to the local boat shop, and asked an old friend who works their about the different ones.    He said the cheap ones were fine for just messing about it, but it was far better paying out for a good one.    Things like the vynil is mch stronger and less likely to puncture.    More chambers increase safety.    If you want one to last pay out a bit more, and get years more use out of it.

Now I have known this chap for over 40 odd years and I know that he wasn't trying to blag me for commission, as he knew that I couldn't afford a boat that day.

Quote: Originally posted by Ernie_shackleton on 06/9/2007

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Having spent most of my life "messing around on boats" and having owned an inflatable I can only suggest that the quality of inflatable kayaks increases dramatically with cost. The cheapest boats usually have unreinforced vinyl tubes. They're great beach toys for good swimmers and they work well in perfect conditions, but even in sheltered areas water and weather conditions can change quickly and with little notice. These low priced boats require more skill and experience to operate safely than do quality boats. Better boats have coated fabric tubes or encapsulated air-cells. These are more expensive, but they're a lot stronger, too, and they're still no more costly than even the cheapest rigid kayaks. As an added bonus, better-quality inflatables withstand higher inflation pressures. Higher pressure means greater rigidity, and rigidity translates into easier paddling and better control. Some have fabric floors; some have foam. Foam floors add stiffness, but you pay a price in reduced portability. As always, see if you can't try before you buy. Pay special attention to the quality of workmanship. Look carefully at the seams. They're the most critical areas. Be sure to try the pump, too. Good pumps cost money, and not all good boats come with good pumps. And don't forget a repair kit and be sure you know how to use it. The likelihood of serious damage is small, but sooner or later you're certain to get a puncture. Don't risk being let down on the water. Be prepared!

But most importantly: Whatever kayak you decide to buy please, please, please learn to paddle safely and learn to make good boating decisions. Take a class. Learn about paddling. Always check local conditions before you paddle.


Happy paddling.

Ern.

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I cannot say that I have the same experience as Ern has, but I have done a bit of paddling in my time.  The best infalatable kayaks as Multi-chambered for safety and inflate inside a formed jacket/sock to maintain shape/rigidity and provide further damage against scuffs etc.  But these will cost you thousands.  It is always best to get training through the BCU (British Canoe Union), and you will learn more about the different types of canoe and what you want to use them for.

That said if you are not going to stray far from the edge of the lake, go near any hazards or put yourself in any silly situation, give it a try.  It is a bit of fun to be had for the Kids.

From memory Gumotex are quite heavy and resilient material, but not as strealined as the Stearns (therefore less efficient to paddle, or harder work)

http://www.bcu.org.uk/bcu/bcu-standardtemplate1.aspx

And a link for Rigid Plastic Kayaks for comparison:

http://www.perception.co.uk/

Oh and if you look hard enough you will find details of the canoe camping club, people who meet up regularly on a stretch of river and paddle down it finding a suitable place to camp overnight.

http://www.canoecampingclub.co.uk/

Quote: Originally posted by babydaisy1972 on 06/9/2007

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Peridot - I would love to see a copy of the review if possible that would be great thank you

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Established makes of inflatables include Gumotex, Stearns and Sevylor.  (Grabner are also good, but horribly expensive.)  Any of these should be rugged enough not to puncture with a bit of knockabout fun.  I wouldn't rely much on any inflatable that costs under £100 new;  but if you get a boat in the £200-£400 bracket, or one of these second-hand, you should have a fun craft that will give you years of service.  There's a good selection here:

http://www.brighton-canoes.co.uk/inflatables.htm

-- and with the end of summer, you might find second-hand ones coming up on Ebay.

I've had a Gumotex single inflatable for 4 years now, still in good condition.  I've scraped it over rocks and gravel without leaving a mark, although I try to avoid broken glass and barbed wire.  They have recently brought out a couple of new models called "Twist" that are lighter and cheaper than some of the others.

The first Ebay boat mentioned was advertised as "low profile", but in fact it isn't - it has swept-up ends, a style copied from Canadian canoes.  Any inflatable made like this will be prone to get pushed around by wind.  Because they are light and very buoyant, they ride high in the water.  Be very careful on a lake if the wind is blowing away from the shore - in these conditions, tether the boat to something solid.

Inflatable kayaks are generally flat-bottomed, and it can be hard to paddle them in a straight line.  If you can, get one with a tracking fin ("skeg") fitted to the bottom, like a small-scale version of a yacht's keel.  It will make it MUCH easier to get your boat to go where you want, and not round in circles.

Good luck in your kayak search, and have fun on the water!

Mary

Quote: Originally posted by Ernie_shackleton on 06/9/2007

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Having spent most of my life "messing around on boats" and having owned an inflatable I can only suggest that the quality of inflatable kayaks increases dramatically with cost. The cheapest boats usually have unreinforced vinyl tubes. They're great beach toys for good swimmers and they work well in perfect conditions, but even in sheltered areas water and weather conditions can change quickly and with little notice. These low priced boats require more skill and experience to operate safely than do quality boats. Better boats have coated fabric tubes or encapsulated air-cells. These are more expensive, but they're a lot stronger, too, and they're still no more costly than even the cheapest rigid kayaks. As an added bonus, better-quality inflatables withstand higher inflation pressures. Higher pressure means greater rigidity, and rigidity translates into easier paddling and better control. Some have fabric floors; some have foam. Foam floors add stiffness, but you pay a price in reduced portability. As always, see if you can't try before you buy. Pay special attention to the quality of workmanship. Look carefully at the seams. They're the most critical areas. Be sure to try the pump, too. Good pumps cost money, and not all good boats come with good pumps. And don't forget a repair kit and be sure you know how to use it. The likelihood of serious damage is small, but sooner or later you're certain to get a puncture. Don't risk being let down on the water. Be prepared!

But most importantly: Whatever kayak you decide to buy please, please, please learn to paddle safely and learn to make good boating decisions. Take a class. Learn about paddling. Always check local conditions before you paddle.


Happy paddling.

Ern.

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 Good reply Ern, we've just bought two rigid ocean kayaks this summer & my wife & kids have had great fun on them.  They're all very strong swimmers & the kids ages range from 18 down to 13 so I wasn't concerned & just sat on the beach watching them paddling around. I was unaware of Kayak classes until reading your reply to this thread. I'll look into it before they use them again though.

BB   

Quote: Originally posted by Skatty on 06/9/2007

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Eek ! the side look a bit low ??

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this is the one we have that hubby brought last year from the BCU (british canoe union) with whom he is a life guard,

Stearns Inflatable Canoe from Bournemouth Canoes    its the red one one the left the just brought life jackets as well, we use it in our local bays as these are best for flat water, estuaries etc. but there are others that can be used in te sea etc.