How to Choose an Inflatable Kayak
Kayaks, including inflatable ones, come in a number of shapes and sizes. The inflatable kayak is a fantastic boat when portability and storage are a concern. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing an inflatable kayak, because each boat is designed to be used for different styles of kayaking.
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Know what sort of kayaking you will be doing. You need to know this to determine size and shape, stability, speed and controllability of your kayak..
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For white water kayaking, look for a river running style inflatable kayak with knee strap anchors and self-bailing scupper holes for draining water from the cockpit. You want your boat to be able to handle the punishment of white water.
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Look for a high air pressure or multiple side tubes if you plan on touring. These give a touring inflatable a stiffer hull for better performance. Look for tie down gear, net bags, rope lacings and storage compartments for long distant trips. A V-shaped hull will aid in tracking.
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Recreational kayaks are used on calm, flat-water or slow moving rivers. Look for the quality and durability of the materials.
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Ask about the initial and final stability of the boat. The final stability will indicate a boat value in bigger waves. The design of the hull will determine the stability. Determine the speed of the boat. The stability affects the speed. Generally a wider boat is more stable than a narrow one.
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Check the tightness of the cockpit. An inflatable kayak is fundamentally a sit-on-top kayak. A bit snug fit is good choice over a more open designed boat. However, if you are looking at a touring design, then the open design is the best option.
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Determine the kayak's weight. Some inflatable kayaks can be as heavy as the hard shell kayaks. Different manufactures use different materials for their inflatable boats. Choose good quality, heavy-duty materials that are lightweight.
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Determine the kayak's cargo capacity. There are going to be times when you will want to bring extra gear along. Determine if you want a single or a tandem kayak.
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Determine the kayaks controllability. Ask yourself how easily the boat will turn and track. Look for high quality inflatable kayaks with good hull designs and high air pressure, which will hold their shape and have stable and controllable performance.
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