Inflatable Kayaks

Jimsue · 09-08-2016, 09:03 PM

We are contemplating purchasing an inflatable Kayak ( Sea Eagle 420 ) since we cant carry our rigid kayaks in/on our Fifth Wheel. Any thoughts about inflatable kayaks?

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MT Biker · 09-08-2016, 09:19 PM

Skip the inflatable kayak and just buy some good quality tubes to float around in, it will be much more enjoyable.
I checked out the inflatable kayaks and was not thrilled, settled buying small 8' sit on top kayaks that would fit in the bed of my truck. They are ok to have fun with but no where near as nice as my 14' touring kayaks which I can't transport with my tow vehicle.
We ended up buying some tubes at a campground we stayed at that was located on a nice shallow river (to shallow even for our small kayaks) but the tubes worked great and gave us a enjoyable relaxing weekend.
We ended up using the tubes more than the small kayaks we purchased.

coupevillefish · 09-08-2016, 09:27 PM

We have a Sea Eagle 320 or 360. We haven't used it much but it's nice to have along, it fits in the basement of our Georgetown. I think was good value for what we paid. (My wife would rather have rigid kayak if we could carry one.)

Jimsue · 09-09-2016, 07:43 AM

According to reviews ( with the requisite grain of salt) the Explorer series of Inflatables, while pricey, are comparable to the rigid 'yaks in terms of stability, durability, tracking, etc
As avid amateur kayakers, we need something portable for our fiver.
https://www.seaeagle.com/

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KMP44 · 09-09-2016, 07:58 AM

If you already have the 'yaks, you could look at something like this:

https://www.usrack.com/responsive/fi...truck-rack.php

Have a friend who uses a rack similar to this. Not really much more hassle than loading/unloading my truck rack over the bed.

Jimsue · 09-09-2016, 10:28 AM

Wow...that is a pretty slick rack! We already sold our rigid kayaks, so we'll still go with the inflatable, but I would seriously consider the rack if I still had the hard yaks. Thanks for the link.

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NO3putt · 09-09-2016, 10:47 AM

We have a advanced elements two person kayak that we leave in the trunk of the toad. Works great on calm water.

OYO · 09-09-2016, 11:39 AM

We have 2 inflatables. One is a Walker Bay I've had (and used a ton) for 6 years. The other is an AquaGlide I got this spring. I came close the buying the Sea Eagle Explorer, but the aquaglide fit my needs better (fishing).

I've conversed with several Sea Eagle owners and have heard nothing but positives.

Before I got the aquaglide we would travel with my Walker Bay inflatable and my wife's rigid Old Town. Nowadays we take the inflatables.

Some points:
Takes up the space of a trash bag
Weight is less
On the water performance comparable (they are influenced by wind more)
Don't have to worry about someone stealing it off the top of your vehicle
They will get punctured
I'd suggest a 12v power pump

Jimsue · 09-10-2016, 01:26 PM

Thanks. We ordered the Sea Eagle 420 pro package. Will be testing it out in Michigan's Lelenau Pn. Next week. Lake Michigan, Platte River, Crystal river, hopefully.

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wanderingbob · 09-10-2016, 01:48 PM

We have ten foot rigid yaks that we carried upright on the rear bumper of our fithwheel .. Now we have a rack that goes from front hitch on the truck to a roof top rack , shades the cab also . We tell people its a rocket launcher !

Jimsue · 09-10-2016, 01:59 PM

Ha! A friend once responded to our rig set up by asking where we put the jacuzzi.

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CampingGator · 09-10-2016, 02:08 PM

The national forests don't allow inflatables on their rivers (at least not in the Ocala National Forest). Tubes are ok for some bodies of water, but we like to canoe or kayak rivers such as the James River in Virginia and rivers where we live in Florida. I don't want to be in a tube in some of these remote rivers, especially with gators lurking. We do tube I'm Florida rivers, but you have to know which ones are best for that. We have a canoe, but would like to get some sit on top kayaks.

Jimsue · 09-11-2016, 08:27 PM

The types of inflatables referenced here are every bit as sturdy and stable as most rigid kayaks and probably much safer than a paddle board or sit on top kayak. Do you have any more information on inflatable Kayaks not being allowed in these parks? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

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ryand · 09-11-2016, 09:58 PM

We purchased two kayaks on a buy/sell/trade site. They are Sevolor low dollar units. Can be had for less than 100 new. Holds over 500# and a great value. Forget the tubes get the sea eagle.

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OYO · 09-12-2016, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Coolyard

The types of inflatables referenced here are every bit as sturdy and stable as most rigid kayaks and probably much safer than a paddle board or sit on top kayak. Do you have any more information on inflatable Kayaks not being allowed in these parks? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

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I'm curious about this as well. They use inflatables on the Colorado in the Grand Canyon. Not to mention every other white water river in the country.

Something different about the Ocala?

Jimsue · 09-12-2016, 10:03 AM

Maybe by "inflatables" they mean tubes-not my flotation device of choice in gatorland! 😱

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Darugs · 09-12-2016, 10:16 AM

We have two Sea Eagle 370s and two inflatable Isle Paddle Boards and love them all. They fit easily under the coach and give us a lot of fun options for the water. I have taken the 370 solo down class 2 rapids and it performed flawlessly. Also live on the intracostal waterway in SC and they are great there as well. Admitted, however, I use the inflatable SUPs much more.

polishdon · 09-12-2016, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Coolyard

Thanks. We ordered the Sea Eagle 420 pro package. Will be testing it out in Michigan's Lelenau Pn. Next week. Lake Michigan, Platte River, Crystal river, hopefully.

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I have the 370 and love it. I imagine that 420 will be incredible.

Jimsue · 09-12-2016, 10:42 AM

Yeah...cant wait to try it out. Thanks to all posters for their gracious responses. Love this forum.

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Kathy3051s · 09-16-2016, 08:30 AM

I am sure you will love your new inflatable.

We have a Sea Eagle (385ft) tandem (with room for a little one too in the middle) inflatable. We love it. We also have a rigid (Hobie) tandem. Sometimes we take both so we can share with others or just choose which one we want to use. They both are in/on the toad. The inflatable doesn't track quite as well as the rigid, but the trade-offs are quite acceptable.

We originally bought the Sea Eagle so we could kayak in Hawaii. It fit in 2 suitcases in checked luggage and we just took carry-on for our clothes. Would do it again in a minute. It was so much fun surfing the (warm) waves in the Sea Eagle.

The only issue with the inflatable is you may be bringing something still wet into whatever vehicle you store it in and you have to think ahead to whether or not you will use it in the next few days. The info we got said if you aren't going to use it in the next 3 days to make sure it is completely dry before storing so it won't mildew. Sometimes it is a challenge to clean and dry it. That's when hauling the Hobie off the roof can be easier. I did read where some people haul the inflated inflatable on the roof too so it is ready to use - that is one way to keep it dry. We haven't tried that yet.

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