| The fastest growing trend in the kayaking | | | | pumped up an air mattress at least once as a |
| industry is clearly the use of inflatable kayaks. | | | | child. Then after it is filled to the appropriate air |
| Today's technology makes these inflatable crafts | | | | pressure, set your inflatable kayak in the water |
| more rugged and maneuverable, while remaining | | | | and get in like any other kayak. You can straddle |
| lightweight and portable. Even seasoned kayakers | | | | the kayak and then sit down. Or you can place |
| are gradually making the switch to inflatable | | | | your paddle across the kayak to brace yourself |
| kayaks. | | | | as you get in. |
| Inflatable Kayaks are Extremely Portable | | | | Kayaks are very stable, but with inflatable kayaks |
| If you have ever owned a hard-shell kayak, you | | | | it can be much easier to get back in if you fall |
| realize how difficult it can be to transport your | | | | out. You simply grab the cockpit of the kayak |
| kayak. You have little alternative to strapping your | | | | and pull yourself up like you're getting out of a |
| kayak to the roof of your vehicle. Then you have | | | | swimming pool. This makes an inflatable kayak |
| to drive to a road accessible ocean, lake or river. | | | | very convenient for snorkeling or swimming. |
| Next you have to awkwardly carry your | | | | Before getting back in, it is easy to dump out any |
| hard-shell kayak to the water. Hopefully the water | | | | water that gets aboard. Some inflatable boats are |
| isn't too far from where you had to park your | | | | even self bailing. |
| vehicle. | | | | Another misconception about inflatable kayaks is |
| With an inflatable kayak, you simply fold the | | | | that they have very poor maneuverability. People |
| deflated kayak into a backpack and you can go | | | | think you would have very little control in an |
| anywhere. Most inflatable kayaks are less than | | | | inflatable kayak. This isn't the case with newer |
| forty pounds in weight and some are even less | | | | inflatable kayaks though. Many of these inflatable |
| than thirty pounds. They also fold up very | | | | boats have optional foot controlled rudders to |
| compact once deflated. Transporting them in the | | | | make for easy turning without missing a stroke. |
| back of your car is no problem at all. Then think | | | | Some of these optional rudders just help the |
| of all the mountain trails you can take your | | | | kayak track straight. A lot of inflatable kayaks |
| inflatable kayak to. You could easily paddle on | | | | have maneuverability comparable to hard-shell |
| remote lakes or rivers. Or how about taking your | | | | boats. |
| kayak on vacation with you? Bring it in your | | | | Where Can I Use an Inflatable Kayak? |
| luggage on the plane and you could be kayaking | | | | Inflatable kayaks are made in a variety of styles |
| almost anywhere in the world. That would be | | | | to accommodate almost any conditions. For the |
| pretty difficult to do with a hard-shell kayak. You | | | | casual kayaker, there are lower priced models |
| could take an inflatable kayak on a city bus or | | | | best suited for flat-water lakes and rivers. There |
| bicycle to the water. During off season, the | | | | are more expensive models designed for |
| kayak would take up minimal storage space. | | | | moderate or advanced whitewater. Many models |
| Inflatable Kayaks are Tough and Durable | | | | are even suitable for surfing. Many people like to |
| When most people think of an inflatable kayak, | | | | use their inflatable kayak for fishing or hunting. |
| they picture a cheaply made plastic boat for kids. | | | | You can get to more remote locations or fish |
| They picture a kayak that would burst from | | | | directly from your kayak. Inflatable boats are also |
| hitting the smallest rock or branch. If you've | | | | great for shallow water that would be too difficult |
| owned one of the older, cheaper style inflatable | | | | for a hard-shell boat to manage. |
| boats, you know you also have to invest in repair | | | | Conclusion |
| patches or a roll of duct tape. | | | | For either a beginner or an advanced kayaker, |
| New high quality inflatable kayaks are changing | | | | inflatable kayaks are becoming a popular choice. |
| people's impressions of inflatable boats. New | | | | They are extremely versatile and much cheaper |
| inflatable crafts are made from puncture and | | | | than a hard-shell kayak. For less than half the |
| abrasion resistant rubber, often reinforced with | | | | price, you would be able to take your kayak to a |
| polyester fabric. This is much stronger than the | | | | variety of places that you never thought possible. |
| PVC material used for most cheap inflatable | | | | While you probably wouldn't be able to perform |
| boats. Under normal circumstances it is quite | | | | any barrel rolls, you can still have a lot of fun with |
| unlikely that you would puncture these new | | | | an inflatable kayak. Once you try an inflatable |
| rubber materials. Even if you did, most inflatable | | | | kayak, you'll wonder why you ever used a |
| kayaks have at least three separate air | | | | hard-shell. |
| chambers. | | | | Check out TaigaWorks.ca for a wide variety of |
| Inflatable Kayaks are Easy to Use | | | | camping gear including inflatable kayaks and |
| What is easier than carrying your kayak right to | | | | Gore-Tex rain gear. Taiga Works manufactures |
| the water's edge and inflating it with a foot pump | | | | and sells high quality outdoor gear at reasonable |
| within five to ten minutes? Most people have | | | | prices. |