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