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