"Larry Cable" wrote in message
...
Or even a folding canoe?

I've tried a couple of the inflatable canoes on the US market, the Soar
16' and
the
Aire Traveller. I liked the Traveller better and it felt like you could
really
put a load on it for an extended trip. Personally, I like double blades
better
and will stick to IK's and regular kayaks.

Ally's folding canoe always gets good reviews. It looks and supposedly
handles
just like a regular canoe.

Both Innova and Grabner also make inflatable canoes also,

I can get my Force XL, a 4pcs paddle, helmet, pump, repair kit and a PFD
in a
large duffle with a total weight of under 60 lbs. Becoming an Airhead
might
solve
you water adventure problems.

Both good thoughts, although my experience with inflatables (duckies) are
that they aren't really hard enough in the chine to feel like a canoe while
carving eddy turns. A grand canyon friend was aftermarketing some SOTAR
inflatables by putting 4" ethafoam floors in them that fit VERY snugly, and
that stiffened them up enough to hold a cooler and ammocan for selfsupport
trips, but they still didn't feel like a canoe to me.

Ally's folding boats, OTOH, have always held a fascination for me. I'm
reluctant to buy one without a testdrive, but in the upcoming year off I'm
taking, I completely plan on tracking one down to see how it is. If I like
it, I'll definately get one. I saw a video on their website of one running
part of a class 2-3 rock garden, and it looked quite solid and durable.

Do I need to learn more about inflatables? You're right about solving the
adventure problems, though... :-(

--riverman