ok who has had to make this decision or who has both? I think the
inflatable would be ultra convenient but does it feel cheap and unstable? I
plan to kayak Florida rivers/lakes/swamps/intercoastals. Maybe some Gulf.

Thanks for your help

Chris

Chris wrote:
ok who has had to make this decision or who has both? I think the
inflatable would be ultra convenient but does it feel cheap and unstable?
I plan to kayak Florida rivers/lakes/swamps/intercoastals. Maybe some Gulf.

Here is a short comparison list. Note that I'm talking about the
higher priced inflatable kayaks in the $600 to $1200 price range,
not the cheap fabric-less vinyl models that should cost under $100.
For the type of paddling you plan to do, I'd buy a sea kayak, unless
you plan to fly to various destinations, in which case I'd suggest
the Innova Sunny $649 or Aire Sea Tiger $1995.

IK advantages

more comfortable
less restrictive, can alter paddling position
self-bailing for quick recovery
safer among rocks (no pins)
easier to transport
can camp out of the boat

hardshell advantages

easier to Eskimo-roll
less affected by wind
generally higher performance
safer in big water (can roll)
usually less expensive
more popular, used by clubs

The Innova looks perfect. Do you know anyone who has owned one?

Chris


"Bill Tuthill" wrote in message
...
Chris wrote:
ok who has had to make this decision or who has both? I think the
inflatable would be ultra convenient but does it feel cheap and
unstable?
I plan to kayak Florida rivers/lakes/swamps/intercoastals. Maybe some
Gulf.

Here is a short comparison list. Note that I'm talking about the
higher priced inflatable kayaks in the $600 to $1200 price range,
not the cheap fabric-less vinyl models that should cost under $100.
For the type of paddling you plan to do, I'd buy a sea kayak, unless
you plan to fly to various destinations, in which case I'd suggest
the Innova Sunny $649 or Aire Sea Tiger $1995.

IK advantages

more comfortable
less restrictive, can alter paddling position
self-bailing for quick recovery
safer among rocks (no pins)
easier to transport
can camp out of the boat

hardshell advantages

easier to Eskimo-roll
less affected by wind
generally higher performance
safer in big water (can roll)
usually less expensive
more popular, used by clubs

My wife and I have an Innova Helios 380. If you get one make sure you
get a rudder, or make one - they're a pretty simple set-up. As
inflatibles don't have any keel effect they can spin about a bit with
2 people. Once we got a rudder we were set. It comes in a backpack you
can hike in to spots with, weighs around 35 lb (note this is the 2
person) and is completely unbreakable/unsinkable. We've dragged it
over low-tide coral reefs, stones, rocks, you name it it doesn't have
a scratch in 2 1/2 years of use. We take it as checked baggage
anywhere we go (stick paddles and pump in a ski bag). We've camped for
a few nights out of it, it holds heaps so is easy to load up. My wfe
is an experienced kayaker (Alaska, Tonga, B.C. etc) so was initially
sceptical but she's been won over and can't go back to a rigid. It's
easy to fish out of too. We just got back from Bahia Conception in
Baja, and yesterday did a quick run down the Russian River and out to
sea in N.Cal. If you get one make sure you get a high-volume pump and
it'll only take 10 minutes to set up. It's also a big plus being able
to keep it in the back of the car and not worry about it getting
ripped off, it rolls into a real small space.
Good luck on it whatever you decide to do!
Alan.

Does anybody know anything about this kayak?
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colem...tegoryid=27350

I'm only planning on paddling around some small local lakes and not making
any trips. I'd like to get a kayak but money is extremly tight.

In article , "Chris"
writes:

ok who has had to make this decision or who has both? I think the
inflatable would be ultra convenient but does it feel cheap and unstable? I
plan to kayak Florida rivers/lakes/swamps/intercoastals. Maybe some Gulf.

Thanks for your help

Chris

I'm sure that Bill will chime in here also, but there is my take on it.

excluding the pool toys, inflatable kayaks are more expensive than their
hardshell counterparts. There are some exceptions, the Innova Sunny and Solar
IK's, the Aire Tom Cats and the Sevylor River X series. An IK isn't as fast as
a similar sized hardshell kayak, but will hold their own with a Sit on Top
kayak of like size. Most touring sized Inflatable kayaks are impossible to
roll, but pretty easy to re-enter in the water. OTOH, many recreation style and
mixed use touring kayaks are difficult if not impossible to roll also, as are
most SOT's. You have more gear space in a Hardshell Kayak, but it is easier to
access in an IK. IK's have storage hands down.

I have two touring style boats, an Prijon Yukon Expedition (solo hard kayak)
and an Aire Super Lynx, which you could paddle either solo or tandem. Neither
of these boats are inexpensive. The super lynx tracks pretty well for a craft
that is still capable of handling mild whitewater and is probably as fast as
any IK around.
The profile is pretty flat, so it doesn't catch the wind very bad. This is the
tandem boat of choice for me and my wife, who perfers to paddle kayak style.
This and the tandem solar or sunny would be my choice for a flat water IK.
check out www.theboatpeople.com for more info on inflatables.


SYOTR
Larry C.