Anyone Have an Inflatable Kayak?

[Balvar24]

I'd like to try one out, and keep one with the camper gear, but not sure what brand would be decent.

Like anything else, you can spend $100 or $2000. I figure it will spend most of the time rolled up in the truck, so I don't want to break the bank. I'm not planning to shoot the rapids. Mostly fishing.

Looking at the Intek Excursion Pro (on the cheaper end of the spectrum). I'm 6'6", so I need a big boat.

https://www.amazon.com/Intex-68309EP...ps%2C83&sr=8-3

Anyone keep an inflatable with them when camping?

[Midwesterner]

We don’t have an inflatable but I’ll throw out another option to consider, foldable plastic kayaks. We recently purchased 2 Tuktec foldable kayaks after considering multiple other options. I chose them because they seemed to offer good durability at a price point that was reasonable. The other consideration was they fold down to a fairly compact package and should be pretty pest proof. They have an adjustable footrest so they can be used by people of different heights.

https://foldupkayaks.com/

For full disclosure, we haven’t had a chance to try them out yet since our waterways are still frozen over. I’ve spent a lot of time in a molded kayak so I’m anxious to see how they compare. I just wanted to offer another option, not saying it’s the best one for your situation. Best of luck with your search.

[curtiscapk]

I have a Sevylor it's ok but not sure on serious fishing. We actually use ours in the gulf on vacation. We've had 2 in it over 250# total and it was fine. Haven't had it camping but we normally have the pontoon.

Your posted model looks much sturdier!

[jasin1]

I have a west marine branded version of a advanced elements two person kayak…it’s really nice ..folds up into a flat bag that I store in my front pass thru

But I really like these inflatable paddle boards…and you can sit on them if you don’t feel like standing..they come with everything you need and are really super sturdy..feels like a solid board..I bought two of these

[jsb5717]

I have an inflatable 2 man zodiac-style boat. It's a bit of a pain to set up and take down but it does give me the opportunity to get out on the water and go fishing. I don't always carry it but I do when I will be by the water for several days so it's worth setting up. I also have a 15 hp motor to go with it.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

I have an inflatable 2 man zodiac-style boat. It's a bit of a pain to set up and take down but it does give me the opportunity to get out on the water and go fishing. I don't always carry it but I do when I will be by the water for several days so it's worth setting up. I also have a 15 hp motor to go with it.

Well thank you!!! That is a GREAT idea…I have a west marine dinghy for my boat with a 4hp Yamaha outboard…it’s not a speed demon but when we go to the keys that will be perfect to scoot around on..will roll up in my truck..don’t know why I never thought of it before…at least get us over to one of the sandbars

[RVGator]

I have a BOTE Zeppelin which is on the pricier side but very durable. Made out of same material as stand up paddle boards. The Zeppelin comes in 2 sizes and you sit higher out of the water which makes fishing easier. It’s modular and we have really enjoyed it.

https://www.boteboard.com/collections/inflatable-kayaks

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by RVGator

I have a BOTE Zeppelin which is on the pricier side but very durable. Made out of same material as stand up paddle boards. The Zeppelin comes in 2 sizes and you sit higher out of the water which makes fishing easier. It’s modular and we have really enjoyed it.

https://www.boteboard.com/collections/inflatable-kayaks

Bote is a nice company..we have a couple of fiberglass SUP’s one is a Bote traveler..that thing is like a speedboat cutting thru the water…we leave them at the house because they are so big.

I was originally going to get bote inflatable sups but because of traveling with them and worrying about theft or securing them I opted for the Amazon ones..a few of my neighbors with summer homes have them and they are cheap enough that you don’t have to worry about them too much…I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how good they are

[{tpc}]

Originally Posted by Midwesterner

We don’t have an inflatable but I’ll throw out another option to consider, foldable plastic kayaks. We recently purchased 2 Tuktec foldable kayaks after considering multiple other options. I chose them because they seemed to offer good durability at a price point that was reasonable. The other consideration was they fold down to a fairly compact package and should be pretty pest proof. They have an adjustable footrest so they can be used by people of different heights.

https://foldupkayaks.com/

For full disclosure, we haven’t had a chance to try them out yet since our waterways are still frozen over. I’ve spent a lot of time in a molded kayak so I’m anxious to see how they compare. I just wanted to offer another option, not saying it’s the best one for your situation. Best of luck with your search.

Just showed these to the wife and she is all in lol. We have been wanting kayaks, but also wanting an easy way to stow them.

[RVGator]

Originally Posted by jasin1

Bote is a nice company..we have a couple of fiberglass SUP’s one is a Bote traveler..that thing is like a speedboat cutting thru the water…we leave them at the house because they are so big.

I was originally going to get bote inflatable sups but because of traveling with them and worrying about theft or securing them I opted for the Amazon ones..a few of my neighbors with summer homes have them and they are cheap enough that you don’t have to worry about them too much…I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how good they are

We also have a SUP from Amazon. I believe it is the ROC SUP. Have had it for years and works well. I think its ~$350 for the whole package. I wish they made kayaks.

[jim1]

Hi Balvar24, you might want to check out Sea Eagle Kayaks. the have a great assortment of inflatables. We have a Fast track 485 and can use it with 1-3 people. It's very stable and great for lakes, it's not white water rated. They also make some really cool fishing kayaks. Our is easy and fast to inflate or pack up when done. We really enjoy ours. Good luck! SeaEagle.com is the website

[vampress_me]

Hubby has a Sea Eagle inflatable kayak that he has had for about 10 years or so, I think. It has been used down in the rivers and the Gulf (near shore!) south of Tallahassee, FL when he was working down there and wanted to go fishing, and been used in the lakes up here in MN when we would want to go out, or if the kids wanted a ride. His is a 2 person, but many times he used it alone with no problems. To me, it works as good as any other kayak, but I love that it can be deflated and put away in a bag without taking up 12’-14’ of room somewhere.

[jasin1]

I will say I love the water and feel most comfortable there…any depth ..middle of the ocean ….doesn’t matter..BUT I don’t know if I’d take a inflatable kayak around the little streams and rivers in Florida or Georgia…I’d imagine a alligator could make small work of the kayak..then what? You be packaged up like a giant seafood wrap…I prefer fiberglass for predators

[RVGator]

Originally Posted by jasin1

I will say I love the water and feel most comfortable there…any depth ..middle of the ocean ….doesn’t matter..BUT I don’t know if I’d take a inflatable kayak around the little streams and rivers in Florida or Georgia…I’d imagine a alligator could make small work of the kayak..then what? You be packaged up like a giant seafood wrap…I prefer fiberglass for predators

To go along with that I know of at least 1 natural spring state park here in Florida, Juniper Springs State Park, that does not allow inflatable kayaks or other inflatables to be used in the park. Not sure if that is due to gators or risk of puncture.

[jim1]

Jeez jasin1 now I can't go in the warm water down there! Oh boy more nightmares. Things I can do without grizzly bears, sharks and now gators, oh and politicians they might be the worst!

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by jim1

Jeez jasin1 now I can't go in the warm water down there! Oh boy more nightmares. Things I can do without grizzly bears, sharks and now gators, oh and politicians they might be the worst!

…yeah sorry about that

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by jim1

Jeez jasin1 now I can't go in the warm water down there! Oh boy more nightmares. Things I can do without grizzly bears, sharks and now gators, oh and politicians they might be the worst!

You forgot snakes! Water moccasins are freightning. Oops my bad. I see you covered snakes under "politicians".

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by jim1

Jeez jasin1 now I can't go in the warm water down there! Oh boy more nightmares. Things I can do without grizzly bears, sharks and now gators, oh and politicians they might be the worst!

Come on down Jim the gators are harmless...or so I've been told.

I was out at a local spring a few years back. Has a little beach, tall diving platform etc. where locals and visitors come and hang out. I was out there one day walking out on a boat dock just looking around. Lots of water plants/vegetation along the edges and did a double take - a very large gator was lying there in the water among the plants next to the edge of the dock. People (including kids) were on the beach maybe 25' away playing and having fun - I was about to have an attack of some kind. A ranger/boat driver was standing over by a building so I decided to warn him vs telling the folks on the beach. I told him, we walked over and looked at it and he told me not to worry; they're very friendly and like to interact with people! I looked at him, looked at that 12 footer and figured he was crazy. Started to walk off and he said "oh, there's a wire mesh fence underwater to keep them out". Sheesh. For me, fence or not, I'm keeping my toes in my boots on dry ground.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Come on down Jim the gators are harmless...or so I've been told.

I was out at a local spring a few years back. Has a little beach, tall diving platform etc. where locals and visitors come and hang out. I was out there one day walking out on a boat dock just looking around. Lots of water plants/vegetation along the edges and did a double take - a very large gator was lying there in the water among the plants next to the edge of the dock. People (including kids) were on the beach maybe 25' away playing and having fun - I was about to have an attack of some kind. A ranger/boat driver was standing over by a building so I decided to warn him vs telling the folks on the beach. I told him, we walked over and looked at it and he told me not to worry; they're very friendly and like to interact with people! I looked at him, looked at that 12 footer and figured he was crazy. Started to walk off and he said "oh, there's a wire mesh fence underwater to keep them out". Sheesh. For me, fence or not, I'm keeping my toes in my boots on dry ground.

Lol rainbow springs state park the worker there told us that a couple of people were on the small swimming dock at the head of the spring..it’s kinda roped off with floats but no fence..one person jumped in and swam away ..the other lady looked down and didn’t want to jump on this “log”….the log moved …the other people got out on the other side …the ranger said they check usually to make sure there are no gators up that far but occasionally they get there.

[Balvar24]

Not looking to use this in gator infested waters.