Inflatable kayak

[Paulypaul]

Sevylor Hudson for us too. Didn't fit the middle seat so we could take our staffie out with us. Great quality and hard wearing.

 

[Minxy]

Just one thing that I don't think has been mentioned on here is that if you intend to use the kayaks/canoes in the UK you need a licence from the BCU (assuming it's the same name) as there are very few places which you can legally use without one.

 

[Googlebot]

Just one thing that I don't think has been mentioned on here is that if you intend to use the kayaks/canoes in the UK you need a licence from the BCU (assuming it's the same name) as there are very few places which you can legally use without one.

The BCU membership only covers canals and rivers under Canal and Rivers Trust ownership. I have never been asked for mine even operating commercially for some years.

It does give you third party liability insurance but I haven’t renewed mine in years and it just isn’t worth it.

The legality of paddling anywhere is a minefield and unless you have permission from the landowner, or are on a navigable river or canal, then technically you are trespassing.

My advice would be don’t bother with the membership or permission to paddle and get out and enjoy. If stopped or challenged the worst that will happen is you will be asked to leave. Lakes that is easy, rivers it’s even easier, you just carry on downstream.

 

[StefanoFerrari]

We bought a blow up 3 man kayak from Decathlon. Good value decent quality. Definitely didn’t break the bank and very enjoyable.

 

[Minxy]

The BCU membership only covers canals and rivers under Canal and Rivers Trust ownership. I have never been asked for mine even operating commercially for some years.

It does give you third party liability insurance but I haven’t renewed mine in years and it just isn’t worth it.

The legality of paddling anywhere is a minefield and unless you have permission from the landowner, or are on a navigable river or canal, then technically you are trespassing.

My advice would be don’t bother with the membership or permission to paddle and get out and enjoy. If stopped or challenged the worst that will happen is you will be asked to leave. Lakes that is easy, rivers it’s even easier, you just carry on downstream.

Are you sure you'd get away though ....!

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[15edward]

750kg for Sea Eagle 380x?

 

[15edward]

Just checked website 340 kg
still very good

 

[Puddleduck]

No, just standard air chambers, I'm not sure that a drop stitch version would be any better unless you intend to do a lot of distance/duration kayaking.

It just depends on what you prefer. Being used to rigid kayaks I don't feel comfortable in the standard chamber type and prefer the more solid feeling (well to me at least) of the drop stitch. When I was looking the drop stitch were also wider in the cockpit and had a larger payload. My requirements were probably very different to most people

Just one thing that I don't think has been mentioned on here is that if you intend to use the kayaks/canoes in the UK you need a licence from the BCU (assuming it's the same name) as there are very few places which you can legally use without one.

Or join a local club who will know the area and will also organise trips and coaching. We are SCA (Scottish Canoe Association - part of the BCU) members which is about £80 a year for a couple with recreational membership. We get insurance, a magazine, a discount scheme (Sainsbury, B&Q and other places), and other benefits plus access to "Access Officers" who with one phone call can give us a wealth of local information. We can also phone the access officer leaving our details and where / when we are paddling then report back when we are off the water. Should anything happen the access officer will check and then raise an alarm if that is what we have asked. We can also paddle as the guests of local clubs should the club agree to that. There is also access to proficiency awards (needed if one paddles on certain lakes such as Kielder) and there is a discount for the Grandtully campsite.

 

[pjay]

I always get a licence every year, to see what waters the British canoeing licence does and does not cover, see the following link....

Waterways Licence | Rivers Licence | Paddleboard | Kayak

Save over £100 on waterways or rivers licences. Join Paddle UK. Learn about licences, where the money goes, and if your river or canal requires one.

www.britishcanoeing.org.uk

We use our kayak extensively on the Norfolk Broads which is covered by the licence and have been stopped twice by the Ranger patrol in two years canoeing, perhaps we look a bit dodgy, I dunno, but its a no brainer for us.



Pete

 

[Arthur01]

just treated ourselves to an upgrade (385FT).

Blooming heck that will take some pumping up.

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[pjay]

The other thing to be aware of is some of these kayaks, especially the double ones can be a bit bulky, so folded size can be an issue, especially if you have a PVC.
We have a Gumotex Thaya with dropstitch floor and conventional side tubes, it folds down quite small and we use straps to compress it down. It fits under our rear dinette by sliding in from the rear (oer missus) or the top, the single paddles slot in nicely behind the cab seats and are secured with double velcro straps,...

Pete

 

[tigerblue]

We bought one of these. Very pleased with it. Amazon product ASIN B0813Q8CWZ

 

[Coolcats]

The BCU membership only covers canals and rivers under Canal and Rivers Trust ownership. I have never been asked for mine even operating commercially for some years.

It does give you third party liability insurance but I haven’t renewed mine in years and it just isn’t worth it.

The legality of paddling anywhere is a minefield and unless you have permission from the landowner, or are on a navigable river or canal, then technically you are trespassing.

My advice would be don’t bother with the membership or permission to paddle and get out and enjoy. If stopped or challenged the worst that will happen is you will be asked to leave. Lakes that is easy, rivers it’s even easier, you just carry on downstream.

Think you will find it covers more waterways than you think. This link takes you to a resource that shows which river are covers by British Canoeing and which rivers you need a separate licence for. Also to note no one owns the water the banks may be private but the water falls out of the sky and will carry you over any land that is perceived to be owned by someone. They also have a Clear Access Clear water campaign. The Access law that some seem to think is a good thing may just hinder people’s leasure pursuits as well. In case anyone is thinking I’m being political I’m not just outlining some concerns that organisations and individuals have.
Oh and just a thought the BC membership is cheap when you consider what it provides including a wide range of discounts, liability insurance ( in case a land owner does with to take you to court for whatever reason)

 

[Itsmcb]

This thread is getting a bit serious now . Licences and insurance? You'll be telling me I need that for my electric bike next .

 

[Coolcats]

This thread is getting a bit serious now . Licences and insurance? You'll be telling me I need that for my electric bike next .

So who pays for the upkeep of the waterways ? If no one paid their licences there would be no waterway access slipways, pontoons.

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[Itsmcb]

So who pays for the upkeep of the waterways ? If no one paid their licences there would be no waterway access slipways, pontoons.

Sorry I dont know much about Boaty stuff, I know you need a licence for a boat. I always thought you just walked down to the water with a canoe and popped it in.

 

[Coolcats]

Sorry I dont know much about Boaty stuff, I know you need a licence for a boat. I always thought you just walked down to the water with a canoe and popped it in.

So I guess the British canoeing site is quite explicit just as the navigation sites are, I know our local waterway charges boats inflatables etc and the local port authority also has charges for large small and inflatables for the estuary.

 

[Itsmcb]

So I guess the British canoeing site is quite explicit just as the navigation sites are, I know our local waterway charges boats inflatables etc and the local port authority also has charges for large small and inflatables for the estuary.

I've just looked at the River Wye which is where we would probably use it most and can't see anything about permits or licences required.
<Broken link removed> › ...PDF
Canoeists' guide to the River Wye - Gov.uk

 

[15edward]

I think I read the Wye is one of the most accessible rivers

 

[Coolcats]

I've just looked at the River Wye which is where we would probably use it most and can't see anything about permits or licences required.
<Broken link removed> › ...PDF
Canoeists' guide to the River Wye - Gov.uk

Yes you are correct but you may find you have to pay a launch fee depending upon where you access

This is a useful resource

River Wye | Canoe | Kayak | SUP | Routes and Launches

The River Wye is one of the finest landscapes in Britain. Find paddling routes, launches, and services along the Wye here, and enjoy a great day out.

gopaddling.info

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[Itsmcb]

Yes you are correct but you may find you have to pay a launch fee depending upon where you access

This is a useful resource

River Wye | Canoe | Kayak | SUP | Routes and Launches

The River Wye is one of the finest landscapes in Britain. Find paddling routes, launches, and services along the Wye here, and enjoy a great day out.

gopaddling.info

Cheers, I'll keep that in mind when planning a trip.

 

[ElliesBoss]

Also you'll find the licence is valid in many other countries although I believe in some you have to display it on the craft. Presumably you laminate a copy?

 

[pjay]

For British canoeing the licence is for the person or persons, not the boat, you get a membership card to carry with you and produce if requested.

Pete

Edit to add, AFAIK a licence isn't reqd for motor less boats in France

 

[Googlebot]

Also you'll find the licence is valid in many other countries although I believe in some you have to display it on the craft. Presumably you laminate a copy?

I never bothered and paddled in France and all over the UK. Never been stopped or asked for it.

 

[Blaydon]

Hi There,
I have kayaked and canoed for about 40 years. I used to do trips like the Liffy or the Exe Decent, but now just the occasional paddle. I was brought up in Fiberglass boats, the 'Tupperware' boats then took over. (Kayaks). I can't help but worry about inflatable boats that you could end up in that creek with a paddle and without a boat. I am sure there is a joke in there somewhere.

I also have an image of sitting on a river bank tying to blow one up after a bicycle repair kit has been used, then being so exhausted that I could not paddle away. I guess its an age thing.
D

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[ElliesBoss]

I assume if they are constructed in a similar way to white water rafts they should be fairly resilient. Suppose it depends how much you pay?

 

[Minxy]

Hi There,
I have kayaked and canoed for about 40 years. I used to do trips like the Liffy or the Exe Decent, but now just the occasional paddle. I was brought up in Fiberglass boats, the 'Tupperware' boats then took over. (Kayaks). I can't help but worry about inflatable boats that you could end up in that creek with a paddle and without a boat. I am sure there is a joke in there somewhere.

I also have an image of sitting on a river bank tying to blow one up after a bicycle repair kit has been used, then being so exhausted that I could not paddle away. I guess its an age thing.
D

This is partly when I always go for Gumotex as they are extremely tough and less likely to puncture than many others, I've bounced of rocks, even sharp ones, without there being a single mark, paddled up onto pebble shores without a worry, my dogs jump in and out and have never damaged any of them (one was nearly 25kg!), one 'benefit' of inflatables over a rigid is that it does 'bounce' off rocks rather than slam hard into them so in some respects you are less likely to sustain damage/create a hole. You can get punctures (I never have though ... famous last words! ) but they are easily fixed (you usually get a patch kit with them), and once done if you have your double action stirrup pump it takes no time at all to re-inflate them - I have a large one which I used to inflate it before setting off and a smaller one which I can take if I want to do a longer trip away from base.

 

[Minxy]

I assume if they are constructed in a similar way to white water rafts they should be fairly resilient. Suppose it depends how much you pay?

To some extent it does - the Gumotex material is very similar to that used for rafts, inshore rescue tenders etc, so very, very tough. I wouldn't have a 'plastic' outer one, or one with a material type cover but you can pay as much or more for these as for a Gumotex.

 

[pjay]

I got an adapter so I can take a small brompton bicycle pump with us just in case it needs topping up, not had to use it in anger yet.

Pete

 

[funflair]

I got an adapter so I can take a small brompton bicycle pump with us just in case it needs topping up, not had to use it in anger yet.

Pete

Thats lucky as I imagine it will take a bit of time to put anything in with a bike pump.

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