Suggestions for Folding or Inflatable Kayaks Please

[Puddleduck]

Well the van has passed MOT and hab check with green lights all the way

We had a loan car whilst it was being sorted and took ourselves off to Nottingham as we were told that there was a place there that stocked a few different types of inflatable kayak - only to find the address we had been given was the distribution centre and not a retail outlet We went on to Desperate Measures but they no longer stock IKs.

So no further forward with our hunt except that we have an appointment to try out a Sea Eagle over in The Lakes in early August and then we may go down to Spindrift in October if they will allow us to inflate / try out a Paddleski should we not be sorted by then.

 

[Puddleduck]

I finally had a reply to the query I asked Gumotex and it would be a long journey to try out one of their boats (Brighton or Poole!)

 

[Puddleduck]

I think we have decided on at least one SE393RL (Sea Eagle Razorlite).

We tried paddling the 3 man version as solos last weekend and it was really light to paddle compared to the boats we have been using - plus within our budget even if we add watersnake outboards and a sail. I'm not sure if it is possible to add a rudder easily but maybe a rudder will not be required. The 393 is a solo kayak. I'm not sure if we should just get one and see how it goes or jump in with both feet and get two!!! After the fiasco with the kayacats I think getting one to start with might be more sensible.

 

[Armytwowheels]

I think we have decided on at least one SE393RL (Sea Eagle Razorlite).

We tried paddling the 3 man version as solos last weekend and it was really light to paddle compared to the boats we have been using - plus within our budget even if we add watersnake outboards and a sail. I'm not sure if it is possible to add a rudder easily but maybe a rudder will not be required. The 393 is a solo kayak. I'm not sure if we should just get one and see how it goes or jump in with both feet and get two!!! After the fiasco with the kayacats I think getting one to start with might be more sensible.

Oh no! That looks a very good option, I just wished you hadn't posted it on here.........I WANT ONE!

 

[Puddleduck]

One has been ordered along with two sails and seat pads (in the hope of keeping the seat up a little and a bit drier. The sails are from ebay and just cheap things rather than the £100+ supersails. When we go to try the new kayak out we'll take one of the hard shells as well so can compare them both for paddling and under sail.

Not sure where we will go to try it out but will let you know - probably a day trip in the car if we are taking the hard shell though.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Armytwowheels]

Has your new kayak arrived yet Puddleduck and have you had chance to try it out?

 

[Puddleduck]

We met up with normanandsue at Lochore Meadows on Monday and had a super day. I forgot to ask them to take photos (silly me) but here are the boats on the grass.

The new boat, a Sea Eagle 393 went really well. I found it really tippy at first (no I did not fall out!) but like a bike, once you have your balance and are moving it is stable and I found it much lighter handling and a faster paddle than our previous boats. I did not like the supplied seat and swapped for the one we already had - maybe if I spend longer adjusting it that will work better for me but I found I could not get the support on my lumbar region as the top of the seat (which is high) pushed on my back between the shoulder blades - and if that strap was slackened the seat didn't stay upright. I think that is due to the abnormal curvature in my spine but we can try on dry land Sorry about the awful photo of part of the new boat but you can see the difference is seat heights.

I also need more padding on my sit bones - I am well padded but as I am getting older the firmness to the fat is going. the Sea Eagle has a flat bottom rather than the moulded seat on the other boat so more seat support needed for any length of time in the boat. I am looking at the crash pants that snowboard and skateboard athletes use and wondering if that would be a solution.

Anyway so impressed with the performance of the boat we will be getting another one, maybe a 473 so we can take Stephen with us as at 6 he is now starting to paddle properly rather than just sitting in the boat. His Dad and his other Grandad are both kayak specialists so he is getting a lot of instruction

 

[Ernesto]

Been watching this thread with a lot of interest ... An inflatable kayak is definitely on the list of "investments" needed before next summer.

Puddleduck - having read all the linked info on this thread, the only potential criticism of the Sea Eagle I've noticed, is how hard it is to turn ? With a flat floor and long skeg one reviewer mentioned it was hard to turn - how did you find this aspect compared to your older one please?

 

[Armytwowheels]

Sounds like you have made a good choice. They get a good write up on Song of the Paddle.

We are SOOO tempted to get a pair.

 

[funflair]

Hi Puddleduck

Have you thought about making a seat to fit your “sit bones” basically a plastic bag and some expanding foam, you need a box or something you can sit in, mix some two part foam and chuck in in the bag and then sit on it, when it cures it is your shape? So would then need a bit of tidying up and encapsulating in something waterproof, my brother does racing car seats that way.

Martin

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pandas]

what about a paddle board?

 

[Paddywack]

what about a paddle board?

The devils work

 

[Off da Grid]

We’ve got a sevylor Almeda inflatable kayak. 3.6m long
2 person + kid if You can find one lying around. Comes with seats, Skeg and pressure gauge for correct inflation pressure as well as a decent waterproof bag to put it in.
Weighs in at 19 Kg.
We put it in the shower whilst travelling.
Plenty of room, can be paddled by one person easily
The seats can be put in any position.
Paddled on the sea, rivers, canals and lakes, really stable, you can actually stand up in it if you dare.

 

[Minxy]

I also need more padding on my sit bones - I am well padded but as I am getting older the firmness to the fat is going. the Sea Eagle has a flat bottom rather than the moulded seat on the other boat so more seat support needed for any length of time in the boat. I am looking at the crash pants that snowboard and skateboard athletes use and wondering if that would be a solution.

Try an inflatable pad/cushion/pillow like the below, I have one for my kayak as it raises me up from the bottom of my Gumotex Junior so I don't end up sitting in water and get a wet bum if there's a bit dripping in off the paddles. Its very comfy and the firmness can be adjusted quite easily - the trick is not to over inflate it initially but at least if you do you can twist the valve easily to let some air out until you get it just right. I've used one for years and it certainly works, and of course can be used if you decide to stop on a beach etc so you have something comfy to sit on and scoff your lunch etc! The below is just an example, there are loads for sale on Ebay but make SURE if is one that self inflates, the others are useless IMV.

Regatta Inflating Pillow - Laser Blue | Outdoor Camping

Self inflating vavle Diamond riptop fabric Durable polyester Light weight foam construction Roll straps and stuff sack included

www.outdoorcampingdirect.uk

 

[Puddleduck]

With a flat floor and long skeg one reviewer mentioned it was hard to turn - how did you find this aspect compared to your older one please?

"Big Blue" had a rudder but still needed some effort to turn it, the newer solid kayaks were slow and also heavy to turn. We didn't put the skeg on the Sea Eagle when we had it out (it was much easier to keep to a line than I expected but there was little wind so that may make a difference) and it turned as easily as "Big Blue" with the rudder and better than the angling solid kayak which is a pig to turn. With the skeg I think it would be more difficult and also more difficult to keep in a line in a wind without the skeg. We may decide to put a rudder and/or a motor on it when finances allow.

Sounds like you have made a good choice. They get a good write up on Song of the Paddle.

We are SOOO tempted to get a pair.

You would be welcome to try out ours before shelling out a lot of dosh. PM me for details of where we might be and when

Hi Puddleduck

Have you thought about making a seat to fit your “sit bones” basically a plastic bag and some expanding foam, you need a box or something you can sit in, mix some two part foam and chuck in in the bag and then sit on it, when it cures it is your shape? So would then need a bit of tidying up and encapsulating in something waterproof, my brother does racing car seats that way.

Martin

That's a good idea. Maybe some builders expanda foam which is light and waterproof and flameproof ???

what about a paddle board?

My knees won't take it - same with a windsurf board.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Puddleduck]

Try an inflatable pad/cushion/pillow like the below, I have one for my kayak as it raises me up from the bottom of my Gumotex Junior so I don't end up sitting in water and get a wet bum if there's a bit dripping in off the paddles. Its very comfy and the firmness can be adjusted quite easily - the trick is not to over inflate it initially but at least if you do you can twist the valve easily to let some air out until you get it just right. I've used one for years and it certainly works, and of course can be used if you decide to stop on a beach etc so you have something comfy to sit on and scoff your lunch etc! The below is just an example, there are loads for sale on Ebay but make SURE if is one that self inflates, the others are useless IMV.

Regatta Inflating Pillow - Laser Blue | Outdoor Camping

Self inflating vavle Diamond riptop fabric Durable polyester Light weight foam construction Roll straps and stuff sack included

www.outdoorcampingdirect.uk

View attachment 327529

We tried those on Monday but I thought they made things worse, might just have been me but I found they were too slippy either on or under the seat (I tried both). I use the "transfer motion" paddling technique using legs, bum and back muscles to transfer power to my shoulders so my bum does rock from side to side and backwards and forwards as I paddle. The seat moves with me as long as it is adjusted correctly but the pad worked it's way backwards and out I considered using velcro to attach it but don't want to do anything permanent. Anti-slip rug stuff might be another idea to try.

I also found I didn't get as much of a wet bum in the Sea Eagle as in the angling kayak. "Big Blue" had a higher moulded in shape and a channel to take the water out to the drain hole. When Martin had his big Ocean Kayak (Banana Boat as it was bright yellow) he always got a wet bum as it had six cockpit drain holes and all appeared to require the water to run through where he was sitting! "Big Blue"'s single cockpit drain was between my feet with channels running to it. "Big Blue" was designed so the paddler was sitting above water level but in the Sea Eagle I was sitting in the same sort of position as in a sit inside kayak - below outside water level.

The Sea Eagle has a sort of gutter where the sides and the base meet and the water also collects in the small bow bilge which has drains (only to be used off the water).

 

[Armytwowheels]

You would be welcome to try out ours before shelling out a lot of dosh. PM me for details of where we might be and when

Thank you. We might be coming up to Scotland in a few weeks time, or the Lakes, cannot decide which yet.

 

[Armytwowheels]

You would be welcome to try out ours before shelling out a lot of dosh. PM me for details of where we might be and when

Thank you. We might be coming up to Scotland in a few weeks time, or the Lakes, cannot decide which yet.

 

[Puddleduck]

Thank you. We might be coming up to Scotland in a few weeks time, or the Lakes, cannot decide which yet.

Let me know as we could meet up I will pm you contact details.

 

[Puddleduck]

We’ve got a sevylor Almeda inflatable kayak. 3.6m long
2 person + kid if You can find one lying around. Comes with seats, Skeg and pressure gauge for correct inflation pressure as well as a decent waterproof bag to put it in.
Weighs in at 19 Kg.
We put it in the shower whilst travelling.
Plenty of room, can be paddled by one person easily
The seats can be put in any position.
Paddled on the sea, rivers, canals and lakes, really stable, you can actually stand up in it if you dare.

The Sevylor is not for me, sorry. It's too narrow internally and not enough payload for two big adults plus the safety gear needed for stuff like The Tay Descent (or even the Durham-Finchale Race). I no longer do the race as a competitor but enjoy the equivalent of a "fun run".

I have had a Sevylor and ripped the bottom out the first time out when landing on a shingle beach - put me off the make I'm afraid. The manufacturer told me I had used it beyond it's design specification

I have been able to stand in every kayak I have owned plus I have paddled a slalom boat as if it was a paddleboard - that was a long time ago........ For me standing in kayak is a required safety feature so the route ahead can be scoped out. It is something that was a requirement when I was doing my kayak training.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Puddleduck]

Try an inflatable pad/cushion/pillow like the below,

We tried those on Monday

i just re-read my reply and hope it doesn't come over as too negative as the cushions are a great idea and we do have them I just need to fond a way to fasten in place as a temporary measure and the non-slip matting might do the job. I will report back when I get to try it.


Hope to win a medium size prize in the National Lottery or Premium Bond draw this next week and will get the other kayak and engines / rudders ordered! - Even a paddleski with twin electric outboards and that could tow my kayak.

 

[romany]

Well I have ended up with an Itwit x100 tourer as having a full size Canadian we didn't think it worth spending so much on a gumotex although I still think their one of the best just for short trips when away. I have to say though extremely pleased with it spent 5 hours on the Thames yesterday and compared to previous inflatables WOW what a difference the drop stitch floor makes it handle almost as well as a normal Kayak and certain;y no where near as heavy work as the old sevlor we had a few years back that use to suck up the water into the fabric and handle like a waterlogged log and took ages to dry. It was slightly more skittish than our Canadian but nothing to get excited about I should imagine this would be more of a problem if you had a strong cross wind, but I'm working on making some slightly larger skegs for it just for fun (an engineer who likes playing) it easy to dry off as its rubberised and packs away easy just right for a campervan kayak

 

[Minxy]

i just re-read my reply and hope it doesn't come over as too negative as the cushions are a great idea and we do have them I just need to fond a way to fasten in place as a temporary measure and the non-slip matting might do the job. I will report back when I get to try it.

Not a problem at all, I too have found that if you don't secure the seat pad it can move, I/ve solved it in my Gumotex Junior by jamming the rear of it under the seat backrest with a bungee cord looped through the straps (used to keep it rolled up when deflated) and attached to the rear rack/webbing, this stops it moving forwards which was the issue I had; similarly had I found it moved backwards I could instead use a bungee/strap to secure it forwards to where the inflatable foot rest is attached.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Have been very tempted by the Sea Eagle Razorlite, to the point of finger hovering over the buy button. However, Colin then found this company near Taunton, making and selling what looks like almost the same boat, but considerably cheaper.

Puddleduck take a look at the raised seat, it looks quite different to the Sea Eagle offering.

Glider Full Drop-Stitch Single Inflatable Kayak Package | Blue

Order By 2pm For FREE Next Day Delivery Full Drop Stitch Construction Complete Set – Drop-stitch kayak, 1 x 4-piece paddle set, seat and detachable seat cushioning, wheeled carrier backpack, pump, foam footrest, fin and repair kit included Kayak Details – Triple layer PVC construction...

bluewavekayaks.com

 

[Minxy]

I've just read the lifetime warranty terms for the Blue Wave version and is specifically excludes 'drop stitch' kayaks (last point) so I assume it just has a 1 year warrant as with the other 'parts' of the kayak ... that would cause me a bit of concern compared to the Sea Eagle which has the 3-year warranty, but generally I do wonder how well a PVC hulled kayak will stand up to long term use especially if you land on stoney beaches etc where the hull could be scuffed etc. Saying that I think they are great and it's about time there was an easy to set-up inflatable kayak without having to have the large air tubes.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Armytwowheels]

Yeah I read that too.

We also found a website called Made in China, which looks like a whole salers, identical kayaks on there to the Sea Eagle.

Inflatable Boat Manufacturer, Air Track, Inflatable Toy Supplier - Weihai Hi Wobang Yacht Co., Ltd.

 

[Puddleduck]

Have been very tempted by the Sea Eagle Razorlite, to the point of finger hovering over the buy button. However, Colin then found this company near Taunton, making and selling what looks like almost the same boat, but considerably cheaper.

Puddleduck take a look at the raised seat, it looks quite different to the Sea Eagle offering.

Glider Full Drop-Stitch Single Inflatable Kayak Package | Blue

Order By 2pm For FREE Next Day Delivery Full Drop Stitch Construction Complete Set – Drop-stitch kayak, 1 x 4-piece paddle set, seat and detachable seat cushioning, wheeled carrier backpack, pump, foam footrest, fin and repair kit included Kayak Details – Triple layer PVC construction...

bluewavekayaks.com

No foot rest though The Sea Eagle has a proper adjustable foot rest (not just a length of PVC tube on a webbing strap) that I find essential after trying to paddle a boat without proper foot rests. Perhaps it would be possible to get the foot rests as an after fit though.

The only way to be sure and compare would be to buy one and send it back if it was unsuitable.

I do wonder how well a PVC hulled kayak will stand up to long term use especially if you land on stoney beaches etc where the hull could be scuffed etc. Saying that I think they are great and it's about time there was an easy to set-up inflatable kayak without having to have the large air tubes.

The Sea Eagle has a rubberised keel and the prow and stern are hard plastic. At Lockore we were landing and setting off from a gravel beach. I was a little concerned but apart from the minor scuffs one would expect no damage. it was one question I did ask before I bought the Sea Eagle and was assured they had never had a case of problems due to puncture from rocks.

We also found a website called Made in China, which looks like a whole salers, identical kayaks on there to the Sea Eagle.

Everything is made in China but they do look identical.

 

[Puddleduck]

The Blue Wave Double would be good for our second boat but we would probably have to make do with the pvc and strapping foot rests That means Martin would probably have to paddle it as he is an upper body strength paddler and doesn't rely on the push from the foot rests as I do....... It would mean we could get the second kayak much sooner

 

[Ernesto]

Sea Eagle 473 does look the business.... has anyone considered (and discounted) the KXOne Slider?

Slightly wider, slightly shorter...so perhaps a little less tippy..which seems to be the only minor criticism of the Sea Eagle I've found so far ?

KXONE - SLIDER 445 (NEW 2017)

kxone-europe.com

 

[Minxy]

Slightly wider, slightly shorter...so perhaps a little less tippy..which seems to be the only minor criticism of the Sea Eagle I've found so far ?

The Sea Eagle etc appear to be aimed at those with experience of kayaking rather than a 'holidayer/beginner'. Many years ago when we were looking to get single kayaks we to a boat rental place which has 3 types of rigid ones to see what 'style' suited us best. I was well away on all 3 and loved the really narrow one we tried, but hubby couldn't even get out on the water with it as he couldn't keep his balance ... I had to quickly grab the stern to steady it when he tried to paddle to save him getting a dunking, needless to say he never went out on the water with it. I put this down to my going on the play kayaks on the local park pond when I was a kid so learned very early how to balance them.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ernesto]

I've only rented on holiday so far .... mainly sea kayaking in mid summer conditions, so nothing too taxing at all so far, but keen to avoid something that is too dull after a few trips out and has some stretch in it