Roth Regatta

Inflatable kayaking is very popular with people who love to travel, either by plane, by car or by RV. It is also popular with those who don’t have a lot of storage space for a large hard-shell kayak and who want the convenience of deflating their kayak at the end of the day.

 

There is still a misconception out there that using an inflatable kayak is like using a pool toy. Though many years back the quality of inflatable kayaks may not have been impressive, the truth is that today there a

re excellent manufacturers who produce extremely rugged, solid, and well built inflatable kayaks that are capable of providing a great performance.

 

There are many advantages to using an inflatable boat including:

 

›› They can be transported in the trunk of a car

›› They can be taken on an airplane

›› Some are light enough to even be carried on your back

›› They are quick to inflate (most take 5 – 8 minutes)

›› Th

ey are easily stored in small spaces (like a closet)
 

Though inflatable kayaking may not be for everyone, the convenience of using this type of kayak cannot be argued. There are many different types of inflatables including:

 

›› Recreational flatwater kayaks

›› Whitewater kayaks

›› Sea and touring kayaks

›› Inflatable fishing kayaks

›› As well as a good selection of inflatable canoes
 

Each has their own unique c

haracteristics that makes them specialized for certain types of water and certain types of paddling.

 

Though it is true that an inflatable is rarely as fast as a hard-shell kayak, there are many that can reach top speeds with peak performance. As with anything it depends on the quality of the boat as well as what you are willing to spend.

 

Though you may get some interesting looks from people as you inflate your kayak and hop in the water, rest assured that as you deflated it and throw it in the trunk of your car, they will still be trying to secure their boat onto the roof rack of their car. Yes those who enjoy inflatable kayaking are a different breed but we do have a lot of fun and a lot of great paddling experiences.