4 Reasons To Pick An Inflatable Kayak
Before purchasing a Kayak you need to initially determine between a hard-shell, usually made of fibreglass or more expensively carbon fibre; or the inflatable kayak, this is made of a strong fabric capable of being inflated with a pump, for example the AdvancedFrame Convertable Kayak.
Things to consider, along with your intended commitment to Kayaking and personal skill, are – Storage and Carriage, Size and Weight, Cost and Performance.
Storage and Carriage.
The easy storage and the potential to pack an inflatable kayak in the trunk of your car are two of the biggest advantages over the hard-shell sort.
One of the biggest inflatable kayak is the Advanced Frame Convertible Kayak, but even this will fold up and fit into a large duffle type bag. The kayak can easily be carried in with the rest of your gear in the trunk of your car; will be recognized as luggage on an plane; packed into a haversack and carried.
The kayak when finished and dried out can be stowed in a tiny corner of a garage or shed.
Size and Weight.
Inflatable kayaks typically weigh between about 25 and 60lbs, the Advanced Elements Convertible Kayak comes in at about 56lbs. There is not a vast difference in weight between a Hard-shell and an Inflatable Kayak.
When the kayak is being transported or stowed is when the big diss-advantage of a hard-shell becomes obvious. There is also the additional advantage of not needing a roof rack.
Cost.
The range of prices change quite significantly depending upon the model and type of kayak that you buy.
Hard-shells can vary from between $500 to $3000 for plastic or fibre glass models. The more exotic materials can be quite a lot more.
The range of prices for inflatables vary, depending on use and material they are made from, beginning at about $250 and increasing to $2,000.
Performance.
Inflatable kayaks as a rule will not perform as well as hard-shells. However, a high-end Inflatable will normally out perform a low-end entry level Hard-shell.
Inflatables are safe, track well, have good maneuverability, and are strong. They can be harder to paddle, so long expeditions using an inflatable may need a re-think.
Summary.
The performance of a hard-shell, when compared with a comparable inflatable kayak is usually higher. When considering, however, the ease of use, storage and carriage the inflatable kayak comes into its own.
Taking all the advantages and disadvantages into consideratiion, the inflatable kayak could be seen as the better buy. It all comes down to your skill and what you intend to do with it.
Tags: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Inflatable Kayak, Advanced Elements Convertible Kayak, Advanced Frame Convertible Kayak, AdvancedFrame Convertible Kayak