NFT: Anyone have advice on inflatable kayaks?

why wait until it goes away, I doubt it does for months. Outdoors, by yourselves on the lake should be safe. Does your county limit outside activities?

While gators are fairly timid as far as crocodilians go, I'd hate to meet one in an inflatable(although a 10 footer would likely overturn one of the hard plastic ones if it wanted to.)
IMHO

nothing but headaches. There are so many sit in and sit on top kayaks to choose from. I prefer the sit on top with the foot/leg propulsion

In comment 14900204 RobCrossRiver56 said:

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nothing but headaches. There are so many sit in and sit on top kayaks to choose from. I prefer the sit on top with the foot/leg propulsion

inflatables might be the only option... no car w/ a rack or house on water

In comment 14900193 section125 said:

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why wait until it goes away, I doubt it does for months. Outdoors, by yourselves on the lake should be safe. Does your county limit outside activities? While gators are fairly timid as far as crocodilians go, I'd hate to meet one in an inflatable(although a 10 footer would likely overturn one of the hard plastic ones if it wanted to.) IMHO

Thanks, 125 - Stores are now partially open down here so I guess we can go and buy kayaks whenever we want. No longer any big limitations on outdoor activities, in fact beaches were opened last week but physical distancing requirements still need to be adhered to. Gators are more scared of us than the other way around and there is enough other boating activities going on without any problems having occurred over the past 15 years we’ve been here.

In comment 14900204 RobCrossRiver56 said:

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nothing but headaches. There are so many sit in and sit on top kayaks to choose from. I prefer the sit on top with the foot/leg propulsion

Thanks, Rob - Care to elaborate what the headaches are? I’m trying to gather some “real life” info. Thanks also for your opinion on sit-on vs sit-in.

but do have kayaks, SUPs, etc. This site is a good one for reviews.
outdoor gear lab reviews - ( New Window )

In comment 14900238 tony stg said:

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In comment 14900193 section125 said: Quote: why wait until it goes away, I doubt it does for months. Outdoors, by yourselves on the lake should be safe. Does your county limit outside activities? While gators are fairly timid as far as crocodilians go, I'd hate to meet one in an inflatable(although a 10 footer would likely overturn one of the hard plastic ones if it wanted to.) IMHO Thanks, 125 - Stores are now partially open down here so I guess we can go and buy kayaks whenever we want. No longer any big limitations on outdoor activities, in fact beaches were opened last week but physical distancing requirements still need to be adhered to. Gators are more scared of us than the other way around and there is enough other boating activities going on without any problems having occurred over the past 15 years we’ve been here.

Lots of gators where I play golf, especially in the spring(now). I love to see them. You can actually see them grow - and quickly at that. Never been intimidated. But was playing at a friends place and a 10/12 footer was sitting on the bank about 50 feet away from the green we were on. We drove to the other side of that lake to the tee box and I turned to see that it swam across the lake behind us and was watching us tee off about 75 feet away. That was interesting.

...but you can put a hitch on virtually any car, can pull a light kayak trailer that way.

It was fine, doesn't go as well through the water as the plastic ones. It was a pain (mostly just lazy) to blow it up and deflate it after each use. And think about it, its going to be wet, do you really want to deflate it, fold it up and put it in the trunk with the rest of your gear? I started just tying it to the roof inflated. Winter storage it got all gross and mildew, and I just got tired of trying to clean it every year. But if you are storing it indoors it shouldn't be a problem.

My favorite kayak by far is the Wilderness Tarpon. I bought a Wilderness Pungo and then my wife bought a Tarpon, I always take the Tarpon when she isn't going out.

In my experience inflatables lack a true keel. You end up fighting the current as it takes you were it wants vs. going where you intend to.

I have been thinking about getting an Oru kayak. Below is their website and a link of a review

https://www.orukayak.com/
Oru Kayak review - ( New Window )

that there is an inflatable kayak ad on this thread? Or is that how advertising algo's work?

In comment 14900204 RobCrossRiver56 said:

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nothing but headaches. There are so many sit in and sit on top kayaks to choose from. I prefer the sit on top with the foot/leg propulsion

Maybe not a great idea with alligators in the lake. Might stick with sit in.

look at the n 65 models. I also have a sit in inflatable, its fine for zipping around a calm lake/river. No gators in NY though.

...I keep getting a Norton anti-virus one that steers me to a page I have to close the browser to get rid of.

Are there any places that rent/deliver kayaks up there? This is one of those hobbies where it might make sense to just rent a few times to make sure you both enjoy it before jumping in with 2 feet. Our local kayak place has been running a special for $5 an hour per kayak plus $5 delivery. Any friends have a pair you could borrow?

If possible I would stay away from anything inflatable. Any I have seen always end up with leaks, and then a cycle of patches that never really work. Maybe different on high end models I don't know.

It's a great way to spend the day together though. Good exercise and a great way to enjoy nature. The gators will leave you alone, I wouldn't worry about that. Is it a very public lake? Any chance you could chain them up and leave them down there? Probably a good time to find a good deal on used ones too.

In comment 14901035 BigBlue in Keys said:

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Are there any places that rent/deliver kayaks up there? This is one of those hobbies where it might make sense to just rent a few times to make sure you both enjoy it before jumping in with 2 feet. Our local kayak place has been running a special for $5 an hour per kayak plus $5 delivery. Any friends have a pair you could borrow? If possible I would stay away from anything inflatable. Any I have seen always end up with leaks, and then a cycle of patches that never really work. Maybe different on high end models I don't know. It's a great way to spend the day together though. Good exercise and a great way to enjoy nature. The gators will leave you alone, I wouldn't worry about that. Is it a very public lake? Any chance you could chain them up and leave them down there? Probably a good time to find a good deal on used ones too.

Thanks, Cap’n! We have two neighbors that have kayaks that we can borrow. We’ve also kayaked in Weeki-Watchie before. The lake is very public, has a fair amount of activity on it, and I’m not worried about the gators. Can’t leave them in the park by the lake, but would have to schlepp them the 1/4-1/2 mile from the house, but I’m confident I can jury rig something cheap to do that.

Stay well, my friend.

In comment 14900385 rasbutant said:

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It was fine, doesn't go as well through the water as the plastic ones. It was a pain (mostly just lazy) to blow it up and deflate it after each use. And think about it, its going to be wet, do you really want to deflate it, fold it up and put it in the trunk with the rest of your gear? I started just tying it to the roof inflated. Winter storage it got all gross and mildew, and I just got tired of trying to clean it every year. But if you are storing it indoors it shouldn't be a problem. My favorite kayak by far is the Wilderness Tarpon. I bought a Wilderness Pungo and then my wife bought a Tarpon, I always take the Tarpon when she isn't going out.

Thanks for your input, rasbutant.

In comment 14900386 SCGiantsFan said:

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In my experience inflatables lack a true keel. You end up fighting the current as it takes you were it wants vs. going where you intend to. I have been thinking about getting an Oru kayak. Below is their website and a link of a review https://www.orukayak.com/ Oru Kayak review - ( New Window )

SCGiantsFan - Thanks for the info and link!

In comment 14900248 Marianne at PSU said:

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but do have kayaks, SUPs, etc. This site is a good one for reviews. outdoor gear lab reviews - ( New Window )

Marianne - Thank you for your response and link. Good info there.

I have the Bay and it's really cool. Get a mesh bag and some parachute chord to make an anchor and you're good to go. Folds down and you can get a backpack attachment if you want to hike with it. Gets blown around a bit if its windy but thats to be expected for something so light.

I have the "Beach" model. Looks like they have a new less expensive model called "Inlet". Worth a look.