THE PROS AND CONS OF A ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK

THE PROS AND CONS OF A ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK

THE PROS AND CONS OF A ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK
THE PROS AND CONS OF A ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK

INTRODUCTION: THE PROS AND CONS OF A ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK

Are you thinking about getting a one person inflatable kayak but you’re just not sure? Are you an Olympic athlete? Or just a regular person, like the rest of us, and all you need is a down-to-earth “pros and cons” article to help you with your purchase decision? Then you’re in the right place. I’ve windsurfed and kayaked for years in Canada and know a thing or two about owning, caring for, and transporting a big piece of sporting equipment. In more recent years, I’ve been kayaking along the Mediterranean coast and the same things I learned in Canada, apply there. This article will lay out some of the main points to consider when purchasing an inflatable kayak. As a bonus, I’ve included a list of my recommendations of for the 5 best entry level inflatable kayaks for beginners.

There was a time when there was no way I would have considered an inflatable watercraft of any kind. In recent years however, we have seen the emergence of inflatable kayaks on the market which have taken advantage of new materials and manufacturing technology resulting in high-performance crafts that would have been unimaginable even a decade ago. 

Today inflatable kayaks provide excellent performance and offer an excellent solution to the transport and storage problem (more on this below). To find a balance between great performance and affordability we have put together the following list of pros and cons. 

Great place for beginners: Kayaking on the Mar Menor, Spain
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WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF A ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK?

PROS OF INFLATABLE KAYAKS

Portability

Having kayaked for years there is no denying the nuisance factor of having to transport a rigid, solid construction kayak. It does not disassemble into smaller components so it needs to be transported as is, in its full length. Unless you live directly on water, you have no choice but to transport it on or in your vehicle. You will either have to buy a roof rack of some sort or own a pickup truck. For a few years, I owned a short stubby kayak that just barely fit inside my car with maybe one full inch of room to spare at either end. But this involved folding down the front passenger side seat which meant no passenger. For the casual kayaking I was doing, an inflatable kayak would have been the “cat’s meow”.  You can store it in a duffel bag, it takes up virtually no room, fits easily in the trunk of the car and in fact could stay there and be available later for a spur-of-the-moment outing.

Storage Space

Anyone who has owned a traditional kayak knows that it takes up room. If you live in an apartment with limited storage space then know that a kayak is a monster accessory to be housing. If you have a garage this helps, but it still takes up room. To save space once, I rigged up some hooks and pulleys to lift and hang the kayak from the ceiling in the garage just to get it out of the way. A kayak the size of a small duffel bag is an absolute game changer and solves the storage problem completely.

Affordability

Inflatable kayaks tend overall to be cheaper than traditional kayaks. The materials used for inflatable kayaks tend to be cheaper and the manufacturing itself is also cheaper making them more affordable. For people looking to do some casual kayaking, this is the better alternative based on price point.

Durability

The materials used for making kayaks are extremely durable and puncture-resistant. Some are made from PVC or Hypalon which are incredibly strong. The construction of inflatable kayaks has come a long way over the last decade.

Comfort

The inflatable kayaks are not geared toward setting world records but are generally designed with casual paddlers in mind. These kayaks are made with softer material, have more adjustable options, and are more comfortable than their rigid counterparts.

Stability

Inflatable kayaks are built wider than standard kayaks and so provide better stability. This makes them better suited for beginners and also a better choice for activities requiring more stability such as using a kayak to go fishing.

Easy to Set Up

Using either an electric or hand pump, the kayaks are easily inflatable. These are not complicated to set up and can be done in just a few minutes. Unpack, roll out on the ground, pump up and you’re ready to go. 

Impact Resistance

An inflatable kayak is made with softer material than their hard-shelled cousins and therefore better able to withstand hard impacts or collisions with rocks or other objects. The standard rigid kayak is “brittle” in comparison. 

THE PROS AND CONS OF A ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK

CONS OF INFLATABLE KAYAKS

Performance

Due to their wider form, kayaks do not cut through the water as efficiently as standard kayaks: in a word, slower. The wider also affects their maneuverability.

Setup Time

As mentioned above inflatable kayaks are easy to set up, however, this still takes time before you can get in the water. Unlike a hard-shelled kayak, which you can literally just throw in the water and be ready to go.

Durability Concerns

Where they have an advantage in absorbing impact shocks, they are still more susceptible to punctures and leaks if they are not handled carefully. 

Less Rigid

As mentioned a few times above, inflatable kayaks are less rigid than the standard hard-shelled kayaks, which makes them feel less stable in rough water.

Maintenance

Inflatable kayaks require more care. They need to be dried out before being put away to prevent mold from developing and they need to be checked for leaks before each use. If leaks are found then they will also require repairs.

Weight Capacity

Due to their construction, the weight capacity is lower in comparison to a hard-shelled kayak. Meaning you can carry less gear and fewer passengers.

Wind Resistance

Inflatable kayaks tend to have a higher profile because they are light,  which makes it harder to paddle and harder to control the kayak in windy conditions.

Repairs

The repairs required for fixing a puncture on an inflatable kayak are more complicated and take more time than required for hard-shelled kayak patches.

Less Suitable for Whitewater

Although there are some inflatable kayaks designed for whitewater kayaking, they tend to not perform as well as their hard-shelled counterparts.

Aesthetic and Perceived Quality

There is a perceived notion that inflatable kayaks are less professional or high quality compared to sleek hard-shelled models. 

There you have it. A down-to-earth guide to the pros and cons of purchasing an inflatable kayak. Unless you’re an Olympic athlete, when looking at the pros and cons, I would say for the vast majority of people, an inflatable kayak is the right choice. Like most of us, you are just looking for something to paddle around the lake. Full stop!

TOP 5 ENTRY LEVEL ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK FOR BEGINNERS

As mentioned above, here is my recommendation for the top 5 entry-level inflatable kayaks:

  1. Intex Challenger K1 Kayak
  • Length: 9 feet
  • Weight Capacity: 220 pounds
  • Material: Heavy-duty puncture-resistant vinyl
  • Weight: 27 pounds
  • Features: Streamlined design for easy paddling, inflatable I-beam floor for comfort and rigidity, cargo net for extra storage, includes aluminum oar, high-output air pump, and repair patch kit
  1. Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak (Solo Configuration)
  • Length: 11 feet 2 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
  • Material: K80 PolyKrylar hull
  • Weight: 26 pounds
  • Features: Two skegs for better tracking and speed, inflatable spray skirts, open and close drain valve, includes one paddle, foot pump, and carry bag (can be used as a solo kayak)
Version 1.0.0
  1. Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport Kayak
  • Length: 10 feet 5 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
  • Material: 3-layer durable polyester fabric with double PVC coating
  • Weight: 26 pounds
  • Features: Built-in aluminum ribs for better tracking, high support adjustable padded seat, large storage compartment, pre-assembled at the factory, includes a duffel bag, repair kit, and owner’s manual
  1. Sevylor Quikpak K1 1-Person Kayak
  • Length: 8 feet 7 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
  • Material: 21-gauge PVC construction with tarpaulin bottom
  • Weight: 18 pounds
  • Features: Easy setup in 5 minutes, backpack system turns into the seat, multiple air chambers, double lock valves for easy inflation/deflation, includes paddle and high-pressure hand pump
Version 1.0.0
  1. Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak
  • Length: 9 feet
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
  • Material: Duratex hull with 600D polyester cover
  • Weight: 21 pounds
  • Features: Enclosed cockpit for protection from elements, adjustable seat with high backrest, integrated storage deck bungee, Boston valve for easy inflation/deflation,

FINAL THOUGHTS: THE PROS AND CONS OF A ONE PERSON INFLATABLE KAYAK

Now as mentioned, above, I’ve been an avid kayaker for years so I definitely had my doubts about inflatable kayaks however with this new generation of kayaks, there is no reason not to buy one and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Hopefully, this list will help you in making your purchasing decision and maybe we’ll see each other somewhere on the water this summer. 

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Reg Auge

Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.

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