Kayaking is the best way to exercise and relax at the same time. You get to enjoy the beautiful scenery and ambiance while paddling down the river. On my end, I like to go kayaking and whitewater rafting, so it is necessary for me to bring my own kayak every now and then. However, a traditional kayak is out of the question since my car is not big enough to accommodate a wooden or fiberglass one.
Thankfully, I’ve found an inflatable kayak in the form of the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak. This is not the only best inflatable kayak though, so we have compiled a list of other great inflatable kayak reviews. If you want a kayak but find it hard to choose between a rigid and an inflatable one, below are some pros and cons of inflatable kayaks that can help you decide.
Pros and Cons of an Inflatable Fishing Kayak
Before looking at the best inflatable kayak models, you need to examine the pros and cons of purchasing one. They are great for those who value portability and storage space, but they have some disadvantages as well. Once you research these pros and cons, it will be easier for you to choose a kayak for your outdoor equipment.
Be sure to consider the activities you wish to do and then pick which kayak works best for your needs. Pick a model with good valves that minimize the risk of air leakage. It will also be good to pick a boat with a skeg for easier tracking.
Pros
You can keep an inflatable kayak in your car’s storage compartment and have it ready for use without affecting the performance of your vehicle. On the other hand, you need to strap a rigid kayak to your car if you want it ready for some paddling time. This affects your vehicle’s gas mileage and will cost more money in the long run. Because it is inflatable, this also means that there is no need for roof bars on your vehicle when using a kayak.
Storage is particularly easy, especially when you live in an apartment. Conversely, you would need a garage or a similar storage area to store a rigid kayak. You can also take your inflatable product on a plane and label it as a piece of baggage. When it comes to weight, an inflatable kayak weighs around twenty to thirty pounds. This is much easier to carry around than a 50-pound rigid boat.
Even maintenance is not a chore with the best inflatable kayak. You just need to wipe it down, allow it to dry, fold it up, and store it in the provided duffel bag. Rigid kayaks require more maintenance.
Inflatables are also more affordable. These begin at $100 and increase to about $600, with a vast selection within the $200 and $300 range. You need at least $500 for a rigid kayak.
Cons
When it comes to the disadvantages of an inflatable fishing kayak, there is quite a high risk of puncturing it. This is even despite the extremely durable materials that companies use today. If you don’t pack them carefully, there is a likelihood you can puncture the boat from within. The last thing any rafter wants is for their kayak to deflate in whitewater.
The boat will also start to deflate if the valves leak. If this happens, you will concentrate your weight at the center and will push the boat into the water while the bow and stern lift out. This results in nearly impossible paddling.
Last of all, the lack of rigidity can cause more difficulty with tracking in a straight line. This means that you have to paddle harder in order to gain momentum.
What to Consider with the Best Inflatable Kayak
You might need an inflatable kayak for many reasons so it’s important to determine what you require in one so you can choose the best type of kayak for you.
Are you and your fellow anglers going on a fishing trip and need to bring some fishing gear with you? Is it vital to have fishing rod holders, or is it a deal breaker? Are you someone who thinks that just a comfortable padded seat will do? These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself in order to get to a clearer picture of what the right kayak is for you.
It’s so easy to get lost among all of the brands and the features that they offer. That’s why it’s understandable if you feel overwhelmed with all the choices that you have to make. Especially if you really need flush mount fishing rod holders in your kayak, it can be hard to decide.
What you can do is to go through inflatable kayak reviews (like this one) to look for the ones that others have already tested. This will also tell you if a particular brand or feature is important for you. In order to do this with reviews, they typically have a comprehensive list of features and even a pros and cons list.
The good thing is that there are many great brands out there, including the Intex inflatable kayak and the AdvancedFrame Sport kayak. The other side of having many options is knowing that there are also great ones out there that you can get at the price point that you’re comfortable with.
It does not matter if you’re going for a comfortable seat, dedicated rod holders for your fishing rod, or just a simple cockpit to hold your gear. There is definitely a type of kayak for you out there. The best inflatable kayak is waiting for you.
Top Inflatable Kayak Reviews
While we have mentioned the Intex and AdvancedFrame Spork kayak, there is still so much more in store for you. The list below has varying features and traits, but we consider each of them to be the best inflatable kayak options on the market. Be sure to do your research so that you can know if the best model for you has rod holders, a padded seat, storage for your gear, or even enough foot space.
When looking at inflatable kayak reviews and making a purchase, you are choosing your own adventure. With this in mind, be sure to pick the model that will truly help you have a good time.
1.Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak
Surely, while some customers can’t say the same about all of their products, Advanced Elements has always done kayaks very well. The AdvancedFrame sport kayak is one of those that only comes around so often, as there really are a lot of things to talk about it. At first sight, it’s very stylish, but not to the point where it looks as if it would be deficient in some way. It’s quite the opposite here, as it really does look significantly better than a lot of the other kayaks out there. However, it’s not about looks. Most enthusiasts will paddle along in a kayak that looks bad over one that’s all glitz but no gusto. This isn’t the case here, as it has a lot of both.
First and foremost, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame inflatable kayak is a hybrid of the inflatable and folding-frame kayaks. Not only does this add to its mobility and portability, but it also adds to the structural integrity of the kayak. This hybridization brings about better performance and a lot better tracking. Some say that it is eons better than most of the best inflatable kayak options on the market.
The hull has to do with a lot of this. Its built-in aluminum ribs define the bow and stern so that it can achieve the highest amount of tracking possible. This then allows it to move gracefully through the water on your trip to any lakes or rivers. In terms of stability, you won’t find that they left that part out. It has three layers of double-coated ripstop material to ensure that there isn’t any ripping or tearing.
In terms of the amenities, you’ve got plenty of storage space, advanced inflation valves, molded rubber handles, and a skeg tracking fin. This truly is one of the best inflatable kayak models to look out for.
AdvancedFrame sport kayak pros
- D-ring tie down; repair kit
- Carrying duffel bag
- Built-in aluminum ribs
- Comes preassembled
- 3 layers of material to resist puncture
- 300-pound capacity
- 32-inch width
- 1-year warranty
2. Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak
The Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak with the deluxe package is a two-person tandem fishing kayak. Additionally, the company designed it to be easy every step of the way. The Sea Eagle company has been making some of the best inflatable kayak models over the past few years. For example, this lightweight (26 pounds), puncture resistant, K-80 polykrylar kayak can carry up to 500 pounds. However, these aren’t the only features that this product has. There are several different aspects of this product that make it stand out from the pack.
Firstly, it’s safe to say that if you have a good amount of experience as kayakers, the Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak won’t be too much of a problem. You can inflate and assemble it in just about six minutes. In addition to that, the design is pretty good here, and the size makes it compact.
Even still, it possesses good ability with an interior that measures 13 inches wide by 9 feet 6inches long. The exterior of this tandem fishing kayak measures 34 inches wide by 11 feet 2 inches long. Additionally, it features 9-inch tubes and an I-beam construction floor. There are also two skegs on the bottom for better tracking and speed, three deluxe one-way valves, and it’s inflatable spray kits lash it down. Lastly, there are three inflated chambers in the starboard, floor, and port of the kayak.
This would be a perfect tandem fishing kayak on the next fishing trip at one of the nearby lakes with your buddy.
Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak pros
- Self-bailing drain valve
- I-beam construction floor
- NMMA certified
- Bow and stern grab line
- Pressure gauge and repair kit
3. Sea Eagle SE370 Inflatable Kayaks
Sea Eagle has had a good name for a while now, as they have produced some of the better kayaks that we have seen in the past few years. Customers always seem to know them for their ability to hold up well, and this is in addition to the product coming with great features that just about everyone appreciates in any given kayak. Their lightweight and portable sports kayak has all of the makings of other great equipment in the Sea Eagle SE370 inflatable kayak. This is all because it does some things very well. Holding the right to be part of the best inflatable kayak list, this is a product that really does seem to be on the cutting edge as far as kayak construction is concerned.
Out of all of the features that it has, durability is easily the most important. It’s got a rugged polykrylar hull that can withstand most rough waters and keep kayakers safe at their nearby lakes. While any implementation using this material is worth something, the Sea Eagle brand has made it even stronger so that it can resist dog paws. This makes it so you can take man’s best friend and your fishing gear along for the ride.
It also comes with two skegs on the bottom that allow for better tracking and a boost in speed. Sea Eagle SE370 inflatable kayaks come with a bow and stern grab line, a pressure gauge and repair kit, and three deluxe one-way valves. On the subject of valves, this kayak also has a self-bailing drain valve. All of these great features come with an I-beam construction and lashed-down inflatable spray skirts. Last but not least, the capacity of this tandem fishing kayak is 650 pounds.
Whether you’re in calm waters or going whitewater rafting, you can rest assured that this inflatable kayak has got your back while in the cockpit.
Sea Eagle SE370 inflatable kayak pros
- I-beam construction floor
- NMMA Certified
- Pressure gauge and repair kit
- Port, starboard, and floor chambers
- 38-millimeter polykrylar construction
- 10 ft. 8 in. by 1 ft. 1 in. interior
- 12 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. 10 in. exterior
- Weighs 32 pounds
- Assembles in only eight minutes
4. Sevylor Tahiti Classic Inflatable Kayak
Sevylor, while not known for the highest-end kayaks, has still done well for themselves. They’ve manufactured a lot of good kayaks, bringing together a high-level of experience and initiative that many companies don’t possess. It doesn’t always amount to amazing offerings, but at the very least, they get the job done. The Sevylor Tahiti Classic inflatable kayak is another example of a model that they have done right. While it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles as a lot of the kayaks these days do, it’s still not something that you want to discount. It still has some other things going for it that make it one of the best inflatable kayak models on the market.
For example, this is a pretty durable and reliable kayak. That’s the most important aspect because no one wants to sit in the padded seat of the cockpit and have the fun end too soon. It’s good to know that Sevylor has got the basics right here to make your time in the calm waters fun with a fishing rod, paddle, and your friends and family. As with many of their products, at the very least, most enthusiasts would agree that they are known to withstand leaks. This is all thanks to their impressive Sevylor Airtight System.
On top of this, the company also constructs this product from heavy-duty 26-gauge PVC. They also equip it with a tubular I-beam for stability and two air chambers for security. The Sevylor Tahiti Classic inflatable kayak comes with two spray covers and an optional directional skeg to give you the most control. All in all, it seems as if they have just about everything covered that you can remain confident in it, even when you’re in rough waters.
Sevylor Tahiti Classic pros
- Two spray covers for protection
- Holds up to 400 pounds
- Consists of heavy-duty 25-gauge PVC
- Inflatable seat with comfortable back support
- Measures 10 ft. 7 in. by 2 ft. 7 in.
- Tubular I-beam floor for stability
- Optional directional skeg
- NMMA Certified
- Very easy inflation
5. Sevylor Tahiti Fishing/Hunting Inflatable Kayak
Sevylor has always been one of the more interesting companies that makes various nautical products. This is because they got their start as the company that made a small floating bathtub that was durable, portable, practical, and affordable. They really didn’t deviate from that formula very much while their materials changed. The attention to detail and the ability to just make a proper kayak makes this a very solid choice for hunters or anglers, and the design of the Sevylor Tahiti Fishing and Hunting inflatable kayak is exactly crafted with that in mind. It’s a very sleek looking vessel, and the camo-coloration helps it to blend in with the backdrop. While this in itself isn’t cause for too much excitement, it can be quite the eye-catcher.
The details here are pretty good, as it’s got the construction that didn’t stray away from what they have done since their inception. It’s nice to know that they haven’t lost their touch, and it seems to be stronger than ever. They construct this model out of heavy-duty 21-gauge PVC, just like the Sevylor Tahiti Classic. It also contains two air chambers for security and a tubular I-beam floor for stability. The Sevylor Tahiti Fishing and Hunting inflatable kayak also has two spray covers that protect the kayak and an optional directional skeg for the most amount of control.
The Sevylor Feets Airtight system makes this leak-proof, so you can take your trip to multiple lakes and rivers without any problems. When it comes to being able to trust the kayak, you can rest easy because it is NMMA certified. In addition to that, it gives you a good amount of room to set up fishing rod holders and the rest of your gear.
This could be the one inflatable fishing kayak that you could take just about anywhere.
Sevylor Tahiti Kayak pros
- Inflatable seat offers a substantial amount of back support
- Two spray covers for protecting the kayak
- Heavy-duty 21-gauge PVC construction
- I-beam floor for very improved stability
- Inflated dimensions are 10 ft. 4 in. by 3 ft. 1 in.
- 360-pound weight limit
- Unassuming camo-coloration
Final Review of the Best Inflatable Kayak
There are several aspects to consider when purchasing the best inflatable kayak for you. You have to keep in mind its features, durability, and its dimensions. Some kayaks, like the Sevylor Tahiti Fishing and Hunting model, are perfect for anglers and hunters who want to blend in. Those who only need a single seat will do very well with the AdvancedFrame Sport kayak. Many of the others on our list have two seats that allow you to take both your gear and a friend with you.
Once you decide which features are going to work the best for you, you should not just go out looking for kayaks for sale. Make sure you choose a model from a reputable company, like the ones we have listed. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting in the padded seat of the best inflatable kayak having the time of your life.
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