Kayak Reviews

Kayaking Gear: Kayak, Tuilik, Paddling

2015-01-09T10:46:00.000-08:00

Tuilik Paddling Jacket

The Kayak Reviews Website provides a great way for paddlers and kayakers to find stuff on kayaks, tuiliks, paddles and kayaking equipment. If you're looking for information and Web resources for paddle jackets, spray skirts, paddling gloves, mits or other kayak clothing and accessories, we'll offer links for the best places to go for your paddling gear. Check back often to see the latest canoe and kayaking gear reviews, blogs and links that we've found.

Inflatable Kayaks

2009-06-16T18:24:00.001-07:00

Inflatable Kayak

An Inflatable Kayak is lightweight, and since there is no rigid structure, it takes up very little space once deflated and folded. These characteristics of Inflatable Kayaks lead to two advantages: portability and simplicity.

Light Enough to be Carried

The Inflatable Kayak shares this advantage with folding kayaks but are generally lighter, cheaper, more robust and easier to use.

Keeping and Storing your Kayak

Once deflated and rolled up, Inflatable Kayaks may be placed in the closet or stored in the basement. The total volume of a folded inflatable kayak depends on its length and quality of construction. In general, inflatable kayaks take up the space of a suitcase or kayaking excursion bag.

Take your Kayak to Any and All Places

A Inflatable Kayak allows the paddler to travel to distant destinations with his very own kayak. This is naturally useful to navigate in places where there is no opportunity to rent kayaks, or to which shipping services are expensive or unreliable. Inflatable Kayaks become simple baggage that can be stored for boarding. If shipping services are available, inflatable kayaks are easy to send by carrier or mail. If you are transporting your own kayak, there is no need load and secure the kayak onto the roof of the car. No need for roof bars, poles or other costly accessories. Just drop the inflatable kayak in the trunk or place in the back seat.

Freedom of Use

Practicality

To actually put an inflatable kayak into service, one must first take the time to inflate the boat. But the time required between taking the kayak out of the trunk and launching is not much longer than the time needed to take down a rigid from the top of a car and carry it up to the water.

Boarding

To board an inflatable kayak, simply sit down on the back deck of the inflatable kayak behind the cockpit, place one foot into the cockpit, then slide down into the seat. Because inflatable kayaks naturally absorb shocks, it is especially easy to land quickly in the surf with an inflatable kayak, this being an advantage over ocean kayaks or other types of rigid kayaks.

Directing and Controlling the Kayak

Beginners quickly learn how to direct and control the kayaks with the double kayak paddle. Inflatable kayaks simple to re-board after being capsized.

Pleasurable and Exciting Kayaking Excursions

Inflatable kayaks are not specialist vessels. Open stable, spacious and easy to control, inflatable kayaks forgive errors and are safe. Therefore, inflatable kayaks are ideal for inexperienced children and friends.

Versatility

Since most inflatable kayak are not specialized, they make possible various types of kayaking excursions for coastal exploration, rafting and even kayak fishing expeditions.

Upkeep

Inflatable Kayaks are very solid and support shocks well, although one must be careful of sharp objects and abrasions. In case of a puncture, simply apply a patch. Keeping your inflatable kayak clean can be somewhat more time-consuming, because rigid kayaks may be simply rinsed before being stored, while inflatable kayaks must be carefully dried before being folded.

Efficiency: Speed and Distance traveled per unit time

All things being equal, the more rigid the boat, the more efficiently it can be propelled through the water. Composite kayak are among the fastest kayaks, but with proper technique, experienced paddlers can maintain a healthy rate of speed with an inflatable kayak in non-extreme wind conditions and moderate sea.

Turning and Tracking

Speed is clearly a weakness of inflatable kayaks especially in crosswinds or adverse conditions. For turning or staying straight in big seas, rudders provide more directional control to the paddler. For tracking, The skeg is a simple device for aiding tracking and allowing the kayak to stay on course.

Comfort

Inflatable kayaks are not readily yielding to pressure or weight and are not soft or flabby. Inflatable kayaks should be inflated to the recommended pressure to ensure their proper nautical qualities.

Ease of loading

Loading inflatable kayaks is easier than rigid ocean kayaks or fishing kayaks equipped with watertight compartments and hatches. But the lack of watertight compartments requires that kayaking excursion bags be tied to the boat, so as to not be lost in case of capsizing.

Strength and Robustness

Inflatable Kayak are not fragile. The covering is made of a material resistant to puncture and abrasion. The more solid inflatable kayak variants are made of durable nylon covered rubber. The points to watch inflatable kayaks are the quality, strength and durability of valves and anchor points.

Security

Compared to rigid kayaks, drift and wind resistance are significantly more important for inflatable kayaks. In high winds, direction and control may require more effort to advance an inflatable kayak towards a target destination. In the event of capsize, it would be impossible to swim and catch up to a lightweight inflatable kayak be carried away by the wind. The paddler MUST be attached to his boat.

Kayak Reviews of Inflatable Kayaks

In formulating the Best Inflatable Kayak Reviews one myth that must be dispelled is that inflatable kayaks are less expensive than rigid ocean kayaks or fishing kayaks. As with other types of kayaks, inflatable kayaks are manufactured according to different quality standards and their prices vary accordingly.

Kayak Review - Stearns Spree Inflatable Kayak, One-Person

2009-06-16T18:23:00.001-07:00

Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable Kayaks are ideal for rivers descents, camping trips or just for family fun. Stowed in carry bag, Inflatable Kayaks can be carried in a car trunks or small car hatches. Kayak Reviews gives you the best inflatable kayak reviews for a robust current design kayak that is comfortable and easy to carry.

Inflatable Kayak

Stearns Spree Inflatable Kayak Review

Stearns Spree Inflatable Kayak, One-Person

Your ticket to portable kayaking fun! No need for luggage racks and taking the time to mount your kayak on top of your car, this kayak packs up small and can be carried around in your car at all times for easy storage. The Stearns Spree Inflatable Kayak allows for spontaneous kayaking trips whenever the sea calls! Everything you need to move smoothly and effortlessly through the water without the pains of loading and hauling your recreational or Sit-on-top Kayak.

Stearns Spree Inflatable Kayak features include:

Three-chamber air system to provide added safety; Two main chambers are fully enclosed to provide a rigid body when inflated.
Spray deck to keep the paddler dry all can be rolled back when not needed.
High visibility current design; Easy to inflate and deflate
Mesh zippered pocket is perfect for kayaking gear storage when paddling. Elastic cord and D-rings for kayaking gear tie down.
Size: 9'6" x 32" - 23 lb., Capacity: 1 Person

Used Kayaks

2009-06-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Kayak Accessories

2009-06-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

Kayak and Facts

To navigate safely at sea, one needs to understand the logic of the sea, including kayaking basics and what kayak accessories are necessary for safe and enjoyable kayaking. Kayak Reviews has some helpful safety tips:

Kayaking Basics

Stay Warm: Have dry clothes and warm and waterproof bag.
Protect Against Sunburn: Protect your skin and your eyes.
Avoid Dehydration: The water bottle is very important. Drink lots of fluids, especially on hot, dry, windy days. Carry at least one liter per person at a minimum.

Kayak Accessories

Life Line: A life line is a rope that goes around your boat and hangs like a a buoy. The Kayak Accessory can also help with reboarding your kayak.
Rope: For towing, if necessary. A rope made of floating polyethylene with a length equal to or longer than that of the boat is ample.
Life Vest: Sleeveless jacket of buoyant or inflatable design.
Pump: A good bilge pump for safety on the water
Repair Kit: Duct tape, repair putty, replacement bolts, zipper repair kit, seam seal, etc...

Kayak Paddles

Do NOT lose your Kayak Paddle. It's what drives the boat!: Attach Kayak Paddles with a piece of rope or elastic set in the center of the paddle.
Reflector Tape: To make sure that your are seen by approaching ships, you can stick some reflector tape on the back of your kayak paddles and wave the paddles in the air.