Dear Paddlewise I have been considering an inflatable or folding kayak for touring and Ocean Kayaking in Florida. I can't find much about inflatables as far as performance or reviews by independent people. I have just started paddling with a 13' plastic by Clearwater to learn about the sport, so my experience level is behind the power curve. I have read some good things about the Helio's Model W/Rudder by Innova, but I can't find anything about the Sevylor Sea Touring 17' Kayak W/Rudder. I read an article on the AIRE Sea Tiger used for an ocean trip off BC but that was about it. I would be paddling solo most if not all the time but would like the capacity to bring my wife with me. I was hoping someone out there has had some experience with these boats or opinions on folding boats VS the inflatables. I'm interested in a two man all purpose type kayak (fishing, diving, touring). Thanks for the help. Dave Vaughan North Port, Fl *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
David Vaugahn wrote: > I have been considering an inflatable or folding kayak for touring and Ocean > Kayaking in Florida. I can't find much about inflatables as far as > performance or reviews by independent people. Go here for info on inflatables: http://www.theboatpeople.com/ Having said that, I'll ask why you a particulatly interested in inflatables. A plastic sit-on-top kayak might be a good alternative. For example, the Wilderness Systems Pamlico, http://www.wildernesssystems.com/kayaks/recreational.php -- Steve Cramer Athens, GA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Read this (go to the section "What about inflatables"). http://foldingkayaks.org/ And also this: http://www.watertribe.com (go to the Magazine, August 2003, "What was he thinking"). >From my personal experience with a 10 ft inflatable single: poor tracking (it didn't have a fin at the bottom), high wind resistance, inconvenient seat, and insufficient cargo room. 2-seater is an appropriate *touring* craft for 1 person, because inside room is mostly taken by sponsons. So you gonna need a 3-seater as a *touring* 2-seater. Or a 2-seater as a day-paddling 2-seater (no sleeping bags and tent and almost no food and water). > I have been considering an inflatable or folding kayak for touring and Ocean > Kayaking in Florida. I understand you will be paddling in *ocean*, beyond protected channels - then consider wind resistance of inflatable and lack of rudder (rudder is very useful in choppy seas). > opinions on folding boats VS the inflatables. I'm interested in a two man all > purpose type kayak (fishing, diving, touring). May be Mike Edelman would cover this topic - those differencies are numerous. If you don't live in apartment and don't have to assemble your folder for every paddling trip - wide folder like Klepper or Folbot or Pouch is better than inflatable, IMHO. Less stabile, but still very stabile and feels more like a real boat compared to inflatable. I wouldn't envy those who have to paddle a double folder as a single in a long trip, but this isn't impossible. Can't say about solo paddling a 3-seater inflatable - don't have esuch experience. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:37 PDT