Kayaks

[Matt]

Does anyone have any experience of Kayaks, here?

The kids want a kayak for next summer. I am thinking a 2-person kayak so either I can go with them, or they can have a buddy with them.

But can't decide whether inflatable or rigid? Are the inflatable ones good these days - like paddleboards? Or are they still a bit naff?

Thank you.

[Nasher]

Matt

Practical boat owner did a round up of inflatable kayaks a few months ago.
It was an interesting read.
You may be able to find it online somewhere.

[mick]

I have a couple of sit on kayaks they are great for kids

[Steve509926]

Hi Matt, I've quite a bit of experience with kayaks and canoes, but to give some proper advice a bit more info would help. How old are your kids? Sea, lake, river? Storage, transport? Usage - a lot or just every now and then? How much do you want to pay?

[Limecc]

We started off with a Sevylor Colorado, upgraded to a Aquatec Hudson which was much better because of the drop stitch floor and we've still got it because of it's portability but also purchased a 13' Ocean Kayak to which I added a transom and 55lb Watersnake motor.

A rigid kayak tracks straight and true, far less affected by wind and tide, taking less effort so will go further and faster. Difficult to store and transport. Therefore it's all down to where you intend using one I suppose. Avoid Sevylor, takes a lot of effort ensuring the bladders are in the right place and they are also liable to fold in the middle even when over-pressurized. Also harder to keep clean.

[Salty Pete]

Double kayak requires cooperation between the paddlers which can result in arguements. I recommend two single kayaks.

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Salty Pete

Double kayak requires cooperation between the paddlers which can result in arguements. I recommend two single kayaks.

The inflatables we had/have are configurable 1 seat or two.

[Salty Pete]

Originally Posted by Limecc

The inflatables we had/have are configurable 1 seat or two.

So is mine. You can use the seat either end or for solo use, sit in the middle.

So you can have two people and after the arguement one can get thrown out and the winner sits in the middle.

[smallribber]

There you go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNv82D9Upes&t=3s

[smallribber]

Or the slightly larger one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ht0Y1oFsOI

[smallribber]

Loads of videos of these in use on my YouTube channel

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi Matt, I've quite a bit of experience with kayaks and canoes, but to give some proper advice a bit more info would help. How old are your kids? Sea, lake, river? Storage, transport? Usage - a lot or just every now and then? How much do you want to pay?

The goal is to get the kids on the water more. They are both 9 (twins). Very competent swimmers, love being on or in the water. For the last couple of seasons I've hired paddleboards & kayaks from Duver Beach for them, but often they are all out on hire since it's so popular.

I already have a paddleboard that I got at the boatshow, but, as is always the case, one wanted a paddleboard so the other wants a kayak.

My thinking is a 2 person one since it's easier to "mess around" in with their friends and in the short term, I'll always be on the water with them anyway, either on the kayak or paddleboard, until they are safe enough on their own - which I suspect we're a year or two away from.

Both the kayak and paddleboard will live in our caravan down on the isle of wight, or perhaps I'll have them in the rib if they fit (so we could go to priory bay or something and then launch the kayak & board). Either way they won't be getting used every weekend, unless the kids get really in to it (that would be great, wouldn't it). I can store a rigid kayak at the van (under the decking), although getting it down to the beach would require some wheels. So I'm happy to go with a rigid kayak if it's a better boat for the money - but if inflatable kayaks are actually good (on a par with paddleboards), am also happy to go with that. Just not sure if inflatable paddleboards are decent, or if they're just a toy - e.g. I notice intex make some inflatable ones that appear to get decent reviews, but everything intex I have ever owned has been relatively cheap "tat"?

[Steve509926]

From what you have said either an inflatable tandem kayak or two single rotomoulded sit on kayaks would fit the bill.

For the inflatable I would personally steer clear of the low pressure "bladder" type of kayak, such as the Sevylor or cheaper Itiwit. The reasons being - they don't track as well in the water, the bladders don't hold their shape well within the outer skin and you have to adjust them everytime you inflate it, they take days to dry out, it is two layers so sand and dirt get trapped between the two skins, and if used solo they tend to "banana" in the middle.
I much prefer the single skin "high" pressure kayaks which perform much, much better than the low pressure bladder type. Something like the Aqua Spirit or Aqua Marine, although there are plenty of other good makes on the market.

In an ideal world I would go for two sit on kayaks such as the Pyranha or Perception. Virtually indestructible, great performance in the sea, good in surf and ideal for a bit of touring. The downside being they are heavier, not as easily transported and/or stored. I wouldn't go for a tandem sit on as they are very heavy, not as versitile and not really suitable for a single paddler.

[Matt]

Good info, thank you.

[paddlers]

We've had a few including the Sevylor which we hated . We have three rigid sit on Galaxy kayaks which have been excellent plus an inflatable SUP which we also like . Had a rigid 11 ft SUP but it was a beast to transport.
You can also get hybrid SUP/Kayaks inflatable that may be of interest.
Rigids just feel better on the water as you'd expect but are more of a challenge to transport.

[Matt]

I think, in the short term, inflatable kayak for 2 people is the way to go. If they get really in to it, I'll buy them some better kit. It's just to try and get them on the water more, for the time being. So now we have 4x boats (7.5m rib, 8.3m hard boat, SUP & Kayak soon).

Just need a project yacht (and tender of course) to complete the set! (I like a project). Anyone got a project Ohlson 38?

[Steve509926]

Hi Matt, was with my son this afternoon, pub & watching the match. We got talking about kayaks, canoes, sailing dinghies etc. He reminded me that when he was about 10 and my daughter was 12 they found single canoe paddles easier to handle rather than kayak paddles, just thought I'd pass it on.

[Salty Pete]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi Matt, was with my son this afternoon, pub & watching the match. We got talking about kayaks, canoes, sailing dinghies etc. He reminded me that when he was about 10 and my daughter was 12 they found single canoe paddles easier to handle rather than kayak paddles, just thought I'd pass it on.

I am pretty sure that Olympic Kayakers use a single paddle rather than the double ended kayak paddle. But, the don't go from side to side somehow they have the paddle at an angle that keeps the kayak in a straight line.

Single ended paddles would be easier to store because they are shorter. However I have only ever used a double ended kayak paddle.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Salty Pete

I am pretty sure that Olympic Kayakers use a single paddle rather than the double ended kayak paddle. But, the don't go from side to side somehow they have the paddle at an angle that keeps the kayak in a straight line.

Single ended paddles would be easier to store because they are shorter. However I have only ever used a double ended kayak paddle.

Hi Pete, you are thinking of the C1 slalom class where the paddler kneels in a closed kayak and uses a single blade paddle.

The stroke you are thinking about is called a "J" stroke, usually used in a single handed open canoe.

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

steer clear of the low pressure "bladder"

you have to adjust them everytime you inflate it, they take days to dry out

they tend to "banana" in the middle.

I much prefer the single skin "high" pressure kayaks which perform much, much better

Spot on about the bladder.
The Aquatec is single skin the same thickness PVC as on our old Mercury rib, I measured the patches with a micrometer. A bladder also adds a lot of weight.