Hi, I have some experience on flat waters and a little bit on white water mostly in hard shell kayaks, and one time in inflatable one. Now, due to logistics reasons I need an inflatable kayak for myself and my 70lb dog (or 2 people), which will withstand dog clows It will be mostly used on flat waters, but since I live in Switzerland it may happen that while moving between the lakes or approaching the shore I could scratch it on the rocks.
So I am looking for optimal solution. Ideally available in Europe, but I understand that there are different brands and manufacturers to US market. If you can’t recommend any European solution, maybe you could at least advice on technologies I should consider?
Budget? Well, a few hundreds USD… say, 1k with paddles and safety vests for 2 people and 1 dog. I can be somewhat flexible.
The two companies I can think of in Europe are Grabner of Auastria for inflatables (but those are far above your budget – cheapest tandem is over 1800 Euros) and Pakboat, now owned by ScanSport. Pakboats are folding kayaks with frames and a stretched skin with inflatable sponsons on the side. The Pakboats would be a bit cheaper than the Grabners and they make a couple of models that are convertible for solo or tandem use, like their Puffin Saranac. Still a bit more than you are planning to spend. Honestly, to carry two people and a dog you really need to budget a little more if you want something well made and durable that is easy to paddle. Having that much weight in a cheap inflatable will cause the hull to sag so it doesn’t track well and will be slow. $1500 USD would be more reasonable to plan on spending.
A closed cell foam pad (like a yoga mat) cut to size laid inside a fabric or inflatable boat hull would help protect against dog claw damage, though dogs’ claws are really not all that sharp.
It will be mostly used on flat waters, but since I live in Switzerland it may happen that while moving between the lakes or approaching the shore I could scratch it on the rocks.