Inflatables canoes

Advice
#1

I’d appreciate advice on inflatable canoes. I am in Ireland and I was looking at this page. www.ballybegvillage.com/inflatable_canoes_ireland.html

Are they suitable for trips? For fishing?

#2

Most of these would be called kayaks
in the States, because they are expected to be used with double bladed paddles.



The Stearns and Sevylor are considered to be rather lightly built, and probably should not be loaded up and taken on rocky runs. I think Sea Eagle also falls into the light use clas.



Brands to consider are Aire, Grabner, and Innova. They make more rugged craft that can take more abuse. See if you can Google information on what they offer. Then you can check out the importing situation.



I used to know a US inflatable supplier with a really informative website, but I can’t find it now. If I do, I’ll post it later in the thread.



I think you folks may face the boat storage and transportability problem more than we do. With the gasoline cost caused by putting racks and boats on the car, I’m thinking about getting an inflatable myself.

#3

You’re probably thinking of these guys
Best site for information on inflatables I’ve found.



http://www.theboatpeople.com/



Feel free to e-mail them as well. I did and they got my head turned around from buying what would have been a poor choice for me. I’m now saving my sheckels for an Aire Traveller to purchase from them. Other than having received good information from them, I have no affiliation with the site.


  • Big D
#4

Yeah, that’s a good site. Lots of
good information. I’m thinking about a Force XL, but the idea of sitting there in a drysuit getting sloshed is still hard to accept.

#5

Have you considered folding canoes?
http://allycanoes.com/



I have heard nothing but praise for the Allys. I have seen one Sevylour inflatable canoe in the flesh, but not paddles it. Looked really clunky, useful for puttering about a pond on a sunny day only.



Jim

#6

Hey, we could tell him the fastest way
to fold a canoe.

#7

SOAR canoes?

– Last Updated: Jan-20-09 8:48 AM EST –

SOAR canoes/inflatables are high grade well made water crafts. They are used for long trips in Alaska and Northern Canada. They very stable self baling and can handle class 3-4 rapids. The problem they are not cheap and used ones are very hard to fine. I recently found a used one that I am planning to take on a river in Quebec (Moisie) in 2010 for $400 but this was supper deal most of them, if you can find them, still sale for close to a $1000 if they are in good shape
http://www.soar1.com/

#8

So run warmer water. :slight_smile:
The ‘duckies’ I’ve used, which are few, paddle more like a one person raft than a kayak. You do long set-ups, get on the tongue, and then ride it out through the bubble train making only correction strokes from time to time. It’s fun, but rather different from hardshell kayaking. Rent one some time and see if you like it. I do!


  • Big D