Thoughts about this? Upwell on Amazon

Thoughts about this Upwell on amazon?

Any thoughts on this? 2 adults, 1 smallish dog (about 425 lbs total). Beginners. For all around use. Initially in Baja, Mexico. Will likely limit to calmer costal waters on the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) side, and perhaps calm inland rivers. Will be traveling in an RV and will need an inflatable due to transport and storage limitations. Thanks in advance.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B49RK4T1/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A306V9LOT7DG5D&th=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawHfs7NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVUpQJlvWe69FAtyq8Jm_RYXNDDgdc_ybv4sumvB7aVPJa3FkgVYZmxGmg_aem_UFaX0eUDA_S8pWgQzPPcGQ

Welcome! Unfortunately, I would vote against this. First of all, I don’t think that those waters you’re talking about are apt to be particularly calm, so two beginners and a dog in a not very sturdy inflatable tandem kayak doesn’t seem like a good idea. Also, I believe the water can be quite cold depending upon the season. I wouldn’t take that kayak anywhere that I didn’t feel like I could easily swim. Why don’t you try the used market? That will be cheaper and you’ll probably be able to get something better. I don’t know much about inflatable kayaks, but plenty of other people on here do, and they’ll give you good advice. I’d suggest making a separate post asking: what is a good inflatable kayak for two beginner kayakers and a small dog? And where would it be safe to take? Best luck.

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The Sea if Cortez has two things that get beginner paddlers in trouble. The first is very large tidal swings. What is dry land turns into fairly deep water in an hour or two in some areas. Conversely when the tide rushes out it is often hard for beginner paddlers to fight the current taking them further out to sea, This often isn’t too big a problem it just means dragging your kayak a long way back to your vehicle once you do find a break in the current. However several novice paddlers have drowned trying to stop a kayak or someone who is swimming from being caught in the current. A few years ago, near Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) a very popular spot for tourists coming down through Arizona, a family of four drowned. I believe a wife and two kids were being swept out with the current, and husband tried to “rescue” them.

The bigger problem is wind, often afternoon winds on the Sea of Cortez blow very strongly and come up without much warning. Cheap inflatable kayaks handle high winds very poorly and you get blown across the choppy surface. You get what you pay for and a cheap inflatable is not very seaworthy. If you plan on going with inflatable kayak I would look into spending more money on a more seaworthy boat.

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Too short, wide, puffy and flexible for what you are considering. It is more raft like than kayak like and will be slow and hard to keep on track in windy coastal waters. You could easily get swept out far from shore where you would have a great deal of trouble getting back to land. Most of these cheap inflatables do not have multiple inflation chambers meaning that if one seam goes, you get a puncture or one valve fails, you are going to sink. Not safe for anything but a small stream or pond with warm water. And with 2 adults and a dog it is going to sag in the middle, which further slows things down.

There are better inflatables for a bit more money (as others have suggested, look at the used market). Sea Eagle’s Razorlite line would be more rigid and reliable and is 8" narrower, which can make a huge difference paddling forward in wind and currents. The thin high pressure walls also give you more cargo room. I have a friend who paddles coastal areas all around Europe in an Itiwit Strenfit X500 solo (they do make a tandem), but he is very experienced and my understanding is that these can feel unstable to people who are beginners.

Folding kayaks are as light or lighter than many inflatables and because of the metal frames, they are more rigid and perform better in coastal conditions. If I was going to take the kind of trip you are planning I would bring my Feathercraft Java , which is a hybrid inflatable and frame sit on top tandem that is 16’ long, 28" wide and has both a drop down skeg and a full rudder, plus cargo mesh nets. (photo below, set up as a solo with the rudder removed). It can even be rigged with a sail. It only weighs 34 pounds and fits in a duffel bag about the size of a standard Army duffel and sets up in about 20 minutes – likely faster with two people working on it. It can be converted to a solo as well by moving one seat to the middle. lots of room on a 16’ kayak for camping gear and any size dog. The inflatable side and floor tubes are encased in sturdy dacron canvas sleeves so they are protected from damage and punctures. Even if you damage one (which can happen if you forget to open the valves to release some pressure when the boat is out of the water in hot weather – the air expands and can pop a seam) they are easily repaired in the field with a glue and patches kit, which come with the boat or can be bought at sporting goods stores.

The Java model is no longer made but used ones do turn up. I only paid $650 for the one I bought used – it was $4000 when it was new. Feathercraft was a very high end product and even older ones tend to be in good shape since people that pay that much for one tend to care for them well. I have another Feathercraft (sit inside solo model) and both are 15 years old with no problems.

Advanced Elements does make some similar models, with aluminum “back bone” frames that make them more rigid, but only the more costly ones would have the features you need. Note that a lot of inflatable manufacturers recommend they only be used on calm lakes and rivers, not coastal use. Brands like Longhaul and Nautiraid make folding kayaks suitable for sea use but they are costly.

I would also suggest you consider getting a pair of solo kayaks rather than a tandem if you are considering this kind of exposed paddling in rather remote locations with just the two of you. If you run into troubles, like an unexpected capsize or problem with the boat, having the other person still in their boat gives you the safety option of being able to assist the dumped person recover their boat. if you capsize in a tandem and also have to deal with keeping track of the dog, it could be a real mess.

You didn’t mention your paddling experience – that would also be important to consider in making your choice of what to paddle and where. Whatever you get, make sure you know how to get back into the boat in deep water if you get dumped BEFORE taking it out in coastal conditions.


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I agree with the previous posters, and I agree with Willowleaf that your better option would be to have two hard-shell solo kayaks. I understand the reason that you think an inflatable kayak is your only choice, but there may be another way to deal with the storage/transport issue of hard-shell kayaks. I have seen several RV’s, both self-propelled units and those that are carried on the back of a pickup truck, which carry two kayaks on the back wall, mounted vertically. In that position they hardly take up any space and do not “enlarge the vehicle” in any way. Mounting them on the roof would be easier, but that might create an issue with overhead clearance, and I don’t know your age or physical limitations, considering that for some people, getting boats on and off the roof of such a vehicle would be too difficult to deal with. But getting boats on and off of vertical racks on the back wall of the RV is pretty easy. Of course, one person will need to climb up a short distance, on a step stool or ladder, but that’s doable for most people.

I can’t suggest where to find these kinds of kayak racks, but I’ve seen enough boats carried in that manner to know that the proper hardware is available somewhere.

I second all the risks that @SeaDart pointed out, and add the lack of any protective infrastructure in Baja. There isn’t a coast guard to speak of. None of the locals use VHF radio, not that there would be many (any) locals around once you get away from the towns. Cell phones dont work away from towns. Unlike in the States or other developed western countries, you are on your own and need to act accordingly.

That said, just about anything woukd be fine for the calm, protected rivers.

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Another future suggestion if you plan to do this sort of trip regularly, is to switch to a camper that allows you to carry boats INSIDE. My travel camper is a converted Penske delivery box truck with a 16’ x 8’ x 7’ high box that still has the rear full overhead “garage” type door and the pull out loading ramp. The double bed inside folds up to the wall so there is plenty of room to slide hardshell boats up to 17’ wide into the space.

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One other thing to think about concerning the Sea of Cortez. Most of my kayaking and surfing friends have given up on camping in remote areas of Baja. There are real problems with crime and well organized and loosely organized criminal groups. Peter mentions that there is no Coast Guard, and that is right, but the Mexican military and police do have boats patrolling certain areas of the coast. I know of people who have been rescued by the Mexican military and also experienced a “shake down”. I was with a group from the San Diego Sit-On-Top kayaking club where we got the shake-down treatment by some young military guys, who were disappointed that we didn’t have anything they wanted. In-land when you get stopped it’s hard to know the intentions of the military and police. My advice is to travel in caravans of several vehicles and don’t camp alone.

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Unless you are well experienced, know what to do and how to stay safe kayaking in the ocean, it would be wise to avoid those types of waters. Kayaking in big waters is nothing to go at without being properly prepared.

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