Message from discussion
Inflatable Kayaks
Path: gmdzi!unido!mcsun!uunet!sun-barr!cronkite.Central.Sun.COM!exodus!cairo.Eng.Sun.COM!tut
From: t...@cairo.Eng.Sun.COM (Bill "Bill" Tuthill)
Newsgroups: rec.boats.paddle
Subject: Inflatable Kayaks
Message-ID: <20934@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM>
Date: 3 Oct 91 22:45:46 GMT
Sender: n...@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM
Lines: 43
I like inflatable kayaks because they roll up small, so you can
take them on airplanes and in backpacks. However, I'm rather
disappointed with the choices on the market. Does anybody know
anything about the Thrillseeker, made in W Virginia? I've never
seen one, but a friend saw them at the Gauley festival.
Here's a rundown of self-bailing models I've tried.
Padillac Most durable, but too heavy at 47#. Doesn't bail
$850 well until you cut bigger holes in the floor. OK
for heavy people, but normal people slosh around
in it. Lacks 1-way valves.
Achilles Lighter and durable, but still too heavy at 45#.
$895 Also too short. Slow bailing can't be improved.
The best IKers I know swear by this boat because
it is stiff and stable. Lacks 1-way valves.
Maravia Went out of production this year. Very light at
Challenger 32#. The drop-stitched floor lacks a pressure
NA release valve, and the bras are really rinky-dink.
Best IK for surfing. Not terribly durable.
Aire Lynx High and dry, but kind of skittish. Its worst
$810 problem is lack of bow and stern rise, causing it
to flip when running waterfalls and big holes.
Light at 36#; inflatable floor model is compact.
Durability is a big question. Many people say
openly, "this boat is a piece of shit".
Momentum A good bargain, 60% hypalon for hundreds less than
$699 comparable boats. However, bow and stern rise are
too radical, making it wander in the wind. Quite
stable, tracks well. Probably not for class V.
Riken Cherokee Too expensive considering its quality. Flaccid
$895 material means you can't brace, and you get tacoed
in the smallest of holes. OK for class III. Lacks
1-way valves.
Legacy Rejected because it's not available with inflatable
$659 floor, only with foam insert. OK for class III.
Lacks 1-way valves.
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