inflatable kayak?
Nellgod
I've just returned to whitewater after years away...I did a lot of
paddling in a Grumman canoe when I was a teenager, but now I'm thinking of
getting a Hyside inflatable 1-person....any advice? (I still remember the
anti-raft sentiment my fellow canoers/hard kayakers had, but those
inflatables seem so much easier...and safer, since I wouldn't have to
roll..?)
Fiveplus
If you want an inflatible, I wouldnt suggest a hyside. true, I've never
paddled one, but with those HUGE tubes, it looks like stability is the
only thing going for it. I would suggest a Vista Blade, they are so fun,
it is amazingly stable for the size, very manueverable, and they will
surf almost anything a hardshell will surf. and I use a regular 204 cm
kayak paddle with it.
Soooo.. in summation, I have paddled 6 different iks, and the Blade is
the closest to paddling a hardshell, and is very stable, and lots of fun,
you gotta at least try it
Todd Parker
V+
Bill Tuthill
Nellgod (nel...@aol.com) wrote:
> now I'm thinking of getting a Hyside inflatable 1-person....any advice?
Good choice. The Hyside is durable, a good dollar value, and relatively
stable compared to other IKs. However it is heavy (i.e. hard to portage),
less nimble than some IKs, and buries its nose when running waterfalls.
Other boats to consider are the AIRE Lynx, Incept, Wing Probe, and Vista
or Thrillseeker (for that hardshell feel). Try before buying.
dry boat max tube warranty
wgt len wid dia fabric denier weight price years
--- --- --- --- ---------------------- ----- -----
AIRE Lynx 1 foam 34# 10'3" 34" 11" PVC+bladder 1100 18/25oz $ 849 10
AIRE Lynx 1 air 31# 10'3" 34" 11" PVC+bladder 1100 18/25oz $ 949 10
AIRE Lynx 2 foam 43# 12'6" 34" 11" PVC+bladder 1100 18/25oz $ 949 10
AIRE Lynx 2 air 39# 12'6" 34" 11" PVC+bladder 1100 18/25oz $1049 10
AIRE Super Lynx 43# 14'6" 35" 11" PVC+bladder 1100 18/25oz $1149 10
AIRE Sea Tiger 46# 16'9" 35" 11" PVC+bladder 1100 18/25oz $1549 10
Hyside Padillac 1 40# 9'9" 40" 13" Hypalon 840/1050 38oz $ 899 5
Hyside Padillac 2 50# 11'11" 40" 13" Hypalon 840/1050 38oz $1099 5
Incept K-34 37# 11'2" 37" 11-" Haku PVC 1100 32oz +armor $1099 5
Incept K-38 (2) 43# 12'6" 37" 11-" Haku PVC 1100 32oz +armor $1299 5
Innova Helios 2 29# 12'6" 30" 10" rubberNylon500 22oz nonSB $ 650 SP 1
Innova Helios 2- 24# 11' 30" 10" rubberNylon500 22oz nonSB $ 550 SP 1
Innova Junior 1 12# 8' 26" 10" rubberNylon500 22oz nonSB $ 298 SP 1
Jack's Yack 1 32# 10'4" 37" 11" PVC 1100/1200 32 oz DSF $1100 SP 5
Jack's Yack 2 42# 13' 37" 11" PVC 1100/1200 32 oz DSF $1204 SP 5
Jumbo Canyon foam 21# 10'2" 34" 10" PVC 1100 stretch ?oz $ 895 1
Jumbo Canyon air 29# 10'2" 34" 10" PVC 1100 stretch ?oz DSF $ 995 1
Momentum Falcon 1 39# 10'7" 37" 10+" Hypalon 840 37/40oz $ 889 1
Momentum Falcon 2 46# 11'6" 37" 10+" Hypalon 840 37/40oz $ 949 1
NRS MaverIK 32# 9'9" 36" 11" Hypalon 1100 38oz $ 935 5?
NRS MaverIK 2 44# 12'3" 36" 11" Hypalon 1100 38oz $1075 5?
Sevylor Tahiti 23# 10'7" 31" 11" unsupported vinyl nonSB $ 135 -
Soar Lucky 12 52# 12' 40" 12" Hypalon-nylon 1000 40 oz $1099 FD 1+4
Soar Lucky 16 73# 16' 40" 12" Hypalon-nylon 1000 40 oz $1499 FD 1+4
Sotar Profes'nal 30# 11' 36" 11+" Urethane-nylon 4000 33oz $1299 6
Sotar Elite 35# 11' 36" 11+" Urethane-nylon 3360 40oz $1439 12
Sotar Adventure 35# 11' 36" 11+" PVC-dacron 3360 40 oz $ 999 5
Thrillseeker S 32# 9'3" 26" 10" PVC 1000 32oz foam floor $ 900 FD 1
Thrillseeker L 35# 12' 35" 11" PVC 1000 32oz foam floor $1300 FD 1
T'seeker S SBSS 31# 9'3" 25" 10" PVC 1000 32oz new style $1000 FD 1
T'seeker L SBSS 34# 12' 24" 11" PVC 1000 32oz new style $1400 FD 1
Vista Blade 28# 12' 34" 11" PVC-dacron 1000 22/27oz $1175 HDA y
Vista Python 28# 11'6" 31" 12-" PVC-dacron 1000 22/27oz $1175 HDA y
Vista Python V4 28# 11'4" 27" 12-" PVC-dacron 1000 22/27oz $1250 HDA y
Vista Tango (2) 40# 15' 37" 12+" PVC-dacron 1000 22/27oz $1475 HDA y
WaterShd Stiletto 34# 10'4" 34" 11" PVC 1000 32oz adj ftbrace ? 5
Wing Infin. Probe 27# 10'3" 36+" 11" Urethane-nylon 3600 33oz $1279 5
prices as quoted by Pacific River Supply 510-223-3675 or
the Boat People 408-295-2628 both in northern California
DSF = drop stitch floor, SP = suggested price, FD = factory direct
nonSB = non self-bailer, SBSS = self-bailing suspension system
HDA = heavy duty PVC 27/34oz available, add 10% weight $150 cost
Jay Kavanagh
In my opinion the way to go with an IK is THRILLSEEKER, wife has one
about 10 years old and has held up well, boat is frequently abused as it
is our guest boat! I beleive attilla is now on line, look for him on
this group (the builder) or call Custom Inflatables in Albright WV.
Nellgod wrote:
>
> I've just returned to whitewater after years away...I did a lot of
> paddling in a Grumman canoe when I was a teenager, but now I'm thinking of
Chipper
Nellgod wrote:
>
> I've just returned to whitewater after years away...I did a lot of
> paddling in a Grumman canoe when I was a teenager, but now I'm thinking of
> getting a Hyside inflatable 1-person....any advice? (I still remember the
> anti-raft sentiment my fellow canoers/hard kayakers had, but those
> inflatables seem so much easier...and safer, since I wouldn't have to
> roll..?)
Good idea, I gotta voice a different vote though,
When it comes to IKs, I vote Thrillseeker. Pure and simple.
If you get to try one, you'll see why.
chipper
LISARanger
Nellgod wrote:
>
> I've just returned to whitewater after years away...I did a lot of
> paddling in a Grumman canoe when I was a teenager, but now I'm thinking
of
> getting a Hyside inflatable 1-person....any advice? (I still remember
the
> anti-raft sentiment my fellow canoers/hard kayakers had, but those
> inflatables seem so much easier...and safer, since I wouldn't have to
> roll..?)
Inflatables are a ton of fun, and very nice in warm weather. Most are
self bailers, so take into account that you will likely be sitting in
water. They are much more comfortable for long trips than a hardshell,
and it's easier to rig gear into.
If I didn't already have a hardshell and a raft, I'd get one myself.
Personally, I like the Aire boats
LISAR...@aol.com (Lisa Lawrence)
Gawd... I crack myself up sometimes.... It's nice to be easily amused ;)
lmax...@bcmic.hmc.psu.edu
Since a good IK is fairly pricey (but well worth it), you'll definately
want to try a few before you buy. Which type you'll prefer may depend
on what kind of rivers you plan to do. If you are located on the east
coast, you can rent a "Thrillseeker" at the lower Yough in Western
Pennsylvania. I think the Thrillseeker is a fantastic boat for the east
coast type rivers. If you live in the desert southwest and plan to do
multi-day trips such as the Green River in Utah, the San Juan or the
Dolores, you may prefer something like the Aire Lynx or the Hyside since
on these types of rivers there is less manuvering than on east coast
"steep creek" type rivers. Therefore, stability and room to stow
camping gear might be a higher priority. I know that you can rent
either a Hyside or an Aire Lynx from the Boulder Outdoor Center in
Boulder Colorado. If you have more questions, feel free to email me.
Lori Maxfield
Nellgod
thanks to everybody for the help..unfortunately I can't seem to find a
place that rents a variety of IKs for me to try out, so I'm going to have
to buy blind. I've narrowed it down to the Thrillseeker and the Vista
Blade..my question is, are both/either stable enough that I can stick my
beginner husband in one and not worry about him? We'll be paddling out of
Charlottesville Va, so I don't want to sacrifice much
manueverability...(And god I just can't WAIT to get on the water!)
Paul Dickey
I would still consider the Jumbo Canyon air floor kayak. In my opinion,
it is more stable and forgiving for a beginner than the Vista Blade or
the Thrillseeker.
Happy Trails
Paul Dickey
Sport Boats
Kernville, CA
Ted Marz
nel...@aol.com (Nellgod) wrote:
>thanks to everybody for the help..unfortunately I can't seem to find a
>place that rents a variety of IKs for me to try out, so I'm going to have
>to buy blind. I've narrowed it down to the Thrillseeker and the Vista
>Blade..my question is, are both/either stable enough that I can stick my
>beginner husband in one and not worry about him? We'll be paddling out of
>Charlottesville Va, so I don't want to sacrifice much
>manueverability...(And god I just can't WAIT to get on the water!)
My wife discovered an interestingbit of trivia this weekend.
Supposedly, Brad McAllister (Vista) and Attila (Thrillseeker) are
cousins. Attila also has a brother that builds inflatibles
(Thrillseekers --> white, other (brothers) --> blue),
(Vista --> various colors, to order).
Never paddled a Thrillseeker. I have paddled a Blade several years
ago and my wife owns a Renegade I. Nice boats, hold up well.
The Blade seems like a pretty reasonable boat for a wide range of
paddlers. One of the "eject" modes in this boat is the paddler will
get "sucked" out of the boat, while the boat stays upright (like a big
hand just reachs out and plucks you from the boat). Doesn't happen
often (usually in holes), and getting back in is easy. Most
inflatibles probably have similar "eject" modes.
Ted Marz
Chipper
Ted Marz wrote:
> My wife discovered an interestingbit of trivia this weekend.
> Supposedly, Brad McAllister (Vista) and Attila (Thrillseeker) are
> cousins.
Not likely.
> Attila also has a brother that builds inflatibles
uh, no.
> (Thrillseekers --> white, other (brothers) --> blue),
> (Vista --> various colors, to order).
Thrillseekers also come in various colors according to order. The
White/Blue
scheme associated with the boat is the most common. The white material
is also
the most resistant to UV, therefore a lot of tseekers you will see have
white tubes and the non stressed parts are blue. Just looks nice.
Thrillseekers can be had with any combination of red/white/yellow/blue.
chipper
H. David Sheets
If you are worried about a high performance inflatable being too tippy
for a beginner, why don't you try renting a beginner boat for a few runs,
then spend your money on a higher performance boat you'll be happier with
over the long run
-Dave