The Drawbacks of Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable kayaks have entered the world of water travel over the last few years as an alternative to traditional hard-shelled kayaks. The rationale for the existence of inflatable kayaks is based on two factors: they are less expensive, and they are easier to transport. Other than these two features, however, inflatable kayaks don't hold up in a contest with their hard-shelled siblings.

  1. Punctures

    • The most obvious problem with an inflatable kayak is that if it gets a hole, it begins to deflate. While a hole in a hard-shelled kayak is not good either, but it can be fairly easily patched with fiberglass. An inflatable kayak can also be patched, but you may sink before you get to the shore to do it. This is primarily an issue in river and whitewater kayaking, where your chances of hitting rocks, snags and other kayak-puncturing obstacles is far greater than on the surface of a lake. A kayaker has to be careful about what she is wearing, and what gets packed in an inflatable kayak, in order to avoid the risk of puncture from within.

    Tracking

    • An important feature in the quality of a kayak is its ability to track in a straight line. Low quality kayaks tend to veer back and forth as you paddle, which makes your forward progress far slower and your paddling effort far less efficient. A kayak that tracks in a straight line can build up momentum, making each stroke less of an effort. Because inflatable kayaks are less rigid, they present more drag on the water around them and are more prone to veering left and right. The sharp points and sleek lines for which kayaks are known are difficult to maintain in the context of an inflatable kayak, which is, essentially, a big balloon.

    Sagging

    • As soon as an inflatable kayak loses any of the air that has been pumped into it, it begins to lose its rigidity. When this happens, the weight of the person who is sitting in the center of the kayak begins to push that center down, the result being a kayak with a low center, and a bow and stern that are sticking up. This state of affairs makes the tracking of the kayak even worse, because the straight length of its hull in the water is compromised. Sagging also increases the risk of taking on water in rough or choppy water, or when turning. Sagging also decreases the effectiveness of back support, which is very important for comfort in long distance kayaking.