SIX OF THE BEST INFLATABLE KAYAKS & CANOES
A blow-up kayak or canoe can add an enjoyable element of exploration to any cruise. We give you the lowdown on half a dozen top options
An inflatable kayak or canoe makes a great addition to any cruising boat’s inventory. Whether it’s used as a smaller, lighter alternative to a tender or simply as a fun water toy for your children or guests, nothing beats the fun and tranquillity to be had exploring a shallow, winding creek in a paddle-powered inflatable. Small enough to stuff into a car boot or boat locker and light enough to carry, today’s designs are also far more stable than the notoriously tippy fibreglass kayaks many of us will no doubt remember falling out of as children. The key difference between inflatable kayaks and canoes is that kayaks tend to have a lower freeboard, partially covered decks and doubleended paddles, whereas canoes have higher freeboards, open decks and shorter, single-bladed paddles. As a result, canoes tend to be drier but less easy to paddle and manoeuvre, especially in wind and waves, whereas kayaks are wetter but better able to cope with choppy conditions. Here are six models we would love to have on board our boats.
BLUEWAVE GLIDER
This single-person kayak uses a drop-stitch construction for a slimmer, more rigid look and a more natural paddling motion. This should ensure a smooth, stable ride with good paddling efficiency. The little spray decks on the bow and stern are handy for lashing kit to or keeping it dry. The seat is adjustable and relatively well shaped to avoid a numb bum. It comes supplied in a rucksackstyle bag with good handles for easy carrying. The same design is also sold by other retailers, rebadged with their branding and various different combinations of colours, paddles, seats and carry bags, so choose the package that best fits your preferences. It also comes in a longer two-person version.
WEIGHT 12.9kg
MAX PAYLOAD 220kg
PRICE £649
CONTACT www.bluewavekayaks.com
SANDBANKS STYLE OPTIMAL
Lots of people rate this kayak for being stylish, well built and rewarding to paddle – albeit at a price. Drop-stitch construction throughout means it is incredibly stiff, giving good paddling efficiency and a stable ride through the chop. Some reviewers even liken it to a rigid fibreglass kayak. It comes with a good-quality pump and inflates to 10psi but its low freeboard means it’s more of a sit-on kayak than a sit-in one. This means you’re likely to get a bit wet in any kind of sea but the payoff is an unusually agile kayak that’s robust enough to play in the surf but also makes for effortless paddling on calmer days. It comes with a removable skeg and a wheeled rucksack to pack everything away.
WEIGHT 16kg
MAX PAYLOAD 159kg
PRICE £749
CONTACT www.sandbanksstyle.com
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