Discussion
Good afternoon
I looking at buying a 3 man kayak to take away with us. Looking to use as a recreational fun use with my son and wife on rivers mainly.
Does anyone use the inflatable kayaks and if so what are they like and what makes would you recommend. I'm just having visions of a blow up dinghy.
Any advice on licenseing etc would be great also.
I looking at buying a 3 man kayak to take away with us. Looking to use as a recreational fun use with my son and wife on rivers mainly.
Does anyone use the inflatable kayaks and if so what are they like and what makes would you recommend. I'm just having visions of a blow up dinghy.
Any advice on licenseing etc would be great also.
As someone who in the past was a very serious kayaker (including decent marathon racing in K1s) - I've been staggered by just how good the inflatables are now.
Proper bits of kit, that I'd be happy to use with family and on my own for a proper trek.
Decathlon's stock are great, and decent prices. (Sevylor and Itiwit).
As for rules/regs - British Canoeing membership is a must as it gives liability insurance. Also loads of info on launching points, legalities of access, etc. - they're huge lobbyists to keep waterways accessible, so worth punting them a few quid anyway.
Enjoy! And don't forget decent buoyancy aids (making paddling more comfortable than the cheap bulky crap).
You didn't ask - but the very best kayaking river in the UK for family trips is the Wye. Just stunning, loads of access points, etc. Symonds Yat (set of man made rapids for training) is great fun too - before stopping at Monmouth for some great pub food.
Proper bits of kit, that I'd be happy to use with family and on my own for a proper trek.
Decathlon's stock are great, and decent prices. (Sevylor and Itiwit).
As for rules/regs - British Canoeing membership is a must as it gives liability insurance. Also loads of info on launching points, legalities of access, etc. - they're huge lobbyists to keep waterways accessible, so worth punting them a few quid anyway.
Enjoy! And don't forget decent buoyancy aids (making paddling more comfortable than the cheap bulky crap).
You didn't ask - but the very best kayaking river in the UK for family trips is the Wye. Just stunning, loads of access points, etc. Symonds Yat (set of man made rapids for training) is great fun too - before stopping at Monmouth for some great pub food.
I’ve had a Sevylor Maddison for over 2 years. I use it in UK and Europe. Very stable ,easy to inflate with the pump and folds away neatly back in its carry bag. Sevylor warranty won’t cover use of a none foot pump but I purchased a rechargeable pump from Argos and have used without problems , it also helps to deflate which is a bonus as the chambers empty 95% so much easier to fold the kayak.
Good to share the carrying/handles if more than a couple hundred metres to the bank or beach, one person it’s manageable but weighs quite few kg. From out of the bag to sat on a river can be done in 10 minutes even with the foot pump. Very sturdy and tough , I’ve scrapped over rocks and hit barriers with no damage to the skin or underneath of the kayak. The seats velcro to the inner base and strap to the sides with choice of positions if you’ve long legs. Bits of kit can be stored inside at either end.
Mines been on lakes,rivers and calm seas. We bought crewsaver crewfits as they’re less restrictive than buoyancy jackets. Sizewise, once back in the bag I could fit all the gear plus a couple of camping chairs in the boot of my Golf with space. On long trips it all goes up into the roof box. At home it all hangs in the bag from the garage ceiling on hooks.
I’m a member of British Canoeing so have 3rd party on rivers. I also contacted my local waterways who have provided me with padlock codes so I can use river access ramps.
As a beginner I was given tips by seasoned kayakers about correct padding which helped with posture , speed and less muscle ache. Never been looked down upon by ‘proper’ kayakers and always getting asked about it by passers by.
Great for fitness and you get to see something new on every trip.
I purchased mine from go-outdoors , I used their price match plus 10% , I paid £269 which against the £399 shop price was a bargain.
Good to share the carrying/handles if more than a couple hundred metres to the bank or beach, one person it’s manageable but weighs quite few kg. From out of the bag to sat on a river can be done in 10 minutes even with the foot pump. Very sturdy and tough , I’ve scrapped over rocks and hit barriers with no damage to the skin or underneath of the kayak. The seats velcro to the inner base and strap to the sides with choice of positions if you’ve long legs. Bits of kit can be stored inside at either end.
Mines been on lakes,rivers and calm seas. We bought crewsaver crewfits as they’re less restrictive than buoyancy jackets. Sizewise, once back in the bag I could fit all the gear plus a couple of camping chairs in the boot of my Golf with space. On long trips it all goes up into the roof box. At home it all hangs in the bag from the garage ceiling on hooks.
I’m a member of British Canoeing so have 3rd party on rivers. I also contacted my local waterways who have provided me with padlock codes so I can use river access ramps.
As a beginner I was given tips by seasoned kayakers about correct padding which helped with posture , speed and less muscle ache. Never been looked down upon by ‘proper’ kayakers and always getting asked about it by passers by.
Great for fitness and you get to see something new on every trip.
I purchased mine from go-outdoors , I used their price match plus 10% , I paid £269 which against the £399 shop price was a bargain.
Edited by indigostr on Monday 24th June 21:39
ash73 said:
Get a solid kayak if you can. 60 sec to get off the roof and into the water, better handling in the water and they dry out while you drive home. If transport is an issue look at the modular ones.
Main drawbacks with inflatables are the faff to inflate and deflate, the drying out ritual, the broad sides can get in the way of paddling, they're poor in wind, inflatable seats are back killers, they're less maneuverable, and more vulnerable.
They're compact to transport in the car but you can't store them like that or they'll go mouldy if you don't dry them out thoroughly.
You can improve things somewhat with a 12v pump and a couple of solid backed seats, and they're perfectly fine for casual day trips with a picnic, but white water is where the fun is.
I'd agree but think there'll be a struggle to get a solid family kayak for 3 people. I'm not sure if want to take that on white water if I did. Maybe an open canoe would fit the bill though!Main drawbacks with inflatables are the faff to inflate and deflate, the drying out ritual, the broad sides can get in the way of paddling, they're poor in wind, inflatable seats are back killers, they're less maneuverable, and more vulnerable.
They're compact to transport in the car but you can't store them like that or they'll go mouldy if you don't dry them out thoroughly.
You can improve things somewhat with a 12v pump and a couple of solid backed seats, and they're perfectly fine for casual day trips with a picnic, but white water is where the fun is.
janesmith1950 said:
What's your budget and what kind of water? For lakes/sea, folding kayaks are better than inflatable ones (try Nautiraid or Klepper), however they're not in the same budget ballpark. As said, don't discount rigid ones, either.
Not really sure on budget as I am new to it cheaper the better really. It's mainly to go with my new caravan purchase so me and the boy can go exploring. It will mainly be used on rivers,canals, lakes and once I'm more familiar venture out on to calm coastal seas. This year is the year or trying new things. The inflatables I'm favouring at the moment due to the storage.A craft that's good on lakes/canals/sea won't necessarily be the same that works on UK type rivers (which are typically shallow and rocky). A 3 man kayak (more likely canoe) that's good for our rivers is rare beast.
Your best bet is probably to find a secondhand rigid canoe (which will need to be roofracked). This is a better around craft than an inflatable, more likely to cope with some rough and tumble and should be easier to handle. If you find yourself hardly using it, you shouldn't lose much money (if any).
Folding kayaks of the kind I mentioned earlier will literally fit in a back pack, but are.much more sturdy and practical than inflatables, however they're the best part of £2-3k new (although again, you won't lose much on one). I suspect that's well beyond the kind of money you'd plan on spending.
Your best bet is probably to find a secondhand rigid canoe (which will need to be roofracked). This is a better around craft than an inflatable, more likely to cope with some rough and tumble and should be easier to handle. If you find yourself hardly using it, you shouldn't lose much money (if any).
Folding kayaks of the kind I mentioned earlier will literally fit in a back pack, but are.much more sturdy and practical than inflatables, however they're the best part of £2-3k new (although again, you won't lose much on one). I suspect that's well beyond the kind of money you'd plan on spending.
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