Fishing Boats
Inflatable Boats

Inflatable Kayaks

Need a fishing boat that also pulls triple duty as a Class IV river running boat and will also serve as a long-distance river boat, carrying hundreds of pounds of gear? Well, if that is what you need, look no further as you have found what you need - an Inflatable Kayak!

The Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayak

Inflatable kayaks provide, in my own humble opinion, the most bang for your dollar of any boat that you can buy. Inflatable kayaks are very good fishing boats, excellent river running boats (even in Class IV whitewater) and are just incredibly fun to float in on a beautiful Montana river. Plus, the ability to load up the kayak with hundreds of pounds of gear make inflatable kayaks the ideal boat for people contemplating long river voyages, either here in Montana or elsewhere. Oh, did I mention these inflatable kayaks are very affordable, too?

And should you decide to purchase an inflatable kayak, beware of the cheap inflatable kayaks found at big box stores. And if you are unsure if an inflatable kayak is the right boat for you, be sure to read the Comparison of Inflatable Kayaks & Inflatable Rafts article.


Reviews & Info about Recommended Inflatable Kayaks

The Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayak - I own this kayak and love it to death. Designed for Class IV whitewater the boat is self-bailing and has a huge capacity, too. Read Review.

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The Sea Eagle 420x Inflatable Kayak - This is the "longer brother" of the 380x listed above. Same design, just a bit larger and designed for three people. It also has a higher weight capacity, allowing for more gear to be carried.

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The Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak - This is an excellent all-around kayak for most uses. Not for cold weather use or Class IV whitewater. But if you need an inexpensive inflatable kayak, this is the one to get. Read Review.

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Good Inflatable Kayaks v. Bad Inflatable Kayaks

There are two types of inflatable kayaks in this world today, good ones and bad ones. What is the difference between the two? Simple, really - construction! Good inflatable kayaks are boats that, with proper care, will easily last a decade or more, even with extensive use. Meanwhile, a bad inflatable kayak will be lucky to last the summer - and will require numerous patch jobs.

So, how bad are "bad inflatable kayaks?" Real bad. I know. I've had several. These types of inflatable kayaks are generally purchased at mass marketers, like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc..They look nice out of the box. And they are cheap, around $150 or so. Yet, like a horror movie that doesn't reveal the plot until the end of the movie, these inflatable kayaks will rear up and show their ugly side at times when you least expect or desire it.

See, poor quality inflatable kayaks are prone to rips in the seams of the boat. This is a very bad thing - since rips in the seams can NOT be adequately repaired. Additionally, the thin fabric on these boats will constantly get punctures. While these punctures are relatively easy to fix, it is still a real pain trying to track them all down.

All said and done, save yourself some grief and get a GOOD inflatable kayak, one that will last and that won't require constant TLC. If you just need a inflatable kayak for the kids to paddle around on a small pond or something, well, these cheap inflatable kayaks may be just the ticket. But for any serious fishing or river floating use - especially one that takes you into remote areas - don't even think of using one. I guarantee you, you'll sooner or later be sorry you did!


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