What is the life expectancy of an inflatable kayak?
How long do inflatable kayaks last? With proper care, inflatable kayaks can last 5 to 10 years or more. The lifespan of your inflatable kayak will depend on factors like frequency of use, exposure to the elements, and storage. Be sure to dry your kayak thoroughly after each trip to prevent molding. Despite what many people think, inflatable kayaks are incredibly durable and safe. They are built to withstand today’s harsh conditions, using modern materials and manufacturing processes. You can take them on rivers, lakes or even out to sea without fear of them jumping out and sinking.Contrary to common belief, inflatable kayaks are not easily punctured or damaged. Durable materials like thick rubber and rugged PVC, combined with modern technology, grant these kayaks remarkable resilience and strength.In white water environments, inflatable kayaks provide several advantages. They tend to have higher buoyancy and stability. These kayaks are less likely to capsize and are easier to re-enter if a capsize does occur.Kayaks that you inflate are also quite safe. They are lightweight enough to be paddled by kids and beginners. They often have wider sides that help to prevent capsizing (and help with stability). Of course, users play a role in safety as well.Inflatable kayaks are perfectly capable of taking on all styles of paddling across flat water and rough waters with a double-bladed paddle. They offer beginners a fantastic vessel to learn the basic techniques and gain confidence, while also performing to a great standard for more experienced kayakers.
Can you trust inflatable kayaks?
Inflatable kayaks aren’t made the same way. It’s not even close. Not only are they durable, but as long as you fill them with enough air, which is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch), your inflatable kayak will be extremely rigid and stable as well. Inflatable kayaks are definitely better than hard-shell kayaks when it comes to portability. If you are transporting your kayak in a vehicle, an inflatable saves you from having to purchase and install roof racks, and from having to manoeuvre a heavy hard-shell onto the roof racks.As far as recreational kayaks go, sit-on-top models are the better choice for paddling far from shore, including on the ocean. They won’t fill with water if you capsize, and they are easy to climb back onto if you fall off. Sit-inside recreational kayaks frequently have large cockpits and limited flotation.Larger inflatable kayaks are better for paddling on the sea. The reason is that the bigger the kayak, the more stable it will be. Longer kayaks do well in ocean waves. You can hit them head on without bending them.In white water environments, inflatable kayaks provide several advantages. They tend to have higher buoyancy and stability. These kayaks are less likely to capsize and are easier to re-enter if a capsize does occur.
Is it OK to leave inflatable kayak inflated?
The simple answer is that you can store your inflatable kayak either way. But if you do store it inflated, just take a little bit of the pressure out so that if it does heat up, it doesn’t put pressure on the seams. Over time this excess pressure will cause wear and tear and maybe damage it. Bottom line: 6-12 years is a pretty typical range for the life span of a kayak. That’s a huge range, you might say. And yes, that is true. An inflatable kayak might last you only a half dozen years; however, a well-maintained, quality kayak can last twice that or much longer – even a lifetime.Like all things, quality kayaks last much longer. How long can you expect a kayak to last? Big-box kayaks might only cost $250 or so, but they often won’t last more than a few years. With proper care and maintenance, better quality brands can last a lifetime.With proper care and maintenance, an inflatable kayak can last between 7 to 10 years, depending on the frequency of use and storage conditions.Generally, the longer a kayak, the faster it paddles and the better tracking it has. But, longer kayaks are more difficult to store, carry and transport. Recreational kayaks are normally 9-13 feet long. Touring kayaks range from 12-15 feet long.
Are inflatable kayaks seaworthy?
Inflatable kayaks are made from a durable plastic material tough enough to withstand mild to moderately rough seas. Additionally, they are lightweight and portable, making them ideal for transportation and storage. Modern inflatable kayaks are built tough – they’re not going to bail on you when they hit a snag. Made with robust materials like PVC and drop-stitch technology, they can withstand quite a bit of rough and tumble.Most inflatable devices come with an air pressure rating at which they perform best, including inflatable kayaks which run from 2psi/0.