Is It Difficult To Puncture An Inflatable Kayak? Inflatable kayaks and pop-up boats are both difficult to break or puncture. They don’t pop easily, and inflatable kayaks don’t rip or pierce readily. The durable materials used in their construction are equally resistant to punctures, tears, or abrasions. Manufacturers of these boats do not guarantee that they will be puncture-proof, however.
What Material Inflatable Kayak Made Of?
Inflatable kayaks are made out of a commercial-grade PVC with a drop-stitched construction. The drop stitching allows for a range of densities throughout the length and breadth of the boat. While not as puncture-proof as an aluminum or fiberglass hull, inflatable boats are still extremely durable and puncture-resistant.
The Different Types Of Materials Used To Make Inflatable Boats?
There are basically three different types of materials used to make inflatable kayaks. These include PVC, Hypalon (a type of rubber), and vinyl (which is made up of polyvinyl chloride). Out of the lot, PVC is the most popular material as it is resistant to tearing and abrasion. PVC is also the cheapest material used to make inflatable boats.
Hypalon rubber, on the other hand, is more expensive than PVC but it is relatively more puncture-proof than PVC. Hypalon inflatable boats are often compared to rubberized rowboats due to their resistance to damage caused by sharp objects like knives, boat hooks, shark teeth, and fishing wire.
Finally, vinyl is the most expensive type of material used to make inflatable boats. Vinyl is also very popular but its lower puncture resistance compared to the other two materials makes it less preferable for ocean crossing kayaks.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using An Inflatable Kayak?
Advantages:
Inflatable kayaks can be packed and transported in a small space. They are highly portable when deflated and rolled up into their backpacks. You can easily carry them on your shoulders or haul them in bulky luggage when you’re transporting them by boat, car, train, or plane. The use of inflatable boats is well-suited to whitewater expeditions due to their ease of portability and transport.
Disadvantages:
Inflatable kayaks are less durable than traditional hardshell kayaks. If you’re planning to use your inflatable kayak on rough waters, then keep in mind that it will not be able to withstand high-pressure impacts or sharp objects. They cannot be used as fishing kayaks either, since fish hooks are not only sharp but they are also very tough to remove from your inflatable boat.
Inflatable kayaks are slower than hardshell boats. This is because of the different layers of their construction. While an inflatable kayak has one or more air chambers inside its PVC skin, hardshell kayaks are made up of various layers which include outer skin, a core material (such as fiberglass or kevlar), and inner skin.
It’s not easy to stand upright in inflatable kayaks. This is because they are designed to accommodate weight on their outer edges rather than in the center. If you’re not used to kayaking, then you might find it difficult to paddle your inflatable boat. They are more suited to flatwater paddling than touring or fishing.
How Much Do Inflatable Kayaks Weigh?
Inflatable kayaks and boats range in weight from 15 to 40 pounds. The hull material (PVC, Hypalon, or vinyl) will determine the weight of the finished boat. Generally speaking, your choice between PVC and Hypalon will come down to personal preference.
Do Inflatable Kayaks Pop Easily?
Inflatable kayaks are inflatable and not made of a single molded piece. As such, they can puncture relatively easily if the object used to poke it is sharp enough. However, due to their high puncture resistance, inflatable kayaks do not pop as easily as some other kinds of boats.
As a rule of thumb, inflatable kayaks are more puncture-resistant than hard-shell kayaks. They are not as tough or durable as aluminum or fiberglass boats but they can resist abrasions, pokes, and other forms of light damage better than the latter.
Steps To Fix A Punctured Inflatable Boat?
The first thing to do when your inflatable kayak is punctured is to seek professional help. If you are not in an area where there are professional repair services, make sure that the hole does not get bigger before you take it out of the water for repairs.
Inflate the boat only partially and get a hold on all sides of the punctured place. Push it back into shape, using your hands to smooth out any depressions that have formed on the inner part of the kayak’s wall.
Make sure that you dry all wet parts before you apply the patch. Use a hairdryer to help speed up the process if necessary. Place adhesive tape over the hole, taking care not to leave any areas uncovered. Allow the adhesive tape enough time to dry before you inflate the boat again.
How Does An Inflatable Kayak Work?
An inflatable kayak consists of both an outer hull and an inner floor that fill with air when the valves on both are opened. Most inflatable kayaks can support at least two to three times their weight in water without taking in too much water through the floor and/or the seams (which may be glued, stitched, or taped). The inflatable kayak will sink if you hold the valves open and allow it to go under without paddling.
An inflatable kayak is most often propelled through the use of a double-bladed paddle. You can also attach oars or single blades for alternate methods of propulsion or as an emergency backup to the paddle system. Inflatable kayaks are different from hard-shell kayaks in that they can be used on all kinds of water (e.g., rivers, lakes, and oceans).
How Do Inflatable Kayaks Compare To Hard-shell Kayaks?
Hard-shell kayaks are usually made from a single molded piece of fiberglass, polyethylene plastic resin, aluminum alloy, or PVC. Compared to inflatable kayaks, hard-shell boats are lighter and more rigid. They also do not need to be pumped up in order to use them.
Hard-shell kayaks, however, can easily get punctured or damaged if they collide with rocks or other solid objects. Their ease of use is often offset by their lack of durability so some people opt to go with inflatable kayaks instead.
What Are The Best Brands Of Inflatable Kayaks?
The two most popular brands of inflatable kayaks are Sevylor and Coleman. As far as hard-shell kayaks go, they can be bought from dealers who sell brand-name products.
Are There Different Types Of Inflatable Kayaks?
The two main types of inflatable kayaks are open cockpits and closed cockpits.
- Open-cockpit kayaks lack the upper deck that is present in enclosed ones, which means that they are often lighter but more susceptible to taking on water when used in choppy conditions.
- Closed-cockpit inflatable kayaks, on the other hand, are more stable and have better-designed decks for storage purposes.
What Is The Average Price Range Of An Inflatable Kayak?
The average price range for an inflatable kayak is between USD $200-650. For hard-shell kayaks, the usual price range is between USD $1,500-10,000.
What Should I Do If My Inflatable Kayak Is Leaking?
You can easily fix a leak in your inflatable kayak. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1 – If you have discovered that there is a leak, do not inflate the kayak all the way. Make sure that you leave about 4-6 inches of air space in your boat for it to float on water.
Step 2 – Apply generous amounts of adhesive tape over the entire surface of your boat. The more layers you use, the better chance you have at fixing the issue.
Step 3 – You can also try using a vinyl patch kit. There are many different types of patch kits that you can buy from auto-parts stores and drugstores.
Step 4 – If your kayak has a hard rubber bottom, you need to flip it over before the adhesive tape or vinyl patches can hold fast enough against the rubber. This will allow the adhesive tape or vinyl patches to do their job with ease.
Step 5 – Keep in mind that vinyl patches are not very durable when it comes down to patching holes that are 6 inches wide or larger. If you want your inflatable kayak to maintain its integrity, then you should use more than one patch to cover the area instead of one big patch.
Conclusion:
Whether you are looking for a good way to exercise or something fun to do on your days off, buying an inflatable kayak can be a great idea. It is also one of the best ways to enjoy the world’s oceans and rivers without having to worry about capsizing due to high winds and waves like what people experience when using hard-shell kayaks.