Inflatable Boats & Kayaks: Which One Is The Best For You?

We live in a time where more and more people are living on the water, whether it is for recreation or work. Whenever you are out on the water, your safety is always a primary concern. That's why we have inflatable kayaks and inflatable boats that make sure your family can enjoy the water as much as possible without having breaking the bank and never worrying about what could happen.

As a traditional kayaker or boater, you've probably seen inflatable boats and inflatable kayaks floating around the online market (pun intended). You may have wondered if they're safe, durable, and affordable. In this blog post we will answer those questions!

Inflatable kayaks and inflatable boats are a great option for anyone looking to get out on the water without breaking the bank. These durable vessels offer a safe alternative to traditional hard-hulled kayaks, as well as being more affordable than fiberglass or wooden kayaks. In this article, we'll take a closer look at inflatable kayaks and boats and explore why they're such an appealing choice for budget-conscious paddlers.

What makes Inflatable Kayaks & Boats safe and durable?

One of the primary concerns of people when looking for inflatable boats & kayaks is "How safe exactly are they?".

Unlike inflatable pool toys, inflatable kayaks and boats aren't just made of simple and one-layered material. Inflatable boats and inflatable kayaks are actually made of durable, high quality, and multiple layers of thick materials such as vinyl and polyester, which are resilient and durable. And the best ones incorporate aluminum floorings and parts to improve stability and strengthen their structure and build. Their design, build and engineering are usually tailored for improved buoyancy which in turn allows for a better maneuverability.

I know that encountering a low tide rocky area, strong waves, or even getting caught in the rapids are inevitable and can cause tear or puncture in inflatable boats or kayaks especially when sharp rocks comes into the equation. But a high quality inflatable boats and kayaks can handle such harsh environments and sharp rocks but ideally it's not a perfect scenario when using inflatable boats and kayaks. Even the hard hulled, fiber glass and aluminum ones won't be able to withstand those harsh rocky conditions for a long period of time.

Plus I wouldn’t go pushing and pulling them through gravel if I were you, but under normal wear and tear, these inflatable kayaks and inflatable boats generally hold up very well. You’ll want to be protective of your inflatable kayaks and boats, but it’s not going to be anything like an inflatable raft or a balloon. They’re meant to last.

Companies like Aleko offers durable inflatable boats like their best selling Inflatable Boat with Aluminum Floor. These Aleko inflatable boats are considered high performance, heavy duty salt and freshwater inflatable sport dinghy tender boats. Can handle both 2 or 4 stroke motors. Aleko inflatable boats are perfect for sport, fishing, diving trips, river rafting, family adventure vacations, and have been used by coast guards as well. They are also made of 1.2mm thick polyester reinforced and anti corrosive coated PVC.

The truth is that quality can vary but in general they are extremely durable. In fact they can be so tough that you often see them used by outfitters, water rescue agencies and adventure companies. A good quality inflatable boats and kayaks can take a lot of beating and they are hard to puncture or tear.

But If you ever do want to go out on wild water adventures with these types of vessels; then make sure you are informed in case of tear and puncture in your inflatable kayaks and boats:

In case of tear and puncture

When there's a tear and puncture, firstly you must always remain calm because inflatable boats & kayaks are constructed with several separated chambers. If one gets pierced and leaks air, the other chambers will compensate to keep the entire boat afloat.

Tear and puncture causes air leaks and air leaks cause these inflatables to get softer (this isn't surprising at all). The best tool to find air leaks is soap, shampoo or dish detergent mixed with water in a spray bottle. Start by checking the valves first. Spray around the valve on a suspected air chamber. If you see bubbles forming, check your valve fitting and base and be sure the valve insert is screwed on tight and pushpin is in the correct position.

To find tiny leaks on an inflatable boat surface, fully inflate the boat until it’s hard to the touch. Put some liquid detergent in a bucket of water and scrub it all over the boat with rag or cloth. Watch for elusive or subtle tiny bubbles. When you find the first leak, don't stop right away and just keep looking. You might as well fix them all at the same time! Remember, the number one cause of slow leaks is due to poorly fitted valves. Unscrew the valve and clean the area. Make sure the little rubber O-rings is still good. They are the cheapest repair possible.

Portability and Convenience

Inflatable kayaks and inflatable boats are very easy to transport. One person can carry and fit them in one duffel bags or suitcase for added protection, making them great for those who enjoy camping or hiking. These lightweight pieces of equipment also take up less space in storage because they get super small when deflated and they don't have the same bulk as their hard-shell counterparts. And make sure to always bring an air pump with you at all times so you are always prepared and ready to go with your inflatable kayaks and boats.

Some companies like SeaEagle offers lightweight and action ready ones like SeaEagle's RazorLite™ Series (SeaEagle 473rl Inflatable Kayak & SeaEagle 393rl Inflatable Kayak). SeaEagle's RazorLite™ Series are the World's First All Drop Stitch Patented RazorLite™ inflatable kayak! A lighter, narrower, sleek, faster to paddle, high-performance solo kayak for the adventurer. RazorLite™ Series Inflatable Kayaks are lighter, can be carried almost anywhere there is water and set up in less than 10 minutes! Which makes it easier to transport. It also paddles up to 6 mph and moves like an arrow.

Generally these boats are convenient, easy to store and inflatable so you can take them with you on your trips! They will never weigh down your luggage or fill up the entire space of your car trunk because they're lightweight enough that one person can carry it easily between locations. And when not in use, just deflate and roll up again for easy storage.

Affordable and yet durable

One popular opinion is that affordability and durability doesn't go hand in hand. Usually in order to get one, you will have to sacrifice the other. But that is not the case with this brand that I'm going to show you here.

But how is it that these inexpensive inflatable kayaks and boats can also be durable? Well I can't speak for the rest of all inflatable boating and kayak brands out there but some of them attributes it to the high-quality and yet affordable materials plus the ingenuity of how they engineered their design it to improve it's build and durability!

When you compare the features and benefits to price point, SeaEagle's inflatable kayaks are hard to beat. They offer a good selection of affordable high-quality inflatable boats that can be used on lakes or rivers in addition to easy storage because they deflate for convenient travel just bring a duffel bag or a suitcase where you can easily store them!

SeaEagle offers affordable and durable ones like SeaEagle's Sport Kayaks, (SeaEagle SE330 & SeaEagle SE370) they can be carried almost anywhere there is water and set up in less than 10 minutes! With a lightweight design and efficient hull shape, the Inflatable Sport Kayaks are swift paddling boats and easy to handle for young or old alike and they are also rated for up to a Class III whitewater.

When you consider their cost versus the way they can be used, Sea Eagle Sport Kayaks truly represent one of the best values in boating today!

Which boating brands that fits all these criteria?

Two brands comes to mind when talking about inflatable boats and inflatable kayaks: Aleko and SeaEagle.

Aleko is a company that has been in the inflatable boats industry for a while now, so it makes sense why they are on top of their game. They offer inflatable boats, inflatables fishing boats and even vessels like inflatable fishing pontoon boats

SeaEagle is equally popular and has more models and product lines to offer. They have inflatable kayaks, inflatable canoes, inflatable boats, inflatable boards and even inflatable vessels that are used as rescue boats!

Both brands have their own strengths:

Aleko is stronger in the world of inflatables boats for fishing. Their best seller is the Inflatable Boat With Aluminum Floor.

While the SeaEagle has a reputation for building durable inflatable vessels that are more focused towards sports and action oriented boating. They have their best sellers such as SeaEagle SE330 and SE370 Inflatable Kayaks, they are the most affordable and lightweight inflatable kayaks in the game and they also have the RazorLite™ Series 393RL and RazorLite™ Series 473RL. The RazorLite™ Series are the fastest inflatable kayaks thanks to their ingenious design and engineering.

And both brands have one thing in common: They are both inexpensive and durable.

The choice ultimately comes down to your needs.

Where can I buy them?

When looking for these brands, YBLGoods.com (stands for "Your Best Life") has got your back. They are the authorized dealer for all SeaEagle and Aleko products plus they offer free shipping and doesn't charge any sales tax as long as you are outside the State of Ohio. Not only do they sell inflatable boat products but they have an extensive selection of products ranging from home improvement, to outdoor goods to home entertainment.