At this point in time I have only used the Sevylor 'Tahiti' inflatable canoe. Though for the sake of completeness I want to consider the other alternatives:
1. Sea Eagle Explorer: Sea Eagle manufactures 3 variations of its inflatable Explorer canoe. See http://www.seaeagle.com/HullCompare.aspx?hullCatID=EX. There are 2 elements about the specs that I dont like. The $900-1000 price and the seat design.
2. Sevylor Tahiti: Sevylor produce a range of inflatables. There are 2 different designs - the 2-man Tahiti and the 1-man Bali. For a little extra weight I think its worth buying the Tahiti for the additional storage capacity. You can buy these canoes for under $300. I love the inflatable and adjustable seat design. The only things I dont like was the colour and the lack of a carry bag. I could not get the thing in my box, though I note that Japanese customs were able to do so when I freighted one to Japan. I like the one-way valves, just wished they were used on all compartments. If you want the vessel to paddle in a straight line - get the skeg accessory. But I like whitewater, so I prefer not to use it.
Sevylor Tahiti Inflatable Canoe - Buy Now!
3. Intek AirHead Inflatable Canoes: InTek manufactures a 1-man and 2-man designs of their Airhead inflatable canoe. I have not used this canoe, but the netting at the front could be a dangerous entanglement in whitewater canoeing. Anyway its only designed for moderate whitewater. Also I dont like the sea. The price is moderate at http://www.cabelas.com/.
4. Soar 12 Inflatable Canoe: Soar1 producers several inflatable canoes for around $1200. I dont like the design of the seats, and I think the heaviness would limit the portability of the vessel.Its also an expensive option. See www.soar1.com/soar_12.htm.
5. Gumotex Safari: This whitewater canoe an option. I like the seating style, though I have not tried this specific model. I think the netting for holding equipment presents a safety risk in whitewater because of the possibility of entanglements. Though its an open netting, so not too risky. The price is far more than the Sevylor Tahiti.
Overall I think the Sevylor Tahiti is the best design - and its sold at a very competitive price!
Sevylor Tahiti Inflatable Canoe - Buy Now!
Inflatable Canoeing Adventures - Buy this eBook!
Most of us can relate to the fun we had canoeing at summer camp when we were young. But that was nothing compared to the experience of whitewater kayaking that came next for me. I have always loved canoeing, though it always seemed difficult to participate. It has only been in the last decade that the development of inflatable canoes has made a big difference. You can more easily access rivers, you can store a canoe in your car, you can even take them on a plane. They are very light, very cheap, with little loss of functionality. Perfect for weekends away or campervan holidays. Social networking was the other big change. You can now use Facebook, etc to join canoeing adventures in your local region or abroad.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Comparison of Inflatable Canoes
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Vessel choice: Raft vs Canoe vs Kayak
River running is without a doubt one of the best sports to engage in I believe. But there are several options to choose from:
1. Kayak: A kayak is an enclosed vessel first conceived by the Eskimos. It has a sealed flap to ensure little water enters the manhole. The benefit of a kayak is that they are faster, more maneuverable and self-driven. Different kayaks are designed to offer variable stability, buoyancy, speed and navigability.
a. Fixed type: These types are made of solid polyethylene or fiberglass, providing them with a high level of rigidity, but also some flexibility to absorb shocks on the river.
b. Collapsible type: There are collapsible kayaks which have a frame, so you can compact the kayak for storage or cartage. These are only suitable for sea kayaking.
2. Canoe: A canoe is an open vessel with the capacity to carry 2-3 people, otherwise used for greater storage capacity. Different kayaks are designed to offer variable stability, buoyancy, speed and navigability. There are 2 types of canoe:
a. Fixed type: These types are made of solid polyethylene or fiberglass, providing them with a high level of rigidity, but also some flexibility to absorb shocks on the river.
b. Inflatable type: These types are made from various grades of plastic. Inflated by pump, the air pocket provides a different type of cushion to absorb shocks. Inflatables have the advantage for cartage and storage.
3. Raft: Raft are open, broad, polyethylene inflatable vessels equipped with tie-lines to offer passengers greater security. These vessels are less navigable but can carry a great many people and if the river is wide enough, they are able to handle large rapids with ease.
When buying a vessel you really need to decide which type of material and design suits your needs. You need to decide whether:
1. You will be riding river rapids, beach surf lake waters, and the type of conditions
2. You will be taking short trips or doing overnight tours requiring more storage for food & overnight camping.
3. You need to decide the number of passengers – Will you be accompanied by friends, kids, and can they handle an independent vessel?
4. You need to decide the level of autonomy you want to have, or whether you see it more as a social activity.
5. You need to decide your motives for running a river? Is it to explore, to feel the excitement and adrenaline, or to look at scenic nature. Is it intended to be a social activity?
Ideally I prefer kayaking because of the greater control that a kayak offers, but I find the need to lug around a fixed kayak too much of burden, both for security reasons and storage. An inflatable can easily be packed in the back of a vehicle, taken on a plane, bus, train or even overseas. They are navigable and strong enough to run river rapids, and carry supplies for 1 person. My primary reason for running the river is the adventure, nature and tranquility, the social interaction is secondary, so I prefer to run solo. But actually I think solo experiences are more social because they are not shared. Anyway inflatables are far more flexible.
Sevylor Tahiti Inflatable Canoe - Buy Now!
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