One of the chief decisions when buying a Kayak is whether you need one made of hard plastic, normally called a hard-shell; or an inflatable kayak, such as the Advanced Frame Convertible Kayak made of fabric with inflatable chambers.
Note. There is a third option, which is the folding type. A folding kayak is a collapsable boat made of fabric stretched over either a wooden or aluminum frame. For this article I will ignore this type.
Things to consider, along with your intended dedication to Kayaking and personal capability, are – Storage and Carriage, Size and Weight, Cost and Performance.
Storage and Carriage.
Probably the biggest benefit of the Inflatable Kayak is the storage and carriage capability.
The Advanced Elements Convertible Kayak, which is one of the larger kayaks, folds up and packs into a large duffle type bag. You can transport the kayak in the trunk of your car; can be checked onto an plane as baggage; where there is little or no access the kayak can be carried in a haversack.
Once you have finished with the kayak and fully dried it out, it can be stored away in a corner of a garage, or if room is at a premium then it can be stored under a bed or in a wardrobe.
Size and Weight.
Average weights range between 25 and 60lbs, one of the bigger kayaks, the AdvancedFrame Convertible Kayak weighs about 56lbs. The difference in weight between an inflatable and hard shell kayak is rather minor.
Where the difference lies is the physical dimensions once the kayak is out of the water and being stored and carried. There is a added benefit and cost saving which is not needing a roof rack for your car.
Cost.
The range of prices alter quite significantly depending upon the model and type of kayak that you buy.
A range of between £500 and £3,000 is fairly typical for plastic and glassfibre hard-shells. Kayaks made of materials such as carbon fibre can cost significantly more.
The range of prices for inflatables vary, depending on use and material they are made from, starting at about $250 and rising to $2,000.
Performance.
Hard-shells will frequently out perform Inflatables. However, a low end hard-shell typically will not perform as well as a high end inflatable kayak.
Inflatables are safe, track well, have good maneuverability, and are strong. They can be harder to paddle through the water, hence long journeys may take alot of energy compared to hard-shells.
Summary.
Overall, a good quality Hard-shell will always outperform an inflatable. nevertheless, when in comes to storage, transport and ease of use the Inflatable Kayak is a superior buy.
As I said at the outset, depending on your skill and dedication to Kayaking the Inflatable Kayak could be the superior option than the Hard-Shell type.
Tags: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Inflatable Kayak, Advanced Elements Convertible Kayak, Advanced Frame Convertible Kayak, AdvancedFrame Convertible Kayak