# Inflatable kayak/boat/canoe recommendations?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflatable-kayak-boat-canoe-recommendations/790456>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [July 3, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflatable-kayak-boat-canoe-recommendations/790456 "2017-07-03T19:33:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflatable-kayak-boat-canoe-recommendations/790456/1 "2017-07-03T19:33:00Z")

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I’ve been looking around Amazon, but it’s hard to choose. Here are the requirements:

[ul]  
[li]Under $200[/li][li]Includes a paddle, or is inexpensive enough that buying a paddle will come in under the cost limit[/li][li]Carry at least 1 230 lb. and 1 130 lb. adult. But will probably be used for one ~230 adult and one \<70 child.[/li][li]Must last for a week of intermittent use. I know I’m not paying top dollar and it won’t last forever…but we need to be able to paddle around the lake without issue[/li][/ul]

I doubt that more than 2 people will use it at the same time. I was looking at boats that fit 5, but I think a kayak-style will work better and provide easier handling.

It will be used exclusively on a calm-ish cove on a lake. There may be some wake action from the main channel, but not much. Shouldn’t be too windy, as July isn’t known for it.

If by some chance it survives the week, it might see some “action” on small streams or other lakes.

Like I said, I’d like to say under $200. There are several on Amazon in the $120 range. I would only consider going over $200 if there is a marked difference in quality such that it would be much easier to handle or last several seasons of intermittent use.

I appreciate your input!

Heck, while I’m here I might as well solicit advice on PFDs for 25-, and 50-70 lb. kids…

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**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflatable-kayak-boat-canoe-recommendations/790456/2 "2017-07-03T22:13:07Z")

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Not a big fan of inflatables. Especially to use fishing, as hooking it becomes inevitable at some point and that can be bad when you’re in the middle of a lake or river.

Or you hit a snag (submerged brush or tree limb).

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**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflatable-kayak-boat-canoe-recommendations/790456/3 "2017-07-04T00:03:47Z")

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Yeah, I get it. But I have no way of transporting a rigid one, nor a place to store it. So I’m relegated to inflatables.

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**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflatable-kayak-boat-canoe-recommendations/790456/4 "2017-07-04T19:30:37Z")

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After research and viewing/reading many reviews by recrestional users and “experts”, I decided on this one. If somebody hits this thread on a Google search, hopefully it will help.

If I end up really liking this and using it quite a bit, I probably will, in the future, upgrade to a more pricey one.

> **[Amazon.com : Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with...](https://www.amazon.com/Explorer-2-Person-Inflatable-Aluminum-Electric/dp/B0B784DJHN)**
>
> x

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**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflatable-kayak-boat-canoe-recommendations/790456/5 "2017-07-04T20:06:51Z")

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If choosing between the buying options on that page, I’d go with the Challenger instead of the Explorer, just based on the fact that it is both longer and more narrow, which will improve efficiency and ease of use. The Challenger also has less height, which will reduce how much the wind pushes you around like a sail. Legroom should be better, too.