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Hi all, I'm thinking about buying a Sevylor Riviera inflatable kayak. I have no experience except in a lake last week and a mile down a river in France last year. . My 8 year old and 2 year old came in it with me and really loved it last week. My 8 year old said its the best thing he has done in his life . So naturally I want to encourage this.
It will hold either myself or my wife and our 8 and 2 year old.
I don't want to spend a fortune until I know its something we will do regularly. We are off to Islay in August and I'm thinking we can use it in the sheltered bays and also the river Teme outside my house.
Does anyone have any experience of this model, or any recommendations or tips?
Thanks all
we had a couple of these
cheaper, and have paddles etc...which you will need!
they don't last forever but i've never had any trouble getting the company to replace them.
the sevylor would be better, but one with a canvas cover would be better still
Following this thread. Really considering one recently.
Sevylor owner here had it 5 years bladders are a constant pain always splitting on the seams must have repaired them about 10 times. Using storm sure now as a fix and seems to be working , bladders are a fortune to replace
Same as PeteC
For the money it’s great we’ve had loads of fun in ours 😀👍
I bought my nieces the 1 man versions of petec’s after seeing a couple in action on the Thames. My brother was so impressed he bought the 2 man version so he could go out with the girls. They love them. Too early to say about long term durability but The reviews on Amazon seem good
Pay close attention to tides and wind direction/forecast before adventure.
Seek local knowledge of likely conditions.
Pay close attention to tides and wind direction/forecast before adventure.
Seek local knowledge of likely conditions.
agreed - they move at a gentle jogging pace under your own steam. a stiff breeze and a bit of tide will easily negate that. Even the 8 yearold is likely to be more a hindrance than a help to forward progress when you really need it.
Was it an inflatable you used recently? they are so light that any wind can make it almost impossible.
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Got one of these last year for me and my two boys. We love it. They get a real sense of adventure when heading off, a bit of exercise and it's great fun. It's pretty weighty and steers/tracks much better that i was told it would. Also fairly stable and feels safe enough in smallish waves side on. Not as cheap as the one you are considering OP (then there's the paddles and life jackets, clothing etc) but i wanted something that would last a few years, and more importantly - could carry the weight of us 3 (we're probably just over the 225kg limit but not sunk yet 😀 )
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postierich - Sevylor owner here had it 5 years bladders are a constant pain always splitting on the seams must have repaired them about 10 times. Using storm sure now as a fix and seems to be working , bladders are a fortune to replace
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This summer i've repaired 4 tears along the seam which they don't cover under warranty as they assume you've over inflated it. Funnily enough the bladders are currently in the front room to test that the latest repair has held (using aquasure here). And yes, they are a rip off at £180 per side.
Got this one a few months ago...
I paid £82 delivered from Amazon but they seem to be out if stock at the min.
Its great fun on the sea, holds me and my lad (a combined 28 stone) easily and seems tough enough for the price.
Thanks for the advice all.
I’ll try the Intex 2 for starters I think and upgrade next year if it all goes well.
And yes, I’ll be carefully on the sea. It’s unlikely I’ll go on it as it’s very rarely calm enough in the western isles even in small sheltered bays. The river Teme it is 🙂
Please budget for lifejackets for the kids.