Inflatable kayak or SUP? – Page 2 – Chat Forum – Singletrack World Magazine Forum

molgrips · 2021-06-29T13:28:34Z

I can't decide. We're talking entry level just above mucking about stage. I want to try and encourage and inspire the kids to do interesting things, and they like watersports generally - at least my oldest does. Kayaks available from Decathlon for £300, SUPs for £350, but all the gubbins is extra of course. What do you actually do with these things other than just paddle up and down the beach? We're heading to Pembrokeshire again, so there's likely to be little coves and stuff, but not really sure how much exploring you can do with an inflatable anything. Obviously safety is a top concern, we are all very risk averse and there will be lots of research and planning regarding currents and winds etc as always. Kayaks: - 2 up, so an adult can take a kid - My wife can handle a kayak, meaning in theory if we had two we could do more - You just sit there, so if you aren't able to properly explore the coast then there's nothing really to do is there? SUPs: - More of a challenge to simply stand and paddle on, so might provide more entertainment without having to go anywhere - Can be simply played with, jumped off etc - Not sure my wife would do it - 1 up, aren't they? So if we bought two it would probably be just me and my eldest, although my youngest at 8 is probably small enough to sit on the front? Either would give us stuff to do when there are no waves or there's no break for surfing on, and might take us to beaches we wouldn't otherwise go.

jimdubleyou

Posts: 7203

Full Member

Can you get little battery powered outboard motors for these things for 10 mins of extra power? If not, why not?

You might need to work out how to attach it, but yeah, you can...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/classic-30-lbs-electric-motor/_/R-p-314437?

Posted : 01/07/2021 5:45 pm

chriscubed

Posts: 290

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A usual, I think there isn't one thing that does it all

If you're playing on the beach in waves and just beyond, even small waves, get the a SUP because an inflatable kayak will take on water and tip you out (always seems worse being tipped out of a kayak than being tipped off a SUP), the SUP gives you more chance of enjoying the waves

If you want to cover distance over sea then probably the kayak, but get one as sturdy as budget allows, lighter inflatables don't track well and get affected by wind and current more easily. Have you considered a sit on top kayak as a better option if you really want to explore coves. I bought a bic ouassou for a combination of playing with a bit of exploring

In both cases, wetsuits needed, if buying anything inflatable watch out for offshore winds it's amazing how quickly you can be off over the horizon

Posted : 01/07/2021 6:18 pm

stripeysocks

Posts: 493

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Watching this as am thinking of getting a kayak or similar. Live very very inland but by the Thames.

Hired a kayak for an afternoon on the canal - admittedly not an inflatable, but the idea is to hire a canoe in a week or two and compare how the two feel.

People are right about non-inflatable kayaks being just drop in and go, but I don't fancy getting one on top of the car (not v tall or strong) and a two person kayak would be ... quite big. Whereas an inflatable would go in the boot, even a two person one - could take friends out, do a little bit of camping etc. Ofc there is all the faff with drying.

Gumotex do an inflatable canoe I see, so I have gone from "cheap arse blowup kayak" to maybe something more...

The kayaking was ok though so we'll see how the canoeing goes.

Posted : 01/07/2021 7:03 pm

Nobeerinthefridge

Posts: 8527

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Any reason to go for a decathlon itwit over an aqua marina? Decent package price for AM.

Posted : 01/07/2021 7:43 pm

big_scot_nanny

Posts: 3335

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we've got an Itwit (small one though), neighbours have AM. AM seems quite a bit better.

EDIT: pictures of fush to follow! 🙂

Posted : 01/07/2021 7:58 pm

Nobeerinthefridge

Posts: 8527

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Guid, that's pretty much my whole reason for 'wanting one for the bairn' 😉🤣

Posted : 01/07/2021 8:05 pm

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[Closed] Inflatable kayak or SUP?