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Kayak as a dinghy for small sailboat
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My inflatable kayak after 12 years sprung a leak and looks to be dead, I had been using it to paddle out to my moored Cape Dory 25. But now need to make some choices. I have a new ( came with boat) 8 ft inflatable - you insert the floor boards - royal pain in the arse. Its a cheap chino brand but does have an almost new 2.5 Nissan 4 stroke outboard - it would work well but no way an I going to inflate it and put it together everytime I want to head out to boat. Buying a small trailer and keeping inflated at home might work - just will get a lot of blowback from the wife about keeping a trailer in the garage. I would think a short sit on top kayak would be oK - might be a little unstable stepping from it into boat , could tow it or possibly keep on deck, anybody with experience out there with a kayak as a tender - what am I not thinking about?
cdy said: My inflatable kayak after 12 years sprung a leak and looks to be dead, I had been using it to paddle out to my moored Cape Dory 25. Click to expand...
It tracs terribly,ok for paddling 100 yards to the boat, it was a west marine model , want something a little more solid. Only used it maybe 20 times in 12 years
That's awesome Faster... We don't have a dinghy of sorts and since we mostly go from slip to slip at marinas rarely if ever have a need for a dinghy inflatable or hard shell... I just purchase two http://www.sundolphin.com/excursion-10-ss/ which are similar to yours, 10' sit- in, plastic same as yours, sure they'll fit our H28 just fine tied to the stanchions. I think we'll get lots of use from these kayaks in our waterway (Turner's Creek), I bought the 'fishing' version with rod holder but may add two more rod holders behind the seat. So we'll be using them in areas I know there is fish but can't get to them from our dock. Great idea... saw the use/storage of these gems on one of the cruising Cat videos. Can't wait to get my hands on them, mate is very happy I'm getting them. :2 boat:
I hear you on the PITA of inserting and removing the floor of the RIB. During the summer months I keep my RIB with the tubes deflated, but the floor in place, in the back of my pickup truck under the tonno cover. When I need to move stuff in the bed of the truck, I can usually place it in the dinghy - in the bed. It works like a champ! NO WAY would I disassemble the dinghy every time that I needed to use it. FWIW; I have a West Marine SB-275, and a Toyota Tacoma long bed.
A guy at my lake has a little snap-together kayak that works well for him. I'm not sure if this is it, but it's similar: Snap OnTop Solo Kayak They two pieces fit in the back of his car and he can easily carry it to the water himself. Then I think he takes it apart and stows it in the cabin, I'm not sure. It's small and looks a little silly, but it seems to work.
We had an inflatable that was cheap, sunbaked and unsafe. So I bought a little 8 foot FG dinghy from the brother of a friend. A couple years ago I picked up a Walker Bay hard dingyy. Essentially it a big Tupperware bowl. I love it. Tracks ok, takes the two of us fine but most of all its only 75 pounds.
I use a 2 person sit inside kayak as a dinghy. I can load a LOT of supplies in it and still be safe and paddle quickly. I tow it behind the boat when sailing, with a tight cockpit cover in case it flips over.
Can't you just carry the inflatable, fully inflated, on your vehicle's roof with some racks? When you get home stand it up against a garage wall.
I use an inflatable kayak from the beach to the mooring buoy. Works good. Like Faster says needs some balance getting from it to boat.
I cruise the Southeastern Coast of the US. Due to the primordial soup that I perpetually exist in, a hard dingy is a must. All hard objects, piling, hard bottoms and everything in between is covered in either barnacles or oysters. My Walker 10, can carry two passengers, with collapsible bicycles and groceries. Powered by a two stroke 2 hp. OB or oars. Tow it with a simple bridle or stow it using the main halyard. Its not too bad a comprise.
Thanks GG.. we've really made good use of ours. Prior to getting a small RIB we had a roll-up zodiac.. it only came out of the locker when we had visitors. Otherwise the kayaks did the job. The key with these stubby little guys is some means of directional stability - either a skeg/keel or, as in our case, a couple of 'reverse' skegs, two long parallel hollows in the bottom that keep the kayak from slewing side to side too much (visible in the pic) We once went for a flotilla paddle to a tidal inlet a couple of NM off.. one guy (fit) had an inflatable, the rest were kayaks similar to ours. He was exhausted at the end, mostly due to an inefficient seating/posture and the extra drag/lack of 'go' for the effort. Enjoy!!
Fast... Thanks... Yes good points on the tracking... I see these skegs can be added, I just looked at some options for removable skegs to avoid breakage. The kayak we ordered is tunnel hulled I believe so therefore more stable to board. We have used the near flat bottoms before and difficult to get back in if they flip over... hoping these are much easier.
Yes.. I do have the stock fold down ladder mounted in the stern and does go below the water line... This would enable us to get onboard from the kayak... My dock (floating) sits about a foot above sea level so the kayaks would be about level or just below the planks for us to ingress/egress out of them. My wife has good upper strength as she works out and is a decent swimmer... her problem stems from her weak legs due to thrombosis and occasional swelling. I don't believe it would be an issue and looking forward to some quiet kayaking up and down the creek. :captain:
Sounds like a fun and really cool option! I might do that as well!
^^ Given that she has experience, I would start thinking about accommodation; what can you do to make it work. My wife has trouble getting in a dinghy; balance and arthritis. The answer was to add a swim platform and tie the dinghy to the boat, as though it were a yacht tied alongside a dock. Perhaps there is some kayak equivalent, perhaps even something including a clamp. Think outside the box.
My head is devising at the moment some sort of rigging/support for the kayak to be stabilized to the swim ladder so there would be some stability when she enters. From the dock it is easy for her to get in. The kayaks we bought are wide cockpit so she should have no problems with these... GoPro ordered and will mount to the front of the kayak... We want to do this: :2 boat:
Take a look at the Sea Eagle 393 Razorlite. Pricy but fast, light, comfortable. Fits well inflated on deck of my Beneteau 235 and deflated down below.
guitarguy56 said: Well went fine with the new kayaks and boarding went well although demount took some finessing but overall it was a fun day. Now for some fishing and hoping this Memorial Day weekend is great for everyone especially our appreciation for our fallen servicemen. Having trouble uploading photos... It is indicating 'not a valid .jpg/jpeg image file'? Click to expand...
Tried the kayak thing. Even made stabilizers(out riggers with soda bottles), but the admiral didn't want it, and it would have been a problem getting visitors out to the mooring where the boat is. So we ended up buy a RID(rigid inflatable dinghy) Walker Bay 10. The Walker can also be rigged with a dagger board and a gaff rigged sail.
guitarguy56 said: ... Guests for us will have to bring their own RIB's or kayaks if we're ever on the hook! Click to expand...
Having tried different options I have settled on this one. It happens to be made by Sea Eagle but there are others. I went for the "Expedition" model and with the drop stitch floors (and on inflatable paddle boards now) you can stand up fairly well (leaning on the boat.) Mine holds the whole family (mom, dad and two kids), very stable, rolls up into manageable bundle, will track well with detachable skeg, can be paddled well into a headwind and will hold 850lbs. What other dinghy can do all that without a motor? The only drawback is that, though it is very tough, I don't yet feel ok about dragging it over barnacle and mussel encrusted rocks. Smooth beach rocks, no problem. Hmmm, photos not posting so here is a link: https://www.seaeagle.com/ExplorerKayaks/420X
turboduck said: rolls up into manageable bundle....] Click to expand...
I used a 12' Cobra Fish n Dive for 2 years on the west coast. That thing was a tank, it hauled gas, beer, water and fat Mexican chicks. I'm on the east coast now and have a Pelican Strike 120. Ive gotta be a little more careful about the weight of my paramours.
Been looking at the Oro line of folding kayaks for some time but have yet to pull the string. Expensive but told nearly indestructible, tract well, light and storable in our workroom.Wondering if anyone has real world experience of these on a sailboat. REI had them on sale. Use would be kicks and giggles as well as transport when I'm by myself. Find the walker bay Genesis works well as the daily ride. On foredeck with transom folded down doesn't obstruct vision and stays put. On davits doesn't get stolen and can deploy by myself. Would think kayaks as sole dinghy must be difficult if anchoring out or in windy, choppy places. Sometimes need to pay attention even with hard bottom rib when there's chop.nervous about being seen at night even with a white light running. Would think they create another level of complexity moving about side decks or if getting green water. Those are main reasons have held off on purchase. Guess another benefit of multis is this wouldn't be less of a concern. Easier storage, no side deck issues, possibly easier on/off. Always been intrigued by Portland Pudgies. Very stable. Rows well or runs with small electric. Sails, fishes, and serves as a raft. Small enough to fit on 28' boat. Once against held off due to expense but see them a lot on New England boats. Like the idea of no gasoline on the boat.
Yeah...saw link. different manufacturer than mine was.
The kayaks we ordered were out of stock and would take a month before we had them for use so the outlet gave us a super discount on the ones we have in the photo, they are Pelican Trailblazers as they are being discontinued for the Orion 100 models... same exact kayak but slight cockpit ergonomics... we didn't care so they offered them for $150 ea... the Perceptions were over $360 ea. so not a bad deal... the only difference between the Pelican Trailblazers vs Perception are the 'fishing' adaption so we're headed to Bass Pro to buy the adjustable rod holder and two built-in rod holders for each kayak and then it's an indistinguishable fishing kayak from the Perception model. I will be cutting out the rear storage compartments to allow more storage along with other mods to hold and adjust a small anchor... add a small fish finder/inboard mounted transducer later as we use the kayaks more. They are super stable boarding and not as I imagined... Wife was able to get in and out easily. Lean on the kayak before the point of no return was excellent so knowing where the tipping/rollover point is helpful in keeping everyone in the kayak and out of the water. Buying another kayak as two just won't do... need three or four but sailboat can only store two. ;(
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Dear Readers
- Sailboat Reviews
Kayaks for Cruising Sailboats
Sit-in kayaks offer the best overall features, inflatables fit the bill on smaller boats..
Selecting the ideal tender is like picking the ideal sailboat-it depends on what you want. Within the universe of tenders are kayaks, and the diversity within this subset is just as great, with options ranging from inexpensive inflatables to pedal-drive fishing machines. Knowing we could not possibly test every kayak on the market, we focused on familiar brand names, and tested models from each maker with the hopes of answering a simple question: what kayaks best meet the specific needs of a sailor.
We tested all of the kayaks described in this review, and they represent some of the more prominent manufacturers in this field. However, there are dozens of other designs available, and many will share similar characteristics to the ones we tested. Here are some specifications to consider when shopping.
Weight. Less weight means easier hoisting, and to some extent, easier paddling. The average inflatable boat weighs around 100 pounds, and except for the pedal kayaks, all the hulls that we tested tip the scales at less than half of that. The rigged weight of the pedal kayaks ranges from about 85 to 100 pounds, including the removable drive units, which add about 15 pounds and can be loaded separately.
Length. Greater length generally means more speed and more carrying capacity, but only if you are paddling hard enough to reach hull speed. For most cruisers, speed doesn’t matter greatly, since you are usually anchored near what you plan to explore. More length also adds more wetted surface, more weight, and storage problems.
Beam. Greater beam means more stability, but also lower speed and less efficient paddling. It is often required to offset the higher center of gravity that comes as a result of a high seat location.
Keel. Long boats with a pronounced keel track straight, and short boats with a smooth bottom, meander as you paddle. But long keels turn sluggishly, a nuisance when exploring inside marinas and mangrove mazes. In the surf, steering responsiveness is vital. Inflatables use a rubber aft skegs and hybrid hard kayaks have retractable skegs. Inexperienced paddlers often prefer kayaks that just go straight, while more experienced paddlers prefer to maintain control with minor correction strokes.
Seat height. Seat height is just as important to stability as beam. A high seat may be comfortable, but may be unstable in a beam sea or steep wake. Sit-in kayaks place your bottom just 1 to 2 inches from the keel, whereas sit-on kayaks can be 8 to 12 inches above the bottom. The higher seats make sight fishing easier, but this comes at the price of stability.
Seat comfort. Test the boat wearing the life jacket you intend to wear. A high seat back can be more comfortable, but it can interfere with some lifejackets. Paddling-specific lifejackets feature thin flotation on the back, larger armholes, and a high cut for better comfort while paddling. This is an important consideration if you foresee rough water, where a conventional lifejacket (non-inflatable) is preferred. Only one kayak we tested, the Aspire, has adjustable seat back height.
Stability. The stability rating in the adjacent table is an average of two tests: initial stability, or how far the boat will heel before it flips; and what we call functional stability, how the boat reacts to a fast turn or steep wake or wave.
Hull Material. Since our focus was on economical models, all of our rigid hull kayaks were thermo-molded polyethylene, a cheap durable material, though not as light and stiff as more expensive fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) models. Among inflatables, all the models were coated polyester (PVC), although the quality of the material varied greatly.
Paddles . Since paddles are often purchased separately, we did not include them in the test rating, but our testers did have some favorites. How you use the paddle can have a great impact on performance (see adjacent article Paddle Performance).
What We Tested
After scouring the market it became clear that the field divided itself into two main types of kayaks:
Sit-In. Traditional kayaks have a sit-in design. These offer moderate weight, great stability and strength, good weather protection, and impressive seaworthiness in experienced hands. We focused on a recreational kayaks 9-10.5 feet long rather than true sea kayaks. A ten-footer is more practical for most sailors, due to reduced length, weight, and ease of boarding from an anchored sailboat (sea kayaks tend to be skinny and tippy, making boarding from a boat difficult). We tested sit-in kayaks from Perception and Wilderness Systems.
Sit-on-top. Sit-on-top kayaks are popular among novices, because of the concern that one could get trapped inside during a capsize (a fear that is largely unfounded), and because re-boarding a sit-on kayak from the water is easier. The downside of a sit-in kayak is that your bottom is often wet. If the seat is raised, you are more exposed to cold, wet, or rough weather. Sit-on kayaks are usually slightly heavier and slower to paddle that sit-in kayaks because of the wide, flat bottom required to provide adequate stability. We tested sit-on kayaks from Ocean Kayak and Hobie.
These categories were further split into three subsets:
Inflatable kayaks. We tested inflatable kayaks from Walker Bay, Sterns, Hobie, and Advanced Elements.
Pedal kayaks. Pedal-drive systems have offered a breakthrough for explorers and anglers who like to keep their hands free. We tested pedal kayaks from Hobie and Perception.
Folding kayaks . We are still working on a full evaluation of folding kayaks and will be reporting on these in the spring. We are interested in hearing from owners. Some brands include Klepper ( www.klepperamerica.com/ ),
Long Haul ( www.longhaulfoldingkayaks.com/ ), Oru-kayak ( www.orukayak.com/ ), and others.
How We Tested
All of our tests took place on the water. Our baseline was an objective evaluation of paddling behavior on the Chesapeake Bay in both calm and choppy conditions. Although we could not test all of the boats side-by-side, we did bring the Wilderness Systems Aspire along each time as a reference point. Experienced and novice paddlers participated in all of our tests.
Observations
Durability is hard to judge, because it depends on the intended use. Most hard kayaks can bounce off river rocks and docks with only cosmetic damage. Inflatables and pedal-drive boats are generally more vulnerable to abuse, but they can put up with quite a bit of banging. We took smaller and inflatable kayaks aboard for testing, while the larger pedal boats were tested from shore. Some of the inflatables were clearly more ruggedly built than others. Here are some more specific details testers noted:
Thigh braces. Much of the stability of any kayak in waves comes from your ability to control the boat with your hips and feet. With a sit-in kayak, the feet are on sturdy foot braces and the thighs bear against padded thigh braces.
Better kayaks, such as the Aspire, include perfectly fitted thigh lifters under the seat to offer excellent control. Whitewater kayaks and slender sea kayaks are fitted with foam pads around the hips to further improve control. Recreational kayaks often lack these straps, but both inflatable and rigid kayaks can be fitted with thigh brace straps. None of the sit-on kayaks we tested were fitted with thigh braces, but in those cases, we often rigged a temporary set using rope. Thigh braces can be purchased as an accessory for $25-$45. Obviously, they can’t be used when pedaling a pedal kayak.
The Walker Bay Airis Sport became powerful and responsive when fitted with simple rope braces. You should be able to vigorously rock a kayak with your hips-this ensures effective power transfer and stability in waves. Walker Bay and Ocean Kayak offers thigh straps as accessories, and there are many aftermarket vendors.
All-day comfort. Hard kayaks generally have an edge over inflatables because they tend to feature better footrests and backrests. Sit-in or sit-on kayaks are about the same in terms of comfort, but getting the right fit is like picking a shoe. Our testers rated the Aspire and the Hobie Sport as the most comfortable overall.
Efficiency. Novice paddlers have an inefficient paddle stroke, using elbows, wrists, and arms to provide the power; for them, pedal power can be far better for covering long distances. Experienced paddlers have a more efficient stroke, using core muscles instead of arms, and can maintain a stead pace for long periods without fatigue. Pedal-powered boats must be wide and heavy for stability, and this offsets some of the efficiency of leg power. It also makes them much slower when paddled
Maneuverability. If you like nosing around the back corners of marinas and deep inside marshes, paddling is more efficient.
Inflatable Kayaks
Ranging from big-box store models that are little more than heavy-duty toys, to serious high-pressure inflatables, these may be the only practical option for smaller boats. Downsides include vulnerability to puncture and UV exposure, and the time to inflate-some of the models we tested required a daily top-off pump. Another downside is quality control.
There are countless inflatable boat factories around the world, and the quality of construction varies greatly. Our testers focused only on familiar brands with certification from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (there is an equivalent ISO standard), but we still we found a wide differences in durability and warranty coverage. A key detail that marks a better boat is the inflation PSI for the floors chambers. Higher PSI means a stiffer, and generally better-built boat.
Walker Bay Airis Series
With a long history of building practical tenders, Walker Bay has used their air-web high pressure inflatable technology to create two extremely light and suitably stiff kayaks-the Sport, and the smaller Play-that are truly in a different category from lower pressure inflatables. Both models are sit-on kayaks.
The Sport is two pounds heavier and 26 inches longer than the Play. The Play is great for surf, but the Sport has more capacity, better tracking, and strikes us as the better choice for sailors. Equipped with optional (highly recommended) thigh braces, the sit-on Sport is powerful and responsive, a pleasure to paddle even in waves and chop. A deluxe backrest is available as an option.
During on-the-water testing, it felt a little unstable and tentative, but when we added thigh braces it came alive. Its lightness and rigidity allowing it to tackle rough conditions energetically. It takes only five-minutes to set up. If you do manage to capsize, reboarding from the water was easy.
Bottom line: We found the Walker Bay Sport to be fun and light. It is our Best Choice inflatable kayak.
Stearns Sea Eagle 330
The least expensive kayak in our test, the Sea Eagle is better than what you might expect for less than $250, but it lags far behind the high-pressure inflatables in our test. Our testers found the hull when inflated to the relatively low specified PSI of 1.1 pounds was too soft to paddle efficiently. Sea Eagle has two other lines of kayaks with higher-pressure hulls, the FastTrack (3.2 psi), and the RazorLite (10 psi) that look more promising, but we have not tested these yet.
The SE 330 is stable and cheap, and with a second seat installed, it is one of the least expensive ways to get two people to shore. None of the other makers had kayaks in this price range that can do this.
Bottom line: This is our cheapest option, but its one step above a beach toy compared to the others in this category. Its not much fun to paddle and construction is light, but we imagine it will sell like hotcakes after what happened in Houston.
Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Sport Kayak
Advanced Elements has nearly a dozen models of inflatable boats to choose from, and several of them have low-pressure (2 psi) hulls stiffened with metal tubes to provide rigidity. The Sport model is one of the least expensive in its lineup.
The metal reinforcements suggested that this sit-in inflatable would be a stiff boat, but the high-density drop-stitched floor was soft, and the keel was ineffective, causing the boat to wander. (Advanced Elements has other inflatable models, like the 4.5-psi Airfusion Elite, which may perform better.)
On the plus side, it was quite stable, and the owners we interviewed were very fond of their boats. Because of the metal reinforcing elements, set-up takes longer than other inflatables (at least ten minutes) and requires a flat space.
Bottom Line: Modest performance coupled with an entry-level price makes this our Budget Buy in inflatable kayaks.
Traditional SIT-IN Kayaks
The preferred choice for serious paddlers, sit-in kayaks can cover a lot of water in the right hands. Getting the right fit is more important than it is for sit-on kayaks, so be sure to give your choice a good test run.
Perception Impulse
A longtime player in the kayak market and an innovator of the plastic kayak, Perception sells dozens of models, including tandems, stand up paddleboards, and a hybrid SUP/kayak it calls the Hi-Life. The simple, sit-in Impulse is a modestly priced recreational model. It features an impressive combination of lightness and good speed for such a short boat. It is much faster than most kayaks in its class. The seat is comfortable, and there are no extra compartments to keep clean. Perception made their name with white water kayaks, and weve bashed rocks with this one through many miles of easy rapids. Its tough. Weve also used it as tender for seven years on one of our test boats.
Bottom Line: This rugged no-nonsense kayak is our Budget Buy in the category of traditional kayaks.
Wilderness Systems Aspire 105
The retractable skeg technically places this kayak in the crossover category, bridging recreational and easy whitewater capabilities. Increased rocker and a flat bottom allow fast turning, and a full bow helps it ride over waves. When the skeg is lowered, it tracks straight.
The downsides to this model are its increased weight, and slightly slower paddling, although it is still faster than the inflatable or sit-on kayaks. The seat includes advanced adjustments not typically found in recreational kayaks (seatback height and angle, and angle/height of the seat bottom), making for true all-day comfort, and allowing positions that are comfortable for both laid-back cruising and vigorous paddling in waves.
The low seating position and flat bottom make for incredible stability, making it suitable for fishing and photography. Wilderness Systems is also known for its whitewater kayaks, which have survived countless collisions with rocks and boulders.
Bottom Line: Comfort and performance make this our Best Choice for sit-in kayaks.
Sit-on kayaks are best suited for warmer waters where the paddler doesn’t mind being a little wet, or is in and out of the water a lot-sailboat to reef to beach.
Although testers found the Frenzy from Ocean Kayaks to be too uncomfortable for long cruising and not particularly fast, it is compact and capable in rough water, particularly when fitted with thigh braces. Weve enjoyed this Frenzy playing in the surf and snorkeling reefs. Solid foot rests molded into the hull offer a firm bracing
Bottom line: Best Choice in the sit-on category.
Hobie has a wide range of models, including some cool sailing models that weve reviewed in the past. Most of their models, however, are priced well above the $800 target we set for non-pedal kayaks. The Hobie Lanai is a compact entry-level boat that benefits from Hobies wide dealer support and variety of accessories.
The stackable design would be an advantage to a sailing club looking to add to their fleet, but it offers little else that sets it above the rest. It has a cargo area with a bungee tie-down and a padded seat. We liked the simple ruggedness of the boat, but its just a little heavy compared to others in the field.
Bottom line: Recommended.
Pedal drives
Kayaks are pretty simple boats, consisting of a hull, seat, and paddles. Pedal-drive kayaks have a drive mechanism that is well engineered but complex. The Perception Pilot system resembles a sail drive powered by bicycle pedals. Reverse is a matter of peddling backwards. The Hobie Mirage drive consists of two fins that flap like penguin flippers. Both systems need a rudder to steer, and the propulsion drive can be either folded up against the hull (in the Hobie) or retracted (in the Perception) for shallow-water paddling.
Because you are using your powerful leg muscles, the miles melt away. An experienced paddler can nearly keep up with a pedal boat, but it will take practice and stamina. Pedal kayaks are particularly handy for the fishermen, photographers, bird-watchers or anyone who wants their hands free underway.
Pedal kayaks are less maneuverable than conventional types. They are also less stable, but mainly because a paddle, when extended, helps with stability.
Although these are rugged drive systems, some of the small components are vulnerable, particularly in salt water. The Hobie system, for example, features a stainless drive chain that is susceptible to corrosion in saltwater. Youll want a spare for extended cruising. Several owners we interviewed described repairs to the drives. During one of our tests a small part broke off.
We tested three pedal boats, one from Perception and two from Hobie, but only the Hobie Sport was light enough to be easily hoisted aboard.
Hobie Mirage Outback
Designed for stability, this kayak is remarkably fast under pedal power-testimony to the efficiency of the Mirage drive system. The substantial beam, weight, and elevated seating position make this a comfortable boat for all-day fishing, but we had our doubts as how it would fare in waves because of the high seat. At 95 pounds, its a noticeably more bulky compared to the Sport.
Bottom line: The best of the bunch for flat-water fishing. Recommended for the serious angler.
Hobie Mirage Sport
At 70 pounds, the Mirage Sport is still heavy, but the mass is manageable under pedal power. Maneuvering is sluggish compared to a paddle kayak, and launching and retrieving requires a few extra steps. The rudder must be folded up, the drive removed, and youll still need a halyard to haul it over the side. Hobie has introduced an upgraded seat that lifts you about three inches above the floor, but the older-style seat offers more stability. This is the most paddle-friendly of the peddle-powered range, though it is maneuvers sluggishly.
Bottom line: Recommended. Light and compact, this is the most sensible pedal drive for sailors that we tested.
Perceptions Pilot drive is basically a foot-powered sail drive. Testers found the motion natural and the stability reasonable. Although the drive is more awkward to remove, testers liked that it could be easily tipped up in shallow water, and reversing by peddling backwards was easier than shifting into reverse with the Mirage drive.
Bottom Line: This is a nifty setup for the fisherman, but a little too much boat for most average sized cruisers.
Conclusions
Personal preferences play a big role in any dinghy decision, and kayaks are no exception. Each of the kayaks that our testers recommended excel at one or more basic needs of the cruising sailor: transportation, exercise, fishing, or exploring. Some of the decisions will depend on the climate you sail in. We welcome any comments from owners on their experience with specific kayaks.
The higher-grade inflatables, especially the Airis, are delightfully light, easy to store, and paddle well in all conditions-perfect for exercise, exploring, even a bit of wave riding in warm waters. The well-designed hard kayaks, however, are more responsive and offer better durability over the long haul.
Sit-in kayaks deliver superior seaworthiness and protection for the four-season paddler who wants to keep his seat dry. Sit-on kayaks offer fun in the sun and easier reboarding from the water, should you decide to take a swim or snorkel break.
Pedal drive is great for fishing and sailors with shoulder problems, as long as you can accept the added weight, maintenance, and assembly time. In the interest of compactness and simplicity, our testers generally preferred paddle kayaks over pedal for long term cruising. A paddled kayak is also more stable in rough water.
Our testers were unanimously in favor of the sit-in style of kayak. Although you may have different preferences than they do, we recommend at least trying a conventional sit-in style paddle kayak before making buying. Certainly, other kayak designs can better meet specific needs, but its hard to argue against the overall utility of a design thats been around for more than 5,000 years.
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11 comments.
Another consideration: Safety. Sit-in kayaks are easy to climb back on if you roll over and find yourself in the water. Unless you are very athletic and have specific training, righting a swamped a sit-in kayak, bailing and climbing back in to it is nearly impossible.
Oops, I meant sit-on kayaks are easier to climb back on than sit-ins after a rollover. Sorry
Interesting article as I was looking for an inflatable kayak. Unfortunately, the recommended Walker Bay kayak seems to no longer be available. It wasn’t until I tried to find the kayak that I realized the article was from 2017 and not updated. Why are you sending out the article as if it is current information when it is 4 years old?
Yes, I agree. I’ve spent the last two hours looking for the deluxe seatback for my Airis Sport – not realizing this article was 4 years old. It’s very disappointing to find that Airis is no longer made but it explains why I was having so much trouble.
We have been cruising Mexico for 5 years with the Hobie I-11s peddle kayak/SUP, Did 10 miles today,5 back into 15kts and 1-2 foot slop. In and out of caves with the reverse drive,over submerged rocks 4” deep. Yes priced up there but also a good work platform, if you would like more info and pictures just email me. John [email protected]
We use a 14′ inflatable from AIRE as our tender. Great company and product. Terrific support also. Almost impossible to roll over, self bailing and good for 2 people with gear. Stores easily aboard our Jeaneau 42DS. Anyone looking for a kayak will do well checking with AIRE. Should have been considered for the article. Robert Fegan
For “foldable” kayaks be sure to check out Pakayak ( https://pakayak.com ). 14’2” sea kayak that breaks down into 6 pieces that nest like Russian dolls into a bag about 3.5’ x 2’ x 1.5’ They’ve had Covid related production issues are are behind on shipping, but they’re getting rave reviews. They are on the expensive side but not too far off comparable single piece sea kayaks of similar size. I ordered mine last April… it was supposed to be delivered yesterday but the snow has delayed FedEx. I plan to carrying mine aboard my Tartan 37.
One of the functions of a cruising tender is to haul people, gear, and supplies to and from the boat. Most of the kayaks in this review seem woefully inadequate for that task. I have an inflatable Sea Eagle 380 that has a reported load capacity of 750 pounds. It is very stable and its drop stitched high pressure floor is ridged enough to stand up in. With its removable hard skeg it tracks reasonably well. At about $1000 it’s not cheap, but it is well made and very versatile.
I suggest you do a separate review of inflatable kayaks. In my experience they are superior in almost every respect to rigid hull kayaks as tenders. More stable, easier to re-board if one should ever capsize, greater capacity, less potential for causing injury and damage when launching and retrieving, easier to repair if they are ever damaged, light weight, flexible enough to be stowed on deck in narrow or irregular spaces, can be deflated for compact stowing, and most are self bailing, which is an advantage if you decide to tow part of the time. I have a couple, including an Airis, which is no longer sold. Aire, Sea Eagle, Aquaglide, Advanced Elements, Innova/Gumotex are among many reputable, high quality brands.
I was planning to get a kayak – but first I got a set of inflatable SUPs – one for the captain and two (small and light kid models) for the crew. Haven’t looked back – really wonderful for fun and exploration and so, so portable. Only drawback: in a breeze you might have to kneel or sit to reduce windage (yes, like a kayak 😉
I recently shopped for an inflatable kayak to serve as an easily deployed tender. The Aire double is perhaps the best designed for this use, but in the end I bought a Maverick II from NRS (Northwest River Supply) for its quality construction and Hypalon material (now called Pennel Orca). In the sun and heat of the Sea of Cortez PVC boats are essentially disposable after two or three years. The Maverick works well and can carry a lot of supplies. I fitted a bow D ring for towing/tying up and added rope thigh braces. It is a whitewater boat and requires relatively skilled paddling and an efficient forward stroke, but a good choice for the right paddler. It is expensive but should last–I am still using a Hypalon Avon dinghy I purchased in 1987–hard to assemble and needs attention but the material is still good after all those years in Baja.
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Kayak as tender/dinghy?
- Thread starter Project_Mayhem
- Start date Mar 12, 2019
- Forums for All Owners
- Ask All Sailors
Michael Davis said: Up here in Eskimo land swimming to the boat is not an option! Getting much gear into a kayak is difficult but I often take the dog ashore in one. Click to expand
Michael Davis said: The little things you learn on SBO! Click to expand
Michael Davis
Boot Cove can be a bad place to be in a strong S.W. Lyall Hbr. has better holding but is more open to wind from the N.W. and W.Most of the boats in Boot Cove move to Lyall in the winter because of the strong winds that come through from Breezy Bay.
Joe Blizzard
Ken Cross said: They are usually light and easy to stow. Click to expand
Project_Mayhem
@Joe Blizzard How do you like the inflatable kayak? How long does it take to setup and stow?
Project_Mayhem said: How do you like the inflatable kayak? How long does it take to setup and stow? Click to expand
Scott T-Bird
I have a Sea Eagle inflatable and it is easy to setup and stow. I don't time it but anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. I never hurry through it as others might. I use a foot pump and also have a 12v pump but don't feel the need to use the 12v pump. Sea Eagles seem to be pretty durable, inexpensive but not cheap, and I like the comical way it looks like a great white shark! Sue and I fit in the single (330 model). We would have more room in the double version (370) but I didn't want to have a double if we found that it isn't useful as a tender (which it isn't), so I bought the 330 for a try out. I bought an Advanced Elements for my son to use in Utah. He loves it and uses it quite a bit. It is technically a much better kayak, but still inflatable. He finds it very easy to set up. https://www.seaeagle.com/SportKayaks/SE330
Scott T-Bird said: I have a Sea Eagle inflatable and it is easy to setup and stow. I don't time it but anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. I never hurry through it as others might. I use a foot pump and also have a 12v pump but don't feel the need to use the 12v pump. Sea Eagles seem to be pretty durable, cheap, and I like the comical way it looks like a great white shark! Sue and I fit in the single (330 model). We would have more room in the double version (370) but I didn't want to have a double if we found that it isn't useful as a tender (which it isn't), so I bought the 330 for a try out. I bought an Advanced Elements for my son to use in Utah. He loves it and uses it quite a bit. It is technically a much better kayak, but still inflatable. He finds it very easy to set up. https://www.seaeagle.com/SportKayaks/SE330 Click to expand
Hey, I have a Walker Bay 10 and a West Marine 13/4' sit on Kayak. I use both. Dingy Pros: Can fit 2-3 people and / or lots of gear Has a floor so everything stays dry Has a 2.5 hp outboard engine, so it's quick and can cover long distance Decent rowing performance Pretty stable Fairly easy to get from dink to boat and back again Donghy Cons: Heavy - well over 150 lbs When it rains it holds a lot of water which needs to be pumped out / bailed Kayak Pros: Pretty light - easy to move around the beach and can haul aboard the boat Easy to paddle to the boat Fun at anchorages, beaches Kayak Cons: Very limited cargo capacity. I will wear a back pack to take a few items, and maybe can stow one bag Can get wet Difficult to get from Kayak to boat and back again Not very stable My boat is on a mooring. My dinghy stays on a dock about 1/2 away. It's too far to easily and quickly row so I usually take the dinghy to the boat. My kayak is in a rack on the beach, about 100 yards from my boat. So if it's just me going to the boat I will take the kayak. But then at the end of the day I need to drag the kayak up the beach and put it back in the track, which is a pain, especially if I get back at low tide. Hope this helps Barry
I just stumbled across a used Bombard AX1. It's like a mini Zodiac that rolls up for storage. Not sure if I could store it on the dinghy rack in Chicago harbors. If not, how concerned should I be about rolling it up a little wet? How long do you think it'd take to inflate it with an electric and with a foot pump? https://www.inflatableboats.com/Bombard-AX1-Inflatable-Boat-BOMAX1.htm Overall length of 6'7" (2 meters) Overall Beam 3'9" (1.15 meters)
Nice looking double kayak. They are pricier but the best inflatable kayak, for sure!
That doesn't even look like its an inflatable. Impressive!
Scott T-Bird said: Nice looking double kayak. They are pricier but the best inflatable kayak, for sure! Click to expand
Nice! What model is it?
Project_Mayhem said: Nice! What model is it? Click to expand
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
An interesting inflatable option for a boat. Nice light carrying weight compared to a fiberglass or plastic kayak. folds up smaller then my inflatable dingy. Priced similar for the two seater to a good hard shell kayak and a dinghy. Now this has me thinking. And that is a terrible thing to do... Anyone have experience with these boats? How do they hold up?
Anybody here ever capsize a sit-in recreational (not skinny sea kayak) kayak? I find that practically impossible. They are wide and your CG is low. Only in white water.
When I was in summer camp as a kid they had us roll the kayaks all the way around. From what I remember they were hard plastic single seaters that we sat inside
Simon Sexton
At the Sea Base in Galveston, we would take week-long trips with kids who signed up to take the "Texas Coastal Expedition". This expedition consists of sailing our 53 foot schooner "Gazelle" up the ICW, anchoring in safe harbors along the way and kayaking once we reach the marshes for biological exploration (fishing and crabbing, mostly). The kayaks we used were 16 foot inflatables, and they were fantastic! They were really easy to stow because, once deflated, they could be rolled up and shoved into a lazarette. When we wanted to use them, the kayaks could be blown up with a foot pump that would only take around five minutes to completely fill the boat with air. Highly recommended!
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30. Jun 22, 2014. #1. Update on using a rigid tandem Kayak for a tender. I have looked in many places for using a kayak to get out to a mooring and then finding ways to climb into and out of the West Wight Potter 19 from the kayak (which would be left on the mooring while sailing). After a lot of effort, I have discovered that there are kayak ...
6,201. Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ. Mar 12, 2019. #10. A kayak is a great toy to have with the boat. But, I would NEVER consider it to be a replacement for a dinghy. You won't be able to get into one from your boat with dry shoes. You won't be able to disembark at a dock. You won't be able to carry anything besides maybe some beach articles.
The kayak folds into a large suitcase that fits nicely into the lazarette or quarter-berth, takes 5 minutes to inflate and is easy to launch and retrieve by way of a long polyprop line attached to bow and stern. We've paddled round-trip to shore, about a half-mile each way, in a stiff cross breeze and it tracked nicely.
Here's a list of things my dink can do that my kayaks can't: 1. transport fuel, water, or anything else that comes to the boat via jerry can; 2. pick up guests ashore, especially guests with luggage; 3. serve as a scuba diving platform (some sit-on-tops can do this) 4. transport bicycles to the dingy doc 5. hoist crab rings 6. run out a kedge ...
They are low-psi (1.5-2 more or less) and wide, very stable but also not very stiff. Finally the up-scale kayaks have drop-stitch floors which allow for high PSI's (7-14 more or less) and a much stiffer boat which supposedly paddles quite well. They cost more though, a good quality tandem can be bought for about $1000.
May 11, 2016. I use a 2 person sit inside kayak as a dinghy. I can load a LOT of supplies in it and still be safe and paddle quickly. I tow it behind the boat when sailing, with a tight cockpit cover in case it flips over. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
We focused on a recreational kayaks 9-10.5 feet long rather than true sea kayaks. A ten-footer is more practical for most sailors, due to reduced length, weight, and ease of boarding from an anchored sailboat (sea kayaks tend to be skinny and tippy, making boarding from a boat difficult).
Another problem is directional stability. Most empty kayaks will yaw back and forth when being towed. In windy conditions or if you are hit by a motor boat wake, this may cause the kayak to capsize. I find that my Hobie Mirage kayaks tow nicely with the rudder down and centered. The last concern is boarding the kayak from the sailboat.
The kayaks we used were 16 foot inflatables, and they were fantastic! They were really easy to stow because, once deflated, they could be rolled up and shoved into a lazarette. When we wanted to use them, the kayaks could be blown up with a foot pump that would only take around five minutes to completely fill the boat with air.
To me a kayak, inflatable or not, is a wet, long, self propelled ride, with no real cargo hauling ability. Yesterday I hauled a 4x8 sheet of ply and foam insulation (both cut in half) back to the boat and did it at 15mph. My dink is the water version of my car at home (volvo) so a kayak would be like a one speed bike.