Inflatable Kayak Blog

The TRAK kayak is an amazing folding kayak that has an adjustable hull shape. This innovation is accomplished by a patented lever system that actually changes the hull shape to match water conditions or desired tracking. However, that’s not what I want to tell you about.

This innovative kayak has been on the market for a few years now, but they’ve never had a blog where people can share their TRAK experiences, photos, etc., until now. Actually the new blog started publishing in December of 2011. It’s called World Of TRAK and it includes a photo album, several articles and links to the videos of a series called “The TRAK Files”, which is a 7-episode series designed to cover all the areas of the TRAK that are unique and comparable, while giving people a reference point for how the TRAK folding kayak might fit into their paddling adventures. Part 1 of the TRAK Files has been posted with others to follow over the next few months.

The video below is a cute intro/promo for the series.

Check it out and tell us what you think. You can click this link for more detailed information about the TRAK folding kayak and how it works. And if you have any questions about the TRAK, be sure to drop in a comment.

When you look at the Sea Eagle PaddleSki catamaran style inflatable kayak, it may look a bit complicated to assemble and inflate. Since the design is different from most all other inflatable kayaks on the market, there is some variation in assembling and inflating the boat. However, be assured it’s still a very simple process.

The Sea Eagle PaddleSki is designed to hold a bit more weight than other inflatable kayaks and it paddles very well when being used strictly as an inflatable kayak. The catamaran style, however allows it to be converted to other inflatable boat configurations. The PaddleSki can be a sailboat, a fishing boat or a rowing boat. Sea Eagle has accessory packages that can be purchased separately for each of these options in addition to a motor mount if you’d like to add a motor to the rig. The sail is full size. The fishing setup includes a swivel seat. And the rowing setup includes a sliding seat for more speed.

I always prefer to “see” how things are done rather than rely only on reading the manual and if you feel the same way, this video shows how to assemble, inflate and deflate the Sea Eagle PaddleSki Catamaran Kayak.

Stand up paddle boarding continues to grow in popularity. The sport is attracting all ages and a variety of people who have taken up the sport for a variety of reasons. Some enjoy the core exercise they get when paddling their SUP, others simply love the great view of the water as they stand on their SUP, gliding across their favorite lake, river or whatever body of water they happen to be on.

As is the case of kayaks, the solid material versions of stand up paddle boards are the most popular, however there are inflatable SUPs as well. This video shows the Sea Eagle Longboard 11 in action in Lake Tahoe. You will see that the drop stitch technology that allows the board to be inflated hard enough to support the weight of a 250 pound standing adult gives the Longboard owner the opportunity to transport the board without a cartop rack and store it at home in a small closet.

Check out this portable, convenient, yet performance oriented Sea Eagle SUP in this video. And, for an excellent deal on the Longboard 11 inflatable standup paddle board, check out PortableKayaks.com.

Happy New Year, fellow paddlers! The first of the year is always a good time to look ahead to new things. Let’s hope 2012 will be an improvement over 2011. Between the economic uncertainty, the strange weather patterns and the even stranger antics of our so called representatives in Washington, DC, I sure hope it gets better. Seems like somebody would be able to figure out that in order to get something done, you have to, at least, try to get along!! But, enough of that hot air. I want to talk about the kind of air that fills up inflatable kayaks.

Over the past couple years there have been some true advances in the technological development of inflatable crafts. When I first began selling inflatable kayaks, the main problem was that they didn’t track very well compared to hard shell or even folding kayaks. Not so today. For example, the Sea Eagle Fast Track inflatable kayaks track incredibly well due to their larger skeg, firm keel and drop stitch floor. Advanced Elements introduced the Advanced Frame series that have built-in aluminum ribs to define the bow and stern as well as an optional backbone to make their kayaks stiffer.

Stiffness seems to be the main ingredient in the improved tracking, but that’s not all because of the additions I mentioned. It’s also because inflatable watercraft materials have enabled them to accept more internal inflation pressure. Higher pressure also means more stiffness, which results in a truer tracking motion through the water.

What’s next you ask? Well, that’s a difficult question to answer since manufacturers are not overly willing to share their research and development until they are fairly close to unveiling a new product. From what I’ve been able to gather from my visit to the Outdoor Retail Show last August and from talking directly with designers at Sea Eagle and Innova, my feeling is that we’re going to see more specialization. Like anything else these days, technology tends to lead us not in the direction of a “one size fits all” or “one thing does all” product. More likely, the technology behind inflatable kayaks will lead us to different style kayaks for different purposes.

The best example I can site for you now is Sea Eagle’s re-design of the 380x and 420x Explorer kayaks which will be available in the spring. They have reduced the weight, stiffened them up with drop stitch floors and they have been streamlined to function better in whitewater and ocean surf. The Fast Tracks fit more into the open water niche and the smaller sport kayaks, the 330 and 370 fill the need for the beginner, with more of an overall type of performance, but in the lower end of the price range.

Another example is the new Innova Swing inflatable kayak, also available this spring, which is similar to the Advanced Elements design that encloses the paddler like a hard shell kayak does. The difference in the Innova Swing (in photo) is that it’s much lighter and easier to set up, something that is a must in a portable kayak. One thing about the folks at Innova inflatable kayaks is their attention to detail. They probably test and analyze their products more than any other manufacturer.

So that’s what I know now about what’s on the way in 2012, but you never know when something new will burst onto the scene. I guess if there’s anything you can count on in the inflatable kayak market, it’s change. And, so far, I think the various manufacturers have done a very good job of making changes for the better. Here’s to a great 2012!

It’s that time of year again when we all think about making some New Year’s resolutions. I say “think about” because even though you may not make them, you have to admit, they do cross your mind, right? But what about some kayaking resolutions? After all, making resolutions about the fun things in life are much better than those crappy ‘lose weight’, ‘quit smoking’, ‘reduce stress’ or endless other typical resolutions.

I did an internet search to see if anyone had written anything about kayaking or paddling resolutions and I found an article by George Sayour that listed 5 excellent resolutions for paddlers. I can relate to this list.

1. Learn a New Canoe or Kayak Technique
George didn’t specify which technique he wanted to learn, but this resolution makes a lot of sense. Even the most accomplished kayaker can learn something new. And I can specifically attest that learning a better way to execute a stroke can improve your enjoyment of the sport. A couple years ago I started practicing a new technique that made my paddle strokes much smoother and added speed, too.

2. Canoe or Kayak in a New Location
On this one, George is “preaching to the choir”. Kayaking in new waters is one of my goals in life. It’s always exciting to paddle and take in the scenery of a new location. But remember to do a little research about the area first because everything isn’t as it looks.

3. Take a Paddling Lesson
This suggestion might seem like a repeat of the ‘learn a new technique’ resolution, but it’s actually an extension of it. It’s a pretty good idea, especially if you plan on tackling higher whitewater ratings or if you plan on extending the length of time you paddle. Good techniques can reduce fatigue on trips and might even save your life in raging waters. And, you know that competitive paddlers have trainers, so us mere mortals can use the occasional lesson.

4. Try Something Different
This one relates to what I just mentioned. How about tackling some whitewater, if you haven’t already? Or maybe doing an overnight trip and camping along with your kayaking. If you’re into an extended kayaking trip, read this article that Jim Schutze wrote about his adventure in Quetico Provincial Park in his folding kayak.

5. Spend More Days on the Water
Great resolution, don’t you think? Resolving to paddle more has got to result in more fun and more relaxation. Actually, paddling your kayak for more days this coming year might just help you lose weight and reduce stress, too. Now that’s an efficient New Year’s resolution!