Inflatable Kayak Blog

Sometimes new, progressive designs are so good that one new kayak can replace two. That’s exactly the case with PakBoat’s Puffin Saco, which was released last year. The 12 foot Puffin Saco was created to replace the 12 foot Puffin Kayak and it’s been a rousing success. PakBoats creator Alv Elvested didn’t expect it to do more than that, but it seems it has.

Super light weight at only 20 pounds, 2 pounds lighter than the Puffin 12 Kayak, the Saco only weighs a couple pounds more that the 10 foot Puffin Sport and customers have been migrating toward the Saco rather than the Sport this year causing sales of the original 10 foot Puffin Sport to slow significantly. With this trend and customer’s preference for the Saco, PakBoats has stated that “It is becoming clear that we will no longer produce the model, and we are dropping its price to move the remaining inventory.”

The Puffin Sport is a great boat for activities like fishing and wildlife viewing. Because of it’s design, paddling efficiency is very good for such a small boat. The Sport doesn’t come with a deck, which is the way most fishermen prefer, however decks are available at discount prices.

Although we’re sad to see it go, the PakBoat Puffin Sport is a superb bargain at the new retail clearance price of $595, dropped from the original retail of $775. The Saco retails for $890, so unless you absolutely need the extra 2 feet of boat, the Puffin Sport is the way to go.

By the way, the Puffin Sport clearance models are all 2010 models, made for this year, and the PakBoats 3 year warranty is in effect.

PakBoats has been designing and manufacturing excellent folding kayaks for several years. Their Puffins have been an excellent value, more boat for the money, than most other folding kayaks on the market. The only issue was that the Puffin line was a fairly “short” collection of kayaks ranging from 10 feet to 14 feet long, while many kayakers prefer their crafts to range from 15 to 18 feet long. 

The XT series has changed that. In 2009 PakBoats introduced the XT-15 and XT-16 folding kayaks. The XT-15 is a solo model and the XT-16 can be paddled as a solo or tandem, depending on which deck you decide to use. Not only are the XT’s longer, but their unique design that features steep stems results in the XT kayaks having waterline lengths similar to other kayaks that are at least a foot longer. 

For 2010, PakBoats has introduced the XT-17 folding kayak, an even larger (17 foot) member of the XT family of touring kayaks. There has been plenty of advance excitement generated in the XT-17. It was mentioned in Canoe & Kayak Magazine’s Buyers guide well before it was available for purchase. The XT-17 is a “stretched” version of the 15 foot XT-15, and the two share almost all components. If you are a large person or need to carry a heavy load, the XT-17 will be good news. This really is a “full-size” touring kayak. But it does not make the XT-15 obsolete. For paddlers under 200 pounds, the XT-15 has a nice, sporty “feel” to it.

The designer and owner of PakBoats, Alv Elvested, commented in his blog about how he felt about the XT’s. “I generally like smaller boats so it is not surprising that I like the XT-15 for day trips. The XT-17 may well work better for you. They are both really nice, “friendly” kayaks with great paddling performance, excellent stability – and the most comfortable seat we have found in a kayak!” 

You’ll find excellent prices on all the PakBoat XT folding kayaks at PortableKayaks.com.

By Guest Blogger … Sheryl Connelly

It’s no secret that you bought your portable kayak because of it’s compact storage and transportability. According to most customers, that’s the number one reason they purchased an inflatable or a folding kayak instead of a traditional hard shell model. And the possibility of taking your kayak with you on an airplane may also have been a key consideration. But with all the changes in baggage requirements, is that still a viable expectation? The short answer is “yes”. However, there are some things to investigate before you fly ….
·    Find out EXACTLY what the policy is of the airline you will be flying regarding transporting portable boats. You need to know what your specific airline and airport’s baggage policy is. Your WORST CASE scenario will be the “official policy” of the airline. If the check-in attendant is having a bad day or is a stickler for the rules you need to be prepared to pay any extra charges or plan on leaving your kayak at home.
·    If you do take your kayak with you, our readers tell us they have had the best luck putting them in a surfboard bag or large duffle bag. Be discrete, polite, and ask them to HELP YOU with getting your boat to your destination. There are different baggage allowances for domestic and international flights. It is helpful to inform the airline that you will be taking an “inflatable boat” or “small surf board” with you when you make your reservation. That way, they’ll get the idea that it’s something compact. If this information is pre-loaded in their computer when you check-in, your kayak is more likely to get through. We’d also suggest that you avoid using the word “kayak” when you interact with airline personnel. they may not comprehend that a kayak can be carried in a bag.
·    DON’T BELIEVE what you hear (unless it is in writing). Processing hundreds of people for a Trans-Atlantic flight can be stressful on attendants and things are often different at the check-in counter.
·    ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS  have a Plan B ready if something happens, like an emergency rental or purchase option in should Plan A fall through.
·    Be familiar with current customs policies and be sure to take off all sales tags to avoid the question of duty and taxes.

What are the most convenient portable kayaks for traveling? Weight is the main consideration when flying. Here are a few recommendations that are all super lightweight, compact, inflate or assemble quickly, and paddle very well.
·    Innova Sunny – Tandem but can also be converted for solo, 29 pounds, very fast, great for flatwater, calm rivers and oceans
·    Innova Safari – Solo, 24 pounds, extremely popular whitewater kayak, good for up to class III rapids and ocean surf
·    Sea Eagle 330 – Tandem but can be converted for solo as well, 26 pounds, best for flatwater, calm rivers and very calm oceans, however it’s capable for up to class III whitewater.
·    Any of the PakBoat Puffin folding kayaks. Ranging from 17 to 28 pounds and easy to assemble, they all paddle great, best for use on calm water.
·    Also take a look at the Airis Sport or Play. These solo kayaks come with their own backpack!

Sheryl Connelly is a writer and an avid outdoors woman. Learn more about Sheryl at www.managemmm.com.

The first kayakers paddled crafts made of wood stick frames covered by animal skins and Archaeologists have found evidence they may have existed as long as 4000 years ago. Today, the folding kayak is the closest you’ll get to that original design, but folding kayaks have been around for quite awhile as well. Recently I saw this picture of an ad in a German newspaper that came out in 1910. The ad was for a “new” product, a kayak that folds! It was from the Klepper company, headed by Johann Klepper, who was a pioneer in the design and manufacturing of folding kayaks. We’re not sure of the exact ‘birth’ date of the folding kayak, but here in 2010, we’re sending out a hearty “Happy 100th Birthday” to the predecessor of the amazingly versatile and lightweight folding kayaks we know today.

I was looking for interesting places to paddle along the Georgia Coastline and found some information on Crooked River State Park, just outside of St. Marys, GA, one of the oldest cities in the United States. It’s essentially the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, the largest of the Georgia Coast’s barrier islands. The seashore covers 17 miles of white sandy secluded beaches complete with wild horses, sea turtles, dolphins, shore birds, dune fields, maritime forest, and salt marshes. Sounds like a pretty nice place to experience nature.

Hiking is very popular at Crooked River State Park. There are three trails you can follow and it is best to stop by the visitors center to get a copy of the trail map to help you navigate the trails. Cherry Point trail is a 4-mile trail, Harriett’s Bluff is a 6 mile trail and Grover Island is an 8 mile trail. All are round trip distances. Dolphins travel in groups upriver to fish and are spotted 50% of the time on all three trails. Once the dolphins corner a school of bait fish, they will surface often to breathe while feeding. You can hear their blows to locate them. More than 100 gulls, cormorants, and egrets often perch on a raised boardwalk across the marsh. Bald eagles and osprey have also been spotted.

Elliott’s Bluff public launch is probably the best launch area for kayaks. If you take an chance and launch at a random location along the shore you may experience the oyster beds that will cut your feet and may do some damage to your kayak. An inflatable kayak might be more prone to damage than a hard shell kayak, although the Sea Eagle Explorer kayak material has been known to stand up to oyster beds quite well. It’s also best to launch your kayak when the tide is coming in, so it’s best to check the tides before planning your paddle.

Now that I’ve discovered Crooked Lake State Park, it’s right up there on my list of places I want to kayak. And the dolphins might move it to the top for our next trip!

While watching the coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, it’s hard not to be impressed with the breathtaking views that NBC uses to introduce and transition their coverage segments. The commercial that features Canadian natives such as Michael J. Fox, Steve Nash, Kim Cattrall and Ryan Reynolds inviting us to visit has some pretty nice scenery, too. This type of majestic beauty always draws me in and in the process of searching for places to kayak in British Columbia for my ‘kayaking vacation wish list’, I happened to run across a blog written by a guy who calls himself “paddlesheep” and uses an Innova Sunny kayak, a very versatile inflatable kayak that’s known to track and handle very well. He blogs about a kayaking trip in British Columbia that lasted seven days and took him through the southern gulf islands, starting in Swartz Bay and ending in Ladysmith. There’s some nice pictures, too. It’s simply titled “Inflatable Kayaking in B.C.”

Now, I have to get back to my “wish list!”

No, they haven’t added “snow kayaking” to the 2010 Winter games, but a couple of PakBoat folding kayaks will be there. During the Winter Olympics, two Puffin models will be on display (and offered for sale) at Lonsdale Quay public market in Vancouver, Canada. The “Dreamcatcher Boats” booth is located under the tent at the Seabus terminal, by the fountain – “you can’t miss it”. Brian Chandler is displaying a Puffin (12) Kayak and a Puffin Swift – both of them offered at very favorable prices. PakBoats worked out a special arrangement with Brian so that they will be able to ship boats directly to customers in foreign countries from the PakBoat warehouse in New Hampshire. Brian will take care of shipments to customers in Canada. This is a great opportunity for the Olympic visitors to get a look at these lightweight folding kayaks, up close and personal. If you happen to be an American visiting the Olympics, check them out and if you like what you see, contact PortableKayaks.com when you get back for free shipping and an excellent price.

Fishermen and women in the Susquehanna River Regions in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York have a new, free fishing magazine available to them. The first issue came out a couple days ago on February 2, 2010. It’s being distributed through local establishments and funded by participating advertisers. The magazine’s goal is to help to inform anglers about productive angling techniques and other pertinent information pertaining to the area, as well as promoting safety and responsible stewardship of the river. They hope to distribute abut 30,000 copies each month. For additional information and locations where you can pick up a copy, you can go to the Susquehanna Fishing Magazine web site.

I know it’s a little cold in the Susquehanna area this time of year, but it’s never to early to start thinking about warmer days relaxing on the fishing boat in search of a great ‘fish’ story!

Early in 2009 PakBoats introduced their new line of XT folding kayaks. The new kayaks were created to add a true touring kayak to the PakBoat stable. Previously, the Puffin Swift, which has since been discontinued, was the closest PakBoat to a touring kayak. The Swift did have a flatter hull than other PakBoat designs, but at 14 feet long it wasn’t quite long enough to completely qualify as a touring model.
The XT series went through several developmental designs and testing procedures before PakBoat designer Alv Elvestad put them into production in late 2008. In fact, many of the advanced design elements of the XT series have been integrated into the new Puffin models, the Saco and the Saranac. The XT series features the XT-15 (15 foot) solo kayak and the XT-16 (16 foot) which can be used as a solo or a tandem kayak. As is the case with all the PakBoats, the XT folding kayaks are a great value for the money compared to other folding kayaks on the market.

Sea Kayaker magazine featured an excellent PakBoat XT-15 folding kayak review in it’s December 2009 issue. You can read the review by clicking on the link, then paging down to the specified link on the folding kayak page.

Planning on getting someone a kayak or kayak accessory as a gift? If so, I have a few suggestions. Make sure you buy them something they’ll like. In other words, you might not want to make it a total surprise. A little research goes a long way and you’ll be glad when your gift is welcomed with open arms rather than a confused facial expression.

In the case of avid kayakers, you should be familiar with what they are paddling now and whether your gift will fit their preferences. Kayaks are kind of like shoes. One size or type doesn’t “fit” all. Ask their friends, fellow paddlers or significant others for advice. A portable (inflatable or folding kayak) may not be the perfect choice for someone who’s used to paddling a hard shell kayak. However, if they’re tired of storing or car carrying the hard shell, a portable kayak might be the perfect gift. Accessories, especially paddles, can also be very user specific. Find out what they have, then buy them what they’d like to have.

If you’re buying for a newby it’s even more important to research your choice. I’ve seen a few situations where a wife or husband has purchased a tandem (two person) kayak without consulting (or even hinting to) the other person only to be disappointed when they experienced that “confused facial expression”. The hassle and expense of returning the kayak could be easily avoided if you could have discovered in advance that the “giftee’s” idea of water sports is lounging on a Caribbean Cruise or maybe they have an aversion to paddles or … you get the idea.

If you need a few gift suggestions, maybe these will help you out. A Sea Eagle 330 or 370 is a great gift for a beginner who wants to start out paddling. Sea Eagle Explorer Kayaks (340, 380 or 420) or any of the Innova inflatable kayaks are terrific for someone who wants to upgrade from a beginner level kayak. PakBoat’s Arrows or Puffins folding kayaks are nice for a hard shell kayaker who’s tired of carting around and storing that hard shell kayak. PakBoats track very much like a hard shell, too. And, of course the TRAK adjustable kayak is perfect for the kayaker who has everything and wants more. All of the above also travel very well on planes or in car trunks or the back of a minivan. Some kayak accessories you might look at include these items that can all be used by any type of kayaker, traditional hard shell or portable. You could buy someone a new, lighter fiberglass or carbon Cannon paddle, a PakPod Deck Bag/Paddle Float or one of the new WindPaddle™ sails that fit most any type of small boat, kayak or canoe. If there’s a paddler on your list that’s also a photographer, an AquaPac 100% waterproof/sand proof case is a nice gift. There are also AquaPac cases for cell phones and MP3 players.

There’s some great gift ideas here, made even better by a little advance ‘gift giving’ research.