Inflatable Kayak Blog

Fishermen are finding that kayaks can be excellent fishing boats. Words like “stealth” and “silence” are often used  when describing kayak fishing. Kayaks can often allow access to areas that are difficult to reach, and paddling a kayak adds some additional light exercise to the entire process.

Portability is added to the equation with a folding kayak, such as a PakBoat. Many PakBoat owners purchased their Puffins specifically to use as fishing craft. The ability to paddle a Pak Boat with or without a deck makes it a perfect choice. The 10 and a half foot Puffin Sport was a very popular fishing kayak before it was discontinued. Although there are a few Arrow 10′s available on clearance, recently more fishermen have decided on the longer, more versatile Puffin Saco. At 12 feet long, it gives you more room inside and more speed when paddling.

Kayak fishing involves some ‘rigging’. Anglers often want rod holders that attach to the kayak frame. It’s usually pretty easy to attach rigs to hard shell kayaks, however with a folding kayak, it can sometimes be difficult to find a way to attach rigs to the frame. PakBoats solves this problem with the Triple Mount Board For Scotty Fishing Rod Holders. PakBoats adapted Scotty’s standard Mount Board so it will clamp securely to the gunwales on Puffins and PakCanoes. The Mount Board accepts three of Scotty’s accessories in any combination. Therefore you can mount combinations of up to three items such as, three rods, or a cup holder or GPS and two rods, etc. in any order.

So if you’re considering joining other kayak fishermen as part of the fastest growing segment in the sports fishing industry, be sure to consider a PakBoat folding kayak and their Triple Mount Board For Scotty Fishing Rod Holders.

At PortableKayaks.com we have always tried to make it easy for customers to compare the specs of all of the boats we sell … inflatable kayaks, fishing boats, pontoons, float tubes and folding kayaks. Our Product Comparison Charts break down the width, length, carrying weight, weight capacity, material specifications, assembly time and other important specs that you can use to decide which craft is right for you. Each of the model numbers link to the appropriate product page for the complete product descriptions, which also makes it easy to review the kayaks or boats on your wish list.

Recently, our inflatable boat review page has been completely re-designed. We’ve updated the charts with additional information and changed the layout of the comparison charts to make them much easier to read and navigate.

If you’re in the process of reviewing inflatable kayaks, folding kayaks, portable fishing boats, pontoons or float tubes, check out the Product Comparison Charts at PortableKayaks.com.

Yes, Virginia (or should I say Alice?), there is such a thing as a ten pound folding kayak. Chuck Corwin, a retired civil engineer, who says he “always wanted to design a boat”, has designed and built a 10 pound folding kayak. His purpose was to develop a portable kayak that could be taken into areas where only hikers and backpackers could go. It took Corwin about 10 years to perfect his design for the 12 foot folding kayak that he calls “Alice”. It only takes about 30 minutes to assemble and, at 10 pounds, is seven pounds lighter than the PakBoat Arrow 10 (ten foot kayak). The Arrow 10 is probably the lightest folding kayak that’s currently available ‘off the shelf’.

The only drawback to “Alice” is that it’s not available as a production model that you can purchase for use right off the shelf. You have to build it first. Corwin sells plans for the kayak for $100. They come in an “actual-size” roll, complete with detailed instructions. It should take you about 300 hours to cut and assemble the parts. Materials will cost you around $850. You can get more specific details in this Duckwork’s Magazine article.

Corwin has built four of the kayaks himself and sold several of the designs. He says “I like designing stuff.” “My hope is that more people will build them.”

So, if you’re up to the challenge … build one!

The Puffin Saco is considered to be the most maneuverable of the PakBoats folding kayaks. I had a chance to paddle one, myself and found it to totally live up to its description. The Saco is a 12 foot solo kayak that can be paddled with or without the optional deck.

A PakBoat dealer in Austria posted a video on YouTube that demonstrates just how easy it is to paddle, turn and do all the things you would expect from your kayak. The video speaks for itself.

You’ll find the complete line of PakBoat folding kayaks, including the Puffin Saco, available at PortableKayaks.com.

By Victoria Adams

With approximately 200 lakes, and beautiful Mountain views, and fresh green trees California is one of the most majestic and scenic states to plan a fall kayaking trip. The problem was choosing exactly where to find that perfect breathtaking view, and the type of waters we wanted to kayak. After much deliberation and argument my husband and I decided that Lake Tahoe, and Emerald Bay State Park was our choice.  The calmness of the water, beauty of the surrounding area, and relaxing atmosphere were just what we needed for our getaway.

When my husband and I arrived at the bay, the first thing I noticed was the deep velvet blue of the lake and the crisp clean air. I couldn’t wait to get out into the water and enjoy myself with a bit of sun and fun.

We paddled around the bay and took in the sights and sounds of the water lapping as if it were calling to us. We planned to go out to Fannette Island that day, but due to a bit of a later than usual start we decided to save that adventure for the next day.

Our short expedition in our PakBoat Saranac folding kayak was amazing. Words simply do not do justice to the majesty and unspoiled beauty that is Emerald Bay. As the sun began to set we headed back the short distance to our campsite and ate dinner while watching the sun slowly dip below the waters of the bay.

Our vacation was filled with warm sunny days of paddling, picnic trips to Fannette Island, and a lot of great memories. My husband and I had such a wonderful time, we are planning to go back next summer, and bring the PakBoat.

This was the first time that we’d purchased a portable kayak and I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical in how they would handle since I had only used hard shells; but the folding kayak is simple to assemble, and performs every bit as good as what we’d been used to. The PakBoat Saranac is a tandem (two person) kayak, so we only had to bring one kayak with us instead of the two we carried before.

Emerald Bay “Located 22 miles south of Tahoe city the park features Vikingsholm, one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. The “Tea House” on Fannette Island, the only island to be found in all of Lake Tahoe. Emerald Bay was designated an underwater state park in 1994. It is the resting place for many boats, launches and barges used in the lake before the turn of the century, during the heyday of Emerald Bay Resort and used in the construction of Vikingsholm”.

Summer temperatures range from about 75 degrees during the day to the low 40s at night, and winter temperatures average from a high of 40 to a low of 20 degrees; during extremely cold winters Emerald Bay freezes over.  Other activities besides boating include hiking, fishing, horseback riding, the hot springs, biking, and rock climbing. Accommodations are close by with several Hotels located right on the coast in Tahoe city. Or you can choose to camp in at one of the three campgrounds in the State park. So if you’re ever in the Lake Tahoe area I would defiantly recommend Emerald Bay State Park as a go to spot.

(Victoria Adams is the mother of two wonderful children, a stay at home mom, semi-professional photographer, and self taught graphic artist.  She enjoys a myriad of other activities to stimulate her creative processes.)