Inflatable Kayak Blog

February is a popular month for sales on many kinds. Seems like everyone has a President’s Day sale and this year there will be lots of sales on or because of February 29th. 2012 is a ‘leap year’. That’s a function that was added to our calendar to correct the ‘drift’ and synchronize the calendar year with the astronomical year. If you want the complete geek explanation check out Wikipedia.

February also may not be the best time to paddle a kayak or use a fishing boat, but it’s a good time to buy one. Especially if it’s a folding or inflatable kayak or boat. PortableKayaks.com is having a leap year inflatable boat sale on three brands of boats and kayaks. The discount is $29.00 off, across the board. That’s $29 because of February 29th, you get it! However the sale is in effect all month long … through February 29th.

You will need a discount coupon code, which can be redeemed within the checkout process. To get the code go to the Portable Kayaks FaceBook page, “Like” them, then click on the ‘Fan Coupons’ page to reveal the code. If you are already a ‘fan’, you already have access to the code.

The $29 discount applies to the following products …
* Innova inflatable kayaks, even the already discounted clearance models.
* Sea Eagle inflatable kayak packages, including catamaran models.
* PakBoat folding kayaks.
* Sea Eagle inflatable boat packages.
* Sea Eagle inflatable pontoon packages
* Sea Eagle stand up paddle board packages

That’s a lot of possibilities. So if you’re in the market, head over to the Portable Kayaks FaceBook page, check out the coupon code and save yourself 29 bucks. Happy leap year!

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.

Informing potential customers about a price increase isn’t exactly a pleasant task, however I figure that telling you about it now, ahead of time, is somewhat of a public service. If you’ve been considering a purchase, now is the time to act, before January 1st.

At PortableKayaks.com, Sea Eagle inflatable boats are our most popular products and in the past 5 years, the company has not had any major price increases despite rising manufacturing costs, shipping rates and all of the other reasons that have caused companies to raise prices during that same period. The cost increases have finally caught up with them and on January 1, 2012 prices on many boats will go up.

The Sea Eagle Sport Kayaks, the 330 and 370 models, which are the most popular inflatable kayak packages will increase by $50 per package. PaddleSki catamaran style kayaks will go up $200 per package. LongBoard11 inflatable stand up paddle board packages will also be $200 more. Similar increases are set for the Yacht Tender and the Sport Runabout inflatable boats. The 285fpb frameless pontoon boat will also increase by $50.

The largest increases, $300 to $400, will hit the FoldCats. The 375fc and 440fc inflatable fishing pontoons have metal framing in addition to their inflatable material and the cost of manufacturing these frames has gone up considerably.

There is some good news, though. Not all models will be increased. The 385ft and 465ft Fast Track kayak packages will remain priced as they have been. So will the smaller inflatable motormount boats, the SE-8, 9 and 124.

If you have specific questions about any of the boats, give me a call or reply to this post. In the case of larger priced items, we sometimes offer a layaway plan to buyers so they can take advantage of the current prices and take delivery later.

Even with the price increases, Sea Eagle products will remain one of the best values for the buck whether it’s an inflatable pontoon, inflatable boat, inflatable stand up paddle board or inflatable kayak package.

By Sabrina Marx

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be recommending some products for the paddlers on your gift list, but before I do I want to preface these suggestions with some words of advice … do a little research first.

Whatever the hobby or pastime, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, golf, antique collecting, scrap booking or anything that captures a person’s passion, there’s always a point where you become fairly particular about the tools you use. Often, even someone who casually pursues a hobby can be selective about their golf clubs, fishing pole or kayak paddle. This is where the research comes in.

You will actually want to research your gift for a couple reasons. One being that you want to give someone a gift that they will like and really use and not want to return. The other being that your gift reflects on that person’s impression of you. For example, if you get them something that they like and is useful, they will know that you put some thought into the gift. You’ve heard the term “It’s the thought that counts”, well it does!

Here are a couple examples …

Inflatable Kayaks:
Sea Eagle inflatable kayak packages are as low as $199, so it’s not a stretch for someone to buy a package as a gift. Even the packages that run up to $1000 can sometimes be looked at as gifts. It’s encouraging to know that you can get a lot of boat for a little money when buying a portable kayak or boat.

Inflatable Kayaks – What to research?
Make sure that the person you’re buying for would actually like an inflatable kayak. It may save them some storage room and they wouldn’t have to use a car carrier anymore, but they may not like the way inflatable kayaks track in the water. There are lots of articles in this blog where you can research the differences between hard shell, folding and inflatable kayaks including my inflatable kayak reviews based on customer comments.

Another important thing to remember with inflatable kayaks or inflatable boats or crafts of any kind is that it’s not like buying a paddle or life vest or book for someone who already goes kayaking or paddleboarding or whatever. DON’T buy a kayak package for someone who hasn’t kayaked or that you “think” they would like it. Research by asking their friends, spouses, etc., then make an educated decision. If you KNOW that the person WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE an inflatable or folding kayak, then go for it. If you don’t KNOW FOR SURE, then DON’T GO THERE!

Every year I hear about someone who thinks they know what they’re buying and they don’t. The husband that just looked at the box and said “what the hell is this? I don’t want a kayak.” The Mom that thought her son should get more exercise and the son totally rejected the gift. Or the person who does kayak, but only wants a hard shell kayak and has no use for “blow up boats”.

Paddles:
Could be a good bet when buying as gift for a paddler. There are still some areas where research is crucial, like a kayak paddle or stand up paddle, since they can be items that a paddler can get particular about. However, some paddlers just don’t want to spend the extra dollars and you can upgrade their experience with a higher quality paddle. It’s worth looking into.

Other Accessories:
Accessories are probably the best area to look into for the paddler on your list. There are so many varied possibilities, but I’ll mention a few. Portable sails, such as the WindPaddle can give almost any small boat the option of ‘sailing’. Books and Videos on a person’s particular outdoor interest can be a thoughtful gift. There are also specific accessories depending on what type of kayaking that person participates in, such as a foot rest, a paddle float, a specific type of life vest or sunglasses. How to decide? Do some research?

In the end, I’m not trying to discourage you from buying something specifically related to the paddler or boater on your list, I’m only trying to help you get them the gift that they’ll remember and appreciate the most.

Next week I’ll have some specific, detailed suggestions for you. So, until then, keep your paddle in the water and your butt in the boat!

By Sam Wright

It is four in the morning, and I have never seen the boys so excited. We borrowed a larger inflatable fishing boat and extra lifejackets for my two sons. We are heading out on an adventure. Our plans entail a short road trip to our local dam that has some of the best crappie fishing around. My buddy Tom wouldn’t eat a crappie. He is sure it is beneath his refined taste, and he brags of his expertise fishing skills and his luck with bass. I, however, am pretty sure I am easily as good a fisherman as my pal Tom, and my taste buds sure like a good cornbread battered crappie.

Riding to the dam, I decided I needed to educate the boys so they would learn to appreciate this time. “Boys,” I said, “Zane Grey, my favorite outdoors writer, once stated, every fishing water has its secrets. A river or a lake is not a dead thing. It has beauty, wisdom and content. And to yield up these mysteries it must be fished with more than hooks and for more than fish. Strange things happen to the inquiring fisherman. Nature meets him halfway on his adventure.”

My little guy spoke up, “Daddy, will there be mysteries like aliens? Is that the strange things that we will see today?”

“Not likely son, Mr. Grey most likely meant that we need to pay attention to all the noises, all the sights, all the smells, and all the animals. You will see and hear things today you probably have never seen or heard before. Watch for that.”

My oldest son eagerly interjected, “I saw frogs and a turtle the last time I got to go fishing.”

The conversation continued as the boys imagined all sorts of varmints and critters they might spot today. The boys asked me why I liked to go fishing, and that took me back to my dad and grandfather, and the rest of the trip they listened intently as I told them of other fishing trips. They understood this was a family tradition that someday they would pass on to their children. Pride and smiles flourished as much as the new fishermen’s souls that were being cultivated.

We arrived and I showed the boys how I picked out the best spot. We looked at the clarity of the water, the type of cover, and even the temperature of the lake. If the water is warmer, the fish are more likely to be closer to the surface. If the water is clear they also are also more likely to not be as deep. Continuing to enlighten their fishing minds, I explained that in murky waters, the fish are more likely to be tighter together as their visibility is decreased. Understanding the season is important as well. As the season gets warmer, the fish migrate to shallow protected bays and coves. They will eventually spawn in these areas.

“Dad, what is spawning?”

Answering my oldest son, “That is when fish make babies.”

“Oh,” my son continued, “Dad, how did you learn all this stuff?”

“Many trips with grandpa and you will learn by many trips with me.”

“That sure sounds good. I like learning all this stuff. Do you think I will catch a fish today?”

“Son, we never know, but we sure hope we each catch many fish. If not, there is always another day.”

Arriving, unpacking and getting on the lake went quicker than expected. I was surprised how quickly the inflatable boat pumped up with only a small foot pump. This was a bigger boat than I had used before and it worked out very well. The boys eagerly followed instructions and baited hooks. Then we waited. Waiting proved to be the hardest element for the boys, but we found that a few stories helped to pass the time. In the middle of one of my yarns, the littlest boy got a bite. Instructions flew as the little guy hung on and was a real trouper. He listened well, and with a little help, he reeled in the first fish of the day. “What is it,” he screamed. “Son, you have your first crappie and he will be mighty tasty for tonight’s dinner.”

Hours passed before another fish was boated. Thankfully, my older boy got a bite. The little guy was issuing instructions like the new found pro, and luckily it was one of those days when the older brother kept his mouth shut and let the little guy beam with his pride of his new knowledge as the ‘expert fisherman.’ Both boys landing a fish made it the perfect day on the lake.

The author, Sam Wright is Kentucky born and bred. Sam lives with his wife and two sons and often enjoys the many lakes and rivers in his beautiful state. Sam occasionally writes about his adventures and enjoys sharing his journeys.