Inflatable Kayak Blog

Two Sea Eagle 380 Inflatable Kayaks are co-starring in an independent film (documentary) about a kayaking trip down America’s great river, the Mississippi. The movie is titled “The River is Life”. Ryan Jeanes and Phillip Hullquist were filmed as they paddled two inflatable Sea Eagle kayaks from Lake Itasca, Minnesota (the source of the Mississippi) to New Orleans, Louisiana. They stayed in people’s homes, camped along the riverbanks, and had to contend with wind-swollen lakes, barge traffic, and massive boat wakes.

The documentary is a fun-filled journey with lots of surprises and unique encounters with real people, some a bit on the unusual side. You’ll find a more detailed story here at 11Visions.com.

The movie is initially being presented in a 42 stop movie tour down the same route as they adventurers paddled. It began August 4th and will end in New Orleans on Halloween night. You can check out the schedule and see the movie trailer at TheRiverIsLife.com, where they are also offering a chance to win a Sea Eagle 380 Inflatable Kayak just like the ones they paddled on the trip.

Jeanes and Hullquist have filmed other documentaries through their production company, 11 Visions, including “The Hitchhiking Movie” where Ryan hitchhikes across the entire United States. Click here to visit 11 Visions.

PortableKayaks.com and Sea Eagle are teaming up to offer some end of the season discounts on their most popular inflatable kayaks, the 330 and 370 models. Both versions are made to be used as tandem (two person) kayaks or as solo (one person) kayaks. The 330 is a little over 11 feet long and the 370 is a little over 12 feet long. Both are very durable and easy to store, transport and inflate.

Each kayak package comes with pump, paddles and carry bag. Everything you need to start paddling except for life vests. The 330 and 370 are each available in a Deluxe and Pro Package. The main difference being the type of seat. The Pro Pkg. seats are firmer and give better back support.

It’s easy to take advantage of the savings. Simply type the coupon code in on the PortableKayaks.com checkout page. To save $20 on a Sea Eagle 330 kayak, use the coupon code 330summer. To save $20 on a Sea Eagle 370 kayak, use the coupon code 370save20.

As an extra incentive to customers, Portable Kayaks FaceBook Fans are receiving an extra $5 discount bonus. If you currently are or if you become a Fan (click that you “like”) of Portable Kayaks on Facebook, you’ll have access to a ‘fan only’ coupon code for the extra $5 discount. Click here to become a ‘fan’. You need to be logged into your FaceBook account.

These coupon codes for Sea Eagle 330 and 370 inflatable kayaks will be available for a short time only. Prices are expected to go up at the end of September (2010), so this is a great time to buy.

Innova inflatable kayaks are designed to be very durable, versatile and easy to transport. In fact, Innova kayaks will fit into your overhead bin as carry-on luggage, your backpack, or the trunk of your car. They’ll also handle whitewater and make excellent fishing kayaks, depending on which of the dozen different models you choose.

Only thing is, in most cases, when you purchase an Innova kayak you have to purchase the pump and paddles separately. PortableKayaks.com has solved that problem for you. You won’t have to spend extra time choosing a pump and paddle because they’ve put together a “Pump & Paddle Package” option that includes the recommended pump and paddles for the Innova inflatables.

The add-on foot pump is the Bravo Scoprega 1, a hearty 5 liter pump that fills your kayak or inflatable boat in no time. The add-on paddle choice is the very high quality Aqua-Bound Manta Ray four part paddle that’s easy to transport and light in your hands. You can also choose between an aluminum or fiberglass shaft. Of course, if you already have a pump or paddles, you can pick out whatever you need to complete your package. And, best of all, these “Pump & Paddle Packages” are discounted below regular retail price when you purchase an Innova inflatable kayak from PortableKayaks.com.

Technology continues to advance at a rapid rate in all forms of product development including inflatable kayaks and watercraft. One of the more recent innovations is the high pressure drop stitch construction process that has enabled the development of inflatable stand-up paddleboards.

Drop stitch construction allows a much higher air pressure than other inflatable technologies. Thousands of tiny threads connect the top and bottom layers of the board, which means an inflatable paddleboard can hold 12 pounds of air pressure, more than double the working pressure of other technologies. The resulting stiffness makes for a hard surface that you can stand on.

When Sea Eagle introduced their new Fast Track 385ft kayak, they included a drop stitch floor which increases the rigidity of the kayak and adds to the efficiency of the paddler’s strokes. This concept has become such a “hit” with customers and made such a difference in paddling performance that Sea Eagle is now including a drop stitch floor with their complete line of Explorer kayaks, the 420x, 380x and 340x. The new floor replaces the I-Beam floor that has been the standard since the Explorer kayaks were introduced.

by Dee Owens

When choosing between the Sea Eagle Fast Track 385ft Deluxe Package and the Pro Package you will want to evaluate which package fits your needs. Here you will find specifications between the two packages offered to help make a better choice.

The Sea Eagle Fast Track 385ft inflatable boat is NMMA certified, with two self-bailing drain valves, spray skirts in both the front and back, plenty of storage space below and above with lacing made of elastic rope. The large skeg at the rear gives more yaw control and faster speeds. The skeg itself is removable. Sitting on the Sea Eagle Fast Track 385ft is even more secure with six D-Rings to secure seating for up to two people, grab handles at both the bow and stern, and the high pressure drop stitch flooring for more stability. The hull is resistant to both sun and saltwater, and comes in a nylon carry bag, with a repair kit and printed instructions. The interior dimension of the Sea Eagle Fast Track 385ft is 11-foot by 7-inches in length and 1-foot by 3-inches in width, while the exterior is 12 foot by 6 inches by 2 foot 10 inches. Even at that size, it will condense down to a 31-inch by 19-inch by 8-inch inflatable boat. The boat itself weighs a mere 35 pounds and can safely carry up to 750 pounds. It is made of 1000 reinforced Denier, which inflates in approximately 7 minutes. The Sea Eagle Fast Track is suitable for waters up to Class III.

The Deluxe Package comes with the Sea Eagle Fast Track 385ft Inflatable Boat, two 7-foot and 10-inch AB30’s paddles, two inflatable seats, a foot pump, and free shipping.

The Pro Package contains the inflatable boat, two 8-foot AB40 paddles, two tall back seats, two stern bags, a foot pump and free shipping as well.

The major differences between the two packages are the seating, Stern bags and paddles. Seating wise, the Tall Back Seat is more similar to the seating in high end hard shell kayaks, although I’ve heard that people like the inflatable seat almost as well. It seats you higher and still gives good back support. The paddles are both four piece, but the AB40 is a step up from the AB30. Lastly the Stern Bags are for the kayaker that takes longer trips and needs to carry some gear with them. If you’re an overnighter, they’ll surely come in handy.

When choosing which Sea Eagle Fast Track package is right for you, take in to consideration the amount of time you will be spending in the water, your personal comfort preferences and what type of paddling you’ll be doing.

The author, Dee Owens has published two novels and a variety of articles online. You can learn more about her at http://deeowens.webs.com.

It’s always great to hear from customers about their experiences with their inflatable kayaks. Recently, Chuck R. from Texas e-mailed me his inflatable kayak review and a video with these comments … “Just had the kayak out yesterday for the first time on the Guadalupe River in Gruene (“Green”) Texas. It performed beyond my expectations and we had a fantastic time with it. My 2 daughters and their friend occupied it for the most part with 3 adults in inner tubes alongside. During rapids, as in this video, I climbed aboard and guided them safely down the river. I love the kayak, and will probably reach for this one first over either of my 2 sit-on-tops. Great boat!”

Just click this link Sea Eagle 385 Fast Track on Guadalupe River in Texas and the video will open.

Enjoy the video and if you have any questions about the Sea Eagle Fast Track 385, feel free to give me a call at PortableKayaks.com.

The new Sea Eagle Fast Track 385 inflatable kayak has generated quite a bit of buzz since it was released earlier this year. The Fast Track limits ‘yaw’, the side to side motion resulting from paddle strokes, with the incorporation of a rigid, drop-stitch inflatable keel into the kayak’s bow and a large removable skeg under the stern. Probably the most unique feature is the Fast Track’s high pressure drop-stitch floor. The floor not only increases the rigidity of the FastTrack kayak, and adds to the efficiency of the paddler’s strokes, but it also allows the kayaker to stand up in the craft just like you would on a stand up paddleboard.

Recently, Cecil Hoge, the designer of the Sea Eagle Fast Track kayak, made a video to answer customer’s questions and explain the design innovations in more detail.

Summer begins tomorrow and Portable Kayaks is starting the season with a sale on Sea Eagle 330 Deluxe and Pro packages. The 330 has been Sea Eagle’s most popular kayak over the past 4 years. It’s durable, functional and an excellent value at under $250 for the entire package, including pump, paddles and storage bag. Everything you need to start paddling except for PFD’s. Use the coupon code 330summer and you’ll get $20 off either the Deluxe or Pro package.

Better yet, Portable Kayaks FaceBook Fans are receiving an extra discount bonus. If you currently are or if you become a Fan (click that you “like”) of Portable Kayaks on Facebook, you’ll have access to a ‘fan only’ coupon code for the extra discount. Click here to become a ‘fan’. You need to be logged into your FaceBook account.

This is a short term sale. It ends June 30, 2010. So check it out soon.

Contributed by Victoria Adams

Alligators can be found in the Southern portions of the United States such as Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Mississippi, Eastern Texas, Virginia, and the southern tip of Oklahoma. Avid Kayakers need to be aware of proper safety measures and what one should do if they encounter an alligator while kayaking in these areas. Alligators have the capability to kill a human, but are naturally wary of people and will only attack when provoked.

In some states there are laws that protect alligators from harassment and molestation by tourists. So by all means kayak and enjoy the water, but be cautious and respectful of Alligators and their environment.

Be prepared and contact your local fish and wildlife organization for information about Alligator mating season, behavioral patterns, and the times that predators feed.

What do you do if you encounter an Alligator on your trip?

1. Do not panic! Just leave them alone! And Don’t Feed Them! It is against the law to feed Alligators. The reason is because if humans feed alligators then alligators will become desensitized and more prone to attack.
2. A must for kayaking in dangerous waters is a PDF whistle. PDF stands for personal flotation device. The whistle is typically plastic and without a pea in it to prevent corrosion and to facilitate using it if it gets wet and is attached to your life jacket so you don’t lose it. If you encounter an alligator you can use the noise from your PDF whistle to scare it off.
3. If you are in an area where you see signs of Alligator activity (for example a muddy wallow where they like to roll, a slide for them to slip into the lake or river, and/or Alligator eggs), leave the area as quickly and as calmly as you can. Gators are naturally territorial and will defend their eggs aggressively.

More than likely if you encounter a gator and it is your first time seeing one you are going to panic. You may feel threatened, and you may want to run or paddle wildly. If possible, try to have someone who has experience in gator encounters with you when paddling in potential gator areas. The buddy system works wonders in helping you overcome your fears. If you see gator activity in an area, make a notation and call the fish and wildlife organization and notify them of your sighting.

This might make you feel a little safer if you are kayaking in an inflatable kayak or a folding kayak. Most of the material components in these type kayaks are designed to keep you afloat even if the hull of your boat is punctured. For example, even the smallest Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak has three separate air chambers for the floor and each side of the kayak. Most importantly be safe, do your research about the area you choose to kayak, and have respect for the alligator populations leave them alone.

If you’d like to read more, here are a collection of links to a variety of additional information about alligators in general and kayaking around alligators.

http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/NatureIssues/sharks.htm#ali

http://www.clubkayak.com/greenwave/showpage.asp?page=070609_Alligators

http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/Instruction/SignalDevices.html

http://members.tripod.com/lauras_house/alligator.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Alligator

By Guest Author: Dee Owens

Taking the family pet kayaking is becoming a more and more popular family sport. What is your dog if not a part of your family? Before you load up your inflatable kayak and head to the water there are a few things that you need to do first.

Your first thought is probably whether ‘Fido’s’ toenails will damage your inflatable. It should be a concern but unless they are super sharp, most of the higher quality kayaks made today will stand up to the challenge. Putting down an old piece of carpet can help ease your mind as well.

One really nice thing about inflatable kayaks is that, unlike hard shell enclosed style kayaks (where your pet would not be able to join you) or hard shell sit-on-top kayaks which have no sides, the side chambers of an inflatable kayak make like walls, similar to how a canoe is designed. It’s a perfect setup for both of you.

Most inflatable kayaks will be able to hold the weight of you and your dog, but your should check to be sure. Two person inflatable kayaks shouldn’t be an issue, however those that are made for solo use may.  If the kayak is too small then you can run into complications such as capsizing the kayak. That can be avoided by a “cargo canoe”, a small craft that will attach to the back of the kayak.

Next on the list is to make sure that you and your pet have a Portable Flotation Device, also known as a Life Jacket. Buying the right life jacket for your pet is extremely important, it can be the difference between a fun filled day on the water or not. Also be sure to have a harness for your pet. This will allow you to get your pet back into the water easier if he or she jumps out.

Take your time and chose a location where the water is calm and the weather favorable. Choppy waters are not the best idea for taking your dog with you at any time. Once you know where you are going, it is time to take the pet out onto the water. Take it slowly with your dog the first time and practice commands before going out. You want to know that if you tell him or her to sit they will without delay. Spend time allowing your pet to get used to riding in the kayak as well, remember this is their first trip out with you and they might be a wee bit apprehensive or slightly over excited.

When you feel comfortable with your pet in the kayak, then it’s time to plan your day trip. Take some of their favorite treats with you so you can reward them throughout the day for their good behavior. Always remember to not over tire yourself or your dog, kayaking with your pet is meant to be a fun, relaxing day for you both.

The Author, Dee Owens has published two novels and a variety of articles online.