Inflatable Kayak Blog

The Sea Eagle FoldCat inflatable pontoon is an excellent choice for fishermen who have limited carry space but need a larger craft for fishing. We’ve heard from folks who tow a 5th wheel and can’t tow a boat behind, some who have limited truck bed space and others who simply didn’t want to carry a boat over their cab or car top. They all find that the FoldCat fits their needs perfectly.

The Sea Eagle FoldCat comes in 2 person and 4 person models which include swivel seats and something most inflatable pontoons don’t have, a full floor, that gives you more usable space allowing you to carry more gear. The floor also acts as a “safety net” to catch gear you may drop.

The best thing about the FoldCat is that it’s now on sale at it’s lowest price ever at PortableKayaks.com.

Early November and it is a beautiful fall afternoon. We won’t get many more nice days like this to get out in the kayak around this area so we took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures and put the kayak in at Buffalo Trace Park. I got a short leg workout as I did all the pumping with the kayak foot pump to inflate the kayak as we hurried to get it in the water before it got too dark. The lake was calm as glass and the reflection of the fall colors was spectacular! I had a hard time paddling, not because I was tired out from pumping, but because I was busy taking so many pictures. We barely had time to paddle around the small lake as the sun was sinking very low in the sky. I took a few more pictures and we packed up and headed home in darkness. What a great way to spend one of the last paddles of the year!

Probably the most unique folding watercraft on the market today is the TRAK T-1600 Folding Kayak. The TRAK changes shape. Hydraulics inside the cockpit enable you to instantly shift the shape of the kayak’s hull. So you can adjust your TRAK for straight speed, then shift its shape to turn easily. Or neutralize a cross wind without a rudder. It’s kind of like having an “all-wheel drive” performance vehicle on land, or “gears” on a mountain bike.

The TRAK has been a ‘high end’ priced kayak, but the current sale has prices marked down up to 40% and since it’s priced in Canadian dollars, the US Dollar price is even lower. The sale, initiated by the manufacturer is called the “8 Weeks Of Christmas” and the discount is larger the sooner you buy. Check the details out at PortableKayaks.com.

These two strokes are mirror images of each other and move the kayak side ways for approaching jetties or other landings. They can also be used for course corrections. These strokes are more popular as canoe paddling strokes, but are useful as well for hard shell, folding or inflatable kayaks.

To perform the Draw Stroke you hold the paddle in forward paddling position and turn your torso to the side. Put the power face of the blade two to three feet from the boat and pull the blade towards your hips keeping the top hand relatively fixed.  Keep the boat level and do not lean toward the blade. A variation is the “hanging” draw stroke, shown in the picture, where the paddle is more vertical.

To perform the Pry Stroke hold the paddle in the forward paddling position and turn your torso to the side. Plant the poser face of the blade next to the boat and pry it away from the boat by pulling with the upper hand and pushing gently with the lower hand. This will push the boat in the opposite direction.

Inflatable kayaks generally ride higher in the water, mainly because of their buoyancy. Therefore, they tend to not track as well as a hard shell kayak. Innova inflatable kayaks, however, have a design that features bladders with a smaller circumference. This sleek Innova design allows them to track more similar to a hard shell than any other inflatable on the market. Innova also differs from most other inflatable kayaks by using a PVC free material on 9 of their 13 models. Their Nitrylon™ material is made of blends of natural rubbers.

Innova Inflatable Kayaks are made for touring and whitewater in solo and tandem versions. There are also 2 inflatable canoes. All the models are heavy duty, very portable and compact. We’re proud to add them to our product line at PortableKayaks.com.

A useful paddle stroke when you’re out in your kayak is the “forward sweep stroke”. This stroke will move the kayak in the opposite direction of the stroke. It’s executed by making a broad sweeping stroke on one side of the kayak. The power face of the blade is buried in the water and the stroke starts at bow and is swept in a wide arc with the power coming from your body twist. The stroke finishes when rotation finishes. The sweep will push you in the opposite direction. This is especially helpful in fast moving water to keep the kayak on course. Whether you’re paddling a hard shell, inflatable or folding kayak, knowing the techniques for a variety of paddle strokes will add to your enjoyment on the water.

NOTE: An example of the stroke is shown in this YouTubeVideo.

With Christmas just weeks away and the economy in turmoil, I thought I would share an idea that I was reading about that may offer a solution to some major purchases; like finally getting the folding or inflatable kayak that you have been looking at and not knowing how you can afford it. One option that is available is layaway. Once this was an affordable way to finance purchases but with the easy availability of credit cards, this payment option was near extinction. However today’s economy has brought on an increase in layaway’s popularity.

For online shoppers a company called eLayaway.com is making this service available and stores like PortableKayaks.com are now offering this form of payment. Though the layaway plan isn’t free, it does offer a low 1.9% fee on the total cost of the item, which really isn’t too high a price to finance a larger ticket item. So if you are considering a larger priced item and need a way to finance it, using a layaway plan might be an option to help get what you want at an affordable price.

One of the basic strokes for moving a kayak through the water is the Power Stroke. To get the correct grip on the paddle, place the paddle above your head with your elbows at right angles and your hands the same distance from the blade on each side. You could place some electrical tape on the shaft just inside your hands to help keep your position when paddling. Now that you have your hands in a comfortable position for you, Bend at the waist and lean forward. Plant the blade at a comfortable extension and smoothly draw the blade parallel to the boat’s waterline. As you complete the stroke, rotate the kayak paddle to the other side. Use the same power stroke on the other side and you’re moving forward. Keep the strokes nice and even and you will be moving along with very little effort.

Here’s a few ‘Common Sense’ kayaking tips to help you enjoy your paddling and keep you safe.
If you’re not familiar with an area, check with the local Coast Guard for day and nighttime kayaking requirements. Kayaks should be used by someone who is familiar with water conditions. Always check the condition of your kayak and gear before entering the water. Wear a coast guard approved personal floatation device (pfd). Understand your limitations. Be aware of your environment, the weather and boat traffic. Read your user manual carefully. Do not use products while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. And above all else, use good judgment and, oh yeah, common sense!

If you’re in need of storage for your kayaking equipment and other items, there’s a new product called the FLOW WALL™ Storage Solution that is affordable and very easy to install. Panels are screwed into any wall, anywhere and then you can add hooks, cabinets, shelves and other components by sliding them into the grooves in the panels. We saw this unit at the Outdoor Retail Show in Salt Lake City in August and it looks like a practical and functional way to organize a variety of items. If you have folding or inflatable kayaks, you have the option of hanging them up partially or fully assembled or hung up in their carry bag. It’s a terrific concept and worth looking into for any type of storage.