The 393rl has a removable skeg that will certainly be a weak point in shallow waters. So if something does go wrong, it can be mended back to life. Keep an eye out for potential puncture hazards. The example is to paddle on protected waters and slow rivers. You’ll still want to keep to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Field test and field approvedĪctually, during my paddle test, I accidentally collided with a rock, and this kayak took it like a champ. Since the Sea Eagle 393rl is made with drop-stitch construction, it is much more durable than any old big-box purchase.
But high-quality inflatables are also not going to puncture and sink willy-nilly. It goes without saying that an inflatable kayak is not going to be as durable as a hardshell. How long will an inflatable kayak last? Durable inflatable kayaks have be introduced to the market The exception is the RazorLite 393rl! Which is another reason why inflatable kayaks can be less comfortable to paddle. Generally speaking, inflatable kayaks tend to lack adjustable braces. One last note in terms of comfort: remember to scout out the foot peg situation. They simply represent the basic physics of a solid seat of a hardshell versus a minimal one found in an inflatable. None of these comments are knocks on Sea Eagle. In addition, the Tupelo kayak seat had substantially better lumbar support. Those rogue waves, or annoying friends that like to randomly splash you, aren’t a big deal. It is also made of a quick-drying fabric that drains easily. The Tupelo seat is elevated, which gets you into a more natural posture where your butt is above your ankles. The seat in the Jackson Kayak Tupelo 12.5 was still noticeably better.
Thanks to a cushy seat pad that kept my butt off the floor and an adequate high-back support band. The Sea Eagle 393rl had a more comfortable set up than most inflatables. This is usually because the seats are much more robust. Hardshell kayaks are more comfortable than inflatable ones. Most comfortable kayak? Seat comparison of the Jackson Tupelo hard shell kayak and the Sea Eagle Razorlite inflatable kayak a hardshell from a similar class) I tested. Almost as good as the Jackson Kayak Tupelo 12.5 (i.e. The 393rl cuts through the water much better. Soft inflatables lose a ton of efficiency because of that sloppy drag. It is also made with drop-stitch construction, which allows it to be pumped up to a rigid 10 psi. This boosts both comfort and paddling power. Inflatable Kayak with Foot Pegsįor example, the Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl has foot pegs (which many inflatables lack). With that said, the gap is closing more every year. It will it be as comfortable, durable, or have the same level of features. An inflatable will not be able to perform as well as a hardshell kayak. But there are still cons that are inherent within the design. Inflatable kayaks have improved leaps and bounds over the last decade. Sea Eagle inflatable kayaks What are the cons of an inflatable kayak? But nowadays, there are tons of reputable manufacturers making high-quality kayaks that perform almost as well as some hard shell kayaks. Not so long ago, the trade-off for portability was poor performance on the water.Īnd to be honest, inflatable kayaks used to be terrible for serious paddlers. When it comes to storage, you don’t need a big garage or a rented locker – any old closest or empty corner of a room should suffice. You can even just hike with it to the closest pond or lake. With an inflatable kayak, you can just toss the carry case/backpack in an Uber. So, you don’t have to be concerned about tying anything down. You don’t need a roof rack, a trailer, or a big pickup truck to move your boat around. Inflatable kayaks are great for transportability and stow-ability. SEA EAGLE RAZORLITE 393rl INFLATABLE KAYAK The Sea Eagle Razorlite 393rl example of a modern inflatable kayak with foot pegsĬapacity: 500 lbs (227 kg) Why would you buy an inflatable kayak? JACKSON KAYAK TUPELO 12.5 The Jackson Kayak Tupelo – example of a hard shell kayak I’ll give you my personal takes on each, as well as some general pros and cons to consider when you choose a kayak. I’ve had a chance to paddle both of these boats. recreational-touring), and with (roughly) the same price. These two kayaks are in the same class (i.e. In order to demonstrate the trade-offs for each style of kayak, I’ve decided to do a comparison of the Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl (inflatable) and the Jackson Kayak Tupelo 12.5 (hardshell).
#INFLATABLE KAYAK HOW TO#
A key question keeps coming up, how to choose a kayak? Is it better to go with an inflatable kayak or a classic hardshell kayak? Inflatable kayaks have been advancing in both popularity and design.
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