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Choosing An Inflatable Kayak – An Overview Of Main Name Brands

There are seventeen or more brand name kayak builders out there.  That gives a lot of choice and sometimes too much choice may be confusing.  On the other hand, you might be one of those who like to know what all their options are.  One of them may catch your eye and inspire you to explore further.

Each manufacturer has a particular niche in kayak design. Their market may be general or specific, depending on what the customer is looking for. Most of them also manufacture inflatable canoes.

Each of these boat builders has a range of kayak sizes and designs which further extends a customer's choice.  Broadly speaking, the range falls into categories according to:  length and width; height; unloaded weight and fully loaded weight; and then whether the boat has been designed for touring, fishing/hunting, general recreation or whitewater.

Below are the main inflatable kayak makers.  The list is as comprehensive as possible. However new boat builders come into business and it takes time for their name to be found on the internet.

Advanced Elements

Aire/Tributary

Airhead

Bic Yakkair

Chinee (from China)

Gumotex (From Breclav)

Hyside

Innova

Intex

NRS

RST

Saturn

Sea Eagle

Sevylor

Soar

Sotar

Walker Bay

Nearly all of the manufacturers have a mission statement which describes what they are enthusiastic about in the boat building scene.  Where necessary these statements have been abbreviated, but of course, the full version can be found on their websites.

Advanced Elements

"It is our goal, at Advanced Elements, to develop new and unique paddlesports products that enhance our customers' outdoor experience.  Our focus is on designing and manufacturing ‘inflatable kayaks with cutting-edge technology'".

Aire/Tributary

‘AIRE manufactures the world's finest inflatable kayaksand accessories for whitewater kayaking and touring. With their best-in-the-business 10-year warranty, AIRE is our line of premium, U.S.-made, kayaks. Constructed of Ferrari's patented Precontraint PVC fabrics and urethane AIREcells, they set the standard for durability, performance and innovation.'

‘Tributary kayaks offer a tremendous value for paddlers on a budget. All Tributary kayaks are constructed using a unique two-layer system, an air retentive layer inside and a protective outer layer, and are backed with a solid 5-year warranty (1-year warranty on Tomcat & Sawtooth inflatable kayaks).'

Airhead

AIRHEAD watersport product designers pay a lot of attention to small details to ensure that your AIRHEAD product is the safest and most durable your money can buy. AIRHEAD towables and kayaks are constructed with the best materials available. Most bladders are constructed of durable 30 gauge K80 impact resistant PVC. Covers are made of 100% nylon, never polyester like other brands. Two layers of polyurethane coating reinforce the nylon; all seams are double-stitched with high grade synthetic thread. Handles and tow harnesses are heavily reinforced.

Bic YakkAir

"The upper part of the YakkAir consists of a solid, double layer fabric envelope around two urethane inner tubes inflated to low pressure. A combination that is strong and light.

The submerged part of the kayak is highly sophisticated, combining a high-pressure floor, a PVC skin and a keel all working together to give a hull that is a rigid and dynamic double concave shape. The PVC skin protects the hull and rubber bumpers from bow to stern give excellent protection against knocks and bumps."

Clear Blue Hawaii

They do one model, the Hanauma II, with clear viewing panels made either of polycarbonate glass (bullet proof) or PVC.  They offer a lot of information about the technology used in making their kayaks.

Hyside

"Twenty-two years ago we began with the idea that the only way to make and sell the top product was to create a boat from the toughest performance oriented material available. We began to study the strengths and weaknesses of every comparable product on the market. The first distinction we noted was that between plastic (PVC) and rubber (Hypalon®) boats……"

Innova

"Innova inflatable folding kayaks - Touring and whitewater, heavy duty, very portable and compact.  Nothing travels like an Innova kayak".

They do not have a mission statement.  More information and a brochure can be obtained by filling in a form on their website.

Intex

"In a highly competitive global marketplace, many companies do not share the strong and sustained level of commitment that the Intex companies do to Quality, Service and Price.

During the manufacturing process, highly trained Intex employees continuously monitor a wide range of factors from the quality of raw materials, the calibration of the machines, the making and assembly of each product, product testing, and finally to the careful packaging of every item to ensure that our customers get the best possible product at the best possible price."

They have a US Coastguard ID and are a member of NMMA.

NRS

"Today, we are still putting into practice my original, perhaps somewhat naive, belief that a business enterprise can provide purpose and enjoyment in our lives, rather than just a way of making money.  At NRS, our purpose is to treat you, the customer, in the way we like to be treated.  In many ways the company feels to us like a family, and we hope that you, too, get a bit of this feeling when doing business with us."

RST Marine

"Introducing Red Star Marine, exceptional quality, performance and value in inflatable sports and marine products. Red Star has partnered with one of the largest and most sophisticated inflatable products manufacturing facilities in the world. Using world class design and manufacturing facilities, we strive to deliver the highest quality recreational inflatable kayaks available anywhere.

Domestically, Red Star Marine is a member of and works closely with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Inflatable Boat Manufacturers Association (IBMA) to ensure strict compliance with safety and construction regulations. All of our products are manufactured in excess of USCG standards and inspected annually by NMMA."

Sea Eagle

"Stem to stern, it's constructed of tough 1,000 denier polyester-supported high-pressure fabric with quadruple-thickness electronic-welded seams. How tough is the Explorer Kayak? In torture testing, we pounded it mercilessly with the claw of a claw hammer. It had no effect. Neither did stabbing it with a screwdriver. We simply couldn't penetrate the "crocodile hide" hull."

Sevylor

"As potential grew for PVC products, Sevylor developed a PVC that had ‘memory' - the ability of PVC to return to its original shape regardless of temperature."

"With it's 60 year tradition, Sevylor is known for top-quality products in the watersports and recreation markets.  We are continuing to introduce new, innovative, and unique products designed for water sports and leisure living. Sevylor…we take fun seriously."

Stearns

"We supply the complete range of Stearns Inflatables  Kayaks & Accessories. Great for family activities & trips.  Inflate in minutes. Very stable & easy to use and no storage or transport problems!"

Saturn

Our credo: "Pay for the boat, not for the brand!" Boats for the people! Why pay thousands for expensive brand boats when you can pay just a few hundred for a SATURN boat of the same quality and materials."

Our mission is not to overcharge customers but to offer kayaks and boats at lowest possible prices, so that anyone can afford them.

The unusual point here is that women make the boats.

Soar

"..they are built of reliably rugged DuPont Hypalon and can take a lot of abuse."

Sotar

Our kayaks are all welded, no glue at all and constructed out of 40 oz urethane with a 3000 denier base fabric.  We do not use PVC or Hypalon in order  durability and lightness is maiantained.

Our kayaks all come standard with adjustable foot braces, adjustable thigh braces, inflatable floor, adjustable back rest with zipper pouch, and tie-down ‘d'  rings in front and back.  Every boat comes with a patch kit, boat bag and pressure guage.

We will build custom size kayaks on request and ee also offer a 6 year warranty.

Walker Bay

"From naval architects to water sports professionals to avid recreational boaters, Walker Bay doesn't just manufacture marine products, we share a passion for boating and on-water living.  Every product goes through extensive design, development and testing with the result being a collaborative expression of varied team expertise.  We stand behind our products, and what's more, we use them."

So kayaks can have clear panels for viewing marine creatures below, or they can be pounded with a claw hammer or they can be made out of material that re-shapes itself, or they are built with materials being moulded by new types of technology.  Some manufacturers belong to organizations which look after customers in the field of safety and construction regulations.  Others give long warranties because of their faith in their products.  All aim to make kayaking an experience worth having.

Sotar, Soar, Gumotex, Hyside, Saturn and Chinee kayaks cannot be found on our website.

 

About the Author

The-Boating-Store

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