Types of inflatable kayaks for tourism

Types of inflatable kayaks for tourism
Tourist kayaks can be classified for various reasons. First of all by the number of rowers:

• Single
• Double
• Triple
• Quadruple models

Four people kayaks - this is the maximum. For more people, it is better to look at another boat, or divide the company into compact crews and take several kayaks on the rafting. After all, the main advantage of these boats is speed and maneuverability, here they clearly outperform catamarans and rafts.

Another reason for the classification are design features.
Single Balanced Models They are a one-piece construction and are made of reinforced PVC. In a fully inflatable kayak, rigidity and stability are set by well-inflated cylinders in the sides and bottom of the boat. But volumetric cylinders reduce the usable space inside. For large men to sit tight, there is not enough space for luggage, it means that you will not go on a multi-day trip.

Two-layer construction. These kayaks consist of an outer shell and plug-in inner cylinders. Such models have a well-defined nose and keel. The boat becomes more stable on the wave, firmly holds the course, the inflatable side prevents turning over. But the bottom, as a rule, is flat, which does not allow to develop high speed this type of kayak best for women.

Frame inflatable. For strength, reinforced with metal elements. The volume of cylinders becomes smaller, some manufacturers put two rows of cylinders. For example, Vega-3 from the St. Petersburg company Time Trial.

Which of the inflatable kayaks suitable for tourism

On rapids and turbulent rivers, inflatable paddle boats show themselves well, they easily bypass obstacles, maneuver, and smoothly bypass stones. On the rivers where there are heaps, low bridges, beaver dams are also good inflatable vessels. They weigh a little, with them it is easy to enclose obstacles.

Each species has its advantages and disadvantages. When choosing, it is worth considering the purpose of the boat, the convenience of the seats, the number of luggage compartments, the total weight of the vessel. If you are driving to the river by car, the weight of the model is not so important for you; for two adults and a child or even two children, the Khatanga-3 frame-inflatable model is suitable. Her weight is 23 kilograms.

And when you go on a hiking trip, every 100 grams of weight is important to you. Here, for two tourists, the two-layer model Taiga 340 is recommended, it weighs 7 kg and takes up places in a backpack as two sleeping bags.

If you are spoiled by civilization, and you can't pump up a canoe, look at the Nitwit mono-balloon model. To prepare the kayak for swimming a low-pressure pump with removable bladders is used. Kayak is filled with air independently.

Please note that a special repair kit is needed to repair the vessel. It includes PVC patches, rubber glue, degreaser, spare valves.

In addition, for hiking, you will need additional accessories. Oars, one-piece or collapsible, an apron or skirt that protects the rowers from splashing and rain, a pump, a set of ropes. A thicker rope is used as a chalk, thin twine is useful for fixing things. This is an important rule: all things should be fixed on the body, they don’t joke with the river, just one fallen tree can be a source of great trouble.

So, inflatable kayaks made a serious competition to frame Taimen. Many tourists remember how difficult it is to collect a broken or accidentally battered skeleton of a kayak. Yes, and weigh inflatable models and a half to two times less.