Thread: Inflatable kayaks

Hi folks!

Just wanting to see if anyone uses one for getting around in on their adventures?

Just for myself and my Weasel dog plus a pack etc.

Or would one be better off looking at a small Rib instead?

I have had 2, but found a rollup inflatable dinghy more practical for me. Mostly just for fishing off.

Thought about a rotational moulded (plastic) Canadian Canoe? They’re easy to load onto vehicle roof and comfortable to sit in to fish as well as load up and kneel in to do the distance.

The negative is their ability to catch a cross wind on open stretches of water, but their stability, and secondary stability is awesome. They’re dog friendly too

Originally Posted by SiB

Thought about a rotational moulded (plastic) Canadian Canoe? They’re easy to load onto vehicle roof and comfortable to sit in to fish as well as load up and kneel in to do the distance.

The negative is their ability to catch a cross wind on open stretches of water, but their stability, and secondary stability is awesome. They’re dog friendly too

I am listening.

You got any links I could follow ?

Koaro packraft

I have 3 of them and they are awesome

Packraft. Awesome fun.
https://youtu.be/1pA_WViSTkk
But don't be a muppet! Always wear a helmet & PFD in a river

agree, don't be a Muppet.

Does anyone know if it would be viable to packraft the Rangitikei? It has 'grade 5' rapids apparantly. I have a mate that is keen but I'm not so sure.

I don't know the Rangitikei but Grade 5 is more or less 'have ambulance ready' stuff for inexperienced poeple.
Offically its "rescue is often difficult even for experts. Proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern...ver_difficulty
Unless you're very solid in grade 3+ don't even consider grade 5. The fact you're asking hints that you're not experienced. Don't do it.

Take a look at https://rivers.org.nz/nz/wanganui/rangit%C4%ABkei
Looks like a lot of grade I & II so ok for inexpereinced, if sensible.
Avoid the IV section.

Someone told me it was grade 5, I don't think it's rafted often as it's a chopper ride to get in there.

I told him it's a stupid idea, neither of us have any experience.

google some video of grade 5 and it'll change his mind!

any one had experience with these ? any good? Look like they should be quite stable for lake/river fishing/hunting, several brands this one is "Nifty", but several similar looking kayak/twin hull inflatables on TardMe

@Savage1 good choice to tell him no. Compare it to thar hunting at high altitudes. There you can decide where to walk or climb, stop, rethink, maybe back track.
In fast rivers inexperienced paddlers have no control and easily get flipped, bluffed, pushed into strainers, foot entrapment etc. You can’t just stop and think what to do next like you can on land. By the time you even begin to realise you’re getting into trouble it’s already too late

You put in at the Gentle Annie bridge. It starts out really pretty easy with an amazing piece of safe and picturesque water. How ever further down it starts to change and becomes very challenging. Fulcrum and See Thru are not rapids for the inexperienced. These rapids have taken lives before including rafting guides. Upper Mohaka and down to the main highway is ok, below the main viaduct and down to the Te Hoe conference is pakable with care.