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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1193 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 1:18 PM
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Has anyone used this kayak?
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Paddling/Boats/PRD~5030-178/innova-swing-i-inflatable-kayak.jsp
I've been considering it mainly because I drive a sub-compact car and can't fit a stiff hull kayak. I'd mainly be using it on lakes, with the slight possibility of taking it out to the coast. I'm thinking it might be a fun way to enjoy some of the bigger lakes in the Rockies, especially off the Icefields Parkway. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
77 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 2:01 PM
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| If you have the ca$h, ever think of a foldable kayak like Feathercraft? |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1193 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 3:10 PM
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| wow, that's really cool. way out of my price range though |
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203 Posts |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1193 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 3:30 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by cutthroat22 If price is a factor check these out. You can get them at Walmart for $150ish.
That doesn't look like a kayak to me. |
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ALBANY, OR
USA
588 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 3:36 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Marko
wow, that's really cool. way out of my price range though
I own a Feathercraft Kahuna. They are terrific kayaks however Folbot kayaks have been paddled by many quite successfully and come in at a price point that is significantly less. If "big lakes" are in your future, perhaps look at these:
http://www.folbot.com/kayaks/ |
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203 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 3:40 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Marko
quote:
Originally posted by cutthroat22 If price is a factor check these out. You can get them at Walmart for $150ish.
That doesn't look like a kayak to me.
Your welcome. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
77 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 3:42 PM
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I have a Folbot Cooper - in terms of price point you may be able to find someone selling a used one in Canada for a decent price. The Cooper still makes me nervous on non flat-water, hence my future upgrade to a Feathercraft which are more seaworthy.
Check out: http://www.foldingkayaks.org/phpBB/ and http://www.folbotforum.com/ |
Edited by - shaynetonio on 09/06/2012 3:43 PM |
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136 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 1:00 PM
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Depends on what you want to do with the boat.
Looks fine for relaxing on a calm lake. But for paddling any distance it would probably be too slow (it’s wide and short). It also doesn’t seem to have much storage space (for overnight trips). Same for open ocean, OK for short paddles in calm condition, but the lack of a spray deck makes it not very practical should the waves break over the deck.
Other options for faster and somewhat more seaworthy foldboats: Packboat Puffin 14,
Pouch Single E68 or Klepper Aerius. Probably best to look for a used one.
There is a different type of kayaks if you want to play around in the surf or on rivers: inflatable kayaks (IK1) like Innova Safari, NRS, Aire…
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1193 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 2:14 PM
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Thanks for all the info. I found some reviews on the kayak I linked to, it seems okay for what I want to do, though there may be better IKs out there, such as the safari.
The folding kayaks are really cool, certainly seems the way to go for more serious kayaking. Never even know such things existed until I posted this thread. |
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Coquitlam, BC
Canada
84 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 3:49 PM
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I have a couple of Advanced Elements inflatable kayaks. Everywhere I go, people always stop to admire them as they can't get over how "just like a kayak" they looked.
Fits into a suitcase sized bag, and fits neatly into the trunk of my car.
There's a few places that sell them in the lower mainland... one place that comes to mind is Steveston Marine (both locations), and another place by the Queensborough bridge, but its name escape me at the moment...
I've paddled to the Granite Falls and the end of the Indian Arm as a day trip, as well as the Smugglers Cove/Buccaneer Bay areas. It's pretty sturdy.
http://www.advancedelements.com/advancedframe_ex.html
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1193 Posts |
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Vancouver, BC
13 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2013 : 1:48 PM
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| For the OP's purposes I would definitely recommend the Innova over a folding kayak. If you're driving along and you see a nice lake that you want to paddle, you don't want setup and take down to be an hour long ordeal each way. The Swing would work very well for this kind of paddling. It's extremely light but not so rugged and has limited cargo. If you'd like to try camping, then the Helios 1 is a very good one. I can pack a week's worth of food and gear in it, as long as there's water where I'm going (not enough space for a week's worth of water). Folds down into a small bag you can put in the corner of your trunk, and takes all of 10 minutes to fully set up, less than that to tear down. |
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Innova Inflatable Kayak
