Inflatable Kayak Reviews Please

Would like to buy a fishing kayak to use in Florida. Might use in river backwaters also. Am considering an inflatable for transporting and storage reasons. I have a Ram 1500 short box with tonneau cover. A conventional rigid kayak would require a rack on the roof and from the hitch for transport which would impede bed access while in transit and be a storage issue. Anyone on the site have inflatable kayak experience or thoughts on loading/unloading and transport of conventional kayaks long distance on pickups? Thanks in advance for any info.

We had an advanced elements inflatable kayak, 2 person. It had metal frames for rigidity. Used it a couple times and ended up just tossing it. It was also really uncomfortable. I’m about 100 lbs heavier than my wife so my butt just sank in. Save your money.

I haven’t had one but have heard you need to make sure they have a really good rudder – otherwise they don’t track well in wind/current.

What? There are multiple ways to carry kayaks in your truck. If you have a quad cab, that should be long enough to support them using a roof rack on the cab.

Another option is to get a pair of bed racks that either clamp on the bed side or if you have access to tonneau, mount in the stake pockets.

Do this before you mess around with an inflatable.

I take my Hobie Outback to Florida every year Jan-Feb. with a short bed. Fished the gulf 29 days last year. I bought a topper with Thule rack. Strictly for hauling my kayak and related gear on trips. But we also take everything to stay 2 months with 2 yellow labs. The dogs pretty well occupy the back cab area. You didn’t say if this was a one week, one time trip. Once I get to Florida I always haul it in the bed. With just me and my torn rotator waiting for Medicare. It’s way easier. A bed extender in your receiver hitch would haul it, but you would loose your somewhat dry storage for other things. If it’s one week. You could look into renting one. It would get you a chance to check out before buying one. Rentals are all over in Florida. Last thing. They also have ridged folding kayaks. But like inflatables. They didn’t interest me. I’ve been in some pretty rough water. Wouldn’t give up my Tupperware.

I have some brand of bed extender bracket that slips into the 2″ hitch and held 17ft boats or canoes no problem. If you want a great IK I can revisit this post.

If you are going to fish salt water. Oyster bars would eat an inflatable in short order.

Will be renting a house on a small lake east of Tampa for a month. Appreciate all the input while I decide what to do. I’ve had doubts about the durability and performance of an inflateable and your comments reinforce those concerns. Storage at home is also a consideration but I think a rigid could be hoisted near the ceiling in my garage. My Ram has a huge sunroof so I need to find out what impact that has on using a roof rack and load rating. I’m going to see if any dealers near my destination would rent a kayak with all or part of rental fees applied to purchase.

Just ran across my Kayak Angler 2021 buyers guide. Check out Point 65 Kingfisher. It’s a 2 piece yak, that separates in the center But together makes a 11′ ridgid boat. Not sure how it handles or fishes once you put it together.
Outbound makes one that’s laughable. Advanced elements, Aire, Hobie, Sea Eagle have inflatables. And I’m sure you can google more. But if you intend to go near oyster beds. I wouldn’t consider an inflatable. Having kayak fished more than in my big boat the last few years. If you want to kayak fish. Find a kayak you like and figure out the storage, transport. Call Mitch @ Riversports Kayak in Crystal River. That’s where I bought my boat. They are about 2 hours north of Tampa. But not out of your way. He can help with option of boats and transport system. He and his wife run the place with his Dad. Super people. Don’t think a sunroof would cause an issue. Keep in mind. Like everything else. Dealers don’t have piles of them sitting around.
The day I bought my new one last year. Mine was the 6th boat Mitch had sold that day. At 3 in the afternoon. In basically a one man shop. Another word of advice unrelated. We drive down thru Alabama, and across 10. Rather than thru Atlanta. If you decide to do Atlanta. You will understand.

Don’t know if you are still considering an inflatable. But thought about you when I saw this display model at Reeds last week. Can’t get picture to load. Basically, a new inflatable on a stand that lost air and folded in half.

stevenoak wrote:

Just ran across my Kayak Angler 2021 buyers guide. Check out Point 65 Kingfisher. It’s a 2 piece yak, that separates in the center But together makes a 11′ ridgid boat.”

That looks like a great concept – I would think the durability and tracking would be far superior to any inflatable. Wonder if you can get it with a trolling motor??