Using Inflatable Kayaks With Kids

Inflatable kayaks are inexpensive, convenient, and easy to transport. They seem like the perfect kayak option for families. However, we wondered if these inflatable kayaks would be a safe option for our kids.

Inflatable kayaks are safe to use with kids in most situations. These kayaks are made of the same strong, puncture-resistant vinyl or PVC that is used in whitewater rafts and they do not tear easily. Inflatable kayaks are convenient for families and can be used in calm water such as slow rivers, sheltered bays, and lakes.

We have enjoyed our inflatable kayaks and they have allowed us to have many adventures that we couldn’t have taken otherwise.

How We Use Inflatable Kayaks With our Kids

We have used inflatable kayaks for several years. They have worked well for our family because they were easy to transport and store. We don’t need a trailer or roof racks to go kayaking and we could try out the sport a few times without a big expense because they are so cheap. We were able to use inflatable Intex Challenger kayaks while we traveled around the country because we could store them in our RV.

Our kayaks are 2-person boats, and we found that they had enough extra room to stick a small kid in one of the ends or on someone’s lap for shorter paddles. Because the kids were little, we didn’t have to worry about overloading the kayak and they could sit relatively comfortably on the soft bottom of the kayak.

Choosing an Inflatable Kayak for Kids

Choosing a kayak for your family or kids is a personal decision and there are many factors to consider. Most families will be choosing between relatively inexpensive recreational boats, so we won’t discuss sea kayaks or white-water kayaks. The most important factors for most people are how many people the kayak holds, how durable it is, and how expensive it is. Other factors, such as ease of inflation and weight, are similar between different versions.

Price

Inflatable kayaks range in price from under a hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. If you stick to recreational kayaks, the price is usually between one hundred and six hundred dollars. Most kayaks come with accessoraties such as paddles, a pump, and a storage bad. In addition, since you won’t need expensive transportation racks or trailers, inflatable kayaks are probably the most affordable option for families who want to kayak together.

Style and Size

Recreational inflatable kayaks are available in several styles and sizes, but the most common style looks more like a short canoe than a kayak. These open-style boats allow families to take snacks, an extra small child, and other supplies with them when they are kayaking. They also have the disadvantage of allowing water to pool inside, so you may end up wetter than you would in a hard-sided kayak. Most of them are designed to hold either one or two passengers, and we have had good luck letting small children sit on the floor in between or behind the paddling adults.

Durability

Most of the kayaks that we are considering are made of similar thickness and quality of materials. Some have an extra layer of rip-stop fabric which helps to protect them against punctures and cuts. However, inside this layer, the vinyl material of the inflatable sections is pretty much the same as the cheaper kayaks. In our price range, the materials and build of the different kayaks are surprisingly similar.

Once you start looking at pricier kayaks of around a thousand dollars or more, you can expect to see better-quality, thicker materials. These are the brands that you will see making kayaks for rougher uses such as voyaging and white-water kayaks.

Kayaks to Consider for Your Family

Intek

Intek makes some of the cheapest inflatable kayaks you can find. While they aren’t the most durable or the most well-made, they are perfectly effective for most families and children. This is especially true if you are new to the sport and aren’t ready to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars. We have used our Intek Challenger kayaks in many different waters around the country as we traveled. As full-time travelers with kids, portable kayaks were our best option.

Aquaglide

Aquaglide kayaks are more expensive than Intek, but they come with more features and comfort. Some have footrests, which are a big help in paddling efficiently, as well as cargo areas and storage ropes. They are also covered with a ripstop layer, which can make them more resistant to punctures but can also make them harder to clean and disasimble.

Other Brands

There are many companies now making inflatable kayaks in all price ranges. The quality of inflatable kayaks is now so high that some companies are making sea and white-water kayaks, touring kayaks, and fishing kayaks that cost $1000 or more. For families or those who need portable options, the selection is huge.

Taking Care of Your Inflatable Kayak

Inflatable kayaks are easy to care for but do require a few more considerations than hard kayaks. The most important parts of maintenance are to keep the boat clean and away from the sun during storage. After using your kayak, wash and wipe it well to remove sand, mud, and grit that may rub and cause deterioration over time. If there is no clean water source available and you have to deflate your kayak before you can clean it, reinflate it at home to clean it properly and dry it before storing it if possible.

If you have room to store your kayak inflated, it will help it last longer. You don’t want it tightly inflated, but rather leave enough air in it so that you can avoid having it stored with wrinkles and folds. However, if you have to store your kayak in its bag, you can. Loosly rolled is better for the seams and vynyl than keeping it tightly rolled for an extended time. Most of all, make sure that it’s clean and dry and stored out of the sun. The best location for your kayak is a dry, relatively cool area such as a garage.

How to Repair Your Inflatable Kayak

While it may seem scary to float around on a boat filled with air, inflatable kayaks are tougher than they appear. I have had my Intek dragged over rocks and submerged trees without getting a puncture from it. In fact, we used our kayaks for 3 years before we got our first leak, and that happened in storage. And because the boats are made with several separate air sections, a puncture in one won’t cause you to sink.

If you do get a leak or puncture, it can be easy to repair, depending on what caused it and how long it is. Repair kits and patches are easy to use and pretty self-explanatory. Make sure to follow the instructions and keep the boat dry for as long as the package says, or you risk having a failed patch.

Possible Downsides of Inflatable Kayaks

We did find that there are some downsides to using inflatable kayaks. They can take more work to launch and store because of the need to inflate, deflate, clean and dry them each time. While it isn’t a huge problem, we did find that the extra effort of inflating and deflating sometimes tipped the balance in favor of staying home. They only weigh 30-40 lbs but when they’re in a bag and one person is carrying them, the weight can be awkward if you have to do much walking or climbing to get to the launch.

The kayaks also tend to hold water, so eventually you may end up with a puddle in the bottom, especially if you have children paddling. The inflatable seats are only 3-4 inches thick and don’t offer much protection from the water. Plan on getting wet if you take an open inflatable kayak, and dress your children accordingly. This may be nice on a hot day, but can still be annoying.

Finally, the paddles and pump that come with the kayaks are often of a lower quality. You might want to consider purchasing better paddles and an electric pump if you enjoy kayaking and find that you are spending a lot of time on the water. These items can help reduce the amount of water you get in the kayak, make paddling easier, and reduce the hassle of inflation and deflating the boat.