Inflatable Kayak Review

INNOVA SEAKER

• Length: 15' 9''
• Width: 30''
• Weight: 60 lbs
• Maximum Weight: 440 lbs
• Price: $2,499
• www.innovakayak.com

Innova says: “The Seaker is for those wanting the performance of a high-end expedition folding sea kayak, but without the cost, complexity, and time-consuming setup.”

Setup: About 10 to 15 minutes, give or take. The pump is sold separately.

Details: Looks like a sea kayak, acts like a sea kayak, it must be a sea kayak. The Seaker (also available as a tandem) has a rudder and foot pedals, though at first I wasn’t so keen on having my foot slide into the toeless and heelless slipper. However, I found this feature to be effective. A rigid plastic coaming holds a sprayskirt. Bungee cords are fore and aft of the seat, as well as mesh bags to hold accessories. Two hatches make packing easier. No bulkheads separate the hatches. The comfortable seat and backrest are one continuous inflatable piece that is permanently attached by a seam under and behind the cockpit rim. The deck is raised to help shed water. Both the bow and stern ends are hard, which adds structural integrity.

Paddleability: The Seaker is wide and very stable, and maneuvers well with sweep strokes and the rudder.

Haulability and Storage: When inflated, it’s cumbersome and heavy for one person to carry. It packs nicely into a duffel.

Bottom Line: Innova took your typical hardshell sea kayak design and applied inflatable technology, making it an easy-to-use, seaworthy craft.

SEA EAGLE 12.10sk

• Length: 12' 10''
• Width: 26''
• Weight: 26 lbs
• Maximum Weight: 275 lbs
• Price: $769
• www.seaeagle.com

Sea Eagle says: “The 12.10sk is the perfect exercise kayak, providing a truly beneficial workout while paddling scenic waterways. The beautiful curved shape of this kayak allows the paddler to glide over open water for hours at a time.”

Setup: Inflating the boat’s three chambers takes a few minutes with the included pump.

Details: The 12.10sk is a one-person kayak. It has six D-rings for strapping gear. Bungee cords make one X at the bow and stern. A nice feature is that the end caps provide additional protection for the bow and stern ends. The small rubber fin on the stern hull of the review boat was a little misshapen from being packed. The port, starboard, and center air chambers are filled via dependable one-way valves. The seat and backrest attach to D-rings.

Paddleability: At 26 inches wide, the 12.10sk is narrow, and the reviewers were perched on the two outer tubes rather than sitting in between them. The effect of the hull fin on tracking was negligible. Sweep strokes effectively turn the boat.

Haulability and Storage: This lightweight boat can be carried effortlessly by one person. The 12.10sk folds into a bag that comes with the boat.

Bottom Line: The 12.10sk is ideal for calm water. Its narrowness, however, may make it hard for some paddlers to fit into the boat.