Water activities while camping - inflatable boats?

[Camper054]

Hi all,
I do not have a canoe or kayak, or a boat, but want to enjoy some water activities while camping (when there is a lake or waterways nearby). Pulling my pup, there is no easy option to pull/haul any other things such as canoe or kayak etc. I know some state parks etc., that have waterways will rent a kayak or a boat so that is an option. But I was thinking of something more portable - such as an inflatable boat. Such as: https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Excurs...eywords=Inflatable+Boat&qid=1590853994&sr=8-2
There are some expensive ones and some seems reasonable (as in the link). But do not know how practical to have and use one. Have any of you thought about this or used one? Reading reviews and it is mixed. So, I thought to reach out to you all who enjoy outdoor activities. Please share thoughts, experience, comments and thanks in advance!

 

[gladecreekwy]

 

[Sjm9911]

I have a sea eagal i bought at costco over 10 years ago. I hope it still is good for this year. They are not for experts, but for floating around a river or lake they work well. Ive had mine, in lakes, rivers, streams, ocean, bay etc. Still going strong. It fits 2 people.
https://www.seaeagle.com/inflatable-kayaks

 

[kcsa75]

We own a 19-foot ski boat so don't know a lot about these, but I'm seeing more and more kayaks - inflatable and hard-sided on the lakes. We looked into one for our twin granddaughters recently. It was an inflatable two person kayak at Academy Sports. Thinking it was right around $200.

One thing I can tell is that the hand-pump in the link you shared will wear you out before you get that boat inflated. You can get a electric pump for about $20. We have a couple of them that we use to inflate air mattresses and a three-person towable tube.

 

[Natureangel]

I’ve tried an inflatable kayak it was very hard to move in the water. I put my 12’ kayak on the roof of my Jeep Cherokee.

 

[Dingit]

We have an inflatable kayak (1 or 2 person) and it moves pretty good. It's also a comfy sofa at the campsite. I think it is a Sea Eagle.

It weighs about the same as our 19' canoe but packs much smaller. I haven't decided yet how to transport the canoe with the popup. I guess it just dangles off the ends?

 

[jmkay1]

I had a sea eagle. Sadly it sprang a leak at the valve so decided to throw it away last season. Had it for about 7 seasons so cannot complain. It's great for puttering around on a lake etc. I've taken it on some rivers as well. It's not the greatest when it's windy as it rides quite high in the water so you can really struggle getting it to go where you want. I took it on the bay once but it's very slow in getting anywhere and big boats don't always see you when speeding along. It's a great step into canoeing or kayaking if your not sure about getting a hard sided boat. Easy to pack, mine fit in a long suitcase with wheels so could easily bring it to launch. I personally used a battery air pump as the one that came with it was slow. I may consider buying another inflatable for some of my trips but I now have a hard sided kayak.

 

[Camper054]

Thank you all very much for taking time to reply and pictures. Pics look so great! Yes, this is not easy for me as I need something that holds at least 5 persons. So, that is why I was looking at the one in the link. Agreed, it is not the best thing in the water with winds or in high waves. Just for sputtering in a rather calm lake.

Again many thanks you all!

 

[scubacamper]

Bought my DW an inflatable Paddle Board for her B-day in March and this past weekend we camped at a local beach where she tried it out. It all collapses into a back pack so it's easy to load, carry and take along...we'd do it again. We've talked about a canoe or 2 kayaks which would mount to the top of the Mini-Van but haven't yet pulled the trigger...best of luck in what you decide.

 

[jonkquil]

I had a sea eagle. Sadly it sprang a leak at the valve so decided to throw it away last season. Had it for about 7 seasons so cannot complain. It's great for puttering around on a lake etc. I've taken it on some rivers as well. It's not the greatest when it's windy as it rides quite high in the water so you can really struggle getting it to go where you want. I took it on the bay once but it's very slow in getting anywhere and big boats don't always see you when speeding along. It's a great step into canoeing or kayaking if your not sure about getting a hard sided boat. Easy to pack, mine fit in a long suitcase with wheels so could easily bring it to launch. I personally used a battery air pump as the one that came with it was slow. I may consider buying another inflatable for some of my trips but I now have a hard sided kayak. View attachment 62221

That's exactly where my camp chair would be placed too What an amazing site!!!

 

[Camper054]

Bought my DW an inflatable Paddle Board

Hi, if I may ask, which one you got? I have a family of five, three teenagers, me and my DW (combined weight of our family will be around 750 lbs). So far, based on my 'research', I am looking at one of below (most likely between Intex Mariner 4 or Sea Eagle SE9). Haven't pulled the trigger yet...
1) https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mariner-4-Person-Inflatable-Aluminum/dp/B00CMBTCHW
This one is made of better material, but probably bit small for my need, but it may work for us. Wight capacity around 900 lbs). Price $250ish.
2) https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Excursion-5-Person-Inflatable-Aluminum/dp/B00CMBJ1VE
This is not as 'strong' as Intex Mariner 4, but look like will hold five of us (I couldn't find official weight capacity, but probably will hold 1200 lbs). Price is $180ish (it was available before, but not now in Amazon).
3) https://www.seaeagle.com/MotormountBoats/SE9
Sea Eagles are suggested by some as a good choice as well. This one is also 4 person/1200 lbs. Price $450ish.
4) https://www.seaeagle.com/SportRunabouts/106SR
This is one says it is for 5 person/1200 lbs. Price is $1650ish (can't justify spending this much for occasional use!).

Thanks all!

 

[slowcarfast]

Do you have clearance to throw roof rack on your tow vehicle and mount a canoe/kayak without interfering with the pop up? Or do you have physical constraints that make it difficult to load unload such a setup? If it were me, I think I'd get frustrated trying to paddle around an inflatable and wouldn't want to mess with the setup/teardown time. I know last time we were camping there was a guy with dual kayak mounts on the roof of his pup, but I'm not sure what implications that has related to roof strength and such.

 

[Camper054]

Hi @slowcarfast , good suggestion. My TV is Ram 1500, and I know I can modify the cab and put in something to mount a canoe or a boat. I am unwilling to do this change since the boat I want is purely for recreational and occasional use. 'Knock on wood', I am still okay and should be able to load and unload stuff from the truck. The main other reason I am unwilling to buy a boat/canoe is storage. I live in a subdivision and they do not allow to store boat/campers on the driveway. I am fortunate that I have built the house with a three car garage and also 'lucky' that my camper can fit in the garage. I know it takes time and effort to set up an inflatable boat and definitely not ideal in terms of taking it in the water, but that is what we will have to settle for now . Thanks!

 

[slowcarfast]

Hi @slowcarfast , good suggestion. My TV is Ram 1500, and I know I can modify the cab and put in something to mount a canoe or a boat. I am unwilling to do this change since the boat I want is purely for recreational and occasional use. 'Knock on wood', I am still okay and should be able to load and unload stuff from the truck. The main other reason I am unwilling to buy a boat/canoe is storage. I live in a subdivision and they do not allow to store boat/campers on the driveway. I am fortunate that I have built the house with a three car garage and also 'lucky' that my camper can fit in the garage. I know it takes time and effort to set up an inflatable boat and definitely not ideal in terms of taking it in the water, but that is what we will have to settle for now . Thanks!

That makes sense, pickup mounting is a little different, certainly possible but a bit more invasive during regular driving. I know my Uncle had a porta-bote, with a little outboard or a trolling motor that he used to take all over with his RV. That's a whole other price tier compared to the other options mentioned here though.

 

[Sneezer]

My son went on a whitewater rafting trip last summer with the scouts. The outfitter provided them with inflatable kayaks, I think they were called Ducks or something like that. Worked well for the milder rapids, and then they all transitioned to the bigger rapid rafts with 6 people in them. They had a blast.

I am not a boat or water person, but I might consider an inflatable like a zodiac, and mount a small motor on it. Starts to get big though,

 

[Camper054]

Hi there @Sneezer , I never knew of this brand Zodiac! Looks good and sturdy too. Price is good too . Thanks for the info...

 

[GandD]

Could you get the mariner 4 and a 2 person kayak?

My teens enjoy the kayak more than the raft because they get a chance to be independent. We are out in the inflatables together. Teens in the kayak and my husband and I in the raft.
We also have an electric trolling motor for the mariner 4. Works great.

Wish I could find a picture of us in the water. This was our setup a couple of years ago. Still using the rafts, but now we have popup camper instead of a tent

 

[jmkay1]

Just throwing this out there just in case. Some states require you to register even an inflatable boat even
if you plan to use a simple trolling motor occasionally. My state for one will be out looking to make sure your compliant too. It's crazy. If you only use paddles they usually don't care, so be sure to check with your state on the rules. Also check on the rules of the state your visiting. I got stopped in PA as I didn't realize I needed a temporary pass to paddle the public waters there. Not something you think about for just a simple, relaxing float on the water occasionally while on vacation. Every state is different and there may be some more lenient than others.

 

[SteveP]

The main other reason I am unwilling to buy a boat/canoe is storage. I live in a subdivision and they do not allow to store boat/campers on the driveway

Mount a hoist in the garage. Makes loading, unloading and storage easy.

 

[phoodieman]

Hobie makes a very good inflatable kayak. It utilizes the "Mirage Drive". A foot pedal system that really makes the kayak go. You still use standard oars with it. It is very pricey though.