636mick wrote: ↑Sun Sep 13, 2020 12:26 pm
What’s your opinion of inflatable kayaks Yambo? Considering it to fit in the back of the camper, plus I live about 800 yds from the canal and the girlfriend lives 50ft from a river. Inflatable due to storage in the van, not enough roof space for a rack due to the solar panel.
Cheers
Mick
I have mixed feelings Mick. I had one for a couple of years - it was a neighbour's and he asked me if I could find a buyer for it so I gave him some cash and took my time looking for some mug. It was a two seater Sevilor Canyon, the worst boat Sevilor ever made I think.
I didn't like it, I was too big for it and couldn't get comfortable. I would take the back seat to provide power (I was usually using it with a woman or kids) but I'd have to try and do something with my legs because I couldn't get them anywhere near straight or comfortable as the front paddler was in the way. It was also crap in the wind as there's so much out of the water. BUT, others loved it (although not my legs getting in their way
) and it was way more popular than my other kayaks are.
If you shop around for one that'll fit, try it out if possible, even sitting in it in a shop for 15 minutes wriggling and find a good fit they are ideal for taking with you on trips. They take up a bit of space (big sports bag size) but are easily inflated and deflated, and easy to handle. The paddles that come with them are not good but as you won't be touring round the coast for a couple of days they are acceptable. When I was touring Turkey in my friend's van we would take it along. She liked it and I didn't but it was good to have it along with us.
I can't recommend one I'm afraid (although I wouldn't recommend a Sevilor Canyon but some of their others will certainly be better) as I don't really know what's available or where but there's probably good advice on t'internet. I'd certainly go looking for one though in your situation.
Oh and longer is usually better!