Do Inflatable Kayaks Get Puncture Easily?

Do inflatable kayaks get puncture easily

Inflatable kayaks can be defined as multilayered PVC boats which consist of air chambers that allow the kayak to float on water.

Do inflatable kayaks get puncture easily?  Inflatable kayaks are quite similar to hard shell kayaks in that they have the same structure like the bow, stern, seat as well as paddle.

Do inflatable kayaks get puncture easily
inflatable kayak

However, unlike hard shell kayaks, inflatable kayaks have the buoyancy to float on water.

In terms of functionality and efficiency, inflatable kayaks are just as good as hard shell kayaks.

Using an inflatable kayak, it is quite easy to get on the water without thinking about food racks or even boat storage.

Types of Kayaking

These include:

  1. Flat and calm paddling
  2. Slow-moving water paddling
  3. White water rapid kayaking

Do inflatable kayaks pop easily?

One of the most frequently asked questions about inflatable kayaks is whether or not they get punctured easily.

However, the answer to this depends on the quality of the kayak. Inflatable kayaks that are made using quality materials do not pop or get punctured easily.

Inflatable and high quality kayaks that are resistant to punctures and tears are manufactured using durable growth rate materials.

Since these inflatable kayaks are made using durable materials, they have a very sturdy build and hence, hardly get punctured.

Thanks to modern technology and materials,  inflatable kayaks now have incredibly strong exteriors.

This means that you can brush up against rocks or tree branches and expect your kayak to remain just fine and intact.

However, depending on the severity of the impact such  as your kayak coming in contact with a very sharp rock, your kayak can get punctured.

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While punctures are rare, they can still happen.  While paddling in an inflatable kayak, it is important to be careful and avoid obstacles rather than just heading straight to them.

Storing your inflatable kayak properly is also very crucial. Be careful not to place them in places where there are sharp objects.

When  transporting them, make sure they are safe from harmful or sharp objects which can puncture them.

With proper maintenance and care, your inflatable kayak can last for a very long period of time and remain free from punctured and ruptures.

However, if your boat has a puncture, you can easily pacy him it up. Make sure you get a small patch kit just in case.

Inflatable Kayak Durability, Design, and Materials

Depending on the type, style, category or model of the kayak, there are different design features and materials used in kayaks.

High-quality, inflatable kayaks are made of extremely durable materials like

  • Denier ripstop polyester,
  • Aluminum frame reinforcement,
  • Pennel Orca,
  • HD40 gum, and
  • AIREcell urethane

These materials help to protect the inflatable kayak from punctures and abrasion.

To improve the durability and performance of the kayak (through higher inflation press), inflatable kayaks are made using construction techniques such as the PVC welded seams and poly-based fabric with drop-stitch construction

Furthermore, the design of inflatable kayaks is improved through several inflation chambers.

Inflatable boats may be impossible to sink with separate inflation chambers make inflatable boats

Materials Used in Making Inflatable Kayaks

Some of the materials used in constructing inflatable kayaks include:

  1. AIREcell urethane: Aire inflatable kayaks have a thermal-welded internal bladder system which is constructed from 10-12 mil urethane film.
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This film is covered using a heavy-duty PVC coated polyester fabric which helps to protect it against conditions such as wear, tear, harmful UV rays, and abrasion.

  1. Denier Ripstop Polyester: The Denier Ripstop Polyester is a fabric, which has reinforced threads interwoven in a crosshatch pattern that is able to, resist tears.
  2. Aluminum Frame Reinforcement: Aluminium Frame Reinforcement are used in improving teaching for the kayak. They are available in select blow-up kayaks and are mostly employed in Inflatable touring kayaks.
  3. Pennel Orca®: The Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CP) Rubber is a top-rated material that has been developed by Pennel to coat Orca fabric.
Do inflatable kayaks get puncture easily
inflatable kayak

This is used in producing NRS inflatable kayaks. The Pennel Orca® is able to withstand rocks, harmful UV rays, as well as  scrapes

  1. Hypalon: With it’s replacement being Pennel Orca®, DuPont stopped producing Hupalon boats in 2010,  Hypalon is simply chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CP).
  2. HD40 gum: The HD40 gum is an anti-abrasion material that is used on the bottom of NRS Pennel Orca® boats.

Other Common Inflatable Kayak Materials include

  • PVC,
  • PVC-coated polyester

Are inflatable kayaks puncture proof?

While inflatable kayaks are built and designed to survive and withstand adverse weather conditions such as extreme cold and heat.

Inflatable kayaks are not puncture proof. Regardless, punctures rarely occur but if a leak happens by chance, then it can be patched up easily.

Inflatable kayaks made using high quality materials are very tough and durable.

Are inflatable kayaks a good idea?

Like many other traditional kayaks, inflatable kayaks are very durable, safe, and reliable.

Thanks to their inflatable technology which continually improves and upgrades over time.

There has been several innovations which have greatly enhanced the overall experience with inflatable kayaks.

In the past, inflatable kayaks were used primarily by commercial operations, and the military.

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However, over time, recreational companies redesigned this kayak and changed some of its features to meet the needs of various paddlers around the world making it durable, of high quality and also professional.

Currently, there are different models of inflatable water toys such as the wakeboards, fishing pontoons, paddle boards, canoes and so on.

How long do inflatable kayaks last?

Inflatable kayaks are quite durable. When properly maintained, they can last for about five to ten years.

However, this is largely dependent on many factors such as the quality of the kayak.

Inflatable kayaks that are made using materials such as Hypalon are much more expensive and last longer compared to kayaks made using PVC.

Another factor that affects the durability of the inflatable kayak is storage and maintenance.

It is advised that after use, the kayak should be washed and stored in a cool place where it is not exposed to very hot temperatures.

The importance of properly washing your kayak is that it will prevent the degradation of the materials although it is not possible to totally avoid this from happening.

The plastic used in making the inflatable kayak will eventually degrade completely with time.

Glue also degrades with time so if the seams of your inflatable kayak are held together by glue, you can expect them to degrade ten years from the manufacturing date.