When it comes to manufacturing inflatable kayaks, one major thing to consider is the stability of that kayak. People often ask how stable are inflatable kayaks.
Just like every other watercraft, it is important to ensure that paddlers can remain inside what holds them afloat without fear of tipping off.
Regardless, unlike other watercraft, inflatable kayaks are made using different materials and their side and level is also quite different as well.
To understand the stability of the inflatable kayaks, it is important to compare it to the stability of other similar paddling watercraft.
Also, how likely it is that a paddler can get tipped off while using them.
Table of Contents
How likely can a beginning paddler tip or fall out of a watercraft?
- On Canoe
On a canoe, a paddler has a very high risk of tipping over. A combination of the following factors can cause this. They include:
- When the canoe rides high on the water.
- When the bottom surface angle (V) is more vertical.
- When the paddler is uncentered and off-balance. This can lead to side to side tilting making tipping more likely
For a beginner, some of the things which may cause him/her to fall out of a hard shell kayak include:
- When the hard shell kayak rides lower in the water.
- When the bottom surface angle (V) is less vertical.
- When there is little to no room for seating width. More seating width can allow the paddler to remain balanced and centered which makes it harder for the kayak to tip off
Are inflatable kayaks good for beginners?
For beginners, inflatable kayaks are nothing short of perfect.
Whether you would like to introduce kayaking to a friend or family member or you would like to venture into the world of kayaking, inflatable kayaks are “beginner-friendly”
Are inflatable kayaks OK for the sea?
Unlike popular opinion, Do inflatable kayaks get puncture easily?
Inflatable kayaks are very durable.
The models available in the market today are continually being improved to ensure that they can withstand very strong or adverse weather conditions.
No matter the kind of water you are in whether rivers, oceans, or flat water, you can be sure that the inflatable kayak will not pop and sink.
How stable are inflatable kayaks?
Inflatable kayaks are not made with a single layer of thin material like simple pool toys. Some of them utilize aluminum parts, which can be used to increase their structure and stability.
They are made using several layers of thick coated materials such as vinyl and polyester, which are very strong and long lasting.
In addition, as a result of their very strong and durable build, punctures are hardly an issue in inflatable kayaks.
This is because their modern technology and materials provide an extremely strong exterior for the boat.
With inflatable kayaks, you can brush up against rocks or tree branches and worry less as it won’t pose any serious risks of puncturing or tearing on the kayaks.
However, this does not mean that inflatable kayaks cannot be punctured. Depending on how severe the impact is, for instance, brushing past a very sharp rock, you can definitely puncture an inflatable kayak.
Seams can tear open and this will cause the air in the kayak to leak out.
How do you sit in an inflatable kayak?
As there are different times of kayak, the nature of the kayak largely determines how paddlers will sit on it and also how they will get into the kayak.
The most common type of inflatable kayaks are sit-on-top kayaks.
How to get in a sit-on-top kayak
The easiest way to enter a sit-on-top inflatable kayak from shore is to simply wade out into the water.
This has a reasonable depth that can enable the kayak to float while you are sitting on top of it. However, you may get wet during this process.
Below are some of the steps:
- When you get the point where the water is of sufficient depth, ensure that the kayak bow faces out to the open water.
Your boat should also be perpendicular to the shore as well as any kind of wave that may be encountered while paddling.
Note that it is better to wait for a lull in wave sets if you want to board your boat in the presence of significant waves.
More so, instead of waiting, you can find another beach, which does not have a lot of waves coming in.
- The next thing is to straddle your kayak behind the cockpit. However, paddlers who are in high water, have a wide boat and have short legs may find this step very difficult.
- Put your paddle behind your back and perpendicular to your kayak. Paddlers can get stability for their boat by positioning hands and shoulder-width apart on the shaft and leaning back
- Quickly let your posterior drop into the seat of the boat. With this, your legs and feet will be left up in the air.
- Gather your legs and feet into the boat.
- Adjust your legs to accommodate the contours of your kayak and then paddle
How to get in a sit-in kayak
Before getting into a sit-in-kayak from the shore, it is very important to make sure that you are able to position the boat right at the edge of the waterline with the hull of the boat half in and half out of the water.
Below are some steps to follow:
- Make sure that the kayak faces the last open water and is positioned perpendicular to the shoreline.
- Next, straddle the kayak behind the cockpit.
- For stability, simply place the paddle behind your back and perpendicular to the kayak
- While leaning on the paddle for support, put your legs, one at a time, into the kayak
- Slide your bum confidently into your seat.
- Adjust your legs again to accommodate the contours and foam pads.
- To move the kayak into the water you can use your hands to walk the kayak into the deeper water or have your friend push your boat until you are floating and can then paddle.
