Just recently sold my house up in Tampa and moved to an apartment, and I really miss having my fishing kayak! Definitely couldn't keep the kayak at the apartment , so these videos are convincing me to pick one of these up!
Buy a $200 inflatable paddle board with a kayak seat instead. These are nice but way overpriced since they are all made overseas for Pennie’s on the dollar.
I have several inflatables... It honestly gets old inflating and deflating, but I figure the time I spend putting on my kayak rack and rigging up a hard kayak to my roof is about the time I spent inflating any of the boats. I'm a big person, so I can definitely feel an inflatable flex over it's length when it takes waves over the bow, but they're pretty solid otherwise. They make electric pumps for them (convenient, but they take a while to inflate).
I've been following Marty since the red kayak days, and love all of his videos. I'm in the UK and one of these inflatable Kayaks would be good for me as very limited storage space. However, there are a few things that put me off: 1) I can't find them for sale anywhere in the UK and shipping from the USA is very expensive. 2) Any USA Kayaks that are available here are usually at least 50% dearer in ££ than the USA $$ price. 3) $1400 is a lot of money compared to a rigid Kayak just for the easy storage option. 4) I would be using one in our local harbor, and there have been many reports of inflatables being bad at catching the wind, and quite a few users have been blown offshore and had to be rescued. So, whilst it seems to be good, I'll pass.
I use my small dewalt 20v leaf blower to deflate my Bote and it works comically fast compared to the pump. It also helps inflate to about 1 lb before ya start the hand pump but an actual electric pump for inflatables is the way to go if possible. They do make adapters for a Schrader valve if you have an air pump with an auto shut off or risk watching it so you don't over inflate.
Thanks again Marty. As usual your editing skills and frankness, is to our benefit .. I have used your insight many times where in my brother is contemplating purchasing an inflatable Kayak. I have referred you to him for an overall first step in helping him come to a conclusion about buying an inflatable. We are so happy ice is off and summer is upon us.. rock on b !!! We have mosquito spray here, wish i could send u some Gator spray... lol
I really enjoy your videos Marty, thanks for sharing them for so many years! I'm subscribed since the red PVC kayak times ; ) sadly many diy fishing channels I used to watch aren't active anymore... Do you have any recommendations for other similar channels? I'm looking forward to follow your journey in the future. All the best from Germany, Maximilian.
Marty, I enjoy your videos very much, which are, informative, educational, and entertaining! I admire your ingenuity, especially when modifying and personalizing your kayaks. The "Jet Powered, 1000" had me in stitches! I will soon be shopping for my own fishing kayak but, I literally have no storage room for a roto-mold kayak and inflatables seem increasingly practical for my application. Moreover, I would occasionally like to use it for shallow water, and marsh fishing along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Unfortunately, oyster beds abound in the flats so, I am concerned about tears. I am looking into this Wilderness iATAK 110 or, another. Do you recommend this kayak? If not, can you recommend another?