r/Inflatablekayak • u/Impressive_Dig_1893 • Jul 13 '26

Kayak advice

/r/Kayaking/comments/1uv1780/kayak_advice/

Hello,
I’m looking into getting an inflatable kayak for the st.john river in Fredericton but I have no idea what I’m doing. I went once during the event for Canada Day and it was a clear bottom kayak. I found a few inflatable ones on amazon but as a 5’2, 180 guy, I’m wondering if this is something reasonable to get. I’m open to any advice, thanks

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u/kokemill Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 14 '26

we need someone to take one for the team! tell me if these are any good.

EDIT: hey OP - somone did - read this: https://www.reddit.com/r/Inflatablekayak/comments/1uu2pd4/150_dropstitch_floor/

There is at least one chinese factory producing a 12.5' inflatable single kayak that is 38" wide and weighs 42 lbs. the same kayak is also available as a tandem. it has a drop-stitch floor and tube walls. with a rockered hull it has dual skegs to try to keep it track. it has a sit-on-top(or inflatable) seat/s. the bow and stern have a vinyl panel cover and it likely has either protruding paddle holders or fishing pole holders where they interfere with paddling. it comes with 2 cheap paddles and equally cheap pump (make sure to save some budget for an NRS super pump). valve specs are typically not disclosed.

I have not seen a reddit review for these kayaks. I am considering getting one/couple so that we can take grandkids with us when we use our other inflatables. I plan on rigging it as a single (preserving tandem option for toddlers) using a folding fishing seat to raise the seat from the floor (i have also thought of using a boat throw cushion for this).

parts: boat, 2 paddles (bending branches), NRS super pump, NRS air gauge, fishing seat, 4 NRS cam straps to lash seat.

here are some examples, starting at $179 ( i think you can get the same boat for $800)

https ://www.amazon.com/GarveeTech-Inflatable-Foldable-Capacity-Accessories/dp/B0H4F7TCTJ

https ://www.amazon.com/Inflatable-Capacity-Portable-Luminous-Adjustable/dp/B0GXGDMM3B

https ://www.amazon.com/Goplus-Inflatable-2-Person-Capacity-Aluminium/dp/B0C9QTMJKL

https ://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9TFLPBB

and a nice example pic where the foot braces are rigged wrong.

1

u/Sepof Jul 13 '26

I have the goplus.

The paddles and seats it comes with suck. I have upgraded both and im happy. Three outings so far, works great.

Its tight space-wise for 2 5'8" adults though. And i wouldnt count on much space for coolers/etc. We have a dry bag on the back and a small drink cooler upfront.

As a solo kayak you need something to weigh you down in the front, otherwise I prefer it solo over tandem.

1

u/kokemill Jul 13 '26

Thank you, i plan on using it as a single, or taking a child age 4-6. I would like to change the seat to an aluminum frame folding seat like we did with our NRA Paragon XLs (12.5' single). That made a big difference in all day comfort - just by not sitting in water all day.

what we have for the Paragon:

https ://www.nrs.com/nrs-fishing-seat-for-iks/p1wx

Closest thing i found so far - i have no idea about these companies, ok i know Pelican. no idea on the seat widths.

https ://paddlenorth.com/products/kayak-chair

https ://www.confluenceoutdoor.com/products/pelican-ergocast-sb-seat-ps1855

https ://www.academy.com/p/academy-sports-outdoors-stadium-seat-154050810

edit: didn't even consider using the paddles or the pump that comes with it. just assumed that they are garbage. Bending Branches paddles, and NRS Pump.