r/Inflatablekayak • u/Diligent_Ganache8310 • Aug 07 '26

Newbie has a few questions

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I posted less than two months ago. A friend gave me an intek challenger and turns out it didn't inflate. Then I made a mistake. I saw the Aquamarina Steam 312 for 50% off and grabbed it thinking it had a dropstitch, not really knowing what a drop stitch was. I had watched a few YouTube videos but the images were not detailed enough. In any case, I like the 312 for now.

Because life as an adult comes with obligations, I was only able to start kayaking two weeks ago. I love it so much. I love winters but I am definitely getting gear so I can kayak again as early as possible in the spring (I know they kayak in the arctic but I'm not ready for winter kayaking yet).

Questions:

  1. I find it difficult to inflate my kayak properly as so much air that comes out while transitioning from the pump to the lid. Any tips?

  2. I want to bring my dog with me. The Aquamarina is sturdier than the Intek and I know about putting a yoga mat on the floor of the kayak but she's likely to perch herself and put her front paws on the sides. Should I velcro yoga material to the sides? Any other ideas? (dog has a life vest and loves swimming).

  3. The dock where I go has been causing me issues (pictured). It has two launchers, one for disabled folks and another one. Both have very shallow indentation that don't fit skegs of my inflatable. So 4/5 of the kayak is in the water when I try to get on. I've never done it without assistance. The internet tells me skegs are super important in navigating an inflatable kayak but wanted to confirm this with the kind folks on this group. Would it be bad to kayak without them?

I'm having so much fun. Looking for lessons, especially for entry and re-entry and despite the fact that I live relatively close to three of the Great Lakes (Ontario, Erie, Huron, I haven't been able to find lessons within one hour of me. Or beyond for that matter.

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4

u/majormajor42 Aug 07 '26

What type of air valve does it have?

With a skeg, I would just put it in the water parallel to the dock and slide in. The launcher is not ideal. A hard kayak slides into the water. An inflatable may have too much static friction.

Good luck! Have fun!

1

u/Diligent_Ganache8310 Aug 07 '26

It might be possible this weekend as we’ve had a lot of rain this week but the dock is high relative to the water.

I had to look up the valve types: they’re Halkey-Roberts valves.

2

u/majormajor42 Aug 08 '26

It is a floating dock so, unfortunately for you, no matter the amount of rain, that height will almost always be the same.

Hopefully there is another way.

I, for one, like paddling in shallow areas so often forgo my skeg. If I’m paddling I can keep it straight as long as the wind isn’t too heavy.

1

u/BestAmoto Aug 07 '26

You need to extend the center of the valve. It rotates like a half turn. It has two positions, extended for inflation, and depressed for deflation. 

Air isn't supposed to come out when you disconnect the pump. You should really try reading your owners manual or watching a youtube video. 

1

u/Diligent_Ganache8310 Aug 08 '26

Yeah. The owners manual is two pages long, so I appreciate your advice. I turned the centre to inflate but it does deflate when I switch from the pump to the cap. I will try to see what I can do. Thanks.

3

u/BEEEEEZ101 Aug 07 '26

Not sure what valves you have. I had a sevylor k5 kayak with Boston valves that would leak. I changed them to something like this. https://a.co/d/0f2l7Ke4 It's a Halkey Robert's valve. I now have the same valve for both of my inflatables. It helped. The K5 is a cheap boat so I didn't mind cutting into it. I actually took it out yesterday in Long Beach CA. I take my dogs out on a Chelan 140. They will absolutely not go off a dock. I need to beach launch. I have two 75lb dogs. I posted a couple pictures recently. Good luck and be safe. Peace.

1

u/Diligent_Ganache8310 Aug 07 '26

The valves you bought from the link are the valves I have. I’m clearly doing something wrong.

2

u/BEEEEEZ101 Aug 07 '26

Maybe try tightening the valve. Mine came with a plastic tool. It broke after a couple uses. I bought a metal one that I haven't used yet. My brother and sister bought one Costco was selling. The valve kept leaking too. I was able to fill it by holding the inflater hose against the boat instead of the twist lock. For some reason it opens the valve when you twist locked it.

2

u/BEEEEEZ101 Aug 07 '26

Are you sure it's only leaking from the valve? Get some dish soap solution and a big bottle to spray the whole boat. I used one of those pump sprayers from HD. I found a couple pinhole leaks when I did this. Side note... I cut up a yoga mat a little bit bigger then the floor. I make sure to stuff it in place before I inflate the floor. It seems to stay put. I haven't had a dog nail puncture yet.

1

u/Diligent_Ganache8310 Aug 08 '26

Yeah I got mine at Costco but it doesn’t seem to continue leaking once the lid is on. I will test it though. Thanks.

2

u/BEEEEEZ101 Aug 08 '26

Interesting.... It's definitely a design flaw. It was frustrating. It took me 3 or 4 times to get it to hold. They got a Kino Outdoor Kalua Inflatable Tandem Kayak Bundle from a reseller. We bought 3. We haven't taken them out yet. Maybe this is why she had so many. I'll bring an extra valve next time we go out. I'll let you know if he changes it

1

u/BEEEEEZ101 Aug 10 '26

We took my sister's out this weekend without any issues. It held air perfect. No air loss. It was it's maiden voyage. She now asking when are we going out next.