I found an interesting article over at WideWorld in which the British online magazine lists their top picks for the 10 best inflatable canoes and kayaks with some interesting recommendations for those that don't have the space to store a hard shell or a rack for the roof of their car.
The boats are broken down into some interesting categories, such as "Best Budget Model" and "Best for Whitewater". The list is populated with suggestions from top manufacturers, such as Sevylor and Stearns, and makes it fairly easy for someone to find the right kayak or canoe to fit their needs. While the prices and websites are for the U.K., it is also very easy to do a quick Google search to find these in other markets as well.
The inflatable kayak market is one that has changes fairly dramatically in recent years. Gone are the cheaply made boats that are barely worth taking out onto a pool, let alone a real body of water. These are great options for those looking to get into paddling, but still want to be able to store their boat under their bed or in the trunk of their car. These newer models are tough, easy to paddle, and offer a host of options, and while they'll never completely replace a true hard shell, the lines are blurring between the models.
I was happy to see Advanced Elements get some love from the list. I have one of their Dragonfly models, which they don't appear to make any longer, and really enjoy it, and I've been thinking of moving up to the AdvancedFrame model for use on extended trips. With the weather finally cooling off here in Texas, I'm hoping to hit the water again soon. Maybe I should take one of these for a test drive and check it out.
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