Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well, nothing's perfect. Pumping up even a
small one-person inflatable can be sweaty work, and getting all the air
out when you're ready to go home can leave you feeling like you've
wrestled an alligator. It's a small price to pay for a boat that you can
store in a closet, though.
Riding on air. That doesn't sound too bad, eh? And it's not. In most
cases, inflatables can't match the performance of hardshell craft, but
they do pretty well. They're great whitewater trainers, in
fact—buoyant (naturally!) and incredibly maneuverable. And they
don't do so badly on flatwater, either, especially when they're fitted
with rudders or skegs.
Nor are they particularly vulnerable. After all, outfitters take
rafts down some of the world's hairiest whitewater rivers. They capsize
from time to time, of course, and they can get pinned, just like
hardshell boats, but they don't often develop catastrophic leaks, even
when subjected to the wear and tear of daily commercial use. Modern
materials and multiple air-chambers provide a reasonable margin of
safety. Anglers, however, will need to exercise care. No inflatable is
proof against the needle-sharp point of a well-honed hook. Still, many
fly fishermen manage to use fragile float tubes without trouble. It just
takes a little caution.
Are inflatables costly? No more so than many canoes and kayaks. The
cheapest boats usually have unreinforced vinyl tubes. They're great
beach toys for good swimmers. Period. Better boats have Hypalon-coated
fabric tubes or encapsulated air-cells. These are more expensive, but
they're a lot stronger, too, and they're still no more costly than even
the cheapest folding kayaks. As an added bonus, better-quality
inflatables withstand higher inflation pressures. Higher pressure means
greater rigidity, and rigidity translates into easier paddling and
better control.
So, who should buy an inflatable? Anyone with limited storage space,
or anyone needing a capable "take-along" boat. If your taste runs to
open water, you might be happier with a folding kayak or canoe, but if
you'd like to run whitewater rivers, an inflatable could be just what
you need.
Inflatables come in both solo and tandem models. Some have fabric
floors; some have foam. Foam floors add stiffness, but you pay a price
in reduced portability. The moral? Decide how you want to use your boat
and select a model to suit. As always, see if you can't try before you
buy. And when you go shopping, pay special attention to the quality of
workmanship. Look carefully at the seams. They're the most critical
areas. Be sure to try the pump, too. Good pumps cost money, and not all
good boats come with good pumps. So pay a few dollars more and get a
good pump. You'll be glad you did.
And don't forget a repair kit. If you've lost the one that came with
your boat, get a replacement, and be sure you know how to use it. The
likelihood of serious damage is small, but if you take your boat out of
the closet, sooner or later you're certain to get a puncture. Don't risk
being let down on the water. Be prepared! 'Nuff said.
Copyright © 2001 by Verloren Hoop Productions. All rights
reserved.