[fisherman25]

Hi all,

Im interested in purchasing an inflatable Kayak. Does anyone have any info or opinions on a good model. Are Stearns' good? I'm 6-1" tall 210 Lbs. It would be mostly used for exercise and maybe fishing, in and around the bays off Long Beach. Anyone have any thoughts about taking an inflatable into the ocean, (just past the breakers). I appreciate everyone's advice.

Tom

 

[614347]

Stearns is a well known name in survival gear. If I'm not mistaken, they make a waterproof top, and a seires of life vests. Perhaps I'm behind the times, and they have a larger product line than I know of. I'm sure their product is seaworthy. THINK for a moment. Inflatables are attractive from a storage point of view, but what of what they are designed for? You sure don't see many inflatable kayaks on the water! There MUST be a reason for this!

I bought a 3-chamber raft designed for "3 people" that floded in half if you tried to paddle it. The only way I could use it was in calm water, where I had to lay on my back, with my head on the gunnels astearn, and my feet on the gunnels foward. Actually, it was rather comfortable that way, particularly after some liquid refreshment. I never tried to fish from it though.

Sorry I don't have more up-to-date information about Stearns, but the writing appears to be on the wall.

AMMODYTE(@>

(The angler FORMERLY known as "Flounder").

 

[616271]

Derrick showed me a line of inflatable kayaks that he's going to get. They look nice for pool toys (that's what I teasingly call inflatables). They have their place if you can't store a full size yak however hooks and air, makes me a bit nervous.