[andyd]

I've been after a canoe for a while, but it was brought to my attention that an inflatable one would probably be safer as you can right it in the water after it capsizes (which is a useful attribute when going out with the kids).
Any useful knowledge and viewpoints would be most appreciated.

Something like this...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/itiwit-inflatable-kayak-3-person--id_8307032.html

[Johnny Brown]

I haven't used one but have eyed them up on a few occasions, might well buy one at some point.

From what I gather, they are surprisingly stable and buoyant. Negatives are the bulk and weight when packed, and difficulty of drying out properly leading to mould. There was a thread on UKC last week worth reading.

[Dolly]

We've got one like that from Decathlon  - or similar anyway.
Its good fun, relatively easy to inflate with an electric pump thing. It is bulky to store though - there's no way you'll be able to get it back in the same box it comes in.

[Jaspersharpe]

My Mum and her husband have had one for ages. Think it's a Decathlon one and it works a treat.

[ben]

we've got a Sevylor Colorado from Decathalon, I think this is probably a newer version of it >
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/kcc-colorado-kayak-id_8195475.html

It's great for messing about on the water, good fun with kids especially, as mentioned above it's easy to right and also REALLY stable as you sit down inside it with the inflated sponsons either side (so your centre of gravity is really low).  This does cause a bit of a problem for really young kids though as they can't reach the water with their paddles 

I regularly take my 3 year old out in ours, but only in calm sea conditions

downsides - you really wouldn't want to do anything serious in it or go any great distance, they don't hold their line particularly well, aren't particularly efficient compared to a sea kayak (stating the bl**ding obvious I know) and are REALLY affected by the wind.

But for larking about on rivers/lakes/calm sea conditions they're great

Ours actually goes back in its bag quite easily (if you have a pump with reverse action to suck air out afterwards)

final point - be careful if you're going fishing in it..

[SA Chris]

I'm thinking of getting an inflatable SUP Board for exploring the coast around us, but these look cool too.

[casa]

i've had this one for a couple of years now. It's been great for the occasional paddle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sevylor-Riviera-2-Person-Kayak/dp/B004ITO2Q2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1400234929&sr=8-4&keywords=inflatable+canoe

[andyd]

Cheers for the replies everyone. I'm thinking this is the first step on the ladder to having a modest Eddie Jordan sized super yacht.
What's the mould issue JB? Is it inside or are we just talking about lazy maintenance ?

[Jim]

Can you do a shudder rudder in one?

[Nigel]

I've been waiting for this thread my whole life.

[andyd]

Just bought one of these bad boys.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004I9YX8E/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1
If anyone has any buoyancy aids or kids' life jackets that they don't need anymore I'd be interested in making you an offer.

[Zods Beard]

Can you do a shudder rudder in one?

Good point and worth bearing in mind.

Don't forget the heat gun to decrease the volume in the rear and increase ender potential.

[jstrongman]

I have just got one of these for my birthday

http://www.outdoorclearance.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=674_160_343&products_id=146528

Really impressed, great build quality, fabric is really tough and seating easily adjustable, great for taking the kids out on short trips, you are not going to be going miles in it as is bit of a beast to paddle, but on the other hand is really stable. For the money you aint going to get much better and they also do the pump and boyancy aids cheap.

[andyd]

Took mine out for a test run last night. Went from just below Bolton Abbey to Ben Rhydding (just beyond Otley). Fookin awesome fun. Hit some weirs and she ran (mostly)straight. We were a little overloaded as it's only supposed to take 200kg and we were nearing 250 with three adults. Quick to inflate. Hit plenty of smoothish rocks and it seemed fine. It was further than we thought though. We didn't get to the car until 10.20pm but it didn't matter. Psyched to go and do it again later this week. If you get the chance to have a go, I'd recommend it. A true jack of all trades on the water.

[Jaspersharpe]

Sorry just crying with laughter as I tried to write "Excellent!"as a reply and just managed to realise before I clicked send that I'd swyped "Excrement!".

Would have been a slightly confusing post.

Nice one anyway, sounds like great fun.

[lagerstarfish]

what's the score with canoeing?

can you just turn up and float about on a river, or do you have to get a license/ticket or somesuch?

[Jim]

as long as you don't trespass on private land to get on/off the river, you're good to go

[andyd]

Sadly not that simple. It has to permitted by the land owner. That said, it's unlikely that they'll see/stop/catch you. With a bit of luck these waterways will go the same way as the crow act. They are historical transport routes after all.

[lagerstarfish]

is there an online resource with details of permitted waterways/descents?

(yeah, yeah I know about Google, but I trust you lot more than them)

[bigtuboflard]

I'd start here http://www.bcu.org.uk/our-sport/getting-started/where-to-paddle/

Used to kayak a bit when at university but I tended to scare myself more than enjoy myself so packed it in when I graduated


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[bigtuboflard]

The link to the "where to paddle in Britain" looks like pretty much everything you'll need to get started

http://www.bcu.org.uk/files/Hundred%20Paddles.pdf


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[SA Chris]

can you just turn up and float about on a river, or do you have to get a license/ticket or somesuch?

Unfortunately there are people who stand on the riverbank and yell and throw rocks at you if you do that. They call them fishermen.

[bigtuboflard]

can you just turn up and float about on a river, or do you have to get a license/ticket or somesuch?

Unfortunately there are people who stand on the riverbank and yell and throw rocks at you if you do that. They call them fishermen.

I've had fishermen cast at us as a group before, it can all get a bit unpleasant as they've got an unswerving belief that because they've paid big money to be there, you've got no right. It doesn't help that some of the best whitewater in the UK is also prime fly fishing territory



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[Johnny Brown]

is there an online resource with details of permitted waterways/descents?

A good place to start might be to recreate Jarvis Cocker's drift down the Don. The only fly fisherman you are likely to meet would be yourself: http://www.acrylicafternoons.com/porterdon.html

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Lidl have a two man one in currently for £40.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/SID-8C337ECF-B18D1931/www_lidl_uk/hs.xsl/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=12728

Might be fun for mucking about on/off the beach with.

[andyd]

Just a quick bit of feedback for anyone that's interested.

I've used the boat 10 times so far.
Good points
Easy to inflate
Hasn't got a puncture yet
Steers fairly well if you know what you're doing
Packs down easily
You get to see things that few others do
Every fisherman we've met so far has been friendly and accommodating.

Bad points
Punctures are a possibility
The time that you want to float down the rivers (summer) doesn't have the most water so getting out and walking is sometimes necessary.
It might not be legal (it isn't) on some rivers...

We love this boat (sevylor Tahiti plus). I can't believe how much fun we've had for 200 squid all in. I've seen 8 pretty little vibrant birds flying around and sat as two or three dozen bats flew around our heads catching flies at dusk.

Get amongst it (but not on my river!).

[SA Chris]

I noticed there was quite a good selection in Decathlon - was tempted! Do you pump by hand, or g ot an electric one to run off cigarette lighter? Be good fun on the beach near us (10 min walk from house) could it be carried any distance or is it really heavy?

[Oldmanmatt]

Just a quick bit of feedback for anyone that's interested.

I've used the boat 10 times so far.
Good points
Easy to inflate
Hasn't got a puncture yet
Steers fairly well if you know what you're doing
Packs down easily
You get to see things that few others do
Every fisherman we've met so far has been friendly and accommodating.

Bad points
Punctures are a possibility
The time that you want to float down the rivers (summer) doesn't have the most water so getting out and walking is sometimes necessary.
It might not be legal (it isn't) on some rivers...

We love this boat (sevylor Tahiti plus). I can't believe how much fun we've had for 200 squid all in. I've seen 8 pretty little vibrant birds flying around and sat as two or three dozen bats flew around our heads catching flies at dusk.

Get amongst it (but not on my river!).

We just picked up a Sevylor, second hand for £150, in good nick (it looked new until my tribe took it it out the first time).

Excellent all round. With my four climbing in and out and conducting mixed boat/commando swimmer operations and beach assaults; I was pretty glad it wasn't a "hard" boat as they ran each other over frequently...
Shooting the tidal rapids at Budleigh beach has become a firm favourite!

[Oldmanmatt]

Hand pump works fine, less than five minutes to put mine up with a duel acting pump.

[Oldmanmatt]

[andyd]

I've got a hand pump so that I can pump away from the car. If you're used to carrying a rucksack with a rack and gear, an 11kg rolled up boat is no great bother. I'm keen to walk into more remote spots and set up there in the future. We managed 17km on Saturday evening (but didn't get of the boat until 12.40am). Awesome

[andyd]

Devon

[Johnny Brown]

Good knowledge, think I might buy one this summer.

[Oldmanmatt]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention...

The "Canyon" which we have has a "clip in before inflating" rear fin (optional). This gives it a much better line and it really paddles well.
 Even the kids manage a reasonable line...

[Will Hunt]

I've got a hand pump so that I can pump away from the car. If you're used to carrying a rucksack with a rack and gear, an 11kg rolled up boat is no great bother. I'm keen to walk into more remote spots and set up there in the future. We managed 17km on Saturday evening (but didn't get of the boat until 12.40am). Awesome

I did wonder what a dedicated boulderer might get up to in the summer months. Now I know!

[andyd]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention...

The "Canyon" which we have has a "clip in before inflating" rear fin (optional). This gives it a much better line and it really paddles well.
 Even the kids manage a reasonable line...

A 'skeg'.
I've no idea why this is an optional extra. It's pretty much essential.

[andyd]

I did wonder what a dedicated disillusioned boulderer might get up to in the summer months. Now I know!

Fixed

[SA Chris]

I'm thinking it would be a good (and sometimes quicker!) way to access some of the coastal stuff round here. Rather than driving and walking in big loops, just take straight line down the coast.