[crzylgs]

Has anyone had any experience with fairly cheap ~£100 inflatable kayaks? Looking at picking one up simply because they look quite fun. It probably won't get a massive amount of use but for £100 if I used it a few days a year and have fun seems decent value to me.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intex-Challenger-Person-Inflatable-Aluminum/dp/B00177FIJ8/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_2/258-7334386-2298006?pd_rd_w=BeNp2&content-id=amzn1.sym.46f507f3-7fc1-4bf4-9492-ed026d6e4f68&pf_rd_p=46f507f3-7fc1-4bf4-9492-ed026d6e4f68&pf_rd_r=NVK31R7WWGJ5ZQAJEXG6&pd_rd_wg=lN24u&pd_rd_r=1a8dca5f-856c-4706-b042-b95b61e915fc&pd_rd_i=B00177FIJ8&th=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intex-Explorer-Two-Person-Kayak-Oars/dp/B00AIQ8LGG/ref=rvi_d_sccl_9/258-7334386-2298006?pd_rd_w=aYJin&content-id=amzn1.sym.d56e60fb-87bc-405a-a95d-c5e322a9b3d9&pf_rd_p=d56e60fb-87bc-405a-a95d-c5e322a9b3d9&pf_rd_r=N59SE6SAVCD9REGQZ0HK&pd_rd_wg=uqKiW&pd_rd_r=07367016-a8aa-49ff-b3ca-70fc0e0800e5&pd_rd_i=B00AIQ8LGG&th=1

These two look very similar in terms of spec, price and both have positive reviews. Decathlon offer similar options. I have no idea which to choose apart from the yellow one because it's yellow?

Any insight or experience with these appreciated!

[SA Chris]

Do you want to use it inland or on the sea? I know from looking at them in the shop that the Decathlon ones look considerably more robust than the cheap Sevyor one we have, which I would definitely not take in the sea.

Considered an inflatable SUP? They are a lot more fun (to me at least) to get out and about on, and good for a bit more of a physical exercise.   

[Hoseyb]

My kids have had the Intex explorer kayak, it's pretty robust, and they never managed to capsize it. I use a little dingy for my sea cliff exploration
https://amzn.eu/d/0hnrH0UQ
It's got enough chambers that I can float and swim if I pop it ( I also only go out in the calm ).
It's also cheap as chips so it doesn't matter if I scragg it.
It's worth buying a separate decent pump though.

Worth balancing this against my slightly eccentric views on risk management

[crzylgs]

Do you want to use it inland or on the sea? I know from looking at them in the shop that the Decathlon ones look considerably more robust than the cheap Sevyor one we have, which I would definitely not take in the sea.

Considered an inflatable SUP? They are a lot more fun (to me at least) to get out and about on, and good for a bit more of a physical exercise.

Would probably only use inland, or if at sea in the most calm conditions staying close to the shore etc.

I quite like the idea of a SUP - but that might have to be a later purchase as my partner prefers the idea of a kayak.

[crzylgs]

My kids have had the Intex explorer kayak, it's pretty robust, and they never managed to capsize it. I use a little dingy for my sea cliff exploration
https://amzn.eu/d/0hnrH0UQ
It's got enough chambers that I can float and swim if I pop it ( I also only go out in the calm ).
It's also cheap as chips so it doesn't matter if I scragg it.
It's worth buying a separate decent pump though.

Worth balancing this against my slightly eccentric views on risk management

I'm amazed you can pick up a dingy for as little as £20!

Good to know the kids haven't manage to capsize it, think that is the one I'll go for.

[Bonjoy]

If you're willing to pay a bit more I'd suggesting hunting down an old school Gumotex, such as this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315579235203?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-170562-880048-8&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=315579235203&targetid=2271778136771&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046365&poi=&campaignid=20958443039&mkgroupid=161516314961&rlsatarget=pla-2271778136771&abcId=9371139&merchantid=6995734&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_4Prz8XMhwMVuKFQBh0Y1Cc5EAQYAyABEgKdRPD_BwE
Ideally a Solar if you can find one. They are very robustly constructed in nitrilon (newer ones less so apparently). I've had two for years and taken on fairly choppy sea (make your own risk assessment obviously!). Hard to capsize and hard to puncture.
As with any bulky inflatable, offshore wind is the biggest hazard to watch out for.

[SA Chris]

I quite like the idea of a SUP - but that might have to be a later purchase as my partner prefers the idea of a kayak.

If there are 2 of you, a kayak makes sense.

As Bonj says, offshore wind is one to look out for, water looks calm, but things can go very wrong fast; at least on person tethered to your kayak, decent lifejacket, phone in a waterproof pouch round your neck and preferably a wetsuit or warm layer of some kind.

[Hoseyb]

This was October, nil wind and a warm sea

[crzylgs]

Thanks for all the replies.

I went for the Yellow (we'll be lovingly calling it our 'banana boat') 2 person Kayak. Will let you know how it goes. If we both end up enjoying it I could see us getting one of the more advanced options in the future.

Appreciate all the warnings regarding safety, especially at sea. I grew up visiting my Gran on the south coast where my Dad had various small yachts and his skipper's license. Lots of pottering around the Solent, couple of flotilla holidays etc. So I've probably had more experience at sea than the average person. Definitely know to respect the water and not take any chances! Having said that - It's probably quite unlikely we take 'Banana Boat' out to sea, not until we've been on rivers / lakes a few times and got a feel for it.