General Inflatable Kayak Questions

General questions about our inflatable kayaks

Collapsible content

How durable are the Inflatable Kayaks?

Advanced Elements have been making inflatable kayaks for well over 25 years – you don’t have to worry about quality.

All kayaks are inflated at the factory and left for 24 hours to ensure there are no slow leaks.

But don’t take it from me. Here is Geoff Wilson, an Australian polar explorer talking about how he abused his inflatable kayak in Alaska for 5 days:

What is the risk of puncture?

Very low – we use top quality reinforced PVC, and hi-density fabrics. In order to puncture the main chamber from the bottom you would need to pierce through three layers of durable material.

How do I choose a kayak?

Does the kayak come with a pump?

Yes, all of our kayaks come with a hand pump as standard. If it is an ex-demo kayak that doesnt come with a pump it will be listed in the product description.

** You can NOT use a compressor or a bike pump to inflate the kayaks**

Does the kayak come with a paddle?

Some models do, check the product description for more info. Typically, many customers come to us upgrading and dont need paddles but we do sell a great range of lightweight collapsible kayak paddles if you require them.

Does the kayak come with a bag?

Yes.

All kayaks come packaged in their own bag. Many also have backpack straps and some come in a wheelie bag that can be wheeled to the desired location.

Can I put the kayak on my roof racks when it is inflated?

No, we strongly advise against this.

To get it rigid enough to extend beyond the roof racks, it needs to be fully inflated. The problem with this is that the roof of your car is the hottest place on earth… so the kayak inevitably ends up over-pressurised and you risk damaging your inner tubes.

Is the kayak easy to get in and out of?

Most of our inflatable kayaks are easy to get in and out of, but some more so than others. If you are worried about getting in, reach out we are happy to advise a suitable option for you.

Can I use an inflatable kayak in open ocean?

Yes, absolutely! We have a range of inflatable kayaks that are suitable for open ocean.

Can one person use a tandem inflatable kayak?

Yes, all our tandem kayaks have a central seat position so you are nicely balanced in the kayak when you are going solo.

Can you put a motor on an inflatable kayak?

Yes you can though there are some limitations as it needs to be a fin mounted motor that will slide into the fin box on the kayak. Not all kayaks have fin boxes. Dont hesitate to reach out if you have an option you are chasing.

Are inflatable kayaks good for fishing?

Yes!

As long as they are durable, stable and spacious.

Check out our range of inflatable fishing kayaks from Advanced Elements.

Can I take a dog on my inflatable kayak?

Yes!

All of our drop stitch floor kayaks can handle your furry friend!

You might be worried that it isn’t safe or that your dog won’t be comfortable. But dog-friendly kayaks allow you and your four-legged friend to enjoy getting out on the water exploring new sights and scents.

Check out the kayaks in the Dog Freindly category and dont hesitate to reach out if you need some advice.

Are inflatable kayaks hard to paddle?

Not ours!

Generally speaking, an inflatable kayak is ‘easy to paddle’ if it is rigid.

With many of our inflatable kayaks, this is achieved with patented designs that use rigid forms and drop-stitch chambers.

How long does an inflatable kayak take to setup?

Depending on the kayak, it can take anywhere from 4-15 minutes when inflating with a manual pump.

Can I fit a spray skirt on the seating compartment coaming?

Yes, the coaming around the seating area of the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak, and AirFusion EVO Kayak and the conversion decks for the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Kayak can be used to attach a spray skirt.

Our inflatable coaming is not a rigid coaming so it would not be sufficient for Eskimo rolls, however, it will hold the spray skirt to keep excess water out of the boat and keep the warmth in on winter day.

Please note that the AE1017 AdvancedFrame Sport cannot take a spray skirt as it does not have an inflatable coaming.

Can I fit the kayak on the back of my motorbike?

Yes you can! A few customers have shared photos of their kayaks on the back of motorbikes.

Here is a picture of Steven’s AirFusion EVO, a 3.9m sea kayak, on the back of his bike!

Are Inflatable Kayaks suitable as a tender for a boat?

Yes, they are, but you can NOT leave them inflated on the deck in the sun. Extreme heat can damage the kayaks, and they can become over-pressurised if they are left inflated when they are not in the water.

Are Inflatable Kayaks suitable for beginners?

Yes, all of our Inflatable kayaks are suitable for beginners because they are stable and easy to paddle. The Sea Kayak category is worth by passing if you are a beginner as these ones are a little narrower and less stable if you arent used to it.

Check out the Beginner Kayak section for a full range of kayaks that are great for starters.

Which Inflatable Kayaks are suited for seniors?

Absolutely! Generally speaking, seniors prefer lightweight kayaks that are easy to transport and great to paddle.

Check out our range of Lightweight Kayaks and let us know if you need some advice choosing the right one for you.

Where are the Advanced Elements Kayaks manufactured?

Most are manufactured by Advanced Elements (an American company), in their factory in Indonesia.

All kayaks are inflated and left overnight on the factory floor to ensure they are fully functional before shipping out.

The AirVolution is currently being manufactured at the Advanced Elements factory in China.

What else do I need to buy?

You need to purchase a paddle and a life jacket as the minimum.

We also recommend a dry-bag for keeping your gear dry.

A paddle leash is a great way to make sure you don’t lose your paddle.

Are inflatable kayaks any good?

Yes, but there are inflatable kayaks and then there are inflatable kayaks. People often ask how rugged are they actually? We tell them to treat their inflatable just like an expensive fiberglass kayak. Treat it like this and you will have years of joy from your kayak.

Find out how to spot a quality inflatable kayak.

Are inflatable kayaks slower than hard-shell kayaks?

Not necessarily, it depends on the hull shape, rigidity, length and width, weight, wind affect etc.

I’ve paddled some amazing hard-shell kayak and some terrible hard-shell kayaks.

I’ve also paddled some amazing inflatable kayaks and some terrible inflatable kayaks!

I don’t know of any inflatable kayaks that can match the speed of a 6m fibreglass surf ski (the ones the iron men and iron women use), but most people are not looking for that anyway, because they are so unstable and you have to consider storage.

Our kayaks generally hit that lovely sweet spot where the speed is satisfying, but the kayak is super-stable and easy to paddle.

Check out the Reviews Section for videos and reviews from customers and youll see what we mean.

How stable are inflatable kayaks?

Most of our kayaks have a wide, flat hull, which means they are very stable – excellent for beginners, taking dogs / kids, kayak fishing and generally relaxing on the water.

The only exception are the Sea Kayaks as they are quite narrow across the beam and therefore not very stable. They are no good for fishing or bringing dogs along, but great for going really fast!

How wind affected are inflatable kayaks?

It really depends on the model.

If they sit very high in the water and have large tubes / chambers, they will be very wind affected.

If the sit low in the water and have a long waterline, like our AdvancedFrame range, they are not very wind-affected at all.