The new craze among boating enthusiasts is the inflatable kayak. This is because it holds more benefits than the hard shell counterpart. Blow ups are easy to transport to the most challenging rapids anywhere in the globe because of their portability. They can be stored in your bag although many kayaks nowadays come with their own custom-made backpack to make carrying them even easier.
Besides portability, inflatable kayaks possess lower centers of gravity for enhanced stability and safety. Compared to traditional hard shell kayaks, portable kayaks don't overturn at the slightest change of wind or wave. In reality, traditional hard shell kayaks are more prone to irreparable damage when they smash against sharp rocks and abutting tree roots.
However, there's one element of nature that can considerably shorten the life of your inflatable kayak: the sun. The PVC or Hypalon material your boat is made of can withstand battering from the toughest rocks but it cannot stand the sun's intense heat, particularly when it's out of the water.
The sun can cause irreparable damage to an already-inflated kayak when left out in the sand or any other place where it's at the mercy of the intense heat. A kayak should not be exposed to the rays of the sun when it's fully blown-up. After air is pumped into it, it should immediately be launched into the water.
The reason behind this is that the sun's heat can destroy the structures inside the kayak, the most important of which is the septum or the part of the boat that makes the kayak's floor flat. The tube-like sections of the boat's bottom are made up of septums. Too much exposure to the sun's heat will cause the septums to be torn apart and when this happens, the floor will not anymore have those tube-like sections but will instead have a single shape that will make the kayak unstable. You won't be able to sit on a firm floor when this occurs, but that's the least of your worries.
Repairing a damaged septum is next to impossible. Well, if you're willing to spend a fortune, you can find a shop that will do the job for you, but again, be prepared for exorbitant charges. Prevent this from happening by shielding your boat from the heat of the sun.
So how do you know if the sun is too hot for your boat? If the sand is too hot for your bare feet, then it's too hot for your inflatable kayak as well. So don't take the risk of leaving your boat out in the sun or the parking lot without any form of cover. Launch your kayak into the water right away.
If an immediate launch is not possible, get your boat into the shade or into shallow water to cool it down even under the intense heat of the sun. You can also take out a little air from the chambers to prevent sun damage to your inflatable kayak.
Besides portability, inflatable kayaks possess lower centers of gravity for enhanced stability and safety. Compared to traditional hard shell kayaks, portable kayaks don't overturn at the slightest change of wind or wave. In reality, traditional hard shell kayaks are more prone to irreparable damage when they smash against sharp rocks and abutting tree roots.
However, there's one element of nature that can considerably shorten the life of your inflatable kayak: the sun. The PVC or Hypalon material your boat is made of can withstand battering from the toughest rocks but it cannot stand the sun's intense heat, particularly when it's out of the water.
The sun can cause irreparable damage to an already-inflated kayak when left out in the sand or any other place where it's at the mercy of the intense heat. A kayak should not be exposed to the rays of the sun when it's fully blown-up. After air is pumped into it, it should immediately be launched into the water.
The reason behind this is that the sun's heat can destroy the structures inside the kayak, the most important of which is the septum or the part of the boat that makes the kayak's floor flat. The tube-like sections of the boat's bottom are made up of septums. Too much exposure to the sun's heat will cause the septums to be torn apart and when this happens, the floor will not anymore have those tube-like sections but will instead have a single shape that will make the kayak unstable. You won't be able to sit on a firm floor when this occurs, but that's the least of your worries.
Repairing a damaged septum is next to impossible. Well, if you're willing to spend a fortune, you can find a shop that will do the job for you, but again, be prepared for exorbitant charges. Prevent this from happening by shielding your boat from the heat of the sun.
So how do you know if the sun is too hot for your boat? If the sand is too hot for your bare feet, then it's too hot for your inflatable kayak as well. So don't take the risk of leaving your boat out in the sun or the parking lot without any form of cover. Launch your kayak into the water right away.
If an immediate launch is not possible, get your boat into the shade or into shallow water to cool it down even under the intense heat of the sun. You can also take out a little air from the chambers to prevent sun damage to your inflatable kayak.
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Last but not least, don't forget to read our Sea Eagle inflatable kayak reviews and this article on our Sea Eagle Explorer review.
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