Kayak Test Update

Our previous favorite kayak in this category was the Walker Bay Airis, which we reviewed in two different evolutions (PS July 2008 and October 2017). The boat is light (less than 20 pounds for the bare boat), can pack into a backpack, and is stiff enough for open water paddling. Like any sit-on-top kayak they are easy to board from the water, but not as fast to paddle as a rigid, sit-in kayak. But the inflatable feature makes them practical on the smallest boat. Lamentably, the Airis was discontinued in 2018.

We’ve found two new candidates that tick many of the same boxes.  Both are constructed from PVC fabric utilizing drop-stitch construction to create rigid structures. Like the Airis, these can be used as stand-up paddleboards (SUP) when fully inflated. The valves are the same as those used in quality inflatable dinghies.

Although we have not lived with either of these long enough to be certain, durability should be similar to PVC inflatable dinghies. We’ve paddled our Airis Sport every week or two for 3 years. We’ve left it in the sun for months, bumped into a few rocks, and are thus convinced that the basic material of construction is sound and suitable for the purpose.

Drop-stitch construction, in which a webPADDLE NORTH of threads connects the outer skins, is what gives inflatables their impressive rigidity. The inflation pressure is greater—10-12 psi vs. 3-4 psi for a typical . This is what allows for the miraculously rigid structure, with no more pressure than the typical inflatable tender. Because there are so many threads, the stress is evenly distributed and redundancy is inherent.

These aren’t your blow up pool toys, and although we don’t recommend it, we’ve run easy white water in these as a test. With the right thigh braces they aren’t half bad, fully stiff enough to transfer paddling power, and light enough to respond.

Both have a rated capacity of 350 pounds, and we have tested them with paddlers up to 190 pounds, and with a pair, just for fun, up to 300 pounds.  Unsurprisingly, we’d expect stability to suffer for any paddler who weighs over about 225 pounds.

Like the Airis, both have rear skegs to provide tracking. It works when paddling in a straight line, but if you want to cut a sharp turn—for example in a marina­—backing works better, since the pivot point is near the stern. Like the Airis, both have the greatest width just behind the cockpit. This increases speed and maintains stability, without making the boat too wide for efficient paddling, a common shortcoming of inflatable kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks.

Both come with four-piece break-down paddles. We preferred the two-piece Walker Bay paddle for its exceptional stiffness and durability. We’ve banged it against rocks for days paddling white water. But the four-piece paddles seem well made and pack smaller.

Both boats come with efficient manual inflation pumps. Because of the relatively low volume, high-pressure kayaks take only a few minutes to inflate. Once you have done it a couple of times, you’ll need only about five minutes to get on the water.

Both boats lack the bow and stern handles of the Airis, which are handy both for handling and for lashing the kayak on deck. Walker Bay makes dinghies and recognizes this practicality.

Although of limited value to the cruiser, the included backpack can open the option of a hike to a secluded patch of water.

KAYAKS FOR CRUISING SAILBOATS

Paddle North Karve

Like the Airis, this inflatable features a cut-out cockpit area with a separate floor, providing a place to put a few things, a lower center of gravity, and enough drainage to prevent a wet bottom, at least in sheltered waters.

Our test paddle was on a nasty, rainy day, and the sharply pointed bow and V-shaped entry of the Karve showed its value, cutting through the chop better than the blunt bow of the Airis and pounding less than the flat-bottomed Glide. We wish it had thigh strap braces, like the Airis. It has a strap you can tuck your feet under, but nothing to provide good solid side bracing.

Bottom line: Best Choice. This is a true contender for cruisers.

PS Sea Trials the Takacat & ePropulsion Motor

Our search for a compact inflatable dinghy led us to the Takacat LX, a line of inflatable catamarans developed in New Zealand. Established in 2007, Takacat (www.takacat.com) has grown a steady following abroad and distribution in North America is expanding. Hulls are built in China, but the company is looking into U.S. production.

We spent two afternoons with Luis Sanchez, of Sky Blue Adventures (www.skyblueadventures.com) testing the Takacat 340 ($2,000, 11’ LOA, 5’5” beam, 19” tube diameter, 1,135 lb. capacity). The 340 is the middle boat in the five-boat series, ranging from 8 to 14 feet. The two larger sizes, the 380 and 420, divide each hull into two air chambers, but otherwise the construction details are consistent throughout the XL line. Thermo-welded PVC hulls are available in several colors. Glued hypalon hulls are an option.

We tested the boat with two motors—a 9.9 horsepower  LEHR propane outboard (about 15 lbs. lighter than a conventional gas 9.9 hp), and the electric ePropulsion Spirit 1.0, (1,276 watt-hours, 3 hp equivalent). Made in China, the $1,700 ePropulsion competes with the well-established Torqeedo (see “New Options in Small Outboards,” PS January 2016).

The boat’s compactness deflated is impressive. The 79-pound boat splits into two bags: hulls (48 pounds, 47” x 14” x 14”); and transom/floor (31 pounds, 35.5” x 14” x 10”). Assembly takes about 10 minutes with a good pump that inflates to at least 10 psi (the rated floor pressure). The hull and deck sections connect with multiple webbing straps and an ingenious “open” transom that also helps spread davit loads.

The conspicuous open bow and stern of the Takacat design allows for flatter, more expansive, and more stable platform than any comparable inflatable we’ve tested. Boarding from water or shore is easier, but what about water ingress? Crossing big boat wakes on the ICW, we shipped no waves. The maker points to its long use its popularity among rescue organizations in New Zealand as proof of its seakeeping ability.

Under the ePropulsion motor, we hummed quietly along at 5 mph with two people (~ 400 pounds). Prop cavitation interrupted the Lehr test, but we were later able to get it to cruise on plane at about 12 knots. According to Sanchez, an anti-cavitation plate (sold separately) solves the problem.

Bottom line: The Takacat fits a unique niche in the dinghy market. Snorkelers, sight fisherman (especially fly fishermen), and cruisers with limited storage space would all benefit from including the Takacat XL line in their list of options.

Body Glove Glide

This is basically a paddleboard adapted to kayaking by providing clip points for a seat back and for foot braces. Because you sit on top of the board, it feels like, well, you are sitting on top of the paddleboard—rather than “in” a kayak.

The foot braces keep your heels from sliding and help avoid the discomfort of sitting with your legs straight out, but they don’t provide lateral bracing.

On the other hand, the Body Glove’s hull makes it a better SUP. If you are looking for an SUP, that can serve as a dinghy in a pinch, this split personality could be an excellent option. If you get tired of standing, or the water becomes too rough for your skill set; just sit down and crank your way back to the mother ship.

Bottom line: This Budget Buy is an excellent value in a kayak/SUP combination.

Conclusions

Your best choice will depend on your expectations. If you glue on a pair of D-rings and add thigh straps, the Karve becomes a very able paddler. The Glide is an excellent choice if you’d like to have an SUP, too. Both store in a large backpack and set up in minutes. Both provide capable warm weather transport for a small sailboat. When our Airis Sport eventually dies we’ll be looking closely at these.