Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the stunning nature of water. It’s relaxing, exciting, and fun.
If you do enjoy kayaking a lot, it makes sense to invest in one so you can easily enjoy this activity.
However, not everybody can enjoy the leisure of owning a hard shell kayak. It’s costly, takes a lot of space to store it, not to mention the transportation! It was a nightmare when I needed to arrange transportation of 4 hard shell kayaks for a trip with my friends.
An inflatable kayak is, always a great option if you are looking for a kayak that could allow you to enjoy some chill time on the sea with your friends or company.
In this article, we will share with you how to pick the best inflatable kayaks for Ocean, our recommendations, and some useful tips so you can enjoy your trip with the inflatable kayak safely.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary
- Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
- Sevylor Quikpak K1
- Sea Eagle 370
- Intex Challenger Kayak
- Bestway Kayak Kit Ventura
Who Should Get These?
Anyone who is planning to explore the ocean with a kayak but don’t have enough space to store the kayak would benefit from it. Or one who want to visit different beaches of coastline areas would also be able to benefit from it.
Best Inflatable Kayak for Ocean – What to Consider
Durability
Everyone would like to spend their money on a high-quality ocean kayak. Look for the one with strong and long-lasting material. Such kind of material should be difficult to puncture in case the kayak hits logs or rocks in the water. A highly durable material enables you to use the kayak for a long time without having any worries.
Location
Most kayaks have been built to be used in multiple water bodies but others have been built for specific water bodies. Before buying a kayak figure out where you want to use it. If you intend to use it for fun choose a kayak for cool and still waters. If you want to use it for adult purposes like fishing or racing, select the one that can be easily used in open and fast running waters.
Stability
A kayak’s stability is very important if you want to stay afloat in the water. Fast running rivers that are full of rocks can be dangerous for you in case your kayak topples you over. Before buying a kayak check out its stability to ensure your safety. A kayak that is easily blown away by the wind or swayed by water is highly likely to topple you over.
Portability
Kayaking is not easy and wears you out. You need to deflate your kayak and fold it back into its bag. It is very frustrating to carry a heavy kayak after spending your day paddling and feeling worn out. Therefore, when purchasing a kayak for the ocean, select the one that easily deflates and you can easily carry.
Best Inflatable Kayak for Ocean – Our Recommendation
Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
I selected the Intex Explorer K2 Kayak as one of the best and most popular due to the excellent overall experience it can bring you. It comes in a thin bag that creates efficient transportation and ample storage. It includes added accessories that come at an incredibly affordable price.
Upon unfolding the kayak, use the high output air pump that comes with the rest of the accessories to inflate the kayak. The Intex Explorer has three chambers, two side chambers, and one middle one.
The chamber design makes the kayak safer. When one chamber deflates the rest will hold the kayak until you reach the nearest shore.
The kayak has two seats which are held into position by the Velcro Strap. You can adjust the position of the seats to create more legroom and the backrest makes the seats comfortable.
The Intex Explorer is not designed for white water and the seats are not good for long-distance kayaking. The kayak has low pressure and the skin is thin making it susceptible to tears if it bumps on rocks or logs. It is suitably used in calm weather and still waters.
Pros
- Comes with accessories.
- Has handles that make lifting the boat easy.
- Affordable.
- Comes with a fancy design.
Cons
- It has been designed for fun rather than for an ocean inflatable kayak.
- It has a small space for carrying luggage.
- The paddles are a bit wobbly.
- The warranty period is a bit short, 90 days.
Sevylor Quikpak K1
The Sevylor Quikpak K1 is carried in a backpack which when unfolded is used as the seat. The 21 gauge PVC material makes the kayak withstand the strain. The traupaline underside offers protection from rocks and logs. The multiple air chambers in this kayak enhance the safety features.
The Sevylor Quikpak can be inflated with both a hand pump and an electric pump. You can test the pressure of the kayak by testing its firmness. However, the water temperature can affect the pressure. The paddle that comes with the kayak is low quality and you might want to buy a firm one.
This kayak weighs about 18lbs and is easy to carry on the backpack. It measures 8ft 7in long and 3ft wide. It has a weight limit of 400lbs.
This is inclusive of the cargo and the individual. The Sevylor Quikpak is not suitable for fishing. It does not have space for fishing gear and lacks mounting brackets and rod holders.
If you are a beginner kayaker, the Sevylor Quikpak is the best option if you are looking for an affordable hard-bodied kayak. It does not need a roof rack and does not maneuver perfectly because of the small skegs causing low traction.
Pros
- Durable.
- Affordable.
- Light hence easy to carry around.
- Has an easy and quick setup.
- Strong and supports heavyweight.
Cons
- Not suitable in fast-moving waters
Sea Eagle 370 Pro
This kayak is suitable for both beginners and professionals. It is light to carry around and easily fits in the trunk of your car.
The Sea Eagle 370 is easy to inflate and deflate and can carry up to three people. It is highly versatile and can be used for different purposes from solo kayaking in still waters to white water kayaking hence its popularity.
The kayak weighs 32 lbs and can fit in a backpack to be carried around easily. It has a maximum carrying weight of 650 lbs and is 12 ft long creating enough space for any gear. It has several features like two skegs for stability and speed, a drain valve, and spray skirts.
It has been made from 38 mil PVC making it possible to withstand the sun and saltwater. It also offers protection from collisions and tears.
The three chambers, starboard walls, floor and port will enable you to stay afloat in case one of them raptures. It also comes with a repair kit full of the equipment you would need for repair if the kayak raptures.
The Sea Eagle 370 is certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and, therefore, complies with the American Boats and Yacht Council. The kayak has been safety and quality tested so you should paddle with peace of mind.
Pros
- Great maneuverability
- It is comfortable and very stable
- Easy and simple to use
- Small and easily portable
- Cheap hence affordable
Cons
- It can be blown away by the wind since it is a light kayak.
Intex Challenger Kayak
The Intex Challenger Kayak is the largest inflatable kayak of the Intex brand. It is a one-person kayak and measures 11ft 6in long. Many customers have given positive feedback regarding the Intex Challenger hence its popularity. It comes in a thin transparent bag and is lightweight making transportation by foot easy.
All the accessories fit in the transport bag and include a double blade paddle, two seats, and a pump. If you want to use it for two people you can buy an extra paddle.
When you spread the kayak on the ground you can see that the front paddler has some foot space and the back paddler can adjust their seat to give enough foot allowance and can support their feet on the backrest of the front seat.
The kayak has a scale on the side that is 10 cm long to measure the air pressure. Too high pressure could damage the chambers and low pressure could affect the speed. The seats can be filled with air using the mouth but some air escapes when you try to close the valve.
The Velcro straps on the floor of the kayak are used to support the seats and the adjustable belts support the backrest. There is a cargo net on the front suitable for carrying your luggage. Dismantling the kayak is a bit harder. It is also hard to wipe it dry due to the hard to reach areas like the bug.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Can be stored easily.
- Easily portable.
- Extremely light.
- Comfortable.
Cons
- A bit slower than a normal kayak.
- Can be easily punctured.
- Takes a long to deflate and inflate.
- Minimal foot space.
- The paddles are somehow flimsy.
Bestway Kayak Kit Ventura
The kayak comes with accessories like two double blade paddles, a manometer, a pump, and repair patches. It does not come with a bag and hence not easily portable. The kayak is of high quality and strongly built.
The orange-black color gives it a fancy look and the orange color makes it visible in the ocean.
It comes with double skegs to give the kayak stability when changing direction and make paddling easy. It also comes with safety lines that help pull the kayak to shore. The PVC chambers are protected by an additional nylon layer to shield against external damage from rocks or logs.
The lower back of the kayak is made of a thick PVC layer and if damaged, they can be repaired with the repair patches or replaced altogether.
The Bestway Kayak Ventura has four handles that enable you to carry the kayak to the shore if you are paddling alone. It also has a net bag for carrying small luggage positioned at the bow of the kayak.
Pros
- The materials are highly durable.
- Easy and fast assembly and disassembly.
- High stability.
- Comes with accessories, an air pump, and two paddles.
- It has an outer layer that protects the air tubes.
- The seats have been flexibly positioned to allow legroom.
Cons
- Short paddles.
- Flat seats making the rider sit deep in the boat.
- Thin backrests.
Best Inflatable Kayak for Ocean – Additional Tips
Always Go in Group
I wrote this in almost every article, simply because this is the golden rule for kayaking. Always go in a group and make sure there are at least 2 kayaks for the trip.
If there are 2 of you going for the trip, make sure both of you would have 1 single kayak. In case one of the kayaks break or not suitable for kayaking anymore, the other persons can always go and ask for help.
For sure, always wear your life jacket when you are kayaking, and make sure your partners are all wearing one too.
Bring Along a Workable Quick-fix Kit
The quick fix kit is very important, always bring them over with you and make sure they work before heading out to the water. Once my friend went out with an inflatable kayak and there was a small cut on the surface after he crashed into a rock.
We stopped and trying to put glue on the small cut but the glue was too old that it got all harden. At the end of the day, we need to paddle back to the bast and ask a friend to pick him up. So make sure you check the kits too!
Check the Weather
Always check the weather before you start your trip and keep doing it throughout the trip. I will not go out with my inflatable kayak even that is a good day to go with a hardshell kayak. Set a higher standard for your inflatable kayaking trip out to the ocean.
Best Inflatable Kayak – Final Words
In conclusion, when you purchase any one of these kayaks you can be a proud owner of some of the best ocean kayaks around. Despite the differences in quality among these kayaks, you will be making an investment that you cannot regret.
A suitable kayak will depend on your budget but always keep in mind these features: stability, durability, place of use, and portability.
I hope you enjoyed the review and find it useful for helping you to pick one that suits your need. Always remember, the inflatable kayak would be more fragile while comparing the hard shell kayak, so make sure you are going to a calm condition.
That’s all for what I want to say, have fun and enjoy your trip!