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Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: Texan Til I Die] #13801062 12/10/20 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Texan Til I Die
I've got two inflatables, but they're high dollar units for running whitewater, not fishing. I've ran them in Class 4 rapids and off of a low water dam with a 25 foot drop without problems.

Here's a pic of me running an 8 foot low water dam on the Middle Bosque. When I dropped off, the hydraulic at the bottom spun me around and I had to paddle out backwards.

[Linked Image]


cheers roflmao That's my kind of excitement!


A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13807452 12/15/20 08:31 PM
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A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13808942 12/16/20 08:57 PM
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I’ve changed my mind
Agree with LConn, and this video convinced me to get a more modern and higher quality option of what I had previously.


[Linked Image]
Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13808948 12/16/20 09:01 PM
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I got the slightly smaller version of the above
575lb capacity

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]
Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13809541 12/17/20 04:31 AM
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I just watched the video... that is very well built! And the dude doing the video is a buddy of mine, Tony from down Houston area. cheers


A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13809629 12/17/20 11:58 AM
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What Tony has is the 385 fast track angler (fta)
The fast track series from Sea Eagle has a very rigid knife like hull (its their best tracking hull and best hull for standing)
The fta is about $200 more expensive than the fx

The fx is made out of thicker materials and rated for class 4 rapids while the fta is rated up to class 2

Because I’ll be using this kayak primarily for launching from sketchy rocky and deeply forested locations, I chose the one made out of 2000 Denier (thicker material). Basically I chose the slow tank that’s more stable instead of the faster model. However, if I was going to purchase an inflatable to use as my primary kayak, no question I’d choose the 385fta.

I did purchase a $15 aftermarket long skeg and some two part pvc adhesive to add an extra skeg onto the 350fx to improve tracking.

[Linked Image]


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Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13809808 12/17/20 02:34 PM
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Those Sea Eagles are nice but too expensive for me right now. I got my kayak for $150 as a floor model, though it looked brand new when I got it, factory sealed and everything.

Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13809915 12/17/20 03:37 PM
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[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]
Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13817866 12/24/20 04:09 AM
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Glad you posted that video CCTX, watched a couple more of Tony's videos.. Good memories of meeting him and then later on meeting him and his wife on the water a few years ago. Super good guy in my book and SeaEagle was lucky to get him!

Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wa-ief9WaE&feature=emb_rel_end


A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13818102 12/24/20 02:12 PM
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Thanks LConn
Left a comment on his video


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Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13819264 12/25/20 01:44 PM
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8min to inflate
So far exceeding expectations

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[Linked Image]


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Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13819268 12/25/20 01:47 PM
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54lbs
The 350fx is made from thicker material, which is what I wanted for portaging over rocky and forested terrain and launching off rip rap. It’s also a bit shorter than the 385fta. The fta (fast track angler) does have an extra knife like rigid keel compartment that you inflate making it track really well. The fta is also $200 more expensive. The fta is 9lbs lighter even though it's almost 2ft longer because it's not made out of the thicker material. Hence the 350fx is rated for class 4 rapids while the 385fta only for class 2

So I thought this would be a nice work around (adding an extra skeg for $40--skeg+adhesive) to achieve the best of both worlds.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


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Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13819280 12/25/20 01:55 PM
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PSA

When you mix the Stabond adhesive (8 parts) with the catalyst (1part) mix it in a clean glass jar.
If you mix it in a plastic cup (like a Solo cup) the solvents in the mixture will quickly eat through the bottom of the cup

And wear a respirator

Follow the Stabond instructions—proper prep with MEK or isopropyl and sandpaper. Then it’s a two coat application to both surfaces with specific drying times for the coats

And measure twice and have everything lined up perfectly when you put the skeg base on the kayak. Making sure you have the skeg base centered and oriented in the proper direction.

When you sandwich the skeg with two coats of adhesive onto the kayak with two coats of adhesive, they immediately form an indestructible bond. You only get one shot of doing it right.


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Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13819435 12/25/20 04:00 PM
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Seat mod
Comes with a nice, comfortable inflatable seat but I attached a lumbar support from the Wmart auto section ($15) for added low back support. The auto back support comes with a nylon harness buckle that I used to attach to the inflatable seat.

[Linked Image]


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Re: Anyone Else using an Inflatable Kayak? [Re: CarlB] #13819989 12/26/20 05:38 AM
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You're acting like a kid a Christimas time! roflmao


A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

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