Thanks for sharing.

Anyone have a recommendation on an inflatable fishing SUP? I find myself wanting one more and more for taking on trips where kayak storage and transport is not an option.

Inflatables are puzzling to me. Aside from calling a raft a kayak I don't get what they're so popular. You ever put a balloon on the water and watch how fast it blows away in the wind? An inflatable raft isn't much different and about the worse possible paddling watercraft available in it's size.

I watched a Bote inflatable raft (long probably 14' plus) launch once in 15-20 mph. Guy had a trolling motor on the back and a girl in the front of it. They got away from the bank and the trolling motor was pushing them along slow but making progress. They got around a grass island and the wind hit and literally pushed them backwards while the trolling motor was running. They came back...

Is it the weight that makes people want to go that route? I get that people who travel could benefit but I highly doubt there's that many people using them while they travel.

Good points, Porta. It essentially has to do with "sail area" including the operator sitting in a seat, the higher the more sail, and the height of the vessel's profiles catching wind.

It has next to nothing to do with the weight of the vessel itself, the material it is made out of. So, assuming the same vessel shapes, a 250 lbs. man sitting in a 50 lbs. kayak will be blown around about as much as a 150 lbs. man sitting in a 150 lbs. kayak. One tiny advantage a very heavy kayak holds, assuming two identical shapes, is its very own weight makes it sink lower in the water giving it a tad of advantage.



PC: Good point speaking generally about comparing keeping the TOTAL weight between different individuals, and the carry weight of additional load is a consideration, and should be added unless it is used as an empty craft. Since MY specific weight stays the same at close to at 150 lbs plus load, it would be considerable difference in total empty weight for a 50lb vessel (total 200 lb) versus a 150 lb vessel (total 300 lb and less carry weight for same hull shape) when it is time to buy a boat. Same idea if I weigh 250 lb. Heavier craft might be steadier because of the inertia effect which steadies the shock when hit by wind or chop. Identical kayak Hulls made of Steel Construction or inflatable material Construction wouldn't have the same response or control because of the weight and material difference. The steel hull might be better in wind or chop, but the inflatable might be better on Rocky River Rapids because it can cushion solid collision shock better. That's the way I see it anyway, hope that helps.



But, most SUPs and some of the new inflatable kayaks (the iTREKs for example) sit very low in the water, almost no profile for the wind to catch, small "sail" effect. But, the operator is all exposed high above the water, a big sail. This is why touring kayaks are sit-insides where the operator sits much lower compared to the water surface, butt usually below water level. Very low profile, low sitting vessels.



PC: Sometimes windage can be good like if you're in a hurry to get away from a storm and have a Tailwind helping you to escape to shoreline.



Other differences? Standing where there is less ballast for an inflatable. They say standing in one even with their typical greater width "feels" different. I bet since the center of mass of the unit (vessel and operator) is much higher for a "relatively" lighter boat.

I used to sort of "battle" kayakers on another forum regarding the idea that adding Styrofoam "inside" their kayaks helps with flotation under normal circumstances. With a hell of a lot of effort, I finally convinced about half of them that . . . only if you turtle it, flip it upside down and it fills with water will adding Styrofoam do any good.



PC: Good point Brad, the flotation might be better on the outside, where it helps prevent flipping, as well as helping with keeping a boat which is full of water afloat. Examples are such things as Clamp-on side floats for canoes



Oh well!

Brad