Blow Up Canoe?

[hummingbird]

I just saw a blow up canoe on a shopping site I frequent. Am I the only one who thinks this is an incredibly bad idea? I can see it now. Blow the thing up, get in, paddle around the lake, hit a snag and you're in the water-BAM! I can't even imagine a scenario where this would be a good idea. Can you?

[Soldat]

I used to have an inflatable kayak many years ago. It had about 9 air pockets in it so you couldn't sink it. One of the first times I used it, The side bottomed out on a sharp rock when I was getting in. Got a 4 inch split that I never could repair properly. It was made in France and I think I paid about $250 for it in 72.

[ppine]

Cheap vinyl and plastic boats are always a bad idea. There are plenty of inflatable kayaks now made of hypalon and similar materials designed for running rivers. They hold up, and some are large enough for overnight trips, especially with a raft to haul some community gear. These boats are forgiving, relatively safe, and allow passage on many western rivers at low summer flows below 400 cfs.