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Main
Date: 18 Aug 2004 01:55:53
From: Michael
Subject: yet another inflatable question
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I know, the lesser priced inflatables aren't as good as the more expensive
ones. Goes without saying (one would hope).
Still, I need two inexpensive boats to get out on lakes and slow rivers with
the family when camping. Anyone have any experiences they can share with
any of the following:
Sevylor ST6656
Sevylor KRC79 Ranger (a Tahiti with a lower hull cover I think)
Stearns B501 IK140
Stearns B801 IC140
Advanced Elements DragonFly II
Many thanks in advance!
Michael
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Date: 18 Aug 2004 17:03:55
From: Don Freeman
Subject: Re: yet another inflatable question
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"Michael" <no@spam.com > wrote in message
news:JGyUc.27944$mD.20317@attbi_s02...
> I know, the lesser priced inflatables aren't as good as the more expensive
> ones. Goes without saying (one would hope).
>
> Still, I need two inexpensive boats to get out on lakes and slow rivers
with
> the family when camping. Anyone have any experiences they can share with
> any of the following:
>
> Sevylor ST6656
> Sevylor KRC79 Ranger (a Tahiti with a lower hull cover I think)
> Stearns B501 IK140
> Stearns B801 IC140
> Advanced Elements DragonFly II
>
I have the Stearns IK140 (this is the two person version, my girlfriend also
has the 1 person IK116), and for what I bought it for it meets my needs.
This URL gives the specs (with a minimum of hype - it is a sales site).
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/STE/STEB501.html
I found that it tracks similar to a low end recreational hard shell though a
bit slower. But I have been able to paddle around the San Francisco Bay and
estuaries without frustrations. The inflatable tubes are further protected
by an outer shell of canvas and thick vinyl which gives me confidence to
take it in places where I might be hesitant to it if did not have it. Very
stable, you would have to work at tipping it over, so photography and
fishing (watch the bigger hooks, it IS an inflatable <G >) are possible. It
is a little heavy deflated and in the bag (50 lbs), but I bought one of
those collapsable, aluminum, wheeled luggage carriers to solve that problem.
I have since bought a hard shell touring kayak but have not intention of
getting rid of the Stearns for those occaisons where I can't take my 17.5
foot boat. It still has its uses.
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Date: 18 Aug 2004 10:11:45
From: Larry Cable
Subject: Re: yet another inflatable question
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>Michael no@spam.com
typed in >Message-ID: <JGyUc.27944$mD.20317@attbi_s02>
>I know, the lesser priced inflatables aren't as good as the more expensive
>ones. Goes without saying (one would hope).
>
>Still, I need two inexpensive boats to get out on lakes and slow rivers with
>the family when camping. Anyone
>have any experiences they can share with
>any of the following:
>
>Sevylor ST6656
>Sevylor KRC79 Ranger (a Tahiti with a lower hull cover I think)
>Stearns B501 IK140
>Stearns B801 IC140
>Advanced Elements DragonFly II
I've not been impressed with much that Sevylor has put out. The SV series
boats,
which are Aire imitations, are just OK.
The Tahiti series are maintainence problems and they paddle like pigs. The ST
is a waveski and I haven't tried it. Stearns, another Aire rip off, if not a
lot better. The one solo self bailer is marginally OK (a 507, I think) and the
tandem version of that is probably OK.
The only Advanced Element boat that I've seen is the Air Frame. It looks like
an OK boat for flat water and the rigid frame ends would make it track better.
Reports on this boat are pretty good.
Just how cheap are you wanting to go? Think about an Aire Tandem Tomcat or one
of the Innova kayaks. Take a look at the website www.theboatpeople.com and read
the FAQ page before making a purchase.
SYOTR
Larry C.
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