Inflatable kayaks.

[sam]

Hi all. having a nose around a well known auction site with four letters, and I noticed inflatable kayaks.

OK, I know they are probably the most dangerous things on the sea, but it got me thinking.

For ambling around the coastline (within 300yds of land) could a 'decent' inflatable dingy be used?

The only downside points I have thought of are:

1: Inflatable, lots of sharp objects, hooks etc in inflatable. you get the picture.
2: Paddling: a lot harder than a kayak.
3: Drift: would it be more prone to drifting than a kayak?
4: Blowing it up: 12volt compressor sorts that out.

[chrish]

drift is the problem. if you have an offshore wind with an ebb tide you've got no chance. hello dublin.
more tourists in dinghys are rescued by the recue helo than anything else. if the wether gets up it's oh dear.
what makes the kayaks work is that they are thin and sleek with a good keel. inflatable kayaks would be good for lakes or for messing about in the surf but i would'nt go further than the nearest breakers in one personaly. i tried one in a lake as they were for hire and the mild wind that day blew me to the oposite bank. too light. not enough draft. no keel, quite wide and they are much harder to paddle.