Nothing quite matches the tranquillity offered by a kayak or canoe to explore shallow or winding creeks, even though I love my yacht tender and use it a lot.
One of the things I love about inflatable kayaks and canoes is that they’re stable enough for a novice to just get in and start paddling. They can be stowed in a cupboard under the stairs or in a shed. You can carry them easily in or on your car or boat too.
Some kayaks are lightweight, but some of the larger canoes can start to get a bit weighty for one person to carry. The models I recommend in this guide to recreational kayaks and canoes vary from 9kg to 32kg.
Inflatable kayak or canoe?
Let’s address practicalities first: with a kayak you do get a bit of water dribbling into your lap from the double paddles, so you’ll need to think about what clothes you wear (if you don’t have a full spray deck that is). But with a kayak you can take on some moving water and a few waves. Some of the best inflatable kayaks have the ability to clip on a full
