Native Watercraft Ultimate 12 Propel

What can you say about the kayak that has the most patents in the history of the sport? First, it’s probably one of the best kayaks available for families, fishing, and just plain fun on the water. It’s also a new design, so you don’t see very many out there….yet.

Specs:

Length: 12′1″

Width: 30″

Depth: 12“

Weight: 58 lbs (plus propel unit)

Material: Roto-molded Polyethylene (roto-molded equals strong and light)

Pros:

• The Ultimate has a split hull (tunnel hull)… kind of like a catamaran, but better. The Split hull reduces the wetted surface and displaces less water than traditional kayaks. Less water displaced from the hull makes the boat faster and more efficient. Boats that have more displacement, have more drag…Thus requiring more energy to move the boat. The Ultimate’s split hull results in a much lighter boat in the water,when compared to traditional displacement hulls. Its no surprise that the hull shape is just faster and more efficient than traditional kayak hulls. What does mean? You can go further and carry more gear, with less effort in an Ultimate.
  
• For the gear head…the Ultimate has a seat like no other. The aluminum frame supports a UV resistant mesh that cushions, drains water, and ventilates air. Its 100% adjustable to the paddler and is one of the few seats that can claim to be all day comfortable. This is a seat that allows you to do long trips. The seat also adapts to how you load the boat. It unlocks and slides forward, or reverses. No matter how the boat is loaded, slide the seat and trim the boat appropriately. For example….if you load the boat to heavy in the stern, your bow will rise and make it hard to track. In the Ultimate you just slide the seat forward a little more forward and bam!…perfect trim, no pushing water or getting blown around in the wind. If you have ever owned a canoe with fixed seats, and taken a child out on a lake, you know what I mean.  For camping, release the seat out of the boat and you got your camp chair. Just one less thing you don’t have to bring on over nighters!
  
• The Ultimate series also come with an Adapt-A-Trak gear attachment channel on the outside of the boat. The “AAT” is a J channel that gear can be clipped into. Its there to attach things like  spray covers, paddle holders, rod holders, tie downs, fishing accessories…even a cooler for cold or hot drinks!
  
• The Ultimate 12 Propel is a multi-use kayak. You can paddle it like a regular kayak, or add a Native Propel unit and pedal. The pedals turn a shaft driven prop under the boat at a 1 to 10 ratio. For every one turn of the cranks, the propeller spins 10 times. This is a single gear set up and once you get going and up to speed (15 to 20 revolutions of the cranks) you can spin easily all day with larger muscle groups and leave the paddlers in the dust!
  
  
• If you are  fisherman, the benefit is that you can move the boat forward and in reverse with your pedals, control the boat with the one finger rudder control, and have one hand free for rod/reel. A huge difference with other pedal kayaks is that the Ultimate 12 Propel can be pedaled in reverse. Again for the fisherman, the boat’s angle and position can be controlled regardless of current, wind, drift, and easily without an anchor.
  
• Comfort patents? Yep. The Ultimate’s split hull increases the boat depth for your feet. Increasing the foot room and keeping the heel well below the bottom of the seat.  This increases blood flow through knees and ankles and keeps your feet warmer and from falling asleep. The Foot rest are over sized and give a large footprint of support unlike simple pegs. The deck of the boat is open style like a canoe. Its easy to get in and out of like a canoe but comfortable because you and sit just like in a kayak.
  
• For those with any shoulder or upper body issues, this might be just the boat to get you on the water. Let your legs do all the work, and control the rudder with one finger!
  

Cons:

• Just because it’s a propeller that spins fast, doesn’t mean you are going to be able to overcome the small displacement a kayak makes in the water. The boats speed tops out at 3-4 knots, about as fast as you can paddle a comparable kayak 12 feet long and 30 inches wide. You cant pull a water skier.

The verdict:

• The first time I paddled the Ultimate I knew it would be stable, I had seen other fisherman standing up with ease but I had no Idea how light on the surface of the water the boat would feel. It turns with ease, and getting the boat up to speed was and an effortless exercise gentle fwd strokes. But it can carry as much gear as a Canoe. It’s the prefect balance of canoe/kayak hybrid. Blending Capacity, Comfort, speed and stability, it’s the ultimate watercraft.

The Uli stand up paddle board is the weapon of choice for the SUP enthusiast.  It’s high quality construction, performance oriented design, overall stiffness and inflatable technology make this board one of the best around. Uli makes two models of inflatable stand up’s.  The 11′0″ SUP is the most popular board in Uli’s lineup. It’s very stable which adds to it’s versatility. Beginners can learn to SUP on flat water, and veterans of the sport can still enjoy it on waves. The 10′0″ Steamroller is the other Uli SUP that we are currently stocking. This board is named after one of Uli’s pro riders.  Steamroller is 6′5″ and weighs 295 lbs. He paddles it on flat water and carves big waves on his board. It’s hard to believe that these things are inflatable!

What separates Uli’s from other SUP’s , is it’s stiffness. This is a direct result of high quality  construction and the stringer system that runs along the bottom of the board (see picture below). The Uli is very stable and fast on flat water. It turns smoothly with no flutter. On moving water, the Uli begins to show it’s true colors. It surfs and paddles down river with confidence.  People that are used to glass surfboards will find that the Uli is not quite as stiff, but still enjoyable.

The blue stripe is the stringer that provides stiffness.

The Specs:

The Uli 10′0″ Steam Roller:

Height: 10’0”
Width: 29”
Thickness: 3 7/8”
Weight: 30 lbs

The Uli 11′0″

Height: 11’0”
Width: 29”
Thickness: 3 7/8”
Weight: 33 lbs

Dropping in.....River style.

Toe stand splat?

Pealing out

Lean back....

Pros:

The primary advantages of  Uli SUP’s are quality of construction, ultra-portability (see photo below) and high performance design.  All Uli boards are built out of the same material as inflatable military boats. In short, they are built to take a beating. Uli’s are strong enough to be surfed on 20′+ waves, beaten on reef and rocks and surfed directly into the shore on beach breaks.

A great thing about SUP’s in general is that they allow ALL populations to enjoy the health benefits of flat water paddling. Balancing on the board is fairly easy, and works all of the body’s core muscles. It is similar to a pilates workout. After mastering flat water technique, moving water offers even more workout potential as well as unlimited fun! Since the sport is in it’s early stages of evolution pertaining to rivers, you can literally invent tricks and try to master surfing on a variety of river features.

The deflated Uli rolls up into a small package and fits inton a backpack. Hike it into your secret break in the tropics!

Cons:

Because the Uli is inflatable, it is not as stiff as a fiberglass surfboard.  It also costs a bit more than some other brands of SUP’s due to it’s superior quality.

The verdict:

The Uli inlfatable stand up surf board is tons of fun for everyone in the family, ranging from young children to seniors. These SUP’s are stiff enough to be aggressively surfed on river and ocean features, yet docile and forgiving on flat water.

The Arkansas River here in Colorado

Flat water workout in Colorado

Stand Up Paddling Product Reviews

Stand Up Paddling (aka.SUP) is the fastest growing on water sport our nation has seen. SUP is part paddling, part balancing, and part surfing. In small swells, you can easily paddle into and ride the waves without worrying about how to stand up and surf. You already are standing up. No waves, no problem. On any body of flat water, you can cruise and glide while touring the local sites efficiently and while enjoying a great vantage point for aquatic wildlife and other vistas. It is quite easy and involves a very small learning curve. SUP Boards have a myriad of uses available to anyone one who likes being on the water.

It’s ease of learning, incredible diversity, and great core workout attracts water enthusiasts of all types to give it a try. Many fans are not looking back and making SUP their first priority for recreation. All you need is
water and a little time. Kids love it, parents can’t get enough. It will become be part of your daily routine to stay active and fit. If you have not given it a try, now is the time. CKS offers easy to transport and simple to
use inflatable boats and 2 pc. paddles making you next or first SUP adventure a breeze.

CKS is currently selling 2 brands of stand up boards. The Kona Inflatable Stand Up Board, and ULI boards. The Kona is a recreational board, which performs well in a variety of conditions. It is priced very competitively.  The ULI boards are built with performance in mind.

Click on the links below to read detailed reviews on SUP’s:

The Kona inflatable SUP

Uli inflatable SUP’s (10′0″ Steamroller and 11′0″ SUP)

Stand Up Board's can be used in all types of water.....Not just the ocean.

For an even better workout, bring your children along. Spend the money that you didn't give to the baby sitter on a trip to your favorite lake, river or ocean.

Jenn has big muscles from Stand Up Paddling.

Dan Gavere's showing us how it's done....Pro style. This guy paddles 15+ miles at a time on flat water, and then charges whitewater and ocean surf too.

CKS staff member SUP'ing here is Buena Vista.

SUP'ing at the Buena Vista River Park. Come on by this spring and try one!

The great thing about an inflatable Stand Up Board is that you can bring it with you to almost any location without the hassle of paying for oversize luggage at the airport. They are small and compact when deflated. Pump it up and you're ready to roll.

WaveLite is 4-way stretch 7oz. nylon/spandex fleece. It stretches with your body’s movements, and is double stitched for added strength. Since it is fleece, it is breathable and makes a great base layer for most aerobic sports. WaveLite XT is very similar to WaveLite, just thicker and warmer.

Pros:
NRS WaveLite makes a great base layer for people who wear waterproof breathable dry tops, pants and dry suits. It breathes easily while retaining heat, and is very comfortable. Also, If you ski, bike in the fall and winter, or take part in aerobic sports in cold weather, the WaveLite (and WaveLite XT) series from NRS is going to fit the bill. It’s a really well made (double stiched) fleece that is used for long sleeve tops, pants and union suits (to pant/shirt one-piece to be worn under dry suits). WaveLite is especially nice because once the paddling season is over, you can wear it through the winter on ski and snowshoe trips.

Cons:
WaveLite tops are only sold in long sleeve versions. IR ThickSkin is available in a short sleeved versions to be worn with shorty dry and splash tops. Also Fleece is breathable, but not windproof. A windproof WaveLite top would be great for wearing at camp after a long day on the river.

The Verdict:
Fleece is a piece of thermal apparel that just about every paddler uses. It is warm and comfortable, and can be used anytime you want to get some exercise in a cold or wet environment. WaveLite (and XT-the thicker one) is best used as a base layer for waterproof breathable tops and bottoms, but can be worn like long underwear anytime it’s cold and you want soft fleece against your skin. Click here to buy some today!

If you are looking for a versatile sit inside kayak that is well made, has great features and won’t cost an arm and a leg, the Native Watercraft Marvel series (10,12 and 14.5)  is definitely worth investigating. The CKS staff just paddled the Marvel for the day and the general consensus was that it was a stable, versatile boat that was easy to maneuver and very comfortable to sit in (the first class seating is super cool. See the post below for more information on this.

Specs:
Marvel 10

Marvel 12

Marvel 14.5 Tandem

Lots of boats to demo and a beautiful day at Cottonwood Lake.

The back side of Mt. Princeton and Cottonwood Lake. Joe and Jen get ready to do some performance rec boating.

Pros:
We had the opportunity to paddle a the 10 and 12 foot version of the Marvel.  There were a few noteworthy features worth mentioning. The first class seating (a boat seat that doubles as a removable camp chair) was comfortable and supportive, the maneuverability (10 and 12 foot versions) of the boat was great for any level of paddler, the rear cargo hatch was in a convenient location and had an abundance of storage and there was a cool paddle holder (clip) that allows you to free your hands and do other things like reeling in large fish.

The seat of the boat (first class seating) is constructed out of aluminum and  synthetic cloth that is comfy to sit in, and dries easily.  The entire unit is easy to remove (we figured it out in less than 5 minutes), and makes a great camp chair. It also lightens the weight of the boat by 7 lbs,making loading and unloading that much easier. Although I did not actually put anything in the cargo hatch, I did take the cover on and off, and noticed that it was very easy to remove, and that there was a lot of room inside.

When paddling a Marvel, the ease of turning and primary stability is noticeably obvious.  With only 10 feet of boat to turn and slightly rockered ends, paddlers of all sizes and abilities will be able to point the boat where they want, and paddle with ease. The 12 footer, was also very easy to paddle even though it was 2 feet longer. This boat would be a great choice for a pet owner that wants to try to bring their pooch with them on trips.  Native makes a dog mattress (looks like a sleeping pad) so your dog will be assured a first class ride too.

Aubrie's getting ready to take the Marvel 10 out for a quick paddle/fish. Notice the "first class seating". Take the chair out of the boat and use it as a camp chair. Looks comfy huh? The bungees, thigh straps and the hatch are nice touches too.

The first class seating is breathable, comfortable, intuitive and makes a great camp chair.

Part 2 of Aubrie's fishing trip. Heading out to sea.

Megan's paddling out in the Marvel.

Cons:
The Marvel is a pretty basic boat. If your looking for a recreational kayak with a lot of features because you plan on doing a lot of fishing, or overnight trips this is not the boat for you. There are plenty of accessories for this boat but they are aftermarket products that would increase the cost of the boat.  Another drawback to the Marvel is that you cannot stand up and fish out of it.  Serious fisherman will want to look at the Ultimate, which is meant for seated and stand up fishing.

The Verdict:
The Native Watercraft Marvel would be a great choice for people who do a bit of everything. It is a sit inside boat which could be beneficial for people in cold environments.  If your primarily fishing, this may not be the best boat. The Ultimate has more features for the serious angler, and you can stand up fish in it as well. We like this boat because it is made of bomber plastic (out of the liquid logic factory), the price is competitive and it

Recreational kayaking is a broad term that encompasses all different types of boating. From Inflatables to sit- on-tops,  and canoes to enclosed cockpit boats, the diversity of the “rec boat” world can get a little confusing at times. The goal of this blog is to help you find the right tool for the job. If your a kayak fisherman, this post is for you. Native Watercraft created The Manta Ray series (11, 12 and 14…feet) to help you stealthily reach destination fishing spots with the ultimate goal of slaying tasty underwater creatures.

Specs:
Manta Ray 11

Manta Ray 12

Pros:
The Manta Ray is a stable, well made boat with a host of features that just about anyone will love. For starters, it’s built out of roto-molded super linear plastic (the same factory as Liquid Logic).  It’s reassuring knowing that your recreational kayak is made out of the same material as a LL Jefe, one of the burliest whitewater creek boats around.

As for storage, The Manta Ray gets two thumbs up.  The 12 foot version (Manta Ray 12) has a large deck hatch in the front with bungees on top to ensure a secure and dry fit. There are also two smaller hatches that allow for storage of smaller items.  These small hatches are easy to access while paddling. The stern of the boat has a recessed storage area with bungees  that is large enough to hold  a drybag. There are also plenty of cupholders, and little storage areas for smaller items like flies, that you would want accessable.

Something else that seperates the Manta Ray from the rest of the pack is the large amount of accessories available with it. For example, there is a super cool dog matress, that doubles as a sleeping pad. Besides that there are kids seats, rumble seats, foot pads for barefoot paddling, flush mounted rod holders, anchors, a new rudder system, fishing bags, rod holders and much more. Quite a few of the options are fishing oriented, so anglers should take notice.

Comfortable seating, plenty of storage, high quality plastic and solid performance set the Manta Ray 12 ahead of the competition. Notice the large dry hatch up front, and the two small ones wihtin arms reach of the drivers seat.

Cons:
The smallest Manta Ray (The Manta Ray 11) does not have as much dry storage as the 12 and 14. The two small dry hatches next to the seats are a nice touch, and it would be nice to have them on the 11 as well. Price may also be a deterent for some bargain shoppers.  Native Watercraft markets itself (and really is) as high performance, first class recreational kayak manufacturer. They build a kayak every 45 minutes as opposed to every 15-30 minutes (most othe companies). There plastic is light and stronger than competitors, as well as more expensive. If you are looking the least expensive way to get on the water, you may want to buy another brand of boat.

The Verdict:
The Native Watercraft Manta Ray series is a versatile sit on top kayak that has many great features and will especially appeal to anglers.  Besides the options that come with the standard boat, Native Watercraft offers plenty of options ranging from pet accomidations to rod holders. This boat would be a great coice for a family that wants one kayak for a lake or beach house. Young children can paddle it and not be trapped inside of a small cockpit. Seniors and inexperienced boaters will love the primary stablilty and fisherman will love the angler features. Two thumbs up!

The Liquid Logic Remix XP series (10 and 9….feet long) is new for 2009. It is a TRUE multi-purpose whitewater /recreational kayak that is much needed in the consumer industry. Liquid Logic basically took a Remix, and made it longer and wider. It also has a cargo hatch (”backcess” hatch) on the back, a skeg (really cool!) and bungee cords for attaching gear and maps to.
Specs:
Length:10′3″
Width:28″
Volume:105 gallons
Bow Rocker:14.7″

The Remix holds it's line in flat water (remember...it's got a movable skeg! You can see the lever just behind the back right part of the cockpit rim ).

Megan's first day in a kayak ever.....The Remix XP10 must be stable.

Pros:
This kayak is loaded with many appealing features. It’s got an adjustable skeg, cargo hatch, bungee ties, great outfitting and a huge cockpit that add to the versatility of this boat. The skeg sits inside of the back of the boat, and is completely out of the way, when it is in the raised position. There is a hand lever just to the right of the cockpit that allows the paddler to raise and lower the skeg while he or she is paddling in the boat. This is great for areas that have lakes that are connected by rivers, and for people who paddle in flat water as well as rivers. We took the XP10 out for a paddle at our local lake. The CKS staff noticed that the boat was very fast and stable for a whitewater kayak, and that it tracked amazingly well when the skeg was down. It even tracked pretty well when the skeg was up. I imagine that the XP12 will be even faster and more stable.

The “backcess” hatch in the back of the boat has a removable top. It is not water-proof, but it does hold out most of the water. There was plenty of room in the back, enough to store a weeks worth of gear or so. This boat would be a perfect choice for The Grand Canyon, Rogue or Middle Fork self support trips (click here to view or large selection of river and flat water guide books).

The bungee ties on the top of the boat were a nice touch and reminds me of what you see on high end touring kayaks. This is a great place to put maps, guide books and small storage bags.

Check out this link from the Ottawa river. This is a perfect spot to test the Remix XP10. There are big rapids and fun waves to surf in a whitewater boat, yet huge pools and lots of flat water with tasty fish.

Slick looking hybrid appearance...Half touring rec boat, half whitewater.

The front looks like a regular Remix with bungee ties. You can see the skeg lever on the right side of the boat behind the cockpit.

Close up of the

Cons:
The Liquid Logic Remix XP10 is a big boat. It is great for stuffing a lot of gear into the back, and paddling off into the unknown for a lot longer than you could with a traditional whitewater boat. The drawback to paddling such a large and heavy (loaded with overnight gear) boat, is that it may be difficult for some people to control in tight, technical whitewater. Smaller paddlers especially will be fully aware that they are paddling a 105 gallon boat. Keep in mind that the Remix 47 is 1/2 as many gallons. If you are a beginning kayaker and are looking for a boat to learn in, this may not be the best boat in the Remix series…..Perhaps a smaller one would be better.

The Verdict:
This boat is a great option for people that paddle on all types of water (lakes, ponds, rivers and ocean). It tracks amazingly well on flat water because of it’s retractable skeg system, and handles whitewater just like a Remix on steroids. Self-support paddlers will love the cargo hatch, as well as fisherman who want a place to keep their catch. This boat is 105 gallons so keep that in mind if you are a beginning whitewater kayaker, or small and light…. It’s a lot of boat. Overall, this boat get 2 big thumbs up from the CKS staff.

Specs:
Length: 10′3″
Width: 36″
Weight: 40 lbs.
Tube Diameter: 11.5″
Kick\Rocker (Bow\Stern): 15″
Number of Air Chambers: 3
Valve Type: Summit 2
Weight/Denier of Tube Fabric: 22/900
Weight/Denier of Floor Fabric: 26/1200
Number of D-Rings: 0
Number of Handles: 2
Load capacity: 325 lbs
Warranty: 1 Year Retail, 1 Year Commercial
Includes repair kit
Heavy duty PVC shell
20 gauge vinyl bladders

The AIRE Tomcat is a mid-range “SUV” inflatable kayak, that is suited for many uses (lakes, ponds, streams, oceans and rivers). It’s competitive price, versatility and stability make it a great choice for a wide variety of paddlers. The Tomcat is at home on class II/III whitewater, and is the perfect boat to bring with you on your favorite overnight trips.

Pros:
The Tomcat is an economical inflatable kayak. It is the least expensive IK in it’s class.  At 40 lbs and 36″ wide, it is very stable. Inexperienced paddlers will have no problem at all staying a float on flat water and mild whitewater rivers.   The abundance of cargo straps makes this a great boat for overnight trips.  There is in fact a 325 lb load capacity for the single, and 450 lb for the tandem. There is 15″ of rocker, which allows the Tomcat to turn easily in moving water, yet track well in flat water too. Although the Tomcat is able to be paddled in flat water, it is not as efficient as a touring or recreational hard shell kayak. Another nice thing about the Tomcat is that it rolls up into a small kayak bag, which can be transported on planes and cars/SUV’s.

Cons:
The biggest drawback to the Tomcat is it’s bladder construction. It’s built in a similar fashion to a bicycle tire. The outer tube unzips, and contains a rubber bladder inside.  In the event of patching a leaky tube, you are forced to unzip the outer tube, pull the bladder out and either replace or patch it.  The process of unzipping the tube adds an extra step compared to patching a traditional raft or IK with 1 layer of material.  The Tomcat is also a lot heavier than IK’s with one layer of rubber instead of bladders.  This can be good and bad. The extra weight creates stability, but also makes it harder to turn and make technical moves.

The Verdict:
At $549 the Tomcat is one of the best deals on the market. It’s durability and versatility make it a great IK for most recreational boaters.  It is made of heavy duty material and will last for a long time. It is not quite commercial quality, but because the bladder is inside of the tube, it has an extra layer of protection. Another great Tomcat feature is the amount of tiedown straps that it has.  This would be the perfect boat for trips on the Green River, Middle Fork, Rogue and most class III/IV overnighters. The sitting position in The Tomcat is a little “relaxed” for advanced whitewater. The chair is removable, and offers some support, but nowhere near what you would need for paddling class IV or V whitewater.  It also is a bit heavy and does not have as much rocker as other high performance IK’s. The NRS Bandit would be a better choice for someone looking to paddle harder whitewater. It is much lighter and turns easier.

Good Times In The Tomcat Tandem

Arkansas River Inflatable Kayaking

Specs:
Length: 9′7″
Width: 34″
Weight: 17 lbs.
Tube Diameter: 11″
Kick\Rocker (Bow\Stern): 18″
Number of Air Chambers: 3
Valve Type: Leafield C-7 & Pressure Relief
Weight/Denier of Tube Fabric: 20/840
Weight/Denier of Floor Fabric: 20/840
Number of D-Rings: 3
Warranty: 3 Year Retail, 3 Year Commercial

The NRS Bandit is a high performance IK, capable of navigating around all types of water including lakes, ponds and rivers, although it was primarily designed for whitewater use.

Pros:
This thing only weighs 17 lbs….. about 1/2 as much as comparable IK’s! Your back, and other family members will thank you for this year after year. Besides being very light, the Bandit is durable, stable (yet performance oriented with lots of rocker) and priced very competitively.  Constructed out of 840-Denier nylon, with Leafield C-7 valves, The Bandit is built with commercial use in mind (it’s not priced like one though). There are no bladder tubes, which make The Bandit very easy to patch (Clifton urethane adhesive). This is also why it is so light. As with most inflatables, NRS built this thing with primary stability in mind. Kids, Seniors and populations without much whitewater experience will find that the learning curve with this IK very easy, and that it is very hard to flip.   There is 18″ of rocker, so besides being stable,  The Bandit turns really easily too.  Whitewater paddlers will find this particularly helpful when paddling on technical runs that requires precise maneuvering.

Cons:
The Bandit is a bare bones, high performance inflatable kayak. It lacks D-rings and lash straps, and is not really meant to attach large items (like gear bags). There are however, holes on the bottom of the self bailing IK that you can run ropes through. It is also very light with a lot of rocker, which makes it a poor choice for flat water paddlers.

The Verdict:
2 thumbs up for whitewater day trippers and people who want an ultra portable IK! The Bandit can handle as much whitewater as you can throw at it.  It’s light weight material and kick rocker make it a hoot in all types of whitewater. If you’re looking to to load your IK up with gear and venture off for a few days, The Bandit is not the best choice. There is a lack of tie down straps, and it’s light weight detracts from the overall stability that some may want in a IK gear/expedition boat.

The NRS Bandit is also available in a tendem version.  This may be a good choice for paddlers who do want to store some gear on thier boat, or paddle with someone else.

IK’s, river tubes, river boards and rafts have the ability to go nearly everywhere a hard-shell kayak can, while offering an ease of use and river-ready characteristic no other kayak can. No wet exiting, and no roll classes; Inflatables are enjoyable for everyone from beginners through expert paddlers. Just gather up your gear and paddle off into the sunset! If you happen to take a swim unexpectedly, simply pull yourself gracefully back onto the inflatable, or swim it to shore. There are no worries of it filling with water thanks to the “self-bailing” design and these boats are lightweight and easy to transport; rolled up or inflated. inflatables offer stability, easy handling, comfort, long lasting durability and are available in tandem, or solo models with plenty of room for light overnight gear. So whether you’re off on an overnighter or just a day trip, an IK, tube, river board or raft can accommodate the needs of an ever more diverse paddling community.

CKS stocks a few select models of Inflatables. Each model has it’s own unique features and benefits. Click on the links below to read detailed descriptions on some of our great inflatables. Click here to read a head-to-head comparison on the NRS Bandit vs. The AIRE Tomcat.

• NRS Bandit
• AIRE Tomcat