One of the causes of such confusion is the fact that manufacturers can be rather indiscriminate in the way that they name their products. One type of water craft that is becoming increasingly popular among enthusiasts is the 'inflatable kayak'. This is something of a misnomer however, as any kayaking enthusiast is likely to point out. To many kayaking enthusiasts, the boats that manufacturers call 'inflatable kayaks' are in fact inflatable canoes.
The difference can be explained using a relatively simple analogy. A canoe can be likened to a rowboat or washtub - it is merely something that floats and also happens to permit you to sit in it without sinking. A kayak, however, is better likened to pair of Levi's jeans. While you simply clamber into a canoe and paddle off in it, a kayak needs to put on, much like you would put on a pair of jeans. This analogy quite adroitly describes the difference in handling characteristics that is one of the biggest differences between a canoe and a kayak.
It is exactly that difference in handling and maneuverability that is the basis of the next major difference between kayaks and canoes. If you had the requisite skill, you could easily maneuver a kayak down the most dangerous rapids on the fastest and most violent rivers in the world. If you attempted to do the same in an inflatable canoe, however, you would quickly meet your end among the rough rocks in raging white water.
One example of the superior maneuverability of kayaks is the possibility of performing the Eskimo roll. The Eskimo roll is a maneuver used by expert kayakers where the kayaker intentionally capsizes his kayak and rights himself in a move that very much resembles a barrel roll. Attempting this same maneuver while in an 'inflatable kayak' would be tantamount to suicide, particularly if the water were moving any faster than the most gentle brook.
Of course, the reason for all this is that inflatable kayaks are simply not designed to be used in the conditions described above. Whether you are someone who appreciates being alone with nature or sharing it with another person, inflatable kayaks are an excellent alternative to sharing a boat with a bunch of shouting and screaming strangers. Inflatable kayaks can easily be found in sizes that allow either one or two paddlers to sit in the same boat. While the inflatable kayak would most certainly lose in a flat out race against a hard-shelled boat, they are more stable than conventional kayaks and also make for easier paddling than a sport boat or soft tail. If storage space and portability are major concerns for you, then you should think seriously about getting yourself an inflatable kayak.
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