When most people think of kayaks they think of needle-thin hard shells knifing swiftly through the water or slashing down white water rapids. When they think of inflatable boats, they think of swimming pool kiddie toys or pontoon rafts that float lazily on a lake or stream. They generally don't think of kayaks and inflatables together. However, there is a wide range of inflatable kayaks available today that are far from the clumsy inner tube-like boats one usually thinks of. Inflatable kayak designs have come a long way in the last few years and there are now many reasons that they can be seriously considered as substitutes for hard shell kayaks.

So, why would you want to get an inflatable kayak instead of a hard shell?

An inflatable kayak is easy to store. You can keep it in a small corner or your garage or in a utility room. For "apartment warriors" where space is at a premium, an inflatable makes a lot of sense. No large storage space is required, as for a hard shell kayak.

An inflatable is easy to transport. With a hard shell kayak you need a roof carrier to tie it on. Depending on how big the hard shell kayak is, you might need a friend to help hoist it onto the top of your car or SUV. You can just toss the inflatable kayak into the trunk of your car, and most inflatables will fit into compacts. You could even take your inflatable kayak on a plane or train when you go on vacation. That's not so easy to do with a hard shell.

In general, inflatable kayaks are cheaper than their hard shell counterparts. A single seat inflatable can be purchased for about $75. This isn't a white water capable kayak nor is is a swift racer, but it will get you on the water cheaply.

Read any representative inflatable kayak review, and you will see owners praising their inflatable's durability, stability, and maneuverability. Inflatables are made of robust materials, able to withstand hard knocks and unintentional run ins with the rocks without puncturing or sinking. In the unlikely event your kayak should suffer a puncture, you won't sink. An inflatable kayak has numerous air chambers, so even if you lose the air in one chamber, the others will keep you afloat.

There are as many types of inflatables as there are hard shell kayaks. If you purchase an inflatable sea kayak or an inflatable white water kayak you will find that they are made of extremely durable materials. They are constructed so that tearing and puncturing are almost non-issues.

Inflatables are extremely stable on the water, especially when compared to hard shell kayaks. This is because they are generally wider than their hard shell counterparts and they tend to have flat bottoms, which makes them harder to tip over.

Increased stability does not equate with a lack of maneuverability. It's true that an inflatable isn't as maneuverable as a hard shell kayak, but unless you are a highly skilled, experienced kayaker, you will hardly notice any lack of nimbleness. Many inflatables have skegs that allow them to track nearly as straight as a hard shell and they will still turn very quickly.

All in all, an inflatable kayak could be your answer for recreational water sport. They are easy to store and transport, easy to maintain, safe and easy to control on the water, and don't cost much. If you are thinking about trying kayaking, you owe it to yourself to give the inflatables a look.