Many of us have seen them – inflatable kayaks, or inflatable paddle boards, or other forms of watercraft such as water scooters and water taxis. They seem to be everywhere in the summer months and are a hot favorite with kids and adults alike. It is an easy way to get around when you do not have your own boat to use. This article here, will explain what to look for when buying an inflatable paddle board, or any other inflatable.
Yes, inflatable paddle boards can often be fixed, sometimes by the original owner, but most often by a competent and reliable repair store. Generally, most inflatable paddle boards come with a puncture patch kit, although on a good inflatable, it is seldom required. Usually this patch kit is in the same condition as the actual plastic board except that some manufacturers make them slightly larger than others. Typically, they are the same thickness as a thick pair of ski socks, although some brands can be thicker or have more material.
There are two layers to an inflatable paddle boards. The outer layer is made of high quality vinyl, which does a great job of resisting punctures, cuts and cracks. The inner layer is a thick, reinforced plastic layer that also acts as a shock absorber, much like a memory foam pillow. The plastic layer can sometimes be made from a high density polyurethane/epoxy mixture which will resist abrasion and cracking while providing superb shock absorption properties. Other advanced technologies are being used in the manufacture of the inner plastic layer and it is almost impossible to tell the difference without looking at the model numbers.
Both layers work very well together and create a fantastic riding surface. The huge durability factor of the two layers combined with a soft and comfortable foam core gives inflatable paddle boards a distinct advantage over their hard counterparts. Because the foam core is so comfortable, this translates to increased comfortability for the rider. Because the plastic is so durable, it also creates a rigid outer shell that is highly resistant to punctures and cuts. In the long run, this will save you money on repairs.
For riding in all kinds of weather, including rivers, streams and lakes, you will need to have a pair of inflatable paddle boards that are flexible enough to adapt to all kinds of conditions and are very durable. Thick hard sups are great for situations where you want to stand up on your board and give a great ride, however; they are too rigid and can't adapt to changes in direction and speeds. If you ride inflatable paddle boards with hard sups you also increase your chances of getting punctures.
In general, inflatable paddle boards that are made from either hard plastic or foam come with all of the durability that you would expect. However, they are also more prone to punctures and cuts. It has been found that this makes them much more susceptible to punctures under the weight of multiple people. Because of this weakness, manufacturers have designed their inflatable sup boards with extra-durability in mind. The secret to their durability is in the foam core that the boards use.
For many years, California companies have been able to use a single layer inflatable sup board with a single layer of foam core and make it highly durable enough to stand up to even the heaviest riders and conditions. They have also been able to use a single layer inflatable paddle boards with a double layer foam core design and make them even more durable than ever before. The best of these companies have a single layer inflatable paddle board that comes with a fully seam sealed patch kit that makes it easy to quickly and easily replace a single layer board with a new one.
The construction of a single-ply boatboard is a little bit different than a two-ply, in that the thicker material has more layers to ensure more durability and structural integrity. Two-ply boats typically only have one thickness layer of materials to ensure greater flexibility. Single-ply boats are constructed with an core which allows the boards to be more structurally stable while allowing the individual layers to be easily replaced.
