Guides Archives | Page 2 Of 3

How to Choose Inflatable Kayak Paddles for Perfect Paddling

Guides / 10 minutes of reading

The paddle used for inflatable kayaks is not necessarily identical to the ones that go with traditional hard-shell kayaks. Mostly, inflatable kayaks are wider than standard kayaks. This increased width needs to be accounted for when shopping for a paddle, along with your height and the kind of paddling you would be typically resorting to. Let’s discuss how to choose a kayak paddle in a bit more detail. There are a few things to consider when choosing a paddle for a kayak, be it inflatable or hard-shell. How to choose kayak Paddle Length? An inflatable kayak’s paddle length usually falls in …

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How to Properly Charge a Deep Cycle Trolling Motor Battery for Longevity

Guides / 8 minutes of reading

Learning the ins and outs of deep cycle battery charging is the secret to extending the life of your batteries. There are many things you need to do and even more you don’t do, as I’ve learned from experience and readings. This instructional post will teach you the best way to charge a deep cycle marine battery used on boats to power a trolling motor and other electric gadgets. Let’s begin! Use a smart battery charger It seems like all devices nowadays are “smart”. This is true for deep cycle battery chargers as well in . One of the best …

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Can dogs go in an inflatable boat or kayak?

Guides / 6 minutes of reading

If you love kayaking and you have a dog that you cannot simply leave behind during your kayaking trips, you have no option but to carry your dog along. But is that a safe thing to do or are kayaks built to carry non-humans too. Let’s find out. Can you take a dog inflatable kayaking/boating? Yes, you can take your dog with you on an inflatable boat or kayak. Unlike early-gen inflatable kayaks, modern inflatables are made from much sturdier materials. In fact, most of these modern inflatable boats and kayaks are capable of withstanding contact with sharp rocks. Letting …

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Inflatable vs hard kayak – Real-life comparison & opinion

Guides / 9 minutes of reading

Are you unsure whether you should get an inflatable kayak or a hardshell one? This article lays out the differences between inflatable & rigid kayaks, so you can decide which is right for you. Let’s start! Pros and cons of inflatable vs hard kayaks If you’re in a hurry, here is a quick table to compare and present the differences between inflatable kayaks and hard kayaks. Inflatable kayak Hardshell kayak Weight and size Much lighter, a single person can carry it to the water About 2x as heavy as an inflatable of the same size. You may need 2 people …

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Where to sit in a tandem kayak? It matters a lot!

Guides / 4 minutes of reading

If you just bought or are thinking about buying a tandem kayak, you will probably be wondering about seating arrangements. Who sits where? And what if you’re paddling solo? Here is everything you need to know about the proper sitting positions in a tandem kayak. The same seating principles apply to both inflatable kayaks, and hard shell ones as well.

Are inflatable kayaks safe or dangerous?

Guides / 6 minutes of reading

Despite what a lot of people think, inflatable kayaks are incredibly durable and safe. They are built to withstand tough conditions these days, thanks to modern materials and manufacturing processes. You can take them on rivers, lakes or even out to sea without fear of them popping and sinking. If you’ve never sat in one before, I think you will be surprised at how stable and rigid an inflatable kayak feels out on the water. Is inflatable kayaking safe? If you take proper precautions to stay safe on the water (just like you would in any other boat), inflatable kayaking is perfectly …

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Minn Kota Digital Maximizer Worth It Review

The science behind Minn Kota’s Digital Maximizer. Are they better?

Guides / 5 minutes of reading

You’ve read the marketing material about Minn Kota’s Digital Maximizer technology. It sounds great! Up to Five Times Longer Run Time on a Single Charge. https://minnkota.com.au/technology-items/digital-maximizer-fresh/ 5x longer run time? Yes please! But does it work and is it worth the extra $$$? Let’s find out. How does the Digital Maximizer work? To find out what makes Digital Maximizer motors work more efficiently, let’s first have a look at how traditional trolling motors work. (The Fisherman’s Electrical Manual is a good read if you want to know the details.)

Inflatable boat trailers – Complete guide

Guides / 13 minutes of reading

What is the easiest way to haul your inflatable boat? Put the whole thing on a trailer, of course. If you have the space to store it and the time to drive a bit slower (due to towing), inflatable boat trailers are great. In this detailed guide, you will learn all about how to choose a trailer, what modifications you may need, and how to tow it as well. Let’s get started! How to choose a trailer for an inflatable boat There are several things you need to pay attention to when buying a trailer for your SIB (but not …

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What is a Halkey-Roberts valve?

Guides / 4 minutes of reading

So you’ve bought your new inflatable boat, only to realize the valve looks way different than the one on the inflatable raft you had when you were a kid. Reading the instructions, you realize it is a Halkey-Roberts valve. But how do you use it? What on Earth is a Halkey-Roberts valve? The Halkey-Roberts valve (also called HR valve) is a one-way check valve. It makes the inflation and deflation of inflatable items as quick as possible, because it does not let air out while you are pumping into it. HR valves are the most popular valve types you’ll find …

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Marine battery group size guide

Guides / 3 minutes of reading

If you run a trolling motor on your boat or any other accessories that need to be powered (stereo, fish finder, etc), you will need a marine battery. While searching for batteries, you will come across the term battery group size. But what are battery group sizes exactly? What is the meaning of Battery Group Size? The term “battery group size” simply refers to the battery’s physical case size. It is a specification that you’ll find on all boat batteries. It is basically the physical measurements of the battery casing as set by the Battery Council International (BCI). The height, …

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