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Avid kayaking fans are now singing praises about inflatable kayaks. Aside from their portability, they are strong boats that are built to keep kayakers safe and secure on the water. While traditional hard shell kayaks can turn over at the slightest navigational mistake of newbie kayakers, inflatable kayaks remain stable even when handled by the inexperienced.

If you want to purchase your first inflatable kayak, you are going to have to prepare for it. Things you do before hand allow you to choose the best inflatable kayak that's right for you.

One of the first factors you need to consider is to determine the kind of water you'll mostly be kayaking in. By now you should have read up on your chosen sport or have actually engaged in it through formal or informal lessons.

Sea kayaking and recreational kayaking are two types of kayaking. While traditional solid kayaks can be used in most any type of water, inflatable kayaks are more specific in terms of where they can be used. For oceans and the high seas, there are sea kayaks. Lakes and streams can be handled by recreational kayaks where undertows or waves are not a problem. A third type of kayak can carry you safely through whitewater rapids. Before buying your inflatable kayak, determine where you'll be taking it most of the time.

Consider the features you want in a kayak. Hand-grips and self-bailing ability are safety features that are non-negotiable in an inflatable. Accessories, however, depend on your personal preference.

Whether you want a lighter or heavier rig is also highly subjective so make sure you know what you want in an inflatable before paying a price for it. There are times when you are just paying extra for accessories that you won't probably need. Thus, it's important that you get a checklist of all features that you want in a kayak before setting out to make your purchase.

There are many brands of kayaks out in the market so it's important that you research on the most reputable ones. There are forums online that give you feedback on the kinds of products inflatable kayak manufacturers put out on the market. You will see the quality of their rigs based on consumer reviews and satisfaction ratings. Based on what you find, you can then search the company for the kind of products they have that meets your desired features.

Always make quality paramount in your buying decision. Choose kayaks that are made with quality materials. You'll know you've hit gold when you see the higher-end, higher-priced crafts. They definitely cost more but if a few hundred dollars more is all it takes to ensure your safety on the water, then it's money well-spent. Don't force yourself to buy a brand new kayak if your budget is not enough. You can always look for alternatives, such as used inflatables that are still in good condition and are affordable. Of course, you can always save up for a brand new kayak.