Any recommendations? Seems like it might be tricky to find something small and light for stowing in the plane that isn't essentially a pool toy, with purple dinosaurs and what not. Just want to be able to paddle out on some small, still lakes at various backcountry destinations I frequent...

I have an 8' and 9' cat from creek company that I use quite a bit. The frame pops apart in about a minute with pins and the pontoons inflate quick with a double action hand pump, or if you have a 12 volt inflator they pump up in super short order. Weight in around 50 pounds but you can get the back pack models that are even less. They are nice and stable and are great for rowing around fishing from.

http://creekcompany.com/home.php?cat=254

There are a ton of manufactures of these type of boats if you google one man pontoon or one man cataraft

Take a look at PakBoats. They're not inflatable, but rather assemble around a collapsible frame. Very light and compact, and the larger ones are great whitewater boats.

MTV

Here you go bro. It's no toy. The way to go-

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/alpacka_packraft.html#.U4vWEC-NpUk

Kelly! Nice to see you back here, man.

I haven't bought any yet (priorities), but some friends highly recommend these: https://www.alpackaraft.com/

I think Greg Miller has a video floating around somewhere where he floats Johnson Creek or something in one.

Edit: Beat out by Big Renna by mere seconds.

Let me add a third vote to the Alpacka rafts. They are light and roll up in a stuff sack that is 24 inches long and 9 inches wide. Along with a collapsible double blade paddle, they are easy to pack and light.

Chris

I like the splash skirt. Looks like it could be "Eskimo" rolled.

Note: I used to build Kayaks (molded GRP). Ocean paddled around Catalina on multi day trips. My claim to fame is rowing a surf dory from Avalon, Catalina Is. to Ports O Call, San Pedro. 31 miles over open Ocean.
We also used a Metzler inflatable Kayak too. Circa 1976.

Saw this one on Shark Tank recently--looks pretty promising: https://www.orukayak.com/oru-kayak

Cary

I agree with others that the Alpacka Raft is a great piece of equipment. It is what I would chose for a multi-day expedition that required a durable but packable raft. It is also quite expensive.

For your stated mission of paddling on small calm lakes the LiteWater Dinghy made by Klymit would likely work fine at a fraction of the cost with the added bonus of less bulk and weight than the Alpacka rafts. I've been happy with my litewater dinghy and at only 2.2 pounds I dont mind bringing it even if I'm not sure I'll have a chance to use it.

http://www.klymit.com/index.php/products-1/backpacks/litewater-dinghy-lwd.html

I have 2 Alpacka Scout rafts. They are the lighter version for calm waters. You might consider them as they are cheaper.
https://www.alpackaraft.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Packrafts/Scout

These are a cheap novel idea that could be suitable for small lakes (low chop) Cheap enough, you could leave one at each of your favorite lakes.

Here's a link to the PakBoats web site....the Puffins are listed as "Kayaks", but they're really small canoes: http://pakboats.com/index.php?option=co ... Itemid=150

They used to make a ten footer, but I don't see it now. We used a bunch if these in the field in Alaska, and, even though they were being drug through swamps and port ages on a daily basis, all season long, we never wore one out. A few patches.....

Be advised with ANYthing rubber or vinyl, ALL flavors of bears just love to bite the stuff. If your transportation is inflatable and you're in bear country, take lots of patches. We had bears nibble on the Oakboats, but they didn't seem too interested, and no major damage.

I've seen bears puncture and/or rip every compartment of inflatables, including bags on a helicopter. Something about the pure joy of listening to the air rush out, I reckon.....

MTV

Two very different categories being discussed here....
We just picked up another Pakboat Saranac . Got this one direct from Pakboat at auction (a 2013 model) it came in at about half price

Like Mike says, with the deck off it's pretty much like a canoe. But one that behaves like a kayak. The cool thing about Pakboat puffins is that they are very light for an inflatable, because they have a frame. And because they have a frame, they will still float with popped chambers.

At 27# without the deck they are not feather weights, but still fit in a cub. And you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal for a real 2 person kayak that will handle just about anything you throw at it.

Take care, Rob

Rob wrote:Two very different categories being discussed here....
We just picked up another Pakboat Saranac . Got this one direct from Pakboat at auction (a 2013 model) it came in at about half price

Like Mike says, with the deck off it's pretty much like a canoe. But one that behaves like a kayak. The cool thing about Pakboat puffins is that they are very light for an inflatable, because they have a frame. And because they have a frame, they will still float with popped chambers.

At 27# without the deck they are not feather weights, but still fit in a cub. And you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal for a real 2 person kayak that will handle just about anything you throw at it.

Take care, Rob

I used to carry one in each float locker of a set of Baumann floats on a Husky. They do stow nicely, and don't take long to set up.

MTV

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/w ... tion-13178

Still interested in the kaboat, as it is a pretty useful tool both in the plane and from a car.

I have a couple of Sevylor Tahiti kayaks. They are cheap and tough, though I wouldn't call them lightweight. One was a gift and the other I got in ebay for around $50. I put each one in its own 18-gallon tote, but they could fit in a smaller space.

This is a 16ft Soar Boat that fits well in the 185, I could pack it for a 2 week trip if I wanted, it was just a bit big for my job which is exploring rivers and lakes while I am on floats, this pic was in Northern Labrador. I just picked up a 12 footer which I think will be perfect. I like it because it is bomber, I can load it and paddle it like a canoe, portage it like a canoe, and it handles big rapids just fine. It is bigger to pack than an alpacka raft. Those things are sweet too.

Brad

recommend you choose small size sib boat.
Tube made from 0.7mm PVC
Floor air deck
Size choose 2.4m or 2.7m
Easy to fold inside waterproof bag
https://www.yoolwinmarine.com/product/3-0m-10ft-aluminum-floor-inflatable-pvc-boat.html

Graceliang wrote:recommend you choose small size sib boat.
Tube made from 0.7mm PVC
Floor air deck
Size choose 2.4m or 2.7m
Easy to fold inside waterproof bag
https://www.yoolwinmarine.com/product/3-0m-10ft-aluminum-floor-inflatable-pvc-boat.html

Wow, some semi-relevant spam.

The Alpacka Rafts are outstanding. You might consider a float tube as well, depending on what you are doing. Smaller, lighter, and cheaper. If you're fishing, it might be what you want anyway, if you've got the waders. You can get something for $100 used all day long.