yet another inflatable question

"Michael" <no.RemoveThis@spam.com> wrote in message
news:JGyUc.27944$mD.20317@attbi_s02...
 > I know, the lesser priced inflatables aren't as good as the more expensive
 > ones. Goes without saying (one would hope).
 >
 > Still, I need two inexpensive boats to get out on lakes and slow rivers
with
 > the family when camping. Anyone have any experiences they can share with
 > any of the following:
 >
 > Sevylor ST6656
 > Sevylor KRC79 Ranger (a Tahiti with a lower hull cover I think)
 > Stearns B501 IK140
 > Stearns B801 IC140
 > Advanced Elements DragonFly II
 >

I have the Stearns IK140 (this is the two person version, my girlfriend also
has the 1 person IK116), and for what I bought it for it meets my needs.
This URL gives the specs (with a minimum of hype - it is a sales site).

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/STE/STEB501.html" target="_blank">http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/STE/STEB501.html</a>

I found that it tracks similar to a low end recreational hard shell though a
bit slower. But I have been able to paddle around the San Francisco Bay and
estuaries without frustrations. The inflatable tubes are further protected
by an outer shell of canvas and thick vinyl which gives me confidence to
take it in places where I might be hesitant to it if did not have it. Very
stable, you would have to work at tipping it over, so photography and
fishing (watch the bigger hooks, it IS an inflatable <G>) are possible. It
is a little heavy deflated and in the bag (50 lbs), but I bought one of
those collapsable, aluminum, wheeled luggage carriers to solve that problem.

I have since bought a hard shell touring kayak but have not intention of
getting rid of the Stearns for those occaisons where I can't take my 17.5
foot boat. It still has its uses.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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