The number of manufactures in this market is quite modest. Most of the newbies are not familiar with the brands and find it difficult to classify them correctly for their needs. This article gives you an overview of the manufactures with the most important facts about each manufacturer.
Table of Contents
Intex
Target group: Beginners
Product range: Fun boats, fishing boats, kayaks
Price range: low
Manufacturing: China
Manufacturer’s website: Here
Intex is a manufacturer of inflatable products for water experience and air beds. Intex is a well-known brand among beginners due to its very affordable inflatable boats. Most of the inflatables are offered in a complete set, i.e. air pump, paddle and where necessary a skeg are included. The huge advantage is to start off paddling immediately without buying any accessory. Especially the kayaks Excursion Pro, Explorer and Challenger enjoy great popularity.
Since the fun factor and generous amount of space are the most relevant for beginners, buyes are happy with their Intex inflatable. The Intex kayaks are more fun kayaks.
Sevylor
Target group: Beginners to intermediate
Product range: Fun boats, fishing boats, kayaks
Price range: low to mid
Manufacturing: China
Manufacturer’s website: Here
Sevylor is a manufacturer which produces exclusively inflatable boats and leisure products. Products are manufactured in China only and are sold worldwide. The manufacturer has been producing its boats since 1949. Products range from affordable beginner inflatables to higher quality boats for kayak enthusiasts. The affordable inflatables enjoy great popularity among the beginners. Sevylor competes with other manufactures, like Innova or Advanced Elements, in the market of higher quality boats. These brands are superior in this market. The Sevylor Riveira or Tahiti are two well-sellilng inflatable kayaks from Sevylor.
Gumotex
Target group: Intermediate to advanced
Product range: Fishing, kayak, canoes, rafting
Price range: mid to high
Manufacturing: Czech Republic
Manufacturer’s website: Here
Gumotex is a manufacturer for high quality inflatable boats. In the US the boats are sold under the brand Innova but in the European market as well as in the UK all their boats are sold unter the company name Gumotex. The company is not only facturing inflatable rubber boat but also rubber textiles in the industrial sector, such as for the automotive industry. Thanks to their experience of manufacturing very resistant rubber textiles, their boats are also very durable. For over 60 years, their boats are made by hand at the plant in Břeclav.
In Europe inflatable boats from Gumotex are very popular and have a really good reputation. In the US they are not that well-known yet. The value for money of these boats are unbeatable. In contrast to entry-level inflatables from Intex and Sevylor, boats from Gumotex can be used with a higher operating pressure, which gives your boat more stability and better resistance. Consequently, you are also faster on the water.
Advanced Elements
Target group: Intermediate to advanced
Product range: Fishing, kayak, canoes, rafting
Price range: mid to high
Manufacturing: Indonesia
Manufacturer’s website: Here
Advanced Elements is one of the best-known brands for high-quality inflatables kayaks in the US market. Outside of the US, the brand is not that well-known. They are aiming ambitious, demanding and professional kayakers. The company is not that old and was actually founded in 2007 in Benicia, California. They have a quite a lot of models, ranging from kayaks for recreational, day touring, expedition touring, angling and whitewater. The sturdy aluminium rib frame design and the reliable Drop-Stitch Floor are some of their innovations on inflatable kayaks, which makes this brand stand out from others. They also manufacturer SUP boards and packrafts.
Sea Eagle
Target group: Intermediate to advanced
Product range: fishing, kayak, canoe, boat
Price range: mid to high
Manufacturing: Unknown
Manufacturer’s website: Here
Another US manufacturer is for quality inflatable boats is Sea Eagle. This brand is already a bit older than Advanced Elements. The company has been founded in 1968 on Long Island, New York, and it’s still a family owned business. They are manufacturing many different lines from kayaks, to canoes, pontoon boats, standup paddle boards. Outside the US, you are able to get inflatable from Sea Eagle as well but they are much less known abroad. In Europe for example, you don’t really find them in most sports or outdoor stores but rahter at specialized online shops.
Aquaglide
Target group: Intermediate to advanced
Product range:kayak, canoe, aquapark
Price range: mid to high
Manufacturing: Unknown
Manufacturer’s website: Here
Aquaglide is also a US brand that is better known for its commercial aquaparks. However, they also produce quality inflatable boats. It’s a company based in Columbia and they exist already for three decades on the market. They have models for every concern, whether whitewater, open sea or calm lakes. Most of their boats can be pumped with an air pressure of 12 psi, which is quite a lot and which gives you a great stiffness.
