Inflatable Kayaks & Canoes

This is the main page for all things inflatable kayak-related. Instead of wading through many pages of mixed boats and accessories, you can click the indivdual categories directly to your left.

Our inflatable kayak line includes whitewater models, kayaks for oceans, calm water, and even for backpackers. We feature AIRE, Innova, NRS, Tributary, Incept, Hyside, and a couple of our Boat People exclusive design touring models. We concentrate on the higher end inflatables that offer the best combinations of long lifespan, warranty, good service through the manufacturer, and performance, rather than the lower end mass marketed products. The low end models tend to cause customers and dealers more grief due to quality issues than they are worth. Details on solo whitewater, tandem whitewater, and solo & tandem touring inflatable kayaks are found on their respective pages, but some rough rules of thumb about all models are as follows:

The more boat length in the water, known as the "waterline", the more easily a whitewater model will ride through holes but the harder it will be to pivot quickly. The shape of the boat's underside also matters, flatter bottoms always being better in whitewater. Long waterlines on a touring kayak - inflatable or otherwise - increase hull speed and tracking. Wide boats are more stable but also slower. In other words, there's no such thing as a fast flatwater boat that is also going to be a great, stable whitewater craft.

[Scroll to bottom of page to continue reading...]

Raft Inflatable Kayak Cataraft Cashier's Check / Bank Transfer 5 Percent Discount

Below is Katmai NP Brooks Falls - Brown Bears & Salmon LIVE webcam. INCREDIBLE RIVER! Let's ALL join some environmental group(s) who are trying to save places like this!

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Rocky Mountain Rafts and AIRE river tube special SALE

Product ID: Rocky Mountain Rafts and AIRE river tube special SALE

Phone us for savings now on high-end river tubes - see text
 
Canvas Inflatable Kayak Bag

Product ID: Boat People Canvas Inflatable Kayak Bag

Boat People Canvas Inflatable Kayak Carry Bag. Roughly 15.5” diameter and 42” long
 
21qt Trapezoid Shaped Soft Cooler

Product ID: trapezcooler

21 Quart Soft Cooler from AIRE - Now in teal & gray

 
Price:
$115.00
Hot Deal
28% OFF
4-Piece Recreational Kayak Paddle
4-Piece Recreational Kayak Paddle

Product ID: bic 4-piece

The blades on this 4-Piece Recreational Kayak Paddle 220cm (7'2") BIC are not overly flexy,...

 
Price:
$50.00
$69.00
AIRE 12 Inch Inflatable Kayak Thwart Seat - Backrest

Product ID: aire12thwart

AIRE's 12" diameter Kayak Thwart Backrest can be used in any AIRE or Tributary kayak, but you...

 
Price:
$149.00
AIRE Bubbabomb River Tube

Product ID: AIRE Bubbabomb River Tube

The AIRE Bubbabomb Giant River Tube - 300 Pound Capacity
 
Price:
$339.00
AIRE Cheetah Chair Inflatable Kayak Seat

Product ID: cheetahchair

The AIRE Cheetah Chair is the standard AIRE kayak seat.

 
AIRE Deluxe Kayak Seat

Product ID: dlxaireseat

A Firmer whitewater alternative to the Cheetah Seat

 
Price:
$115.00
AIRE Force Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: aire force

Float bags and thigh straps standard
 
Price:
$2,679.00
Aire Hot Potato Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: aire_hot_potato_inflatable_kayak

AIRE Hot Potato Inflatable Kayak Made in USA
 
Price:
$1,579.00
Aire Inflatable Kayak Foot Rest

Product ID: aire-inflatable-kayak-foot-rest

Aire Inflatable Kayak Foot Rest
 
Price:
$79.00
AIRE Kayak Carry Bag

Product ID: airekayakbag

The AIRE Kayak Bag fits most solo kayaks, and some tandems See text for specs
 
Price:
$175.00
AIRE Lynx I Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: aire lynx 1

In stock! Deeper design for AIRE Lynx I Inflatable Kayak
 
Price:
$2,159.00
AIRE Lynx II Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: aire lynx 2

AIRE's most popular tandem river tandem
 
Price:
$2,259.00
AIRE Outfitter 1 Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: outfitter 1

The sporty but stable AIRE Outfitter 1 solo inflatable kayak
 
Price:
$2,209.00
AIRE Outfitter II Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: outiftter 2

Our best reviewed whitewater two-person kayak; you can even paddle it kneeling!
 
Price:
$2,309.00
AIRE Replacement Aluminum Fin for Sawtooth, SuperLynx, and Trinity II

Product ID: sawtooth fin

We carry spare fins for the AIRE Tributary Sawtooth's and our Trinity II, in case one gets...

 
AIRE Rocktabomb River Tube

Product ID: AIRE Rocktabomb River Tube

Blue or lime green - no reds.
 
Price:
$279.00
AIRE Superlynx Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: super lynx

The multi-purpose AIRE Super Lynx for class III and open water
 
Price:
$2,679.00
AIRE Tributary Sawtooth Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: tribsawtooth

Sawtooth Inflatable Kayak - High Performance Touring
 
Price:
$1,369.00
AIRE Tributary Sawtooth Tandem Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: AIRE Tributary Sawtooth Tandem Inflatable Kayak

AIRE's imported Touring kayak - Now faster, longer, and updated!
 
Price:
$1,369.00
AIRE Tributary SPUD Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: AIRE Tributary SPUD Inflatable Kayak

AIRE Tributary Kid's size SPUD Inflatable Kayak
 
Price:
$599.00
AIRE Tributary Strike 1 Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: aire strike1

Lightweight and sporty without sacrificing the strength!
 
Price:
$1,199.00
AIRE Tributary Strike 2 Inflatable Kayak

Product ID: aire strike2

Stiffer, stronger Strike kayak material and lime color!
 
Price:
$1,449.00

[Continued from top of page...]

Inflatable Kayak & Canoe Payload

An i.k's total payload capacity (your weight plus your gear) depends on width & waterline length, tube diameter, and on self-bailers, how thick the inflated floor is from top to bottom. In some instances you will be sitting directly on top of the inflatable floor, and on other kayaks there may be an inflatable or foam seat underneath you. Many of the Sea Eagle, Stearns, and Sevylor "self-bailers" that are being sold today have floors that only range from 3" to 4", so if you are a larger person, and particularly if you want a tandem boat, you want to keep this in mind. To really function properly most true river inflatables will have floors 5" to 6" thick, or at least 4" on some of the longer solo models. All inflatable kayaks in our two whitewater sections are self-bailing except the Innova Vagabond.

We don't try to carry every brand of inflatable kayak. Many companies sell direct to the public, and some brands simply don't seem to offer good value for the money. This usually has to do with the price/quality/warranty formula. The absence of a boat or brand from our site does not mean the product isn't worth your consideration, but we do carry inflatable kayaks that have proven to provide excellent performance, at the minimum cost per per year to own.

Call us with any questions at 925-820-2628, or email us at theboatpeople@hotmail.com . We have had issues on and off with with our "info@" email address not forwarding (to us) properly, so don't use that one for now or we may not get your questions.