Real post date 9/25/2010: Before beginning full time RV travel, we sold our two previous folding Feathercraft Kahuna kayaks, and purchased two new RTM Disco hard-shell sit on top kayaks. We were tired of the assembly and dis-assembly of the folders, and thought hard shells would work out better.
The RTM Discos are very good sit-on-tops, but having them on top of our tow/drive around car 24/7, 365 days a year became tiresome after a while. If parked in one spot for long periods, we remove them, but most of the time they are on top of the car, even in the middle of the desert. It cuts vision, increases wind effect, and reduces MPG with the wind and extra 100 lbs.
RTM Disco(s)
I then began researching touring style inflatable kayaks, settling in primarily on Innova Safari, Innova Sunny, and Aire Tributary Sawtooth. Using google searches, there is some information on the Safari, lots of info on Sunny, but very little on Sawtooth other than the factory specs.
The specs on the Kahunas and Discos we have experience with are:
Kahuna: 14' 9" * 25", approx 35lbs
Disco: 14' * 26", approx 50 lbs
Specs (as of Sept 2010) on Inflatables I considered:
Innova Safari: 10' * 28", approx 24lbs Retail $879 (early models were narrower at bow/stern & 'tippier').
Innova Sunny EX fully coated 2 seats: 12 '8" * 31", approx 33lbs Retail $999
Aire Sawtooth I: 13' 3" * 32", approx 42lbs (1 seat) Retail $750 , 46 lbs (2 seats) Retail $800
Aire Sawtooth II: 15' 1" * 32" approx 51.5 lbs 2 seats Retail $850
Boat People Trinity II (almost the same as Sawtooth II but improved in my opinion): 15' 3" * 32" approx 51.5 lbs 2 seats Retail $860
The Innova and Aire brands are high quality tough boats, superior in almost every regard over less expensive inflatable kayaks. Better to look for a good deal on a Aire or Innova and forgoe the lesser brands altogether.
For many varied reasons, I decided we would try one Aire Sawtooth I to see how it works out. I ordered one for delivery to us at the military campground at Tyndall AFB, FL, near Panama City FL in the panhandle.
http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=224 (Aire webpage for Sawtooth)
http://www.aire.com/aire/images/products/pdfs/T%20-%20Sawtooth.pdf (wireframe design info)
My wife Sandy and I are recreational novice paddlers who only do 1/2 day max paddles (usually a hour to 3 hours each time). We have only paddled Feathercraft Kahunas and RTM Disco sit on tops. We never over-night paddle, so cargo is of minimal concern (just lunch and additional clothing, water, etc, and we do have drybags).
So even though little qualification for a decent field test report, I'll post what I can on the Sawtooth with photos. There is so little information available on line for the Aire Sawtooth that any info will be an improvement. We will try this one Sawtooth and see how it works out for us, and then decide whether to keep the Discos, or trade them for an additional Sawtooth. I will blog on the Sawtooth as soon it arrives.
Here are some links to read more on inflatables:
http://www.theboatpeople.com/ (start here for an excellent overview of the Inflatable Kayaks available)
http://www.innovakayak.com/
http://www.aire.com/aire/
http://www.topkayaker.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=10&page=1
http://www.foldingkayaks.org/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=33&sid=bea2c6815913af9153cd0bee3d9cfe9b
http://apaddleinmypack.wordpress.com/inflatable-kayaks/
http://www.midwestik.com/midwestik/midwestik.nsf/
http://paddlesheep.blogspot.com/
Feel free to suggest more links in the comments section.
