Balkans, Greece, Italy – spring trips 2024 can now be booked!

Boats

Everything about floating sports equipment in the categories - canoe and SUP! PE whitewater kayaks, touring boats, whitewater SUPs and inflatable boats (including packrafts) are always available in large numbers. Custom-made sea kayaks, canoes and SUPs can be ordered at short notice.

FAQ, glossary & keyword filter for > boats

  • Bundle
    (2 x)

    This product is also available in a set / package / bundle!

  • creeker
    (44 x)

    A creeker is used in alpine white water. The large volume ensures good buoyancy to minimize the risk of getting caught between the stones on steep, rocky terrain.
    Also, creekers may offer a little more security from capsizing in the easier whitewater area than river runners that are more tail-heavy. Of course, this is also a matter of training.

  • Crossover
    (10 x)

    The "crossover kayak" is not a standardized term.

    The boat types are sometimes rather longer white water boats with a luggage hatch and sometimes rather short touring boats with a blunt snout, a bent bow (rocker) and also a luggage hatch.

  • Beginner
    (10 x)
  • one-piece paddle
    (4 x)

    A one-piece paddle is obviously not divisible. Many paddle manufacturers also offer 2-, 3- or 4-piece versions of their established models. These cost a little more, but can also be stowed across the trunk or even in the boat itself as a spare paddle. And when ordering online, divisible paddles are cheaper to ship!

  • fin/skeg
    (21 x)

    The skeg, a small retractable fin in the back of the boat, keeps the boat running straight, especially if the boat has a lot of rocker, i.e. a banana shape. Long crossover, touring and sea kayaks with rocker are highly susceptible to side winds and waves. The skeg works wonders. The children's boats from Soul also have skegs.

    Some of the boats listed here have a skeg included, with others it is available as an accessory.

    A nasty classic is not to retract the skeg when landing. This happens regularly, even to experienced paddlers... Fortunately, it can be replaced on almost all boats 😉

    Very straight boats don't need a skeg because they just go straight anyway. a folding rudder is more appropriate here.

  • flat bottom
    (77 x)

    The flat bottom was introduced to achieve better maneuverability. If the boat does not have a pronounced keel that lies deeper in the water, then it takes less effort to turn, for example for eddying. Overall, however, the immersed surface is higher and thus also the frictional resistance. Flat bottoms can occur along the entire length of the boat, only in the maximum beam area, or only at the stern. All boat shapes that require high maneuverability are available with flat bottoms, play boats, creekers, crossovers for flat, narrow small rivers and even sea kayaks that have been optimized for surfing and playing in the surf zone are available with flat bottoms.

    Advantages:
    – much more manoeuvrable depending on the length of the flat areas
    – the boat is a few centimeters less deep in the water at the deepest point

    Disadvantages:
    - a little slower
    – a little heavier, because more material is needed to make flat floors stiff enough.

  • fiberglass shaft
    (4 x)

    A fiberglass shaft (GRP) is less rigid than a carbon shaft (CRP) despite being heavier. This means a slightly more sluggish conversion of the power per paddle stroke with a little more energy loss due to the cushioning. In return, the force peaks on the wrists are lower.

    In addition, glass is heavier, but also less sensitive to scratches and also cheaper. For the vast majority of paddlers, GRP is the best value for money.

  • half slice
    (28 x)

    We call a new generation of Riverrunners the Halfslice, which combines the best features from different boat models.
    Put simply, creeker in the front, party in the back.
    On the one hand, there is the conspicuously curved tip of these boat models, the so-called "rocker", which makes boofing extremely easy, if not can even be described as a kind of "auto-boof function".
    On the other hand, in contrast to the creeker, a halfslice has a flat rear, which ensures the fun factor even in light white water. Because the tail can be submerged, the boof is often lighter than the creeker.
    Most models are also quite long compared to older riverrunners, which makes them very easy to accelerate. And in connection with the rocker explained above, you can also explore quite sporty levels of difficulty with this type of boat.

    Real all-rounders that are really fun! It's best to try it yourself, we also have many half-slice boats for testing.

  • Children's boat
    (11 x)

    Boats for children (all sizes and ages).

  • stable
    (11 x)
  • Hatches
    (33 x)

    These boats come with cargo hatches. You have to check whether the storage space is just enough for a muesli bar or expedition luggage based on the storage volume.

    There are day tourers with one hatch and sea kayaks with up to 4 hatches.

    Prijon offers combined hatches that are closed with Neuprene covers and hard plastic covers.

    Most other manufacturers rely on rubber/PU/caoutchouc hatch covers. These can be perfectly tight as long as you don't get grains of sand under the sealing area and the bulkhead to the passenger compartment has been properly sealed.

    The latter is far too often a little leaky, unfortunately not that rare and almost independent of the manufacturer. It is best to check this immediately after purchase. If in doubt, ask us for a suitable sealant.

  • air seat
    (14 x)

    These inflatable kayaks have inflatable air seats. These are often removable and therefore adjustable in their position.

    These seats reduce the pack size of the boat during transport. In addition, they are almost as comfortable as an armchair.

    Of course, real packrafts completely do without additional seats to save even more weight.

  • packraft
    (2 x)

    Packrafting sometimes also bike rafting is often promoted as a new sport. It is a variety of paddling that takes you back to the roots!

    From the very beginning, paddling was not only a sport but also a journey. Discover places that have no road access. There are almost no such places in Europe today.

    However, in Lapland, Alaska, Patagonia, Central Asia and similar sparsely populated regions there are still waters that can only be reached by carrying your material.

    And that's where the packraft comes into play: boats suitable for lakes and white water from 4 kg! A dream comes true! Trekking + paddling in a multiday adventure!”

    Get advice!

  • ratchet straps
    (62 x)

    Ratchet straps are very common for adjusting the backrests in kayaks. So you can clamp yourself into the boat for optimal boat contact.

    The downside to the rope clamps now used by many retailers is wear and tear and possible susceptibility to sediment.
    Spare parts help with this shortcoming, the ratchets are usually interchangeable.

  • River runner
    (49 x)

    River runner or half-slice boats combine small, playful playboats and large-volume creekers for heavy whitewater. This makes these boats perfect for learning how to kayak in a playful way. With a lot of volume in the bow and strong rocker, these boats can also be driven in heavy white water. A mostly flat tail allows playful elements like undercutting. Kayaks with a volume well below 300 liters are also often referred to as river runners.

  • round bottom
    (11 x)

    The circular cross-section has the smallest surface area of ​​a prismatic body. The smaller the surface, the lower the surface friction. So racing boats drive almost exclusively with the cross-sections of a gutter. Fast whitewater boats and touring boats for long, open routes also benefit from the round bottom. In most cases, however, the cross sections of these boats are not extremely round, because: The perfect circular cross section does not offer any form resistance to tilting. (Like a ball that spins forever in water, unlike a surfboard, which requires effort to tip.)

    Compared to the flat bottom, there is another advantage that can be easily illustrated with a sheet of paper: if you lift a flat sheet at one end, the sheet sags limply. A half-curled, round sheet remains stiff. So if you want a flat, stiff paper, you need much more material thickness.

    The round keel allows the boat to run straight ahead as if on rails. So if you spend a lot of time on small rivers, you will hate it.

    Advantages:
    – Noticeably faster
    – Stiffer or lighter
    – Better tracking

    Disadvantages:
    – Less maneuverability
    - More wobbly
    – The boat is a few centimeters lower in the water at the deepest point

  • foam seat
    (9 x)

    These inflatable boats have foam-filled seats instead of inflatable air seats.
    These stabilize the posture and isolate the buttocks.

  • Inflatable kayak touring
    (19 x)

    In contrast to corresponding whitewater models, inflatable kayaks used in touring are not designed for manoeuvrability, but above all for stable straight travel. In many cases there are additional fins/skegs for this.

    Many inflatable kayak drivers cite the lack of storage and transport capacities as the reason for their purchase, which of course makes them attractive compared to long plastic touring kayaks.

    And with an inflatable kayak you can also go on beautiful tours on the river, lake or sea.

    Some of our inflatable kayaks even have steering systems based on real sea kayaks. However, they are not suitable for serious sea kayaking.

  • Inflatable kayak whitewater
    (13 x)

    Inflatable kayaks often do not have a good reputation among plastic boat drivers. And there is no doubt that conventional whitewater kayaks have a greater fun factor, with the right level of skill, due to their maneuverability.

    However, inflatable kayaks also offer clear advantages in whitewater and here, too, some manufacturers have really come up with something when it comes to maneuverability.
    For example, inflatable kayaks are easier to salvage in the event of a capsize, even without knowledge of Eskimo and are much more stable than plastic boats. They offer whitewater beginners the opportunity to gain experience in whitewater more quickly.

    In addition, some luggage can be easily stowed away for multi-day tours and the boat itself can also be easily stowed in the trunk without the additional purchase of a roof rack.

  • Tube canoe touring
    (5 x)

    Most inflatable canoes can be used not only in white water, but also in touring.

    Compared to conventional canoes, they offer the advantage that they are very robust and can also negotiate smaller rapids.

    In addition, the inflatable canoes can of course also be easily transported in the trunk instead of purchasing an extra roof rack, an advantage of all inflatable boats.

    The downside to other big canoes may be the susceptibility to wind, especially on the lake. Here it is important to choose an appropriate model with less raised walls if you already know that most of the tours are to be made there.

  • Inflatable canoe whitewater
    (6 x)

    The purchase of a whitewater inflatable canoe can have many reasons.

    Why not take the family out on the white water in an open inflatable canoe if the children are not yet able or willing to go kayaking themselves?
    Or as a tandem, experience the river from a different perspective than in a kayak.

    In addition, the inflatable canoes can of course also be easily transported in the trunk instead of purchasing an extra roof rack, an advantage of all inflatable boats.

  • Sea kayak
    (12 x)
  • rope clamps
    (22 x)

    Cable clamps as a way to adjust the backrest quickly and individually offer an alternative to the ratchets that were almost exclusively used in the past.

    Initially celebrated as an innovative, less wear-resistant system than conventional ratchets, disadvantages have now also become noticeable here.

    Anyone who has ever slipped their rope out of the cleat while boofing has already helped with their boat with other ropes or knots.
    Manufacturers have remedied with less slippery metal clamps instead of the plastic clamps.

    Thus, as with everything, there is no permanent perfection with frequent use. But here, too, if something breaks, the rope and clamps can be replaced.

  • self-draining
    (14 x)

    Self-draining is understood to be an airboat in which the water that enters via splashes does not have to be exhausted by hand (sponge, bilge pump).

    There are different variants, from holes on the side of the quilted floor to a bilge hose, which can also be closed as required (e.g. if you want dry feet in shallow water).

    Some boat models offer the self-draining function for self-decision. Drainage holes are pre-punched here and depending on whether the boat is to be used for touring or white water, you can add them yourself or not.

  • seat board
    (6 x)

    You can find seat boards for retrofitting or as spare parts for various inflatable canoes and the corresponding boats with this keyword.

  • Play boat
    (9 x)

    Here is a selection of River Runners that are slightly shorter than the Halfslice models.

  • Control system can be retrofitted
    (31 x)

    A steering system can be retrofitted on these boats. You can find these in the corresponding accessories category.

  • touring kayak
    (24 x)
  • Touring paddle
    (1 x)

    There are basically two basic variants of touring paddles (= hiking paddles): For the flat paddling technique and the steep paddling technique.

    The latter is more efficient, but requires a certain learning effort. The usual lengths start at about 205cm. From this length, we also strongly recommend divisibility. This not only saves shipping costs, but also transport damage in your own vehicle.

    In principle, there are three types of divisibility:

    • in firm detent , so the angle is always the same
    • in variable detent, the angle is freely selectable, the length is the same
    • in variable clamping, with a freely selectable angle and up to 10cm additional length.

    In addition, some paddles are even used in 3 or 4 parts offered to use them as eg in a boat Replacement paddle to be able to stow away.

    If you want to do long tours in a sporty way, a carbon paddle is a good idea.

  • Transport bag included
    (17 x)

    A suitable transport bag is already included in the purchase price for these airboats.

    For all other airboats there are corresponding transport bags in the dry bag category.

  • comprehensive thigh braces
    (19 x)

    Here we list the corresponding kayaks, where the manufacturers value comprehensive thigh supports in their standard seating systems.

    This is often an advantage for good maneuvering and a stable seat in the whitewater boat.
    One finds thigh braces that are too comprehensive, especially with wider thighs a bit cramped.
    You have to test yourself. Many seats can also be individually adapted to body shapes.

  • variable number of people
    (1 x)
  • Convertible top can be retrofitted
    (7 x)

    You can find the corresponding tops available from us under the spray decks or using the search function for the keyword airboat top.

  • cover available
    (5 x)

    These airboats have a permanently installed canopy under which luggage can be stowed.

    For even more density, there are often also spray skirts for the hatch of the convertible top.

  • Whitewater spraydeck
    (4 x)

    Only spray skirts made of neoprene are used for white water. In addition, they often have Kevlar-reinforced borders, so that they stay seated on the coaming even if they capsize.

    Here, when attaching the spraydeck, care should be taken to ensure that the existing grip loops can guarantee an emergency exit, since the elastic neoprene is not always so easy to push open with the knees.

  • Whitewater paddle
    (4 x)

    The usual lengths for whitewater paddles for adults are between 192 and 200cm. Divisibility is not mandatory, but it saves shipping costs and makes transport in your own vehicle easier every time.

    In principle, there are three types of divisibility:

    • in firm detent , so the angle is always the same
    • in variable detent, the angle is freely selectable, the length is the same
    • in variable clamping, with a freely selectable angle and up to 10cm additional length.

    In addition, some paddles are even used in 3 or 4 parts offered to use them as eg in a boat Replacement paddle to be able to stow away.

    In order to keep an overview of the more than 350 paddle variants currently on offer, we recommend that you use the product data filter in the sidebar or compare them in the table view using a free text search!

  • Additional handles on the coaming
    (61 x)

    Normally, almost all kayaks intended for whitewater have up to three additional handles near the Sülrand in addition to the two handles at the bow and stern.

    On the one hand, this makes it easier to salvage the boats in white water. But it is also good for getting out quickly in difficult terrain, you can thread the ready-to-hand sling through a handle within reach to secure it.
    Also, recently, boats that don't have these handles have been banned from participating in some whitewater races.

    Since some manufacturers do without these handles, which we believe are quite advantageous, on some of their River Runners, we have introduced this keyword to you.