Rigidity is the Achilles heel of any inflatable kayak. No matter how much air I pump into the chambers, the kayak wants to bend and fold sapping my efficiency and reducing the boat’s performance.
First Look: ISLE 12’6 Flywater Inflatable Skiff-Kayak
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With the Flywater, ISLE has a unique solution to this problem with InfinityFiber making the air chambers five times more rigid and durable than traditional vinyl skin. Borrowing from NASA and the Navy, the material employs stiff thermoplastic fibers in key points in the deck and pontoons to resist bending and puncture.
The material makes ISLE’s Flywater hybrid skiff the toughest and most responsive inflatable I’ve tested. I can stand on the drop stitch deck or bounce the boat over rocks and oyster reefs without losing paddling efficiency or damaging the boat.
The 12-foot, six-inch Flywater features large side pontoons and an elevated deck. The pontoons reduce drag and improve tracking. The Flywater comes with an inflatable seat and footrest. I can rig the boat with two seats for a tandem inflatable or add the console seat to turn the boat into a solo stand-up fishing platform.
In the unlikely case one of the pontoons receives a puncture, a backup chamber inside the pontoon distributes the remaining air to keep the boat afloat. In the stern, a reinforced plate allows me to add an electric motor to turn the kayak into a skiff. At the end of the day, I pack the Flywater into the large carry case and roll it to the car.
Feature photo: Kayak Angler Staff
