Bestway Inflatable Kayaks

Bestway Corp. is a Chinese company that specialises in making inflatable products. They have their own manufacturing facilities based in warehouses in 4 locations in China, including Shanghai and Nantong.

They have a diverse product range including spas and airbeds. Some of their airbeds are compatible with a smartphone app to ensure that they are setup to your requirements – very sophistiacted!

Bestway manufacture under license recreational toys for companies including Star Wars, Fisher Price and Hot Wheels. But their watersports category of products is where you will find stand-up paddle boards and inflatable kayaks.

Stand-up paddle boards and inflatable kayaks

Bestway’s brand name for these items is Hydro Force™  and they produce a range that is tough and durable. We will talk about SUP or stand-up paddle boards in another post, so here we will concern ourselves with the inflatable kayaks.

Hydro Force products are designed to be durable and strong to last whilst having fun on the water. The features include.

Inflatashield.

This is a thicker embossed material designed for durability and to be less slippery

Dropstitch

The dropstitch construction allows for good rigidity and strength when the product is filled with air.

Tritech

Tritech is a 3 layer surface construction for strength and durability, this is also UV protective.

Fortech

Fortech is designed to be lightweight and durable, by combining polyester mesh and PVC.

Kayaks

Lite-Rapid X2 Inflatable Kayak 65077

The Lite-Rapid X2 65077 inflatable kayak is a lightweight two person that weighs 9kg. Designed for light water, such as sheltered bays and lakes.

Features

•  Maximum weight capacity: 160 kg
•  Width: 880 mm, Depth: 3210 mm
• One removable middle fin for directional stability
• Quick deflate valves
• Drain valve
• Carry handles
•  Includes two 2.18m aluminum, two-bladed oars
• Vinyl material

Hydro-Force Ventura 2 Person Kayak

This is a more durable and sturdier inflatable kayak than the Lite-Rapid, designed to take a heavier weight, it is made from Polyvinyl Chloride treated to be UV resistant.

There are two skegs or fins for extra stability and tracking will be quite good as the hull is also contoured.

This kayak is intended for light waters and beach, short use kayaking. The kayak should not be used in fast flowing water or where there are likely to be strong currents and winds.

Features

• Width: 940 mm, Length: 3.3 m
• Deflated size (W x L): 3500 x 1130 mm
• Oar length: 2.18 m
• Weight capacity: 200kg
• Quick deflate valves
• Drain valve
• Carry handles
• Includes 2 oars
• Includes 37cm Air Hammer™ inflation pump (No. 62086)

Summary

The Bestway inflatable kayaks provide a good and relatively inexpensive way to obtain a kayak that can be inflated and deflated easily.

They are not designed for adventurous and expert trips and are better suited to gentle paddling in sheltered waters.

The skegs and fins will help to make the crafts stable and not be blown about by the wind or currents in gentle conditions.

Be sure to wear a life jacket and be aware of any tides, currents and winds should you choose to use one of these kayaks.

If you are looking to do things more adventurous then there are other inflatable kayaks worth considering first.