I'm thinking this might be fun. I'm wondering what your experiences may have been. I would need to buy something suitable for sightseeing and less for any fishing. We plan to spend the whole summer enjoying ourselves and getting the most out the experience. I'd really like to see what developes with your ideas and thoughts. Thanks so much!!
Either way, I'd be a little nervous though. One snag in the water and you could have some problems.
We purchased a Coleman canoe specifically to put on the truck and haul around on gravel roads and launch from any old place. Nothing fancy (possibly the cheapest canoe to buy?), but perfect for getting out and about on any water when conditions permit. Excellent durability was a must. Can pull it up on rocky shores without concern, drag it across the landscape, go into shallows without worry of snags, etc. Don't need to worry about packing it up or storing it either.
We are thinking of taking two kayaks this year, for increased safety ... we'll have two of us on the water in separate boats, rather than the two of us relying on a single boat.
Keep in mind water temps up there. Six minutes and you you are hypothermic to the point that you will probably not be able to climb back into a boat, or assist whoever is trying to pull you in. Cold water operations are not for the ill prepared thinking they are on the lake back home.
A small boat(any kind) greatly expands your horizons when in the interior of northern Canada and AK. Once you're more than 1/4 mile away from a launch point, which will be complete with cars, people, dogs, etc, you'll find scenery, wildlife, and fishing that the shore-bound never experience.
An inflatable boat is an excellent choice. They are extremely stable and carry a large load, but are not something you want to paddle very far when going upwind. (3ft forward and 2ft back) You should have a small motor and need a quality boat with multi-ply coated fabric construction if you want something durable that will withstand dragging, snags, etc.
I don't suggest a canoe, unless you are already a canoe person. You're likely to find the lack of stability unnerving.
Don't get fixated on AK. Northern BC and the Yukon offer lakes, rivers, and scenery that are fully the equivalent of what you'll find in interior AK. Leave the RV-stream on the AK Hwy. For example, check out the Campbell Hwy in the Yukon in your Milepost. (340 miles, half gravel, a tenth of the AK Hwy traffic/people, access to mountain lakes and streams, no-hookup, lakeside government campgrounds) You can really enjoy a boat there, and may even catch a fish!
Are you thinking of a 1-3 person inflatable boat (i.e. Sea Eagle) or something larger?
I had a 16' Zodiac inflatable for quite a few years in AK and it was a blast...but it was towed on a trailer.
Had an inflatable open kayak for approximately 1 season...compared to the real deal, the inflatable just wasted too much energy to go anywhere.
I'd actually suggest a good canoe if you are looking for something to throw on the truck: in my experience, you can find a pretty stable canoe if you are willing to learn to sit in and paddle it correctly.
If you're going to be pulling a boat trailer, I'd suggest a 12-15 foot lake boat or a generic john boat.
CRL
Temporarily (6! years & counting)displaced Alaskan
My Other RV is a 1946 PA-12
if you buy an inflatable, be sure the material is adequate, and not just expanded plastic. I had a Quicksilver 9-6or so and it was quite stable. my yamaha 8 hp electric start would finally get it up on plane with two in it. a 15 hp would be better.
bumpy
Offline
years & counting)displaced Alaskan
