3 Person Inflatable Kayak Review
Half the fun of going out on the water is having friends along with you on your adventure. The problem is, many inflatable kayaks do not give you the room that is necessary to take along a companion, much less two of them.
There have been several manufacturers who thought ‘if a kayak can hold 2 people, why not make it 3?’ And this is where companies such as Coleman stepped up to the challenge and created the 3 man kayak. Some may question whether the 3-person kayak is really worth investing in, so this article is going to review the positives and benefits of several different types to help you decide if it is something you would like, or if it will end up being an ‘Oar-deal’ – get it? Ordeal.
We are not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or models listed in this honest review and are going to give an upfront and unbiased look at each of the kayaks 1 by 1. So, if you are ready to run through the 3 person kayak review, let’s begin…
Jump To => 3 Person Inflatable Kayaks
Multiple Person Inflatable Kayak Comparison Chart
| Brand Name | Max. Weight | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Expedition | 1,000 lbs | 4.4 | |
Kaboat | 900 lbs | 3.7 | |
Sea Eagle | 795 lbs | 2.8 | |
Caravelle | 600 lbs | 2.7 | |
Big Basin | 490 lbs | 4.0 |
Most Popular: Coleman 3-Person Inflatable Kayak
The Big Basin 3 person Kayak is a durable and rugged kayak that is made from a heavy duty high-quality PVC base and a tarpaulin bottom that will protect the boat when in shallow water or to take on and off the shoreline. The boat can comfortably seat up to 3 people with its fully inflated dimensions of 12’ x 3” x 3’1”. It weighs 34.8 pounds so it is quite easy to carry when out of the water.
Also included with the kayak are the anti-spray covers that make it more of a joy to hit the water, even during the coldest winter months, come rain or shine. It features multiple air chambers to ensure your safety, even when it is loaded down. If you do happen to puncture the kayak, you will still not have to worry about it until you can get it to shore.
This kayak has a Boston Valve that is double threaded to make inflation and deflation quick and easy. It uses the airtight system to ensure that leaks do not happen around the valves.
3-Seater by Coleman Ease Of Use
The size of the kayak is easily manageable by three people. If you have 2 people in the kayak it becomes more difficult to navigate, and a solo person in the kayak will find it much harder than a standard single-occupancy kayak to move and maneuver. The seating inside the kayak is removable and adjustable so that they can be placed and positioned for maximum comfort and ease of use.
Pros Of the Big Basin
Multiple air chambers keep the kayak safely inflated, even when suffering from a puncture. The multi chamber design allows one or 2 chambers to be punctured and still remain afloat.- Boston air valve makes inflating and deflating the Kayak quick and easy, helping you spend less time on shore and more time onboard.
- Adjustable seating for up to 3 people makes for a comfortable and tailored seating plan for all on the kayak.
Cons Of The Coleman
- Not the easiest to use if you want to use it as a solo boater. The size of the kayak really needs a minimum of 2 people for best control.
- The size of the kayak makes it an unfeasible choice to try to inflate it by mouth. No pump is included, so you will need to purchase this separately.
- Unless you want to move by using your arms and hands as paddles, you are going to need to invest in some oars. These are not included in the kayak.
Coleman Inflatable Kayak Impression – Is it worth it?
When working out whether the kayak is worth the money it costs, several different aspects are taken into account. The first is the actual cost of the kayak when compared to those of a similar model. Next, the accessories or lack of them will count towards the overall rating. Lastly, the customer reviews of the product are taken into account. When all of these are pooled into one breakdown, it reveals whether the kayak is worth it as a whole rather than just based on price alone.
At the time of writing, the Coleman Big Basin was priced at under $400. On Amazon, the Coleman Big Basin has a high 4.2/5 star rating and many positive reviews from those who have already purchased this very model. For the most part, those who purchased the Coleman Big Basin were more than happy with their selection and it has proved to be all that they had hoped for, plus more!
There is a common pattern running through the ratings that compliment the Coleman Big Basin kayak on its trackability, stability, and comfort. The roominess of the kayak is also a continuous theme throughout the customer reviews as well. However, the Coleman Big Basin kayak loses a point from buyers down to the fact that there is no air pump or oars included with the inflatable, and inflating it is probably the most important part of the Coleman Big Basin.
All in all, when you bring together all of the rating elements, the Coleman Big Basin 3 person kayak proves to be a big hit with both old and new buyers. If you are looking for an all-around good 3-person kayak, then this could prove to be the perfect choice for you.
More 3 Person Inflatable Kayak Choices
Sea Eagle FastTrack
This Sea Eagle FastTrack three-person kayak gives everyone on board plenty of space for a comfortable boating experience. The Sea Eagle FastTrack is an NMMA certified vessel which features 9 x D-rings to ensure the seats are held securely in place. The Sea Eagle FastTrack works well as a tandem or single boat and comes with built-in grab handles to the front and rear of the kayak.
Furthermore, it can be used as a single or tandem boat as well. There are grab handles on the bow and stern, front and rear spray skirts, as well as storage and lacing. The hull is completely resistant to sun and saltwater and when inflated has a rigid form.
Size-wise, the kayak is a medium standard size of Interior: 14’2″x1′ 2 1/2″, Exterior: 15’x3′, Deflated: 33″x19″x9″, Tube Diameter: 10″. The removable rear skeg allows for faster speed should it be required and the pressure drop floor provides a rigid base for the boat.
Pros Of the Kayak
- Removable skeg allows for improved speed and management of the yaw.
- It comes with a nylon carry bag, the repair kit, and full instructions.
- High capacity self-draining
Cons Of The Kayak
- At 64 pounds, the kayak is quite heavy when compared to other similar models.
- Expensive when compared to other makes and models, especially when adding shipping. Check price now =>
- Amazon Rating is quite low in comparison to the Coleman which can be a sign that customers are not happy.
Is The FastTrack Worth The Price?
While the Sea Eagle FastTrack provides a modern, stylish and well-designed vessel, the cost of it is really quite high when compared to other similar kayaks of the same style, materials, and dimensions. The Kayak has a 2.5 / 5-star rating on Amazon with half of customers being happy with their purchase, but also many who are less than happy with what they have purchased.
For the reasons above, the Sea Eagle FastTrack will have appeal to certain buyers with higher budgets, but with the price tag it has and the overall customer ratings, unfortunately, the kayak looks as though it is not worth the cost.
Sevylor Caravelle
The Sevylor Caravelle is not so much a kayak as it is a dinghy. But while it can’t really be classified as a kayak, it has been included as it can serve an almost identical purpose and is great for exploring and venturing out into the water with your friends. The Sevylor Caravelle does not come with seats and makes a great secondary boat to carry on your kayak or larger boat.
It is able to hold up to three people or 600 pounds in weight and can carry a 12V electric motor and already has the fittings for an SBM. It also features its own pump and oars included with the boat. There is an airtight guarantee that ensures that the boat will not deflate while inflated (unless done manually)
Pros Of the Kayak
- It is a cheap and affordable alternative to a more expensive kayak.
- The lack of seats makes sitting more comfortable as you are closer to the water
- Airtight and anti-leak guarantee, plus air pump and oars included.
Cons Of The Kayak
- The Vessel is not a kayak at all.
- No spray covers included to keep the occupants dry.
- Amazon Rating is quite low which can be a sign that customers are not happy.
Is It Worth The Price?
At such a great price, you can’t really complain. After all, you can enjoy a day out on the water with several friends in the same way. However, the very fact that the boat is not a kayak makes this a little bit of a strange placement in the kayak category. While it is not a kayak, it does make a great addition to carry on a larger kayak or vessel.
Looking at the customer reviews, most of them are positive. There are a few that clearly demonstrate customer dissatisfaction, most of whom had not read the details. The fact that the boat comes with oars and a pump makes this an economical choice and is well worth the price tag.
Saturn Kaboat
Made of 1100 Denier PVC, the 15 foot Saturn Kaboat provides a fantastic looking kayak which features a wide beam hum for stability, thus enables you to stand up in it with sureness and firm footing. The Saturn Kaboat also comes with a front spray skirt that contains a water deflector guard.
The Saturn Kaboat also has a single direction drain plug that allows water out but not in. The seats are made from aluminum and are adjustable to accommodate different sizes and frames. The deck of the kayak is a high-pressure inflatable one that provides solid support below the foot. You can choose between two iconic shades of red or gray. When the kayak has been fully inflated it can hold up to 900 pounds of weight.
The Saturn Kaboat is definitely a mid-range level kayak and will provide the user with fantastic control and support. Being mid-range does carry a larger price tag, so that is something to consider when thinking of which kayak to select.
Pros Of the Kayak
- Fully customizable seating which can be replaced with chairs if
- Ability to hold up to 900lbs makes this an ideal choice for those of a larger frame and
- The 15ft size gives the kayak great stability, even in choppier waters.
Cons Of The Kayak
- The price of more than $700 may be out of most peoples budget, especially for entry-level
Is It Worth The Price?
This midrange kayak provides an aesthetically pleasing design filled with plenty of beneficial boating features.
Saturn Expedition
The Saturn Expedition is a high-end Kayak that features an extra thick 1.5mm PVC bottom which is overlapped and comes with an additional PVC layer. The Saturn Expedition also comes with a front spray skirt and a well-designed water deflector.
The Saturn Expedition comes with rope lacing to fix all of your supplies in place and a marine grade plywood transom. As with several of the other models of kayak featured above, it features a one way drain plug which allows water out and not in. The Saturn Expedition comes with two sets of oars, oar locks to assist with tandem rowing, and three removable aluminum benches.
The Saturn Expedition also comes with a manual hand pump, a well thought out boat repair kit, and a storage bag to keep all the kit together in one place. The kayak will make a great addition to a larger vessel and is perfect for those who take their kayaking serious.
Pros Of the Kayak
- Well designed high-end kayak for serious boaters.
- Comes with an extensive set of extras including oars, repair kit, storage bag, and other
- High capacity self-draining valves, spray skirt, and water deflector helps keep the kayak water
Cons Of The Kayak
While not exactly a con, the price puts this kayak well above the price range of many leisure boaters who would compromise many of The Saturn Expedition’s extras for a lower price tag.
Is It Worth The Price?
For the high-grade materials used, the ergonomic design, and the addition of the included extras makes the Saturn Expedition worth every cent. Looking at the reviews left by customers on Amazon, the kayak scores 4 / 5 and is spoken of very highly. Yes, the kayak is quite expensive, but for what you receive for your money, it is a good buy.
Summary
The type of kayak you decide to buy will ultimately depend on what you are looking for in a boat and what your budget for it is. It is important that you take your time to run through reviews and make comparisons between similar style kayaks. Hopefully, the honest reviews above will help you get a better idea of what is and isn’t included in certain boats. Whatever your choice, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to 3 person kayaks, so take your time to choose the right one for you.