>>797917Most rec boats that have everything you want for lengthy flatwater trips, or even basic day trips, can be 12+ feet long and weigh over 70 pounds, more when you add gear and accessories. If you dont own a truck with a long enough bed then lifting this heavy, awkwardly shaped object 4+ feet high to put it on top of your vehicle can be difficult to do with one person and not bump your vehicle. And then once you get it down, if your not parked right by your put it, transporting it there can be a pain too. The bulk of serious flatwater rec boaters ive met are mostly 40 year olds+ (The younger folk are mostly into whitewater) and can have problems lifting the kayak up ad putting it on their shoulder. This sport is perfect for older folk looking for a low impact way to explore interesting outdoor areas. This is why kayak dollies (small dolly that you can rest one end of the boat on so transport to and from your car is easy) have become so popular in the past 5 years.
So kayaks arent always that "portable". Your argument could also be used for stuff like ATVs. This is why OP and others look for something that isnt 80 lbs of plastic that takes up space in their garage and is a hassle to transport around. So inflatable kayaks fill in that niche. You can just stick it in your trunk and inflate it when you get there. I dont have a ton of experience with non-whitwater inflatable kayaks but I do know some older fellows who swear by them.
Source: Worked sales in a kayak shop for the past 5 years and have been WW paddling for half my life.
