Are these inflatable kayaks worth a crap?

People float down rivers with sharp, jagged rocks in inflatable rafts. I would think the quality ones are just fine for most purposes.

The way I drag my kayak over oysters when I'm fishing...I wouldn't trust one.

That probably says more about me than the inflatables though.

I'm starting to understand they may be much more durable than I first thought, but I still haven't reached the point of buying one. I have two nephews who are into kayaking big time, so maybe I can somehow trick them into buying one and I can test theirs out.

You mentioned something about having the proper pressure, but what does that mean? Is it like a tire where it needs to be at a certain PSI?

For me, I think it's just a mental hurdle that may come from when I was a child and got those cheap floats from Dollar General that always had a leak and were basically worthless. I think I just have an inflatable phobia that's just going to take time to get over it!

I spent a few days paddling and fishing out of this one: Intex Sierra K2 Inflatable Kayak on vacation. It was only $138. Seemed surprisingly durable for the price. It was a very stable rig as well. No fear of turning over at all. It was fine just to paddle around in. Fishing wasn't the best. I got blown around by the wind very easily and just working a jerkbait or swim bait would turn the boat quite a bit. Fishing a crankbait or spinnerbait was impossible. I have fished out of canoes and pirogues quite a bit and they are heads and shoulders above this thing in fishability.

I am sure the expensive ones are much better to fish out of. Durability shouldn't be a problem either. Guys trust their lives with them in Alaska. They get dropped off up river with these things and hunt there way back. They get dragged over rocks go through rapids with them.

That's impressive that they are that durable. How much does it weigh before inflated and how long does it take to deflate after you're finished?