ESB

This summer, I was either going to join the Charles River Sailing Club or buy a kayak.  My obvious issues with kayak ownership was a lack of car and storage.  But I happened to type in "kayak" at Amazon.com (where I now buy everything except groceries) and got clued in to inflatable kayaks.  I was a little skeptical of their quality and durability, but the reviews on the Advanced Element models sold me.  I ended up going with a smaller 10.5" model.  It's only $399 and folds up into a big, yet portable storage bag.  

http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Elements-AdvancedFrame-Inflatable-Kayak/dp/B000J2Q0C6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1246760305&sr=8-4

It takes about 15 minutes to blow up and you're ready to rock.  I've taken it out twice on the Charles River thus far - once from Newton to Harvard, and the next time all the way past downtown to where I could go no further (dam).  It's definitely not as fast as a "real" kayak, but I'm in no hurry!