If you’re planning to spend a lot of time in your kayak, you’re probably going to want something to hold your drinks. And while there are plenty of cup holders available for rigid kayaks, what about inflatable kayaks?
With inflatable kayaks, you can’t simply drill holes in the kayak’s sides to mount your cup holder. Instead, you may want to add a mount or, more likely, buy a completely different kind of cup holder.
In this article, we’ll talk about some top cup holders on the market that you can use with your inflatable kayak. We’ll also discuss how to mount your new cup holder on your kayak.
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IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS
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Table of Contents
Best Cup Holders for Inflatable Kayaks: Reviewed
1. Accmor Universal Cup Holder
- Multifunctional cup holder could be used for stroller, wheelchair, walker, bike, scooter, armrest, trolleys, pushchair, lawnmowers, ATV, treadmill, golf cart ,shopping cart, kayak, boat handlebar,...
- The cup holder organizer compatible with different bottles, whose diameter less than 85mm / 3.4 in. It fits for baby bottles, water bottles, coffee mug, drink bottles, beverage cups etc.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 02:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This cup holder was created specifically for use with strollers, but the great thing about it is that it’s universal–it can be used for a variety of applications.
The cup holder has an adjustable clamp that firmly grips whatever you clamp it onto–no sliding around or risk of spilling.
For use with your inflatable kayak, you could simply slide a dowel through the D-rings on your stern and clamp the cup holder onto the dowel.
Alternatively, if your inflatable kayak has rails on it, you can clamp the cup holder onto one of the rails.
The cup holder itself can hold several different sizes of cups and bottles, as long as they are smaller than 3.4 inches in diameter. The inside of the cage is designed with springs to firmly hold your cup in place, further preventing the risk of spills.
Another great feature of this cup holder is that you can clamp it on anywhere and adjust the angle of the cage. This gives you flexibility in where and how you mount the cup holder.
This cup holder is tough and durable, which is absolutely essential when you’re out riding the rapids in your kayak.
Some users have noted that it isn’t large enough to hold a coffee mug, so keep this in mind when purchasing.
What we like:
- The cup holder is tough enough to handle rough conditions on the water.
- It is easy to mount–simply clamp it onto a rail or dowel.
- It can be adjusted to a variety of angles.
What we don’t like:
- The cup holder doesn’t work well for coffee mugs.
2. SquidCup Sqoozie Non-Tipping Boat Can Holder
- NON-TIP: Features the SquidCup patented dual-magnet + micro suction cup technology that is simple, easy to use and totally maintenance free. SquidCup technology won't randomly fail like those...
- PREMIUM PRODUCT: Commercial grade, soft silicone rubber construction with a built-in powerful magnet securely encased in both the bottom of the can holder and base. Lightweight, easy to store unlike...
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This is a different kind of cup holder–for starters, it is made specifically for holding standard 12-ounce cans. You may also find that it will work for smaller or thinner cans, bottles, and some other types of cups as well, though for best results you’ll want to use it with regular cans.
This holder is composed of a silicone holder and matching silicone base. Strong magnets in the holder and base help to keep your drink in place, and 20 suction cups on the bottom of the base secure it to any hard, smooth surface.
So, if you have a rigid floor in your inflatable kayak, a small platform or mount, or a way of attaching a platform or mount to your rails, this may be the perfect holder for you.
Why?
The magnets and suction cups work together to keep your drink upright even in rough waters and windy conditions. This cup holder is often used with other types of boats and even stand-up paddleboards, so you know it can take a lot of abuse.
Some users have even suctioned it to the inflatable floors of their kayaks with moderate success, so it may work for you even if you don’t have rails or a hard, flat surface for mounting.
SquidCup is so confident in this product that they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.
Many users have reported that the magnets are almost too strong, as they will often pull the suctioned base up with the holder.
What we like:
- This unique holder requires no hardware for mounting.
- It will hold your drink upright even in choppy waters and rough weather conditions.
- It comes with a money-back guarantee and a warranty.
What we don’t like:
- The strong magnets sometimes pull up the base with the rest of the holder.
3. Votprof Spill-Proof Drink Holder
- PREMIUM and ECO-FRIENDLY: This drink holder for pool is crafted using top quality food grade silicone material which is soft, nontoxic, non-deforming, odorless, and strong for ultimate support,...
- FUN POOL ACCESSORY FOR YOUR DRINKS: This pool cup holder keeps your favorite drinks (hot or cold) within easy reach, easy to put and remove your cups, mugs, glasses, and bottles! Great gift for anyone...
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 02:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This cup holder is technically designed for gripping the sides of an inflatable jacuzzi or above-ground pool, but it will work just as well for an inflatable kayak provided you aren’t braving tough rapids or wild waves.
Made of food-grade silicone, it is strong, flexible, and made for gripping. The sides of the holder simply wrap around the inflated pool or kayak chamber, and the weighted middle and edges of the holder helps to make it more stable.
The middle of the holder is also made of silicone and designed to conform to many different bottles, cups, and can sizes–up to 4 inches in diameter.
Again, this product is designed for pools and hot tubs, but it will work for any inflatable tube that’s 4 inches across or more–including that of an inflatable kayak.
A word of caution, though–the only thing that holds this holder in place is the weight of the silicone at the middle and the edges, as well as the gripping nature of silicone. If you take it out in poor weather conditions or choppy waters, it will most likely slide over the edge, and you’ll lose both the holder and your drink.
So, if you plan to purchase this cup holder, only use it when the weather is clear and the waters are calm.
What we like:
- This cup holder is easy to add to your kayak–simply drape the sides over your inflatable chamber.
- It is weighted in the middle and edges to make it more stable.
- It will hold many different sizes and styles of cup, can, and bottle.
What we don’t like:
- It doesn’t grip very strongly, so it shouldn’t be used in choppy waters.
How Do You Attach a Cup Holder to an Inflatable Kayak?
As you can see, we reviewed three very different cup holders in the above sections. Depending on the type of cup holder you buy, the process for attaching it to your kayak may be slightly different.
Your best bet is to follow the instructions included with your cup holder.
Obviously, in many cases, mounting the cup holder won’t be as straightforward as it would be with a rigid kayak. You can’t buy just any regular cup holder and expect to screw it into your kayak’s inflatable material.
If you buy a regular kayak cup holder, you may have to build a DIY mount for your kayak, something similar to what is shown in this video:
If you buy one of the cup holders reviewed in this article, follow these basic steps:
- Decide where to mount your cup holder: If you buy the Accmor cup holder, you will need something to clamp it onto–a rail already built into your kayak, or a dowel you secure through the D-rings, most likely on your stern.
If you go with the SquidCup or the Votprof, you may have a bit more flexibility in where you choose to place the cup holder. You want to pick a spot that is convenient but also out of the way so you’re not knocking it over every time you move or change position. - Make a mount if necessary: For the Accmor, your mount may be as simple as a dowel through the D-rings.
If you have rails and would like to make a hard, flat mount for the SquidCup, you could do so by cutting a piece of plywood or stiff plastic and securing it to the rail with clamps. This is optional, of course, as you can always try simply placing the SquidCup on your kayak floor.
If you go with the Vatprof, you won’t need a mount of any kind. - Secure the cup holder: Follow the instructions included with your cup holder for how to secure it to your boat.
With the Accmor, clamp it onto your dowel or rail in the desired spot. With the SquidCup, place the suction-cup base onto your mount or kayak floor, pressing down firmly to create a strong bond. For the Vatprof, simply drape it over the side of the kayak. - Test it out: Head out onto calm waters to test out your cup holder in a controlled environment. With the Accmor and the SquidCup, if it holds securely in calm waters, you can begin testing it out on choppier waters. With the Vatprof, it’s best to stick to calm waters so it doesn’t slide off the kayak.
Conclusion
Any of the cup holders discussed in this review will work great for an inflatable kayak.
Give the Accmor universal cup holder a try if you have rails that you can attach it to or are willing to create a simple DIY mount.
Check out the SquidCup can holder if you mostly use canned drinks on the water and want a stable, no-tip product you can trust.
Or, if you prefer to stick to calm waters and want an easy, mount-free installation, the Votprof drink holder might be just what you’re looking for.
Whichever product you choose, have a great time on the water and stay safe out there!
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 02:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sarah Hood has been writing for Anchor Travel since 2021. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, singing, and spending time in the great outdoors.