Inflatable watercraft 3PL & fulfillment services
Reliable third party logistics provider for inflatable watercraft brands
Our logistics experts handle the heavy lifting of inflatable watercraft fulfillment so you don’t have to.
We specialize in big, heavy & bulky items like kayaks, rafts, and paddleboards, reducing your fulfillment stress while saving you money through our deep shipping discounts with national carriers.
Trust your inflatable paddleboard, kayak, and watercraft fulfillment to the industry leaders in big, heavy, and bulky fulfillment
Red Stag has developed specialized expertise in handling inflatable watercraft fulfillment, with custom processes designed for these unique products. Here are just some of the products we can efficiently store and ship:
Inflatable kayaks
White water rafts
SUPs with pumps
Inflatable paddleboards
Towable water tubes
Inflatable canoes
Packraft kits
Inflatable catamarans
Portable fishing boats
River dinghy sets
One of the reasons we moved to Red Stag is because they had secured big discounts with their carriers. If you’re a brand with large products, high surcharges for big and heavy items can really kill you.
Red Stag went really aggressive on cutting down those costs with the carriers, and they could pass the savings on to us.
Jon Blair
Former CFO/COO at Guardian Bikes | Founder at FreeToGrowCFO.com
Why partnering with a 3pl built for large items like inflatable watercraft benefits your brand:
Specialized shipping solutions
Transporting inflatable watercraft requires careful handling and can be prohibitively expensive. By combining shipping volume across numerous clients, we’ve secured exceptional discounts with national carriers specifically for bulky, oddly-shaped items with challenging dimensional weights.
Watercraft-ready facilities
Our warehouses feature expansive storage areas, reinforced shelving, and specialized handling equipment designed for watercraft products. Our team is trained in proper inflation testing, packaging, and handling techniques that protect your valuable inventory from punctures and damage.
Ironclad protection promises
For premium inflatable watercraft costing hundreds or thousands of dollars, even minor fulfillment errors can severely impact your bottom line. That’s why we guarantee zero inventory shrinkage and perfect order accuracy.
Experience-driven operations
Unlike conventional 3PLs with automated systems designed for standard parcels, we employ a thoughtful hybrid approach. Our specialized teams understand the nuances of watercraft handling, using custom automation solutions specifically developed for oversized, irregularly shaped products like kayaks, rafts, and paddleboards.
Common challenges of inflatable watercraft fulfillment & shipping to customers
01
Inflatable watercraft are bulky when packaged and require specialized handling to prevent punctures or damage to valves and seams during storage and transit.
02
These products demand proper inflation testing and quality inspection before shipping, adding complexity to the fulfillment process.
03
Inflatable watercraft often include regulated components like pumps and repair kits that must comply with shipping safety standards across different regions.
04
Precise shipping methods and protective packaging are essential to avoid costly returns from customers receiving damaged or defective watercraft.
The Red Stag Story
Focusing on big, heavy and bulky fulfillment since 2012
In 2011, our co-founders were on their third 3PL and at their wit’s end.
Their sporting goods e-commerce company was growing rapidly. But fulfillment was a major problem— late deliveries to customers, lost inventory, and package mixups were costing them dearly—in both money and customer loyalty.
One of the problems? Their inventory was heavy and bulky. And the 3PLs were struggling with the (literal) heavy lifting.
This was the moment Red Stag was born.
And since our very first client was our owners’ sporting goods company, we purpose-built our operations to handle big, heavy, and bulky fulfillment from day 1.
Specialty inflatable watercraft fulfillment isn’t the only thing we have going for us…
US support team with dedicated account managers
You never get lost in the shuffle at Red Stag Fulfillment. Need to pick up the phone and talk to someone today? You got it. We aren’t going to send you down a support ticket rabbit hole with an outsourced rep.
Clean and organized warehouses
This should be a given for any 3PL, right? Sadly, it’s not. Cleanliness and organization are two of the best leading indicators of a successful operation. We’re proud of our warehouses and welcome you to come see for yourself, anytime.
Privately owned
12 years later, our co-founders still own 100% of Red Stag. They’re in it for the long haul. No venture capital pushing for growth at all costs. No 4PL shenanigans. We value a reliable and consistent fulfillment experience that brings peace of mind to operators.
Not convinced?
We get it, this is a difficult decision.
Your products are the life of your brand, and having them at the mercy of an outsourced partner requires a lot of trust.
That’s why we have one of the most in-depth consultative sales processes in the industry to make sure you find the very best fit—even if it’s not us (we turn away over 95% of companies, helping them find better fits instead!).
Send us some info and we will help point you in the right direction.
Red Stag inflatable watercraft fulfillment FAQs
What are Red Stag Fulfillment’s guarantees?
We have 4 guarantees: 1) All inventory is received and ready to ship within 2 business days, 2) ZERO inventory shrinkage, 3) 100% on-time shipping, and 4) 100% order accuracy.
If we ship your inflatable watercraft late, we’ll pay you $50 directly. If we miss our receiving guarantee, we’ll pay you $50 per late delivery. If an order is inaccurate, we’ll pay you $50 and cover the shipping costs to fix the mistake. And if we ever lose one of your inflatable products, we’ll reimburse you for your cost.
Our guarantees aren’t marketing gimmicks—they’re our way of sharing in any pain we might cause, ensuring our incentives remain aligned with your business needs.
Where are Red Stag Fulfillment’s warehouses?
Red Stag Fulfillment strategically operates two warehouse hubs, one in Sweetwater, Tennessee (Knoxville) and one in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’ve determined that two warehouses—each centrally located to their respective coast—provides optimal shipping times while minimizing costly inventory balancing between facilities.
For inflatable watercraft retailers, this strategic placement ensures your products can reach customers quickly anywhere in the continental US. While warehouse placement is complex, our clients consistently find that once they experience the benefits of our two-location approach, it proves ideal for their fulfillment needs.
What is Red Stag Fulfillment’s pricing?
Pricing is custom to each client, as no two inflatable watercraft businesses have identical shipping needs. We strive to secure the best rates possible and have negotiated excellent shipping discounts for large, bulky items like inflatable boats, kayaks, and paddleboards—helping you maintain competitive shipping costs for your customers.
Will Red Stag Fulfillment integrate with my store?
Yes, your store will integrate seamlessly with Red Stag. Regardless of which online retail platform you use to sell your inflatable watercraft, we’ll sync it with our system. We provide APIs for all major ecommerce platforms and can develop custom integrations if your business has unique circumstances or specialized needs.
