https://www.advancedelements.com/day-touring-inflatable-kayaks/inflatable-kayak-ae1009/
I went for the extended length of an expedition kayak to give the kayak more stability in large bodies of water like the Great Lakes, oceans, and deep reserves. I purchased this model at REI for $799. It has a high-pressure dropstitch floor like a standup paddle board. It weighs 42 pounds, but by separating the floor and seat I can remove about 6-7 pounds for transport from the car to the body of water. I am a female in my 60's and can carry the un-inflated kayak or drag the inflated kayak on the grass/sand. It is easy to inflate and rides great. It has a fin in the rear and metal supports for the hull and stern. It tracks well and rides over the waves on Lake Michigan. I have 4 hard shell recreational kayaks and this kayak is comparable. With the 13 foot length and fin and dropstictch floor, this tracks as well as a hard shell.
I like the ride quality. You do not sway from side to side with each paddle stroke like I've seen with the cheap, or smaller size inflatables. It handles like a regular kayak. It comes with a repair kit that is used for permanent repairs. I purchased a "TearAid" brand repair kit for instant repair. I also purchased a pump. It takes about 10 to inflate the kayak and about 15 minutes to de-flate the kayak.
The big con is drying the kayak. You have to dissemble the kayak. There is fabric on the top which will dry in the sun. The problem is with the tubes. They have a material covering them which has to be taken out of the kayak to dry all the sides. It is very time consuming. At home, I put milk crates inside the kayak to to dry it out and put the tubes on a patio lounger. Out in the field, you have to rotate the pieces in the sun. It takes several hours to tear them down and put it back together.
I try to avoid sticks, branches and rocks. But that is not always possible. I have landed the kayak on a rocky shore with waves causing me to rub the bottom while I disembarked. I have had river currents push me over large logs. I have been stranded on logs and have had to bump my rear fin over a log. So far, after 5 trips, I have not experienced any holes. I am nervous going down rivers and I want to be able to see the shore when I am on the Great Lakes. I am planning on using it down in Florida in both their clear and dark rivers and along the ocean coast.
I forgot to mention that there are 2 main air chambers for the boat, plus the floor. In addition there is a bag that is about a foot square that is placed in the back of the boat to keep the stern elevated. So, that is 4 separate areas that will keep you afloat.
On my hard shells, I carry a life jack in the rear storage. I don't carry a life jacket in the inflatable, but I do carry the pump and a repair kit.
I would buy this item again.
I went for the extended length of an expedition kayak to give the kayak more stability in large bodies of water like the Great Lakes, oceans, and deep reserves. I purchased this model at REI for $799. It has a high-pressure dropstitch floor like a standup paddle board. It weighs 42 pounds, but by separating the floor and seat I can remove about 6-7 pounds for transport from the car to the body of water. I am a female in my 60's and can carry the un-inflated kayak or drag the inflated kayak on the grass/sand. It is easy to inflate and rides great. It has a fin in the rear and metal supports for the hull and stern. It tracks well and rides over the waves on Lake Michigan. I have 4 hard shell recreational kayaks and this kayak is comparable. With the 13 foot length and fin and dropstictch floor, this tracks as well as a hard shell.
I like the ride quality. You do not sway from side to side with each paddle stroke like I've seen with the cheap, or smaller size inflatables. It handles like a regular kayak. It comes with a repair kit that is used for permanent repairs. I purchased a "TearAid" brand repair kit for instant repair. I also purchased a pump. It takes about 10 to inflate the kayak and about 15 minutes to de-flate the kayak.
The big con is drying the kayak. You have to dissemble the kayak. There is fabric on the top which will dry in the sun. The problem is with the tubes. They have a material covering them which has to be taken out of the kayak to dry all the sides. It is very time consuming. At home, I put milk crates inside the kayak to to dry it out and put the tubes on a patio lounger. Out in the field, you have to rotate the pieces in the sun. It takes several hours to tear them down and put it back together.
I try to avoid sticks, branches and rocks. But that is not always possible. I have landed the kayak on a rocky shore with waves causing me to rub the bottom while I disembarked. I have had river currents push me over large logs. I have been stranded on logs and have had to bump my rear fin over a log. So far, after 5 trips, I have not experienced any holes. I am nervous going down rivers and I want to be able to see the shore when I am on the Great Lakes. I am planning on using it down in Florida in both their clear and dark rivers and along the ocean coast.
I forgot to mention that there are 2 main air chambers for the boat, plus the floor. In addition there is a bag that is about a foot square that is placed in the back of the boat to keep the stern elevated. So, that is 4 separate areas that will keep you afloat.
On my hard shells, I carry a life jack in the rear storage. I don't carry a life jacket in the inflatable, but I do carry the pump and a repair kit.
I would buy this item again.
