😂

Great information, thank you. So if I get a kayak with dropstitch floor and baloney sides, I get: 1. more paddling ease and speed than all-baloney kayak, and more stability than and all-dropstich kayak, 2. but less stability than all-baloney, and less speed and paddling ease than all-dropstitch, do I have it right?

Thanks for sharing! Great to hear.

Great suggestion! I'm putting that one on my list (which is quite long already!)

Great point - never thought that was a consideration 😮

Awesome to hear! I just tested the K1 Challenger (haven't released the review video yet). It got me interested in testing the Excursion Pro. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

I couldn't agree more! If you get a drop stitched inflatable, you should get an electric pump! :)

The best kayaks are the free ones! :). Glad to hear you love it. I look forward to testing that one.

Much appreciated!

Thank you!

Stay tuned. I've got a video coming that helps you choose inflatable kayaks. It's geared around Sea Eagle's kayaks specifically, but many of the concepts apply to all inflatables.

i bought it 3 months ago and its amazing its quite fast its cost me like 600 usd in Chile

Thanks, you too!

You're welcome!

Intriguing, what make and model is that?

@@6yjjk Depending on which country you're in, at least one of these should be obtainable at less cost than the Sea Eagle: Story Highline, BlueWave Glider, Shipwreck ArrowStream, Bay Sports AirGlide, Sandbanks Style Explorer (this is what I have but am giving to my dad and buying a Story Highline so we can go paddling together), AquaMarina Tomahawk (probably not much price difference than the Sea Eagle, don't look much different in design spec either). I think there're more I've forgotten...

@@assortedpov9722 Thanks for the reply. Last month I bought an Itiwit X500, which was about 650€. Nordic winter being what it is, I've yet to get it wet, though. Really looking forward to summer, with some long trips already planned - including a 4-day one I did last year in an Intex Challenger K2, so I can't wait to see how much faster I can go in a decent kayak.

@@6yjjk Ah I almost included the Itiwit x500 in that previous comment too. Also I thought I'd replied months ago but apparently hadn't. Enjoy the new boat when you get chance to test it then. Will definitely be a lot easier than the Intex Explorer - having paddled both drop-stitch inflatables and the more traditional, lower pressure ones. DS is much easier.

No real bargain that I see. I looked at the blue wave glider and after the exchange rate your at about $936 USD and for extra 100 usd for the sea eagle 393rl you get a carbon fiber paddle and adjustable foot support. Shipping is included with sea eagle. I’m not sure if that’s the case for the others. What am I missing?

That's awesome... planting the seed nice and early with them! Enjoy the family times on the water.

"INTEX CHALLENGER K1 " I recently dealt with a paddler in our group that brought one of those for a flat water paddle that was only a few miles long. Never again on anything beyond exploring a small pond or a lazy downriver float that an inner tube can manage.

I’ve not long brought an Intex Challenger K1 and coming from the Intex Excursion 5 I am very impressed with the challenger had it on still water, a reasonably flowing river and the sea. On the sea you do have to concentrate a bit more but I havnt encountered a problem I couldn’t deal with YET but that’s not to say I won’t.

@@jakgwilt6950 A K1 will float, and it steers better than any inner tube or pool toy. It'll get you on the water, but they can't keep up with other boats in a group.

@@wisenber why what is it you use mate I’m not long getting into the kayaking about 6 months i only use the inflatables for the convenience as I don’t live by the ocean or by a moan river we can sail the inflatables are so useful for me as I can deflate and chuck the bag in the back of the car

@@jakgwilt6950 I have a Folbot and a Klepper foldable when I want to fly with a boat or can't use a rack or trailer. But they tend to cost more than a composite boat. I made a couple of wood sea kayaks, have a sixteen year old Epic 18, a plastic whitewater boat and another plastic sea kayak. I use the trimaran I built when I sail, but the Klepper can be sailed too. If you're sailing, you're probably not using a high end and pool toy.

Coming this summer! Stay tuned.

Hope to! I actually used the ATAK for a whole season about 8 years ago, when I was filming kayak fishing. I enjoyed it.

That is surprising. Do you know where the rip came from? Sounds like the rip was in the fabric, and didn't puncture the tube. Or, is it losing air too?

It was in the bottom of the boat near the stern. There must have been something in the water when I launched out of the boat ramp. The tubes were all fine. Just a small cut that let water into the boat. I was able to go about kayaking fine just had to stop and pump a few times.

Ha! No inflatable bashing here! :) I've been really impressed with the inflatables I've tested. They've come a long way over the past 20 years! As for the 393 vs the Airvolution. The difference is very simple - the AirVolution gives up some padding speed for stability, whereas the 393 gives up some stability for speed. So, if you want a kayak that is 'no-brainer' stable, then the AirVolution is the right choice. But, if you are ok having a significantly less stable kayak that is much faster through the water, then the 393 is the boat for you.

@@PaddleTV Thank you so much! I've heard people describe my current (cheap-o) hardshell as tippy feeling, but It's never felt that way to me, so I'm hoping the 393 will be much the same. Plus, I have a low center of gravity...and I'm only 5'2"! LOL So there's that to keep me centered. Paddle on!

Good question. I think the biggest limiting factor for paddling in exposed water is the training you have and the experience you have, rather than the type of kayak. That being said, unless the inflatable kayak is 'self bailing', you don't want to take any kayak that can swamp easily into exposed open water conditions. That's why sit-on-top kayaks or touring kayaks with a skirt are the best for the job.

I am 6'4" and 300 bills and my Sea eagle fast track and explorer are both very rigid and will not taco. The cheaper 330 and 370 will do so a little.

@@garygrenier2016 Thanks! Good to know. Checked out the website. Quite a selection. How sturdy are those seats? I have broken the seat backs on my bass boat.

I like the fact that they have drop stitch floors. I think they'll be good kayaks, but I'll have to wait to test them before I can give you a true verdict. Should have the test Chelan this spring.

I've had an Aquaglide Blackwater 125 Angler for two years. Multistiched floor makes it super stable and surprisingly easy to paddle. Detachable skeg helps a lot with tracking even when paddling solo. Load up the included good quality cooler and it's a great two person party or camping boat.

I'm not familiar with Saturn Kayaks. I checked it out, and there is one major issue with it - it has no steering system. You're required to use your paddle to steer it. This doesn't make a lot of sense, because the biggest benefit of a pedal kayak is that you don't need to use a paddle. On the flip side, it's way cheaper than other pedal kayaks. Is it worth it? Hard to answer... I feel like price savings probably comes at too heavy a cost of quality and functionality, but until I try one, that's just my guess.

@@PaddleTV So, first off. Thanks for your response and opinion, I appreciate your effort and videos. 2nd, you mentioned that you would appreciate your viewers letting you know about kayaks and manufacturers, not on your radar. Well, now that I've brought Saturn yaks to your attention, will you try to get some of their yaks and test them And do some future reviews and post them to youtube?

I looked at the Oru but it's gotten lots of poor reviews, mostly around customer service.

Good question! I haven't tried one yet, but I am planning to review the Blackfoot 130 this coming spring! Stay tuned...

I haven't tried that kayak yet, but I just got one to test as soon as the ice melts here. :). As for foot supports, there are things you can do. Even a simple strap across the kayak (attached to any D-ring) that you can put your feet against will help, as it will hold your legs in a comfortably flexed position. A strap won't be comfortable on your feet unless you have water shoes though...

@@PaddleTV Thanks! That is helpful.

That's a good question! I haven't tested a real 'sea worthy' inflatable kayak yet, but I know Advanced Elements has their 'AirFusion Evo Kayak' which they sell as an open water kayak. I'm sure there are more out there.

Depends on the kayak. For example, the Sea Eagle 393 that I tested has a capacity of 450 pounds! bit.ly/3mVOXbw. Whereas some inflatables have capacities around 300lb. You should be fine in most inflatables, although leg comfort could be a factor in some of the small ones.

It might help extend the kayak's life a little, but as long as the kayak is dry, I wouldn't worry about how deflated it is when you store it. Other factors (like the sun's UV rays and general wear and tear) will bring your kayak's 'end of life' much sooner, and so it likely won't ever have a chance to be an issue.

Great info! Is your wife's kayak a full dropstitch or is it the "baloney" type?

I don't! NRS used to have the MaverIK inflatable kayak made out of fennel orca, but it looks like that one is discontinued. I don't know any other.

Haven't heard of it. I'll check it out.

@@PaddleTV It has foot braces ;)

@@PaddleTV It is actually listed on Decathlon's Canada website. Sadly, this year it seems pretty out of stock. If you happen to pass around Montréal, I can show you mine.

@@WildEddieProductionsunfortunately no. I own one.

Good question! The Hydro Force will be a great kayak to 'test the water' and see if paddling is something that you and your sons enjoy. It will be a good kayak to have if you only plan to go out 5 - 10 per year. If you start paddling more than that, you'll probably want to upgrade. In the meantime, it's hard to go wrong with a 3-person kayak that sells for 180 pounds to get out on the water!

@@PaddleTV thanks for your reply!

Nope... but I just picked up an Intex Challenger to test out!

Yes you can!

I haven't tested one yet, but I have an Itiwit coming which I'll be testing this spring. Without having tried it, it looks like good value. The bigger question is whether or not its the right type of kayak for you.

@@PaddleTV looking forward to that review!

I hope to find out soon! Stay tuned for that review...

The AE Kayaks have always been expensive in the UK, even before Covid but I wouldn't worry as you can't actually get them anyway! Deliveries are few and far between and always sold out months ahead. It's a worldwide shortage, or at least it was last year. I tried to buy one myself last year from various countries but no chance of getting one inside 6 months. The more I looked at them the more I didn't feel they were worth the money anyway frankly. In the end I bought a drop-stitch kayak instead (and I'll admit the one I bought I only got because there wasn't much else available in summer last year!). I almost bought an Itiwit x500 which were available (a drop stitch design similar in style to the AE but higher pressure of course) but reviews said it wasn't very stable so although cheaper than one I bought I decided it wasn't suitable for me. The one I bought is an Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air-K 375. It's similar to the sea eagles shown on this channel, but with slightly different features. 10psi drop stitch. I'm fairly light so it tends to sit right on top of the water with me in it at 10psi, which makes it feel a little tippy until you get used to it. I keep meaning to try it with a little less pressure in the floor. It has a double skeg (one front, one rear) so it tracks reasonably well. You do get some yaw when paddling because the sides are more canoe like i.e. taller, so you're tending to reach out wider which makes the kayak yaw more. If you do try to dip your paddle in closer to the side, the boat gets more water in it as the other end of the paddle is above the boat and of course it's all open unlike the AE. Looks like the Air-K 375 is out of stock everywhere again right now, but there happens to be one on ebay for £575 which seems like a good deal right now for anyone looking (not mine I hasten to add). I paid £650 last year; looks like the 2021 model is £700 now. It was a bit sad that it didn't even come with a basic paddle so that is a cost on top (I spent about £80 on a paddle IIRC). Weaknesses on the Air-K I would say are that the seat feels comfortable until you've been sat in it for an hour at which point you suddenly realize your butt hurts. I changed the cheap foam cushion for some memory foam which I could still squeeze inside the seat cover. It's slightly better but I still felt pressure after 1.5hours. It really needs a proper shaped seat base. The other is the footrest. It's a padded tube that is attached to rings on the side of the boat via adjustable straps so you can change its length. It works but you have to sit in a knees up position with feet almost flat and in the middle of the boat. That position adds to the pressure on your butt and means you can't push with your legs when paddling for better power. It's kinda messy and not massively comfortable. I solved this by adding some lengths of stick on velcro to the base and sides of the boat, and 3d printing some footrests which can go in a more traditional position putting your feet at the sides (similar to the sea eagle in this video). They allow you to use better technique when paddling and they just pull off when you're packing away.

Don't let the wind put you off because that's not really been my experience with AE kayaks. Especially if you upgrade with the backbone. They really aren't the same as the cheaper glorified lilo types or flat bottom inflatables that don't track well. Even the standard "advanced frame" in it (couple of metals bits that help shape it) makes a big difference. I live in Scotland so we have plenty of adverse weather and have used the AE convertible in Lochs and odd west coast sea lochs since 2019. It's been great and I would highly recommend it if you are only looking at infaltables. Obviously hardshell is best if you can but I don't have the space. The only downside of kayaks like AE I have had is the drying time. As for the cost I've just checked and mine is roughly the same cost now as it was when I bought it 2019 I'm afraid. They were always higher end cost and aren't sold directly in the UK. One guy in England imports all AE kayaks and equipment sold in the UK. To be fair to him all the other accessories are the same price now too so it's not fair to say it's covid price gouging. In the UK prices for this brand have unfortunately always been high mainly because every year only around 20/30 of each type of AE kayak make it into the whole UK market. Add to that once they are sold that's the supply gone for another year so you can see why the price starts to climb. Plus they aren't cheap in Dollars to begin with.

Whats all this blows away in the wind crap? If you want an inflatable canoe to while away the time up and down the river, there's not a better value for money pastime out there. Probably cheaper than fishing. Blow away in the wind, that's what your paddles are for yeah, to keep you going in a straight line mate.

@@billybynorth7467 Mine definitely does not blow away in the wind. It weighs about 20kg fully assembled!

303 protectant does a great job of protecting boats from the sun. I use it every spring.

Definitely the 303 protectant. I paddle a 1980's Necky RIP and use it twice a year. On e at the beginning of Spring, then again before I put her up for winter. She looks like a new boat when I do.

In general, I agree with you, although some inflatables are great for the creek. I just reviewed the Star Raven Pro, which is designed specifically for river running. I tested it on a class 4 creek, and it passed with flying colors.

I wouldn't agree that inflatable kayaks are a waste of money. There are some high quality inflatable kayaks out there, and if you don't have the ability to store or transport a hardshell kayak, they are definitely worth the money.

I have a hardshell kayak and will get either a foldable or inflatable for travel fun in the Sierras.

So did you buy a cheap Intex or something a long time ago and sit in it with your keys in your back pocket? Inflatable designs have improved greatly in the last few years and offer a way to enjoy kayaking for anyone with a small vehicle and limited storage space. They're not for everybody but why do you write them off?