Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

My husband and I rented kayaks and went out on the ocean and loved it so much that we wanted to buy our own. We both have little cars though so we looked into inflatable ones. We ended up buying 2 inflatable kayaks because of how great the reviews were, even though we had our doubts. For our first time we took it out on a bay. Unfortunately, this kayak is not going to work for my husband. The kayak says it is for 300 lbs. or less. My husband is 6'3" and 250 lbs. and this kayak could not support him. There wasn't enough leg room, his back hurt because the seat/back pad isn't big enough, and the kayak sagged where he sat (which led to water coming in). Those were obviously our downsides, however, we were very impressed with how quick it was to set up the kayak, and it is fairly portable and compact too. I guess as long as you're smaller it will work for you though. Lastly, expect a mess in your car when you are done kayaking.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

I will begin by saying that my issues with this inflatable are more than likely of my own doing! Based on all the positive reviews, I decided to try out this inflatable as an alternative to my much heavier (57 lb) hard shell which I love on the water but hate loading it on our SUV. I put it together in my garage to check it out with no trouble. However, I did not try it with the Backbone until I got to the lake. I just could not get it in correctly (I initially removed the side walls by mistake instead of the floor and then did not reinsert the side walls correctly... there is a metal tongue it has to slide onto... until I figured out the problem after an hour. Even then I could not get the kayak to inflate correctly and after another half hour of inflating, readjusting and inflating again, I said to heck with the backbone and just took it out on the lake. If I had not had the problem with the backbone I could probably have filled the kayak OK in 10 to 15 minutes.

My second and more problematic issue had to do with the seat. Again, I probably didn't adjust it correctly but I did make an honest effort to do it right. Anyhow, I am used to sitting upright and on this kayak I was more inclined than was comfortable.

Yes, it floated and I guess mostly everyone else has not had the same issues so I will recommend it. My logic is that getting it at REI would permit them to return it (as I just did) if it does not work for them.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

After testing, and trying out a few different inflatable boats, I have found one that works great for both fishing and traveling. It folds down to one third of its size, which makes it easy to store and travel with. I have had this kayak for a few years, and it has performed well. It is fast and easy to inflate and deflate, and never leaks. It is very durable; I have bumped it against the pier several times without any problems. Its elongated bow allows for plenty of leg room and helps the kayak glide over the water. The hatch behind the seat is great for storing extra tackle, or a daypack. The bungee deck is great for attaching things, for example, a fishing pole. My only complaint is its weight. It probably weighs close to 45 pounds. Its low profile makes it possible for water to get in when entering and exiting the kayak. When water does get into the kayak it is hard to dry out. It works great on a calm lake, but because it is inflatable, it can be challenging to handle in the wake of a speeding boat. Overall, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak is a great kayak and I would strongly recommend it to someone that is looking for a reliable and high performance inflatable kayak.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

If you want a kayak that is secure and speedy this is the boat. With the backbone installed, I won a race against two guys in a hardshell ocean kayak! Sometimes I use the backbone and sometimes I don't because it keeps a good pace without it. I absolutely love being able to sail downwind with this by either using the rapidup sail made for it or a windpaddle sail.

I feel this kayak is seriously well made with 2 layers of protection before reaching the inflatable hull. This overkill for safety makes the kayak time consuming to dry because of the 2 additional skins unlike a sea eagle that only has one skin that you can easily dry off and go.

Yet if you want a kayak you can trust and won't be buffeted about by high winds this kayak is much better than a high hulled sea eagle.

The feel of being down low in the water with it makes you feel up close and intimate with nature.

I think the true test of it's near quality came when a few days ago I came out of my house to see that my partner had ran over it with her Toyota Highlander having forgotten that the kayak was drying in the garage.

Since this boat was brand new you can imagine my dismay to see what appeared to be a neon orange corpse of a kayak caught beneath the middle section of her car stuck beneath it.

I held my tongue while I let some air out of the kayak and was able to remove the kayak which had been dragged a few feet and after checking it out realized no damage had been done except for black marks from her engine grease! And even those came out with simple soap and water and a scrub pad.

So I am completely sold on this boat and am enjoying using it on the water! I just wish the entire kayak was made from the material that the bottom of the hull is made of since it would be much easier to dry.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

Overall a good kayak but it less stable than a rigid kayak. If your not doing multiple day trips or really long day trip it is more than adequate for most recreational trips. The portability is a huge plus as it folds down to a small size. I can fit the kayak, paddle, and lifejacket in my trunk and still have room for a couple of duffle bags for clothes.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

OK. The AE kayaks are great on the Yakima River, especially the infl canoe with rod holders. Great for two, one to paddle one to fish. The guide who knocked the kayaks on class 2+ is correct. Don't try the Wenatchee at irrigation level in the summer. These are easy ride kayaks and will fill with water fast in real rapids. My brother lost it on the Naches after no problem on the Yak. Also, they are NOT made for big people. Go 50lbs under recommended wt max! Seriously. Otherwise perfect for calm water. Get one.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

There are a number of reviews saying it's difficult to remove water from inside this kayak if you tip over. One nice feature of these inflatable kayaks is they are very low to the water line and if you decide to jump out for a swim it's easy to get back in. If you're wearing a life jacket, you'll bring a lot of water back in with you. The solution is simple. Search REI for "Stream Machine". It's a plunger-style squirt gun that easily fits inside the kayak along your leg or strapped on a bungie on top. The lowest point where water pools is under the seat. Stick the plunger between your legs and pull, then squirt your friends. It drains the kayak in just a few pulls and is very compact and durable.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

I noticed several reviewers mentioning it's difficult to empty the water if you tip over. These kayaks are very easy to get back into if you want to go for a swim which will also bring in a lot of water. In shallow water, it's simple... just pick it up and turn it over. In deep water, however, here's what I've found best. (I own 3 of these yaks.) Search REI for "Stream Machine". It's a squirt gun but is the ideal tool for emptying standing water. It fits easily inside along your leg, has no hoses, and is very durable. The lowest point where water collects is the seat. Stick the end between your legs, pull, then squirt your buddy. It empties the kayak really quickly and makes it fun.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

I've used the kayak for about three months, usually twice a week. I've got about one year of experience kayaking, and before I bought the AdvancedFrame, I was renting hardshells twice a week.

Pros:

- Easy setup. It's very easy to inflate/deflate, and the locking valves are great.
- Stable. I've taken it through some ocean swells, and was impressed. I no longer worry about getting tossed, but if I do get tossed...
- Entry and reentry seem fairly easy. I tested reentry using the "cowboy" method, and it was pretty easy.
- Tracks well.
- Backbone provides more rigidity (but a "con" since you have to purchase the backbone)
- Fun to paddle.
- Durable and well constructed. I don't worry about the boat deflating.

Cons:
- Slower than a hardshell. Admittedly, if hardshells were as easy to transport/store, I wouldn't buy an inflatable. But of course hard shells aren't as easy to transport/store, so that's a big pro!
- No drain plugs, meaning that any water that gets inside the kayak has to be bilge pumped/dumped out. I don't think the design of the kayak allows for that.
- Confusing inflation instructions. It leaves you to guessing whether or not you have fully inflated the kayak. I suggest buying a gauge, or the AE pump with a gauge to take out the guesswork.

I started to rate this as four stars, but then thought: for what this is, and for the price, it deserves the five stars. It's fun to use, good for daytrips, and potentially could be used for overnight trips. I feel very stable in the kayak, and enjoy paddling it. It definitely solved my dilemma of being so close to a huge bay and ocean, but not having a place to store a hardshell. A saleman at another non-REI store, where I bought a storage bag, said that he's paddled it on several continents in the ocean, and always had great results.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

This will be my 4th summer with this kayak. I purchased it because it is portable and easy to store and take anywhere. I like to store it in my jeep that has a large thule topper so I can travel away from home without dealing with tying a kayak to my vehicle and then I am ready to paddle when the mood strikes instead of making a particular outing of it. I did not care for the original storage bag so I had one made at the marine store and it it was designed to hold the kayak in a "tri fold" storage positon. I had 2 large zippers on each side of the flat storage bag so I lay in the kayak tri-folded and then zip the heavy zippers an each side. I added a handle on each side and it has worked well for me as a 60 yr old woman to handle by my self and I use the original bag for storing gear. It takes me about 10 minutes to inflate the kayak and it is easy to carry but for one person I don't think you can go too far with it inflated. It paddles well and to get more stability and to help it go faster and straighter I purhased the bottom stabilizer for about 100 dollars which was well worth the money. This kayak has to be dried out on the inside for sure after you use it but I take some towels and wipe out the inside and then I will turn it upside down and place it on buckets, one at each end. I leave it for a few days when I can. For 3 years of use, my kayak is in great shape. Despite having to take some extra time to dry the inside I would recommend this highly to those who plan their paddling or to those who want to pack it in a vehicle and go spur of the moment on some lovely body of water. I have been on lakes, oceans and rivers with it and catching fish in the process while having fun. On my adventures I get a lot of attention with this inflatable kayak because it is so portable and in the water is a great looking kayak.