Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

First: The major decision here is "Do I buy an inflatable or a hard shell?". If you are set on getting an inflatable, you CAN NOT GO WRONG with this advanced elements kayak! It is tough, stable, easy to transport, easy to store.

My Background:
After a lot of thought, review, and online comparisons - I purchased this kayak (two of them at the same time actually). I was concerned about storage (I have an apt), and transportation (I did not want to spend even more money to buy a roof rack/kayak rack for my corolla). Reviews were also good. I'm 5'9" ~150lbs. I have used on lakes all summer and one river (with some minor rapids). Also, I was able to fish out of the kayak!

I'm going to try and write a helpful review here, but note that I actually have never kayak'd in a hardshell - and have never taken a class or been given guidance from a professional about technique/how to paddle.

Comments:
1) Hard to get Water out:
Hit some rapids while going down a river - slammed up against the center column of a bridge, water came in, I tipped (totally my fault/inexperience - kayak is actually very stable). I did not bring a pump/bildge with me. Kayak would fold in half with the weight of the water - and it was difficult/impossible to get the water out. Never been in a hardshell, and I would expect that it would be difficult to get water out of either a hardshell or inflatable (without pump). After removing as much water as possible, I was able to paddle another two miles - but was basically taking a bath. Finished up in evening so I had to pack up kayak wet. Took 1 or 2 hours to clean out/dry out whole thing the next day. Not fun. Note that had I brought a pump - I think I could have got the water out ok - although I think the inflatable floor would make pumping water out more difficult than a hardshell (and you would still have to take apart to dry out completly).

2) THIS THING IS VERY TOUGH! SOLID! STABLE:
I was very impressed with this kayak. While going down a river we dragged these things over many downed trees, ran into sticks, scraped bottom against many rocks while paddling, I slammed hard into a bridge. Also - it has been dragged across paved parking lot. I thought for sure I punctured bottom shell after my river trip - but barely a mark. I am very impressed. It also comes with a repair kit should a hole develop.

3) Orange Outer Material does not dry quickly:
The outer top orange shell does take time to dry (Good 20/30 minutes in sun). I now always try to finish up while sunny outside - or try to paddle in a way to keep water off upper orange material during last 15 minutes of kayaking. I also now always bring along old towels to dry off. Can be irritating since I don't like packing up wet.

4) Cleanability:
Easy enough to clean but does take time (especially if you get a lot of leaves/twigs/dirt etc). I try to leave water from a pier - otherwise the bottom gets all full of sand/dirt and I have to spend time wiping off before I pack up. Kayak comes completly apart so you can deep clean if needed (takes 30min/hour). A hardshell would be easier/quicker, and although irritating to spend time taking apart / cleaning, in my opinion this should not stop you from going inflatable.

4) STORAGE (packed up)! TRANSPORTATION! EASY TO INFLATE!:
Packs up small! Very easy to inflate/deflate!
I could fit two of these in the back of my corolla! I store in my apt. It takes a few minutes to inflate. Deflates even quicker. You will be impressed at how quick it really does take ... although I must admit that even though it only takes a few minutes ... the only thing I think about while inflating is "I would be in the water right now if I had a hardshell". Did I mention that it packs up SMALL, EASY to transport!. Very glad I did not go hardshell in this regard. I wish the carrying case had a shoulder strap.

5) Tracking:
I can never put kayak back together in a way where it tracks perfectly straight. Tracking is not bad - and even though it is not perfect - it does not bother me in the least bit.

6) Speed! Maneuverability!:
Like I said - I've never been in a hardshell so I can't really compare. The AE inflatable is not slow - I would imagine it is just as fast as any other similarly priced hardshell kayak. No problems turning/maneuvering.

7) Skinn'd Knuckles:
First few times out, occasionally my knuckles would come in contact with the kayak material while paddling and get skin'd up a bit. Can get irritating after paddling all day. Probably just my poor technique. I've found using a longer paddle helps avoid this.

8) Top Zippers/bungees:
I love to store stuff under the top bungees. The front and back top zipper also is nice to help get at a stored item, or unzipper to let your feet out and kick back! Not sure there is enough room to store stuff for a multi day trip ... this has me a little worried. I'm going to give it a try at some point - I'll report back.

In summary:
After my experience with them - I would still get these kayaks (I hope I never tip over again though - that ruined my day). It is simply such a huge advantage for me to be able to store these in my apt - and fit both in the back seat of my car ... but if you have lots of space to store a hardshell at home - and don't mind getting a car/kayak rack for travel - I'd consider a hardshell. Otherwise - Go for the inflatable AE kayak!

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

I rented kayaks for a year before deciding to buy. I went to a demo day and tested them all. I found the inflatable to be the best for stability, tracking, ease of storage and transporting. I have used it for two years now going out in local harbors and bays at least once per week during the nice weather months. I've tried going out past the jetty into the ocean twice, but didn't feel it was the place to be.

I purchased a great paddle that breaks into four pieces. I always wear a life vest (zipped up!). Also, after a year I bought an inflatable foot rest and an inflatable pillow to sit on. Both have made it very much more comfortable. The spray skirt doesn't stay on, so save your money.

I keep up with my friends who have hard shell kayaks. No difference in performance. We average 3 - 3 1/2 miles per hour, or 6 MPH in a sprint. We usually kayak non-stop from 10 AM to 2 PM with a short break for lunch.

This is the best buy, especially for a woman (by the way, I'm in my 60's). By the time my friends get theirs off their car roof rack mine is inflated. I use a simple plastic hand pump. In less than 80 pushes it's up.

A friend who also has an inflatable kayak always takes his to Hawaii. He recommends getting a rolling duffel bag to fly with. The airlines won't guarantee it's safety in it's own storage bag.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

First off, let me tell you I LOVE THIS LITTLE KAYAK. Then you need to remember that this is an INFLATABLE kayak. You sacrifice some things a hard shell gives you for the convenience of fitting your kayak in a suitcase.

Like the professional guide who didn't bring a bilge pump with him, I didn't bring one either. This was a mistake, which I would've expected any professional to know. All kayaks get water in them, usually from your paddling. Bilge pumps should be included on any trip in ANY kayak.

Anyway, I took my Little Yak into the ocean around Malibu. It was a sunny morning, set-up was a breeze (less than 15 minutes--and this was my first time setting up a yak), and I was in the water by 9am. There wasn't much surf then, so getting out was no problem. I got about 2 cups of water in the boat when a wave broke on me, but it was a warm day and that 2 cups didn't bother me in the least.

There were gentle swells and the Little Yak handled them well. It's wider than the hard shell ocean kayaks I've used before, and much more stable. That also makes it slower when it comes to maneuvering, but not terribly so.

It got rather hot out there (remember sunscreen and bottled water!), so I took the spray skirt off and just cruised up and down the coast looking for dolphins. After about 5 hours (time flew), I headed back for the beach.

This was the only problem I encountered with this kayak, and it's a problem universal to kayaks on the ocean period: If you're trying to land in surf, especially 4 foot dumpers, there's just no way it's going to be pretty. I saw the surf had come up and didn't know enough to realize just how ugly it was going to be, so of course I went for it. I waited for the break between sets, then paddled for all I was worth. Almost made it to the sand, too...before the backwash caught me and pulled me back out to sea. Just in time for the next set of dumpers to nail me.

I believe I was very lucky to be in that inflatable instead of a hard shell--inflatables bounce when mashed in the sand. Hard shells shatter or crush you. Only lost a pair of sunglasses, and my Little Yak got filled with water and sand, but no damage was done to either one of us. Me and the folks on shore got a good laugh (wish I had a photo of the end-over-end Olympic Tumbling Event), but in the end, it was one of the best days I've had on the ocean. The Yak is heavy when filled with water and sand--the only drawback of an inflatable is it's a bit difficult to empty. But clean-up was quick, once I got home. It dried quickly and is neatly put away in a space a quarter of the size needed for a hard shell.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

1. Be sure to get an air pump that works with this kayak. The Intex pump (REI 707501, and presumably also the REI 707500) DOES NOT WORK WITH IT because the Intex-supplied adapters have long pokey-things (sorry!) that are incompatible with the inlet valves of the kayak. The pump made by Advanced Elements (REI 750495) DOES work with it.SUGGESTION TO REI: Please put the Advanced Elements pump on the Related Items page for this kayak.SECOND SUGGESTION TO REI: Find some firm that will make adapters for this kayak that you can put in the Intex pump boxes.2. Expect to improvise some sort of foot brace to prevent you from sliding forward to an inefficient paddling position (i.e. horizontal!). I used multiple dry bags. Advanced Elements makes inflatable foot braces (you'll want two).THIRD SUGGESTION TO REI: Please consider selling the Advanced Elements foot brace (their item AE2102). I suspect more people will want this than want the "Backbone" (which you already sell).

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

This boat was recommended to me by a whitewater equipment company. I've been a commercial rafting guide and ocean kayaker and wanted to have a "fun" boat for Class I and II whitewater. Don't use it on anything that has waves. Water poured into the boat in the first Class I set of small haystacks when I realized that a bailer doesn't come with it and it was a quarter full of water. The second set of Class I's filled it. I had to eddy out and find a place to try to dump it out. With all the water the kayak just bent in half and was hard to empty. Got it emptied and back on the water and nailed the first set of Class II's on this run. Nailed it perfectly through the rollers and filled the boat with water again. Eddied and bailed again. Halfway through the next set the boat filled again. Water poured into if from the front and the sides and I was barely sitting above the water to complete the run. Then I noticed that the valves didn't support all the weight of the water the thing swallowed with me in it and partially deflated. I signaled the rest of my trip to pull over and bring the pump. Riding on top of the water again lasted only through the next Class II. It filled with water and the air leaked again. I barely made it out of the set. Well that was the way the rest of the run went. The last mile was flat with a few riffles but the boat kept filling, by now I had found a plastic water bottle to bail with and spend most of my time bailing and paddling. The boat had deflated again and water kept pouring in when the boat was folding at my hips. That forced me to lay back flat and paddle almost a half a mile in that position to keep the thing afloat.

Don't use this boat on anything except extremely calm water, unless you are less than half the max weight (I was at the max weight level but adding a boat full of water quickly doubled the amount of weight). Bring a bailer because it will turn into a bathtub if anything except small waves are around.

Well that was my first and last trip in this boat. I almost left it at the take out for anyone who wanted it, but felt I couldn't endanger anyone else.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

My wife and I bought two AdvancedFrame kayaks recently after canoeing for a few years, and I can vouch for them as recreational kayaks for sure. We were looking for something easier to portage than our old fibreglass canoe, and these certainly qualify. I don't have a wealth of experience in kayaks, and we haven't been in all types of water in them yet, so I can't swear to their all-round performance, but we love them. I can dispel a couple of myths, though. Are they hard to fold up and put back in the bag? No, that is easy and takes no longer than setting them up.Are they easy to inflate? Yes, I find it takes about 30 strokes of the pump to inflate each of the two large chambers, and the others take only a couple of strokes. (We have short double-action pumps, like you would use to inflate a vinyl mattress).Do they track well? Yes, it is no problem to keep on a straight line, in a small chop at least. If you do a sloppy job of inflation, one side or the other may develop wrinkles that probably increase drag and spoil the tracking ability.Because they are beamy, they are incredibly stable, so you may want a longer paddle. We use 230 cm paddles with 4-part shafts. They would be easier to pack if they came with a carry bag, but they don't so we need to get out the sewing machine.They are roomy and easy to get in/out, but being only 10.5' long there is not a lot of room for stuff, and I can't imagine that a spray skirt would stay on the cockpit. The seat is soft and comfortable for at least a couple of hours (can't say about a long day, though). There aren't any footrests, but they aren't needed for recreational use. When it gets warmer I'm going to try self-rescue, but I imagine that it will float just fine even full of water, so just hang on until rescue reaches you. If you fall out, good luck because I think it would blow away in the wind like a kite anyway. Wear a wet suit and a life jacket.I waited almost a year to buy these [...]. Got neoprene paddling boots at [...], and made my own paddle leash for $4.11 - I saw them selling for [$], and not as good as mine.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

If you want a great option to stow in the car trunk and be able to use with little ado, this is your boat. I have easily settled in from a dock with no risk of the boat capsizing. If you're short-waisted it is a slight challenge to smoothly paddle as the inflated sides are a bit high, but other than that, it's been a real keeper. Inflation is quick and simple and there's lots of places to stow gear for trips of various duration.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

I have taken this Kayak to the Carribean, the Mediteranean and all over the Pacific.
I carry it as my second suitcase. You have an Instant watercraft that can deal w/open ocean cruising in stride. I have owned mine since 2000. It is durable and tough. I've never had to patch anything. Just rinse in freshwater when you have a chance like any ocean gear. It's next trip will be Thailand and Vietnam. I actually want to do a trip down the Mekong river.Plenty of room for camping gear and a couple of cases of beer and diving and fishing gear. I love it!

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

This kayak is tougher than it appears! Of course it is designed for flat water. It is slower than a hard shell (but thats the nature of an IK). What surprised me is how tough this little craft is. It has manuevered through rock gardens and even class III rapids without damage or injury. (WARNING: You can swamp in the rapids if you do not have good boat control!) The downsides, the boat weighs more than you would think, but still manageable. Also, gear storage is limited. While I have used it for an overnight, it was very tight (then again, this boat is NOT designed for a long trip). It tracks well and is stable even in the ocean.

Comments about Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak:

I took a demo on Howe Sound in British Columbia and was very impressed on the stability and tracking even in choppy waters. This is the ideal travellers boat especially if you need something light to lift and a boat that will keep you out of trouble. Great for an apt dweller who has no space for a hard shell.