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Pakboats XT-15 Solo Folding Kayak

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With an extremely stiff design, the Pakboat XT-15 Solo folding kayak performs with the feel of your favorite hardshell kayak, but it packs down to a fraction of the size.

The XT model features I-beams on either side, dramatically improving stiffness and boat responsiveness
Simple assembly takes approximately 30 min.; Pakboat XT stores in a 34 x 15 x 14 in. bag, included
Rugged, abrasion-resistant PVC-coated synthetic fabric skin fits tightly over frame, creating clean lines and smooth paddling
Anodized aluminum frame is strong, lightweight and corrosion resistant; longer sections of frame are shockcorded like tent poles to ease assembly
3 longitudinal components—2 I-beams and a hinged keel—attach to cross members inside skin to create a taut, easy-to-assemble craft that anyone can put together
Inflatable tubes with 6 separate compartments between frame and skin increase tautness, ensure flotation and eliminate pressure points
Sling seat suspends your weight above the floor of the boat, and an integrated backband offers excellent lower-back support
Optional self-inflating hip pads and inflatable thigh supports dial in fit; includes attachment points for thigh straps (thigh straps sold separately, hip pads not included)
Removable deck effectively seals out water; simply hook over the ends of the hull and attach with a rip-and-stick seal
Includes pump, repair kit and storage bag

Imported.

Item 785551

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Pakboats XT-15 Solo Folding Kayak Customer Reviews

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by PowerReviews

Pakboats XT-15 Solo Folding Kayak

4.5

(based on 2 reviews)

Reviewed by 2 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-2

Jul

2011

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Light, great handling, ultra portable

By Willow Leaf

from Pittsburgh, PA

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Can take on a plane
Comfortable
Compact
Easy Entry & Exit
Easy To Lift
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Kayak Camping
Rivers

Comments about Pakboats XT-15 Solo Folding Kayak:

We bought this for my boyfriend so he would also have a folding kayak we could take on overseas trips. I have owned several expensive folding kayaks but I have been extremely impressed with the quality and performance of this one for one third the price of those. It is super simple to set up, the components are very nicely finished and fitted and the clever velcro-attached top deck makes it a breeze to load and unload when touring. The inflatable seat is very adjustable and comfy. Best of all, it paddles quite well, comparable to a higher-end folder or good hardshell touring kayak. It glides smoothly and tracks well in flatwater and, like any good folding kayak, it absorbs the force of waves in moving water, tracking actually better than many hard boats. One warning -- make sure you have installed the seat correctly. We goofed the first time we set it up and ended up puncturing one of the 6 inflatable sponson tubes along the side when we went to launch it. It didn't matter for that day since we just deflated the corresponding one on the other side and the 4 left inflated kept the boat rigid enough (the aluminum frame provides most of the rigidity anyway). And when we got home we used the nice repair kit that comes with the boat to patch the hole, good as new. Anyone who has struggled to haul, store and travel with a regular hardshell kayak will be delighted with how light and transportable this boat is, without sacrificing performance. You can't beat it for travel -- you can check the whole boat in its duffel bag as baggage! Ours is going to British Columbia with us this year and Europe in 2012.

Comment on this review

Jan

2010

(28 of 28 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Unbeatable price to value

By cshk

from Idaho

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Compact
Easy Entry & Exit
Easy To Lift
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Stable
Travel size

Cons

Seeps a bit

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Kayak Camping
Ocean Swells
Rivers
Travel

Comments about Pakboats XT-15 Solo Folding Kayak:

Travel! This boat will travel. The folded boat in it's duffel, add minimal paddling gear, and it will still sneak under the 50# airline cutoff for normal checked baggage.

So far, I've used it on flat water day trips and a 3 night self-supported trip into the Everglades.
The boat paddles "sporty" on day trips even with a 240# paddler. Adding the 30 pounds of freshwater needed for the Everglades, a tent, food, and sundries, I saw the expected increase in momentum and stability. I also expected it to feel overloaded, but it didn't.

I enjoy the way the boat paddles. Underway, it's easy to forget it is a folding boat. It feels narrow and long enough to be reasonably fast. It tracks just fine, though in a quartering wind and waves, 15 knots, 1 foot waves, a rudder would have been appreciated. It was controllable using sweeps and repeat strokes on the windward side. Much more wind or waves, and I would want a rudder, a different heading, or just off the water.

Turning seems typical for a 15 foot single. It will go on edge for faster pivots.

Loading and unloading is the easiest of any kayak I've paddled. The deck attaches with velcro, so it easily peels off for loading and unloading. I tied the gear to the frame, in an effort to eliminate shifting that might happen if on edge or upside down. The deck, once velcro'ed down, seems very secure, but likely not water proof if submerged. When putting the boat on edge, their is some seepage. Probably due to water sneaking through the velcro interface. This isn't much of an issue. One can turn easily without putting the gunwale under water.

The backband support and the seat are comfortable, though outfitting can be improved. Knee straps or pedals are needed. Sitting in the boat without either, trying to brace, much less roll, I found myself sliding around. I have rolled the boat to see how it feels. It comes back up easily, but knee straps are a must have for that maneuver. I wouldn't expect "needing" to roll, as the boat is pretty stable, though it certainly doesn't have the stability of the slower and wider fishing/recreational kayaks.

Paddling in the shallow protected Everglades water, got me thinking about paddling with the deck off. Next trip maybe. The back band is attached to the deck, so one would need some 1.5 inch webbing, and maybe 5 minutes of futzing to get the back band reattached to the boat frame itself. Deck could then be rolled up and stowed.

All in all, the boat is exactly what I was hoping for. A boat I could travel with, has 90% of the capabilities of a hard shell, and doesn't break the bank.