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YELLOW/GRAY

Advanced Elements AirFusion Kayak

$859.95

(3)

Item # 800977

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The Advanced Elements AirFusion™ kayak performs comparably to a skin-on-frame kayak yet offers a simplified set up.

A combination of aluminium alloy frame materials and high-pressure air tubes results in a rigid, high-performance inflatable kayak
Narrow beam creates a responsive ride that's similar to hard-shell kayaks; the AirFusion excels on quiet waters such as lakes, gentle rivers and bays
Triple-layer polyester material with double PVC coating offers superb puncture resistance; welded seams ensure long life
Folding seat offers superior comfort on long paddling trips; adjustable, inflatable thwart under bow increases or decreases leg room
Zippered access on bow and stern aids in setup and offers access to items stored below the deck
Molded, low-profile rubber handles ease transport to the water; inflatable cockpit coaming offers easy attachment of optional sprayskirt (sold separately)
Easy-to-use Boston and Twistlok™ valves are compatible with most pumps and speed setup time
Bungee deck lacing allows easy access to gear, and beverage pockets behind the seat offer thirst-quenching storage
Includes duffel bag, repair kit and owner's manual

Imported.

Item 800977

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Advanced Elements AirFusion Kayak Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Advanced Elements AirFusion Kayak

4.3

(based on 3 reviews)

67%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to lift (3)
Easy to paddle (3)
Good maneuverability (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Day trip (3)
Flat waters (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Advanced (3)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 3 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-3

Jun

2010

(12 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

AirFusion Is Joy of Kayaking

By leonardo

from Issaquah, WA

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Compact
Easy To Lift
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Lively

Cons

Not Enough Storage

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Rivers

Comments about Advanced Elements AirFusion Kayak:

Early in 2010, out of curiosity about its design, I purchased one of the first production models of the new AirFusion. Several months later, I have to admit it is more fun to paddle than any other kayak I have enjoyed. By comparison, other inflatables and hard-shells now seem rather routine. I have even named my AirFusion "Jack" because it is so nimble and quick. There is nothing boring about the performance of this new design.
Set-up and take-apart times took a bit of doing before they were reasonable (15 - 20 minutes for set-up). The instruction manual is very clear, though, and following it step-by-step leads to a smooth and efficient assembly. Putting a bit of graphite, petroleum jelly, or some sort of lubricant on the joints of the anodized aluminum poles helps them slip together more easily (and adds protection against salt-water use). The kayak folds and goes quickly back into its carrying case: it is not necessary to leave the kayak assembled.
I was confused by another reviewer who praised the AirFusion as a kayak and a paddling experience, rating it four stars out of five, but trashing its assembly as a "nightmare" and not even recommending it to others. Maybe it is all just a question of patience, practice, and experience. A friend purchased a beautiful and expensive folding kayak, and he spent more than two hours each time he put it together, at first, in his home. He said he came within an ace of listing it for sale on eBay. But learning how to assemble it brought his times down to 30 - 45 minutes, which are still over twice what I spend on the AirFusion, and he is now happy. I no longer even have to think about getting the AirFusion ready; it seems to happen automatically, which is what all these little challenges, in all sports, come down to in good time.
So, the AirFusion is quite wonderful and puts a spring back in one's paddling stroke. It is not really made to haul a lot of gear, but perhaps this is a good argument for having more than one kayak.

May

2010

(4 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

A Delight to Paddle, But Be Aware...

By Gypsy Green

from Alaska

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

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

Cons

Bulky
Exhausting to Dissemble
Lengthy to Assemble
Promo Videos Deceptive

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Kayak Camping
Ocean Swells

Comments about Advanced Elements AirFusion Kayak:

Let me start by saying I LOVE this kayak. I got it because I needed a kayak that was light, fast, and easy to carry through long portages. It is the second AE I've owned, it slices through the water like a knife, has a modest amount of storage (if you're short and can spare the leg room), weighs almost nothing (even for a relative weakling like me), and (unlike its canvas siblings) does NOT get heavier when wet.

That being said, I think potential buyers should know just how much of a NIGHTMARE this thing can be to assemble/dissemble, particularly in the beginning. I watched the Youtube video and read some reviews which made it seem easy to put together, and since my previous AE kayak had been a breeze, I assumed the video and reviews were accurate. THEY WERE NOT!

First of all, in case you were wondering, you can NOT carry this on top of your car. I tried, but the pressure began pushing the poles through the side of kayak, which didn't seem like a good thing. If you have a truck, though, you're in luck-- you can haul it fully assembled with a red flag hanging off the back and never have to worry about taking the wretched thing apart. Which brings me to my only, albeit HUGE, complaint...

The initial assembly, which I did in my living room, took over an hour and left me with bruises all over my arms. No big deal, really-- it was so beautiful, I was willing to accept the bruises-- but I wouldn't have wanted to do it outdoors. Now on to the important part...

You will be bending over and down on your knees (ouch) for at least fifteen minutes, pumping up the 6 air chambers 8 times (unless you ignore the directions and only partially inflate the side chambers once, the first time, which equals 6 times). This may not seem like a big deal (cough), but when the sun is beating down, the mosquitos and yellowjackets are swarming, and other people are watching you do it, it seems like an hour.

Afterwards, until the poles get broken in, they are so tight I almost couldn't get them to come apart. (A stronger person probably wouldn't have had as much trouble, but I'm not exactly a wuss either, so be aware. Anyone with weak arms, weak hands, carpel tunnel, etc. could be left stranded with an untransportable kayak). I now keep a pair of traction-gloves in the back of the kayak seat, just in case the poles get stuck again.

I had read in a review that you you could partially deflate it, fold it in half, and stuff it in a trunk. NOT TRUE. The only way that thing is going back in a trunk is f-u-l-l-y deflated and dissembled, the thought of which makes me want to sob every time I consider doing it. As it stands, I partially deflate/dissemble it, fold it in half, and it still takes up most of the backseat AND the passenger seat in my Camry.

If you plan on using this everyday (as I do), have weak arms/wrists/hands or injuries, don't need to carry the kayak through lengthy portages, don't own a truck, and don't live next to the water, you might want to opt for a heavier, hard shell kayak instead. The assembly/dissembly really is THAT BAD. Until the hard shells get light enough for me to carry, I'm just going to have to suffer... or buy a truck...which I'm seriously considering now. Yes, it really IS that bad...

May

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

super fast, super light

By climbamtn

from bellevue

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

As fast as any tuperware
Compact
Easy To Lift
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Light

Cons

Not Enough Storage
Poor Tracking

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters

Comments about Advanced Elements AirFusion Kayak:

not as hard to set up as was told. super fast on the water and lightest usable kayak i have ever come across. reasonably comfortable. no usable storage, not really an issue but for as fast as it is, as soon as you take a break from paddling (which means constantly adjusting course)you are spinning in circles. it sits low but i am 180lbs. concerns me in rough water, i barely use a spray skirt ever on my others but this one it maybe a must have for the slightest of turbulence. if it doesnt feel stable play with the air, over inflation and seat adjustment will make it feel less stable. if i could find a rudder or skeg this would be 5 stars. and i will be changing the valves but that is just me. they are usable but they could be so much easier. also the amount of air needed for this a pump 1/4 the size would work fine. (my ultra compact bike pump if it had the fitting would be perfect.) any one complaining about set up time, come pump up my tandem inflatable for 20 minutes.