Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Tandem Inflatable Kayak
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Solo tours quickly become 2-person paddling adventures in the versatile and durable Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite tandem inflatable kayak.
Shop similar products- Switches from tandem to solo touring mode via adjustable seat positions; zip-on single-deck conversion spray skirt (not included) adds protection
- Double-deck conversion spray skirt (not included) also available for paddling tandem in rougher and cooler conditions
- Patented Aluminum Rib-frame technology slices gracefully through water, rivaling the tracking of a hard-shell day-touring kayak
- Drop-stitch technology in the floor provides rigidity and enhanced tracking ability
- Air-lifted deck sheds spray while water-resistant zippers provide hull access; bungee deck lacing and multiple D-rings allow for tying down additional gear
- Comes with a repair kit and a heavy-duty duffel bag with shoulder straps for easy transport
- Molded, low-profile rubber handles make it easy to carry to and from the water
- High-back seats with inflatable lumbar support offer comfort
- Durable 3-layer polyester material with double PVC coating offers superb puncture resistance; welded seams ensure long life
- Easy-to-use Spring valve and Twistlokâ„¢ valves are compatible with most pumps and speed up setup time; pump not included
- Do not under inflate your boat! Advanced Elements recommends inflating with a 12V electric pump and topping off with a quality hand pump to get up to the recommended pressure
Imported.
View all Advanced Elements Inflatable Kayaks| Best Use | Flatwater Kayaking |
|---|---|
| Material(s) | Polyester/PVC tarpaulin/aluminum/drop-stitch PVC |
| Length | 15 feet |
| Width | 32 inches |
| Weight | 52 pounds |
| Cockpit Size | 84 x 27 inches |
| Seat Type | Padded / Foam |
| Number of Paddlers | 2-person |
| Paddle Included | No |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | 550 pounds |
| Tracking System | Tracking Fin |
| Packed Dimensions | 35 x 21 x 12 inches |
Review this Product
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Great exercise and oneness with nature
Bought 2 weeks ago, and taken it out 3 times. I love that I can pack my kayak in the trunk and take it to the local lake after work. I average about 3mph in it and have topped 4.2mph. It handles waves from speed boats with no issue, lands on the slightly rocky beach no issue. I left it open my first outing, and used the conversion deck the next two. I much prefer the deck as it keeps the kayak dryer for less cleanup after. I take a towel in the car to wipe it down after outings, and that plus 15 minutes in the Texas sun takes care of basically all the moisture. My one con is that it technically buckles in the middle a tad when I go solo. I'm 5' 11" and 250lbs; I doubt this is a universal issue. It is NOT enough of an issue for me not to love being out on the water, not a safety issue, not a "take on water" issue.
Works as advertised, few caveats with this type.
We live in Tacoma but didn't have the vehicle or storage space for regular kayaks. We found this as a cheaper alternative to the Oru tandem and are overall pretty happy with it. It works as advertised and really only takes 10-15 minutes to setup once you practice a few times. Some things to note. AE brand pump is not optional, you need it. The way this thing works you really float on top of the water instead of cutting through it so you do not track at all. It took my wife and I a bit of practice with rowing coordination to get anything resembling a straight line of travel. The drop-stitch floor works well and is a nice upgrade if you are worried about stability. It is basically a SUP on the bottom of your kayak. After using it and reading reviews I think the standard version with the backbone might offer better tracking, but would have a squishier floor. The backpack that comes with it is NOT the one pictured and is painful to use. Literally. The straps do not go the entire length over your shoulder and the metal clips attaching them to the bag (not sure why they thought they should be removable) cut into you with its considerable weight. I am considering adding a glue-on NRS tracking fin if we keep it. I am 6'2" and my wife is 5'10" and we barely fit. We had to remove the middle float footrest and her feet rest on my back and my feet squish together in the front.
Sturdy & Durable
Awesome for a COVID summer, when so many parking lots near the water were often closed. Easy to lug a good ways from a car to waters edge. Inflated, deflated, and packed easily. Sturdy and durable. Tracks great on the water for an inflatable. Can hold two adults and a small child or a dog but it’s a little tight.
Glad we bought this Kayak
I spent about a year researching and trying to find a kayak that would fit 2 adults and a 60 pound dog. Plus we needed it to be inflatable for size of storage and carry. I have a mustang and it easily fits in the trunk for a quick trip. I can have it inflated in about 8 minutes and ready to get on the water. Deflating it is just as simply and fast. I found this one and I'm so glad we did. We have used this kayak almost every weekend since we purchased it, 2 months ago, for day long kayaking trips over rivers and lakes. This past weekend we did a kayaking and over night camping trip with some friends. It rained the entire night we were there and filled with water. Easy to flip over and get the water out and stayed inflated for the trip back to our cars. Our friends were shocked with the quality. The drop stitch floor was a necessity for us, since we have a dog with claws, and she hasn't even made a scratch on it. Jumping in and out of the kayak to swim, our dog was easy to get in and out. Even with us (i'm 6'1 - 185 Pounds) getting in to swim is easy to get back in while still on the water. I fit perfectly in the front with room for my long legs, and also in the back without my 60 pound dog or without the back inflatable cushion installed. Enough room to carry gear for the day. The only issue I have is after a day on the lake or river getting in and out of the kayak, the inside gets pretty wet and is hard to dry out before we pack it back up. It isn't a big issue, but I'm still figuring out the best method to dry. But if you are not getting in and out to swim the only thing that gets wet is the bottom, even with a little wake from other boats the kayak stays pretty stable. I can even leave an opened drink on the floor and it will not fall over during brief hits from small waves. But overall I'm VERY pleased with this product and would highly recommend it to family and friends.
Not better than the prior model, backpack terrible
I debated between this and the last model, which is significantly less expensive, and went with this one because of the backpack and the design improvements. What I found when I got it is: 1) design improvements (different floor) don't seem to improve performance much, both track well for inflatables, 2) the backpack is terrible. It doesn't distribute weight well, the buckles cut into your shoulders, and it is still VERY difficult to move from place to place (which is the whole point of an inflatable). I had high hopes, and now have to ship this back to REI from Hawaii, which is a major bummer. Advanced Elements - please improve your bags and lessen the weight of these kayaks so they are actually portable!
Worthy Upgrade
I had the original, cheaper model with a separately purchased DuraFloor so I could bring my two 60-lb dogs along with claws being a problem (and go fishing without a dropped lure ending my day). It worked great, but stability was an issue for them, and pulling the pups in when they took a spill was pretty difficult to do without flipping. Also, that floor didn't have the rigidity to let me carry the kayak overhead without it starting to fold and flop. This meant I had to carry my whole awkward pack and inflate it on the shore if going solo. I upgraded my setup to the Elite by purchasing the Dropstitch floor and have been very impressed. My dogs are comfortable now that the stability is improved and they actively enjoy kayaking / nature viewing. I can also carry the kayak overhead without it bending so I don't even need to carry the awkward duffle/pack to the water anymore. I still use the foam Durafloor in combination to protect things from rocks/paws. Also, the Dropstitch floor definitely improves the tracking. I've used the kayak on the Kasilof and Kenai Rivers as well as lakes in Alaska and immediately noticed an improvement. I've noticed that it keeps a line in Class I/II whitewater much more easily than before.
Not worth the money
I bought this kayak to take my wife and I to the beaches in the Sea of Cortez from our boat. I weigh 195 and my wife around 135 (i dare not ask her exact weight) for a total of 330 pounds, well below the rated passenger weight 550 pounds. Water comes over the sides way to easily. Don't try adjusting yourself while in the kayak or that will bring in more water. We are traveling with our boat and there are no REI's nearby or I would return it without a doubt.