Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Sit-In Inflatable Touring Kayak with Pump - 13'
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With ample storage capacity and 13' length, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite sit-in touring kayak is a hybrid that combines folding-frame functionality and inflatable convenience.
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- This innovative kayak boasts patented aluminum rib-frame technology in both the bow and stern, while the floor is constructed using cutting-edge drop-stitch technology
- Aluminum ribs provide a shape that easily slices through water, while the drop-stitch floor offers unmatched rigidity and creates an impressive hull chine
- Drop-stitch floor creates a hull with chine, providing enhanced tracking and hull speed, and unparalleled rigidity for an inflatable kayak
- Comes with an adjustable high-back padded seat with inflatable lumbar support for complete comfort while paddling
- 9 chambers provide additional buoyancy and a unique kayak shape
- Designed for multi-day trips, the large storage compartment at the rear of the kayak allows bringing all your essentials on your next expedition
- Included adjustable foot brace system will provide a comfortable and ergonomic experience throughout your expedition
- Includes a duffel bag with shoulder straps, repair kit, folding seat and hand pump with pressure gauge
Imported.
View all Advanced Elements Inflatable Kayaks| Best Use | Flatwater Kayaking |
|---|---|
| Material(s) | Polyester ripstop/PVC tarpaulin |
| Length | 13 feet |
| Width | 32 inches |
| Depth | Unavailable |
| Weight | 42 pounds |
| Cockpit Size | 30 x 17.25 inches |
| Seat Type | Padded / Foam |
| Number of Paddlers | 1-person |
| Paddle Included | No |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | 450 pounds |
| Tracking System | Tracking Fin |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Packed Dimensions | 31 x 16 x 10 inches |
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One of the best inflatables!
This is the second gen newer model and it's great. My first gen was purchased 14 years ago and still going strong despite many trips on rough rivers and scraping bottom in gravel and rocks. I bought this new one a year ago and it's a nice step up with handling due to it's drop stitch and stiff floor. I have take it out in ocean bays and it rides right over the big waves. It's a very durable kayak made with high quality materials. Another reviewer must have exceeded the air pressure for his to have split seams. Tracking, glide, stability and speed is very good. Love the portability. I have other hard shell kayaks and this one always goes too.
Serious design flaw in the seams
Reliability 1/5 We own 2 of these and after two years of ownership and probably around 10 trips into the water, we had multiple failures along the seams. In both of the Kayaks, the failures/rips happened in roughly the same places within a month of each other. Over two years the inflatable floor of the Kayaks needed a patch somewhere along the seams after almost every trip. When contacting support they kept telling us it was our fault and probably was a result of over-inflating or heat. After doing some research there seem to be quite a few people who have the same issues with seams coming apart and getting no support from the company. To me, when the issues start in the same places after roughly the same time of ownership this seams like a design flaw. We were very careful to follow the inflation instructions, avoided direct sun (unless in the water), and kept them in our house away from the heat. No help from Advanced Elements as they were bought out by Pelican. Performance 3/5: Honestly not bad Kayaks when they worked, but they don't compare to a regular non-inflatable kayak. Both of our kayaks had issues with drifting off to one side and needing to constantly correct our paddling. I believe this is cause by the inner tubes shifting and causing the shape to be slightly off.
Best inflatable kayak on a market
These are great high-end inflatable kayaks. I've bought two of them in 2018 and love them. I was not sure of buying them - but 1 year REI return policy made it risk free for me. My overriding reason for going with an inflatable was ease of transporting them. I did not want to carry anything on my car roof. I easily fit the two of them in the trunk of my Camry 2015 and still have room for other gear. It takes me about 20 min to take one out of the trunk and set it up. It takes me less than 10 min to deflate and put in in the trunk. In total, it takes me less time for that than for people with hard-shell kayaks on the car roof. To make setup fast - make sure you buy and use the electric pump to do the initial inflation, and then top-off to the specified pressure with the hand pump. It is a high quality product. I used them about ones a week in summer and they still look and function like new. Granted, I kayak only in fresh water lakes and after 5 pm (so not much of sun exposure). The people who reports blown bladders most likely never read instructions that come with the kayak and exceeded recommended pressure. These kayaks are very durable - the bottom is made of the material that navy seals boat use. Unless you are using a knife to puncture it, for regular use and common sense ( i.e. do not drag it for miles over rocks) it should last. Mine do not have any scratches. I love that it is an "expedition kayak" rated for up to 400 lbs. You can fit and carry a lot of stuff on it. It is also very stable - you would need to work very hard to flip it. It has 3 separate chambers so if one fails - you can still get to the shore. I love that it is covered kayak and I use spray skirt with it. It protects me from sun and keep work when it is getting cold. It is reasonably fast. People who looks to win a speed competition against high-end hard-shell kayaks would be disappointed, but for everyone else - it glides very nicely. This model has drop-stitch floor that inflates to 6psi and rock hard ( i.e. the same technology that is used in iSUPs) - it makes kayak rigid and going fast. It would be uncomfortable though on very choppy waters ( with waives more than 1 ft) I highly recommend it. P.S. People who report PVC chambers bursting are most likely did not read the manual and overinflated it. How do I know - I did it myself. Just read carefully manual several times before inflating it.
Great Option for an Inflatable Kayak
After years of using entry-level hardshell kayaks, we needed an inflatable option for our vehicle setup. I did many hours of research and ended up deciding to go with the Expedition Elite. Our first trip was on a very windy Saguaro Lake and they exceeded expectations. There are 9 chambers to fill, but most of them are small and fill quickly. The only frustrating part about inflation is that they use multiple adapters. It would be nice to use a consistent adapter, although I'm sure it's by necessity for different volumes/pressures. On the water, these kayaks did much better than I expected. They tracked straight in the wind and were very stable. The seat is far more comfortable than my old Otter kayak and there are plenty of storage/bungie options. It's designated as a touring kayak, so we noticed that they aren't particularly quick to accelerate or maneuver. However, they do keep up their momentum once underway. Time will tell how these will hold up, but, so far, I'm very impressed.
Amazing Kayak for Ease-of-Water-Access
I recently move into a third story apartment, with no garage and no additional storage, right next to Lake Minnetonka (in Minnesota). This kayak allows me to enjoy the watery world right outside my doorstep. I have several years of paddling experience in kayaks and canoes, so a craft of suitable quality/performance is important to me. I love this kayak so far and, I expect, will love it for many years including camping trips where it can be simply placed into the trunk of the car and then unpacked at the destination. Eventually, then, kept in a closet thru the winter. Multiple-night 'expedition' trips would be entirely possible with an efficient setup and a little planning. It's not really speedy, but a little extra exertion does not go wasted either. It cruises well and keeps a decent momentum. Tracking is somewhat dependent on the care taken in getting the inner-tube (velcroed to exterior shell), floor, and body-weight situated properly during set-up, but is very straight with everything in place. Getting Started: It took a bit of settling in to get acquainted with this craft. I'm 6ft+ and pretty lean and leggy. The chair needs to be decently forward to get your body weight properly centered along the length. Luckily there is a logo stamp on the floor for easy-to-remember placement. Once properly positioned, I noticed that the neoprene knuckle guards where, in fact, perfectly positioned along the natural length of each paddle stroke. And they really do wonders. The shell material, otherwise, is like sandpaper on the hands. The springyness of the side walls provide an unexpected benefit in that your paddle never "knocks" a hard shell. The walls interact nicely with the inevitable bumping/raking of your hands and paddle and can even add a bit of comfort and stability to your stroke. The skirt-ring is not really necessary to inflate when not using a skirt, and inflation just makes it easier to bump your hands on (and it is not neoprene). On that note, the other piece I leave out is the aluminum brace which goes across the top. I keep the top-zipper half open, the aluminum bar out and I find that water sheds fine and I stay very comfortable on casual outings with my knees bent and feet on the adjustable bar. I can comfortably fit the pump (in a backpack), a lifejacket, and a personal backpack all behind the seat. In front of my feet, there is not a lot of space, but some. "Helpful" notes: The backpack straps have a real good chance of cutting into your shoulders with the metal clips. I put duct tape around the top of the straps to hold the padding underneath the metal buckle, where it should be, but wants to escape from. That helped a lot. It's a decent amount to carry - but fine with the padding in place. Also, as gripes are concerned, the included pump, when pumping up the drop-stitch floor, (which has a unique nozzle fitting). The direction you turn the nozzle fitting to remove it from the valve (after inflating) is the same direction you turn the fitting to disconnect it from the pump hose. And I have to be very careful each time to remove it so that the fitting comes off the valve and not the hose off the fitting (letting all of the air out in about 2 seconds). But it is a good pump besides that one fitting, and I like that it's included. I'm trying to make this review useful, so one last complainy-bit are the instructions for inflation. If you follow the instructions word-for-word, you'll do it right. But it may not make much sense. I read in a reply, which Advanced Elements posted, to a comment on youtube (on their instructional inflation video), that chambers 1 & 2 (the primary air chambers) are connected by a pressure-equalizing membrane. You still have to deflate them individually - but, during inflation, it explains why chamber 1 is only pumped to partial pressure and then never revisited (chamber 2 is filling it the rest of the way). Bottom Line: It's a cool-looking, and feeling, 13 foot kayak which fits me and my stuff, and which totally fits my lifestyle and needs. The setup is more sensitive than I expected, but I'm getting the hang of it. 4 stars? 5 stars? It's so unique! It's a lot of fun! All my friends and family want an inflatable now. Also, get ready to meet the neighbors! I'm using a nice 320 cm paddle, which feels good - but I wouldn't go any shorter. Also, I purchased a high-back PFD to ensure full body contact with the seat-back. Get a big pair of wrap-around sunglasses too, while you're at it.
Assurance on the water.
Great, durable, responsive and fairly easy to set up or break down - though the first few times are more difficult. Biggest complaint is the spray skirt doesn’t secure well to the cockpit. You won’t be doing Eskimo rolls. It’s weight can be an issue if you have to cart it to water.