With a rigid bow and stern plus a multi-chamber inflatable body, this convertible kayak offers performance and portability for one or two paddlers.
Well designed and a good traveler
Gift: No
Pros: Compact, Comfortable, Easy to Paddle, Good Maneuverability, Easy To Lift, Stable
Cons: A bit hard to clean, Takes time to set up
Best Uses: Kayak Camping, Rivers, Day Trips, Flat Waters
Describe Yourself: Recreational
If you don't have a place to store a rigid kayak and don't like the idea of driving with one on the top of your car, this is perfect. It only takes 5 minutes to set up and take down once you do it a few times. Goes in a trunk or the back of our Escape handily. A bit heavy for one person to carry very far in the bag, but do-able if you can park near the water. I can attest that you can feel rocks when your rear end encounters them, but the hull seems very durable - the only marks left are light scratches on the molded-in keel. My son and I paddled for four hours and it behaved well in Lake Michigan chop and backwaters alike. The only water inside was from the paddles. I'd advise you to get the backbone, which makes it flex less in choppy waves and keeps you sitting higher when paddling solo. We fold it up after an outing and take it home or back to the cottage minus the bag, then hose it off and wipe it down before letting it dry in the sun. A micfofiber cloth works well for drying it and getting the dirt off surfaces. I worried that the bare vinyl floor might be vulnerable to wear and tear from shoes, sand, and mud, but it's very tough stuff. The outer hull surface is extremely tough. This boat looks nice, paddles easily, and overall is loads of fun. I might not tackle rapids in it, or take it on the ocean, but then again I wouldn't be likely to do that in any kayak myself. It seems to hold its own next to any comparable plastic kayak on lakes (including Lake Michigan in a stiff breeze) and in moderate river currents.
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