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Product Review: New AdvancedFrame Ultralite 17.5lb Inflatable Kayak from Advanced Elements

At last summer’s Outdoor Retailer show, Advanced Elements unveiled their 2018 inflatable kayak product line with announcement of the new AE3022 AdvancedFrame Ultralite – a redesigned version of the AdvancedFrame Sport, weighing in at a minimalist 17.5 lbs.

We avidly waited for the first shipment to arrive in early March. The boxes had not been off the truck for two hours, before we were headed down to the beach.
So following is our “hot off the truck” review of the new Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Ultralite – a 10 ft 5-inch performance kayak.
Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Ultralite
The box as received weighs 29 lbs, measuring 32 x 19 x 11 inches.

The rugged carrying case/backpack houses the kayak body, seat, repair kit, foam floor, screw-on adaptor, instructions (located in the small plastic pocket inside the backpack), foot brace, deck riser and deck pole. The kayak folded size is approximately 29 x 18 x 9 inches. Everything in the case weighs 21.5 lbs, while the kayak with seat is 19.5 lbs. The case has just enough room to include a small pump and breakdown paddle (not included). AirKayaks note: Take a good look at how the kayak is folded BEFORE setting up, this will help during breakdown.
AdvancedFrame Ultralite Kayak Setup/Inflation

First step, unfold the kayak. The AdvancedFrame Ultralite – along with all AdvancedFrame models – features an “inner rib” in the bow and stern, which is basically a u-shaped aluminum rib, about a foot long and one-half inch wide.

This comes “pre-assembled” meaning it arrives already inserted into two sleeves inside the kayak cover. Unless you remove the inner bladder, they remain in position. When the kayak is pumped up, the inner bladder with rib presses against the kayak cover – that, in conjunction with two bow and stern plastic sheets, give the kayak a sharp silhouette which aids in slicing through the water.

Now unroll the foam floor, centering it under the two main chambers, with the narrower side pointing toward the nose. The first time this can be a little tricky – smooth out the hull so it’s not wrinkled and then try to evenly position the foam. This can be fine-tuned later.

The kayak features 2 inflation chambers utilizing military valves and 1 twist-lok. The military-style plunger valves are simple to use – twist up to inflate (this is the closed position where air goes in and doesn’t come out) and down to deflate (air goes in and comes back out).

The kayak comes with a screw-on adaptor (found in the repair kit in the mesh pocket behind the seat) which will fit some pumps based on the hose fittings. Otherwise, a standard Boston valve adaptor will friction fit into the opening. AirKayaks note: Make sure to attach the

Original Source: AirKayaks >>