Tag Archives: aquaglide inflatable kayak reviews

Product Review: AquaGlide Blackfoot SL Inflatable Fishing Kayak

Feeds, , , , , , , , , , ,

We continue with our series on the new Aquaglide inflatable kayak models for 2016.  Our last review focused on the new Cascade 11’0″ inflatable paddle board. We now switch gears to take a look at the AquaGlide angler series, in particular this year’s new Blackfoot HB SL inflatable fishing kayak.

At 11-feet in length with a price tag of $799, the high-pressure Blackfoot HB SL is a stripped-down solo inflatable kayak featuring a more economical price point than the current Blackfoot XL tandem. Please note, some of this will be repeated from other reviews.
Getting Started with the AquaGlide Blackfoot HB SL:

We unpacked the box and laid out the pieces – inflatable kayak, backpack, instructions, repair kit, foot brace, tracking fin, visor lift and seat.
Initial measurements showed the kayak body weighs 25 lbs while the kayak with seat, fin and brace – all in the backpack – weighs 30 lbs. Backpack size (filled) is roughly 26 x 19 x 12 inches. Boxed up, the dimensions are 26 x 23 x 14 inches with a shipping weight of 39 lbs.

(AirKayaks Side note #1: When initially removing the kayak from the carrying case, take a good look at how the kayak is folded This is probably the most overlooked step and it is VERY helpful when trying to get the kayak back into the bag.)
The included instructions are adequate and include diagrams with inflation details.

Set up is straight-forward and simple  – unpack, unfold, inflate.
There are three inflation chambers utilizing high-pressure military valves – the two side chambers and the floor. The floor is pumped up first.

The military-style plunger valve is simple to use – with your finger, twist the plunger slightly to the “up” position to inflate (air goes in but doesn’t come back out) and “down” to deflate (air comes out).

The Blackfoot HB valves require a military valve adaptor, which does not come with most standard pumps. Here is where we came to our first issue – no military valve adaptor was included. We did manage to grab the AquaGlide Dual Action pump from our previous writeup on the AquaGlide Cascade 11-0 inflatable paddle board – this had the correct adaptor, so we were ready to keep going. In the interim, Aquaglide has shipped us adaptors to include with each kayak and will make sure upcoming shipments have them included.
While we used the AquaGlide pump, if using the “included” adaptor, friction fit the military valve adaptor onto the Boston valve adaptor, then lock onto the military valve with a slight twist. Since the chambers are inflated from 3 to 12 PSI, it is helpful to use a pump with pressure gauge to ensure the kayak is inflated appropriately.

The floor is held in place with

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: AquaGlide Columbia XP Tandem Inflatable Kayak for 1-3 paddlers

Feeds, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We continue with the second in our series on the new 2015 Aquaglide line of inflatable kayaks – our first review focused on the high-pressure Chelan HB Tandem XL touring kayak.
This year AquaGlide debuted the Columbia XP recreational line of kayaks consisting of three standard-pressure models – the Columbia XP One for solo paddling, the Columbia XP Two for one to two paddlers and the Columbia XP Tandem XL.

This review features the Columbia XP Tandem XL, a 15 foot long inflatable kayak designed for one or two paddlers, with extra space for gear, child or pet. (Please note: some of the information will be repeated from other writeups.)
Getting Started with the Aquaglide Columbia XP Tandem XL:

We unpacked the box and laid out the pieces – inflatable kayak, backpack, instructions, repair kit, foot braces, tracking fin, two standard seats and a jumper seat.
Initial measurements showed the kayak body weighs approximately 40 lbs, with a backpack size of roughly 27 x 22 x 18 inches, while the kayak with seats, fin and braces – all in the backpack – weighs 49 lbs. Boxed up, the dimensions are 30 x 23 x 16 inches inches with a shipping weight of 59 lbs.
(AirKayaks Side note #1: When initially removing the kayak from the carrying case, take a good look at how the kayak is folded This is probably the most overlooked step and it is VERY helpful when trying to get the kayak back into the bag.)

The included instructions are adequate and include diagrams with inflation details.

Set up is straight-forward and simple  – unpack, unfold, inflate.

There are three inflation chambers utilizing Boston valves – the two side chambers and floor. There is one more small chamber with a twistlock valve for the jumper seat base. The floor is pumped up first.

Boston valves are two-part, screw-on valves. The bottom portion is threaded onto the kayak, the top valve is screwed open for inflation and then tightened shut after inflation. Air is easily released by unscrewing the base connector. How does it work? A flap inside the valve opens when air is pumped into the kayak, and falls shut when not pumped so that air will not rush back out.
(AirKayaks Side note #2: The Boston valves have a tether that keeps the valve attached to the kayak, ensuring that the valves don’t get lost after deflating. Make sure that the string does not get in the way when screwing on the valve base, and the valve is not cross-threaded, or you may have some air leakage. Also make sure the ring plate or “base” ring is also screwed on tightly.)

With the base portion screwed onto the kayak body, and the top portion screwed open, locate the

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: Deschutes Two HB Inflatable Kayak from AquaGlide

Feeds, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We continue with our series on the new Aquaglide line of inflatable kayaks. Our first several reviews focused on the Chinook price-point line, then moved to the flagship Columbia line of high pressure inflatable touring kayaks. This was followed by the  Deschutes line of high-pressure, recreational models for 1 to 2+ paddlers.

The first Deschutes review was on the Tandem HB, a 12-foot long inflatable kayak designed for one or two paddlers, with extra space for gear, child or pet. We now follow-up with the Deschutes Two HB, (shown above) a smaller 10-foot long inflatable kayak with multiple seating locations, allowing it to be paddled by one or two persons.  (Please note: some of the information will be repeated from other writeups.)
Getting Started with the Aquaglide Deschutes HB Two:
We unpacked the box and laid out the pieces – inflatable kayak, backpack, instructions, repair kit, foot braces, tracking fin and two seats.

Initial measurements showed the kayak body weighs approximately 27 lbs, with a backpack size roughly 27 x 23 x 14 inches. The kayak with seats, fin and braces – all in the backpack – weighs 38 lbs. Boxed up, the dimensions are 36 x 24 x 14 inches with a shipping weight of 49 lbs. Folded, the kayak body is 27 x 22 x 6 inches.
We were able to get everything, including an optional pump, into the backpack. Paddles can be placed in the side mesh pocket.
(AirKayaks Side note #1: When initially removing the kayak from the carrying case, take a good look at how the kayak is folded This is probably the most overlooked step and it is VERY helpful when trying to get the kayak back into the bag.)
The included instructions are adequate and include diagrams with inflation details.

Set up is straight-forward and simple  – unpack, unfold, inflate.
There are two inflation chambers utilizing Boston valves – the two side chambers – while the high-pressure floor features a military valve. There are two more small chambers with twistlock valves, for the seat bases. The floor is pumped up first.

The military-style plunger valve is simple to use – with your finger, twist the plunger slightly to the “up” position to inflate (air goes in but doesn’t come back out) and “down” to deflate (air comes out).

The Deschutes Two HB floor requires a military valve adaptor, which does not come with most standard pumps. Here is where we came to our first issue – no military valve adaptor was included. We were aware of this from our previous writeups on the Columbia series, and pulled one out of our parts box. (AirKayaks note #2: As previously mentioned, we spoke with AquaGlide. The first couple of shipments did not include the adaptor, but

Original Source: AirKayaks >>