Tag Archives: chelan kayak

AquaGlide Inflatable Kayak and SUP Product Line for 2020

We recently received details on AquaGlide’s inflatable kayak and paddle board product line for 2020.

Originally a division of North Sports Inc, the Aquaglide brand has grown steadily to encompass water sports products such as commercial and residential water trampolines, tow toys, recreational water equipment and the highly popular Multisport 270 – an inflatable windsurf/sailboat/pull toy/kayak combo.
Last summer, the North Sports product line, including the AquaGlide series, was purchased by Connelly Skis of Lynwood, Washington. Established in 1965, Connelly Skis is well known for their water skis and water sports equipment.

Now entering the seventh season, AquaGlide’s paddling line of inflatable kayaks and SUPs has dramatically expanded the options available to water enthusiasts looking for portability.

For 2020, the AquaGlide inflatable kayak line has undergone a major redesign, with the retirement of 6 models, a facelift for 3 models, and the introduction of 7 new models. The paddle board line remains the same, except for the removal of the Cascade 11 WindSup.

Biggest news is the introduction of two new series, the Deschutes and the Navarros. The Deschutes consist of simple-to-setup, lightweight, recreational kayaks while the Navarros are high pressure models with the ability to use zip-in spray decks for enclosed solo or tandem paddling.

The Deschutes line features three kayak models with Aquaglide’s innovative new “feather” frame. The kayaks are constructed with Duratex fabric-reinforced PVC main chambers and a non-removable, non-inflatable EVA foam floor. Integrated, inflatable cross piece(s) provide structural stability. This results in a kayak that is very easy to inflate (two main chambers and thwart), lighter weight (no separate floor), very easy to dry and more packable. Other features include a removable tracking fin, military valves, rear storage well, Core 2.0 seat, splash guards, molded handles, bungee lacing and drain wells.

The Deschutes 110 is for solo paddling, measuring 11 feet by 34 inches with a 300 lb payload and three chambers (2 side chambers and a thwart). Retail price is $599.99.

The Deschutes 130 is a roomier single for larger paddlers or those needing room for gear. With a 13 foot waterline, 39″ width and three chambers (2 side chambers and a thwart), the Deschutes 130 is capable of carrying 400 lbs. MSRP is $699.99

The Deschutes 145 is set up for tandem paddling, with a 14.5 foot length, 40 inch width and a capacity of 600 lbs. There are four inflation chambers – two sides and two thwarts. MSRP is $799.99.

AquaGlide’s Navarro series consists of three high-pressure recreational decked models. The Navarro’s feature 600 denier ripstop shells, 6 PSI floors, Boston and military valves, bungee deck lacing, integrated storage hatches, paddle holders, removable tracking fins, Core 2.0 seats, cockpit drain, molded handles and the ability to use a spray skirt.

The Navarro 110 is

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

AquaGlide Inflatable Kayak and SUP Product Line for 2020

We recently received details on AquaGlide’s inflatable kayak and paddle board product line for 2020.

Originally a division of North Sports Inc, the Aquaglide brand has grown steadily to encompass water sports products such as commercial and residential water trampolines, tow toys, recreational water equipment and the highly popular Multisport 270 – an inflatable windsurf/sailboat/pull toy/kayak combo.
Last summer, the North Sports product line, including the AquaGlide series, was purchased by Connelly Skis of Lynwood, Washington. Established in 1965, Connelly Skis is well known for their water skis and water sports equipment.

Now entering the seventh season, AquaGlide’s paddling line of inflatable kayaks and SUPs has dramatically expanded the options available to water enthusiasts looking for portability.

For 2020, the AquaGlide inflatable kayak line has undergone a major redesign, with the retirement of 6 models, a facelift for 3 models, and the introduction of 7 new models. The paddle board line remains the same, except for the removal of the Cascade 11 WindSup.

Biggest news is the introduction of two new series, the Deschutes and the Navarros. The Deschutes consist of simple-to-setup, lightweight, recreational kayaks while the Navarros are high pressure models with the ability to use zip-in spray decks for enclosed solo or tandem paddling.

The Deschutes line features three kayak models with Aquaglide’s innovative new “feather” frame. The kayaks are constructed with Duratex fabric-reinforced PVC main chambers and a non-removable, non-inflatable EVA foam floor. Integrated, inflatable cross piece(s) provide structural stability. This results in a kayak that is very easy to inflate (two main chambers and thwart), lighter weight (no separate floor), very easy to dry and more packable. Other features include a removable tracking fin, military valves, rear storage well, Core 2.0 seat, splash guards, molded handles, bungee lacing and drain wells.

The Deschutes 110 is for solo paddling, measuring 11 feet by 34 inches with a 300 lb payload and three chambers (2 side chambers and a thwart). Retail price is $599.99.

The Deschutes 130 is a roomier single for larger paddlers or those needing room for gear. With a 13 foot waterline, 39″ width and three chambers (2 side chambers and a thwart), the Deschutes 130 is capable of carrying 400 lbs. MSRP is $699.99

The Deschutes 145 is set up for tandem paddling, with a 14.5 foot length, 40 inch width and a capacity of 600 lbs. There are four inflation chambers – two sides and two thwarts. MSRP is $799.99.

AquaGlide’s Navarro series consists of three high-pressure recreational decked models. The Navarro’s feature 600 denier ripstop shells, 6 PSI floors, Boston and military valves, bungee deck lacing, integrated storage hatches, paddle holders, removable tracking fins, Core 2.0 seats, cockpit drain, molded handles and the ability to use a spray skirt.

The Navarro 110 is

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

AquaGlide Inflatable Kayak and SUP Product Line for 2019

We recently received details on AquaGlide’s inflatable kayak and paddle board product line for 2019.

A division of North Sports Inc, the Aquaglide brand has grown steadily over the past 15 years, encompassing water sports products such as commercial and residential water trampolines, tow toys, recreational water equipment and the highly popular Multisport 270 – an inflatable windsurf/sailboat/pull toy/kayak combo.
Now entering the sixth season as a major manufacturer of inflatable kayaks and SUPs, AquaGlide’s paddling line has dramatically expanded the options available to water enthusiasts looking for portability.
Last summer, the North Sports product line, including the AquaGlide series, was purchased by Connelly Skis of Lynwood, Washington. Established in 1965, Connelly Skis is well known for their water skis and water sports equipment. While the North Sports headquarters shifted to Lynwood, the AquaGlide product line remains intact, with some minor updates for 2019.
The 2019 inflatable product line consists of 21 models including six paddle boards and 15 inflatable kayaks. The AquaGlide kayak models include the Rogue, Chinook, Columbia, Chelan, Blackfoot and Klickitat series. The SUP line includes the Cascades and Blackfoot fishing boards.
The overriding change consists of a new naming structure for all the models. The new names focus on the kayak length to help minimize confusion among potential customers.

The three Chinooks are being reintroduced as the Chinook 90, 100 and 120 XL while the Rogue 2 becomes the Rogue 100.

The Columbia One, Two and Tandem XL models will be renamed Columbia 110, 130 and 145 XL.

The high-pressure Chelans are now the Chelan 120 HB, 140 HB and 155 HB XL, while the Blackfoot SL and XL become the Blackfoot Angler 110 HB and 125 HB, and the Klickitats become the Klickitat 95 HB and 125 HB.

Along this line, the Chinook 90, Columbia 110, Chelan 120 HB, Blackfoot 110 HB and Klickitat 95 HB are all single-paddler models while the Chinook 100, Columbia 130, Chelan 140 HB, Blackfoot Angler 125 HB and Klickitat 125 HB are models for 1 or 2 paddlers. The remaining three XL models – Chinook 120 XL, Columbia 140 XL and Chelan 155 HB XL – are longer kayaks designed for 1-2+ people, allowing paddlers to bring along a child, furry friend or extra gear.
The name changes will be rolled out throughout 2019.

The current high pressure line – including the Blackfoots, Chelans and Klickitat kayaks – will feature screw-in drain plugs rather than the current friction-fit plugs. This will minimize potential issues of water leaking into the kayak.

On the paddleboard side, the Cascade 10, 11 and 12, as well as the Blackfoot Angler 11 and Angler Tandem continue unchanged. The new WIndsup series – Cascade 11 WS arrived midway through the summer of 2018. These come as a

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: AquaGlide Chelan HB One Inflatable Kayak

Last summer, AquaGlide unveiled their inflatable kayak lineup for 2015, which included a series of new models and revamps. Based on the number of inquiries, we were anxious to try out the new Chelan HB high-pressure series.
As the new models arrived, we started inflating and testing – initially focusing on the longer AquaGlide Chelan HB Tandem and Columbia XP Tandem kayaks.

Our third AquaGlide review for 2015 focuses on the Chelan HB One, an 11′ 4″ long, high-pressure, inflatable kayak designed for solo paddling. (Please note: some of the information will be repeated from other writeups.)
Getting Started with the Aquaglide Chelan HB One:
We unpacked the box and laid out the pieces – inflatable kayak, backpack, instructions, repair kit, foot brace, tracking fin, seat, valve adaptor and two plastic splash guards.

Initial measurements showed the kayak body weighs approximately 22 lbs, with a folded size of 25 x 9 x 21 inches. The kayak with seat, fin and brace – all in the backpack – weighs 29 lbs with a backpack size of roughly 27 x 22 x 18 inches, which can be cinched down. All boxed up, the  dimensions are 27 x 23 x 14 inches with a shipping weight of 35 lbs. We were able to get everything – plus a pump and paddle – into the pack.
(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 appeared adequate and include diagrams with inflation details.

Set up is straight-forward and simple  – unpack, unfold, inflate.
There are three military valves (both sides and the floor) with one more small chamber utilizing a twistlock valve for the seat base.
The instructions say to pump up the floor first, to 6 PSI. As the floor is held in place with two adjustable straps, from prior experience, we found it best to loosen up the straps, making it easier to center if necessary.

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 Chelan HB One military valves require a special adaptor, which does not come with most standard pumps. In Aquaglide’s first year, the military adaptors were not included with the high-pressure kayaks. All the 2015 high pressure models now include the adaptor, which is found in the repair kit.
The Aquaglide military adaptor couples to the valve with a Boston valve adaptor; this is a common fitting, slightly conical and about 1/2 inch

Original Source: AirKayaks >>