Tag Archives: inflatable kayaks for anglers

Sneak Preview: StraitEdge Angler Pro Inflatable Fishing Kayak from Advanced Elements

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This week’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market features a whopping arena of more than 1600 sporting goods manufacturers unveiling their 2017 product lines.

At Open Air Demo day, Advanced Elements of Benicia, California showcased the new 10′ 6″ StraitEdge Angler Pro, a high-pressure inflatable kayak focused on fishing and comfort.
Designed around the needs of kayak anglers, the wide beam and high-pressure drop stitch floor technology provide maximum stability when casting or bringing in big catches.

The 4-6 PSI drop stitch floor – in conjunction with the wider 38.5 inch beam – provides enough rigidity to stand. The floor is covered with a traction pad for protection and grip, allowing one to fully and easily move around.
Tired of standing? The adjustable AirFrame Pro seat features a folding, anodized aluminum frame with removable fabric cover and mesh back. The seat allows one to sit up a few inches higher; the seat back can be adjusted to find that perfect recline position, or can be folded back to allow more interior room.
Two accessory rail systems allow one to add optional 1-inch rail mounts – these can be customized with fish finders, fishing rod holders, GPS mounts and more.

Other features include an integrated ruler printed on the floor, stainless steel d-rings, bungee deck lacing, paddle holders. Replete with a removable, deep water, tracking fin, the integrated US style fin box can also be used in conjunction with the Current Drives Electrafin, providing battery-powered mobility.
Specifications:

Model AE1055
Color: Sage/Gray
Dimensions: 10’6″ long, 38.5 inches wide
Weight: 45 lbs with seats.
Max payload: One person with gear 400 lbs
Inflation Chambers: 5
Folded size: 32 x 18 x 11

The StraitEdge Angler Pro comes with carrying case with shoulder straps, AirFrame Pro seat, drop stitch floor, 2 accessory frames, removable fin, repair kit, instructions. MSRP $999. Available spring of 2017.

The StraitEdge Angler Pro joins the current AE1006-ANG StraitEdge Angler, a stripped down version for those fishing folk who don’t need all the “bells and whistles.” MSRP $729.
For further details, watch the Advanced Elements product pages at AirKayaks.com. Or contact us to get on the Notification List.
You can also watch a video posted by Kayak Angler Magazine from Outdoor Retailer Demo Day, below. This also shows the StraitEdge Angler Pro with the motorized Current Drives ElectraFin.

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: AquaGlide Blackfoot SL Inflatable Fishing Kayak

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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 >>