The Canoe & Kayak UK Test team review the Palm Equipment Traverse Bibs
All posts by operator
Tahe Marine Fit Series PE Touring Kayaks Review
The Canoe & Kayak UK Test Team review the Tahe Marine Fit Series Touring & Recreational Kayaks
Product Review: Columbia One HB Inflatable Kayak from AquaGlide
We continue with our series on the new Aquaglide line of inflatable kayaks.
Our two previous reviews focused on the Chinook price-point line. Our next set of reviews features the Columbia HB series, AquaGlide’s flagship line of high pressure inflatables.
We begin with the Columbia One HB – a high-pressure touring model for one paddler. The Columbia HB line also consists of the Columbia Two HB (for one to two paddlers) and the Columbia Tandem HB (for 1 to 3 paddlers).
Following is our writeup on the Columbia One HB, a 11.25 foot inflatable one-person model selling for $699.
Getting Started with the Aquaglide Columbia HB One:
We unpacked the box and laid out the pieces – inflatable kayak, backpack, instructions, repair kit, foot brace, tracking fin and seat.
Initial measurements showed the kayak body weighs 26.5 lbs, with a backpack size of roughly 27 x 22 x 12 inches, while the kayak with seat, fin and brace – all in the backpack – weighs 32 lbs. Boxed up, the dimensions are 31 x 26 x 12 inches with a shipping weight of 42 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 two inflation chambers utilizing Boston valves – the two side chambers – while the high-pressure floor features a military valve. 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 Columbia One HB floor requires a miltary 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. Luckily, we rummaged through our box of parts and found one that fit. (AirKayaks note #2: We spoke with AquaGlide. The first couple of shipments did not include the adaptor, but subsequent shipments will. We did obtain a number of fittings that we will be including with the first shipments.) Lock the adaptor onto the military valve with a slight twist, and push the conical adaptor in to friction fit the two. Since the main chambers are inflated to 3 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 adjustable straps. Pump up the floor to at
Steve Fisher UK Tour
Legendary extreme kayaker Steve Fisher doing a short tour of the UK this autumn!
New Video: Aquaglide’s Chinook 2 Inflatable Kayak for 1-2 Paddlers
Check out our newest video on the Chinook 2 inflatable kayak from Aquaglide.
Perfect for one person with gear, an adult and child, or two smaller adults, the 10 ft Chinook 2 inflatable kayak is lightweight, rugged, fun and highly portable. And it’s available at a family-friendly price of only $399 including backpack.
For more details or to purchase, see the Aquaglide Chinook 2 product page at AirKayaks.com. Or read our Detailed Product Review of the Aquaglide Chinook Two Inflatable Kayak with Photos, here on our WordPress blog.
New Video: AquaGlide’s Chinook Tandem Inflatable Kayak for 1-3 paddlers.
Our third in the AquaGlide inflatable kayak series! Check out our newest video on the Chinook Tandem inflatable kayak from Aquaglide.
The 12.5 ft Chinook Tandem inflatable kayak offers multiple seating arrangements with a capacity of 600 lbs. Perfect for one person with lots of gear, two adults, or with the included third seat – bring along a child or furry friend! The Chinook Tandem is rugged, fun and highly portable. And it’s available at a family-friendly price of only $499 including backpack.
For more details or to purchase, see the Aquaglide Chinook Tandem product page at AirKayaks.com. Or read our Detailed Product Review of the Aquaglide Chinook Tandem Inflatable Kayak with Photos, here on our WordPress blog.
Win ?250 of Palm Equipment Canoeing & Kayaking Gear in the Springshots Photo Competition!
Post your spring paddling shots on Palm Equipment’s Facebook wall and be in with a chance of winning £250 worth of Palm gear!
Product Review: Chinook Tandem Inflatable Kayak from AquaGlide for 1-3
As mentioned in previous posts, Aquaglide, Inc of White Salmon, Washington has recently introduced a new line of inflatable kayaks for 2014. The Aquaglide product line consists of 12 models with MSRP pricing from $199.95 to $1099.95.
Our first shipment included the Chinook inflatable kayaks – part of Aquaglide’s “pricepoint” series. The Chinook kayaks feature economically-priced recreational models in two sizes – the 10 foot Chinook 2 and 12.5 foot Chinook Tandem. Our first write-up featured the Chinook 2; for the second review we focus on the Chinook Tandem 2+ person model. Featuring multiple seating locations, the 12.5 foot AquaGlide Chinook Tandem sells for $499 and is roomy enough to handle three.
Please note that many of these instructions have been repeated from the first writeup on the Chinook 2.
Getting Started with the Aquaglide Chinook Tandem:
We unpacked the box and laid out the pieces – inflatable kayak, drawstring duffel bag, instructions, repair kit, two foot braces, tracking fin, two main seats and a jumper seat.
Initial measurements showed the kayak body weighs 34 lbs, with a case size of roughly 29 x 16 x 16 inches, while the kayak with seats, fin and braces weighs 41 lbs. Boxed up, the dimensions are 31 x 18 x 17 inches with a shipping weight of 50 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 floor and two side chambers. 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.)
With the base portion screwed onto the kayak body, and the top portion screwed open, locate the Boston valve adaptor on your pump (conical nozzle about 1/2 inch in diameter) and friction fit it into the valve opening.
We
Swimming from Cuba to Key West
The role of kayaks in Diana Nyad’s pursuit of a dream Don McCumber On September 2, 2013, Diana Nyad stumbled onto Smathers Beach in Key West, after swimming 110 miles[…]
Reader’s Choice December 2013
We’ve been polling our readers since 2005 about the kayaks and equipment that they like best. Their choices have always resulted in a list of products that are well designed,[…]
You must be logged in to post a comment.