AquaGlide’s Super Summer 20% Off Sale starts June 27th.
Get 20% off all in-stock AquaGlide inflatable kayaks, paddle boards and gear during the Super Summer Sale from June 27th through July 4th.
Shop early for the best selection, with kayaks priced at $183.95 to $879.95 and paddle boards as low as $559. 95. No tax and free US shipping via UPS ground on orders over $398.
Visit the AquaGlide product pages at www.AirKayaks.com for details or to purchase.
Check out AirKayaks’ Super Summer Sales over the next couple of weeks!
For a limited time, purchase a 2017 Red Paddle Co inflatable paddle board and get a FREE Accent MAX Carbon adjustable breakdown paddle ($199 value). With the longest shaft length of 36 inches, the paddle easily fits in the Red Paddle Co wheeled backpack.
Add in the included Titan dual action handpump, the roller backpack and included cell phone case, and you’re ready to take your Red Paddle Co inflatable SUP anywhere you want to go.
AirKayaks also has some remaining 2016 inventory at 25% to 30% off , including the Sport 11, Sport 12’6, Explorer 12’6 and Explorer 13’2 from $999 to $1239.
See the Red Paddle Co product pages at AirKayaks.com for details or to purchase.
The increased popularity of high-pressure inflatables – and the increased pressure needed for inflatable paddle boards – has launched a quest for easy inflation. Almost daily, we field calls from people who want easier and quicker pump options, so they can spend less time on the beach, and more on the water.
A while ago, we published our popular Guide to High Pressure Inflatable Pumps. Since then, more options have become available.
Recently we received our first shipment of Aquaglide’s 12-Volt 2-Stage Turbo HP Pumps, which bills itself as capable of inflating from 1 to 20 PSI. The Turbo HP is a fairly diminutive size, measuring 12 x 5 x 6 inches and weighing in at 3 lbs 5 oz. The pump includes a 4 foot long, rugged, non-kink hose with two adaptors – an HR-style military adaptor and a screw-on adaptor.
As most of our inflatable kayaks run 1 to 6 PSI, and our inflatable paddle boards run 12 to 18 PSI, this seemed a good option. Best of all, it works off a car power point-cigarette lighter, but also includes alligator clips for direct connection to car or boat battery.
Using the AquaGlide 12V Turbo HP Pump
As our previous tests were done with a Red Paddle 18-PSI Surfer 10’0″, we opted for a Red Paddle Ride 9-8 which we had in our boat building – a pretty similar size and volume of 196 liters.
Instructions are pretty basic. First, connect the HR-adaptor to the hose end, and screw the hose onto the pump. Initially, it was tough to couple as the o-ring material is stiff. We pushed hard and were able to make the connection. Turn on the car battery (not the motor) and plug the connector into the car power point. Dial in the desired PSI – in this case we opted for 18 PSI, and hit the on button.
The initial (first) stage was fairly quiet. By one minute, the board was totally unfurled, then it jumped to Turbo mode (2nd stage) and became louder. We timed the inflation. At 3 minutes the board was at 5 PSI, 4 minutes to 7 PSI, 6 minutes to 11 PSI, 8 minutes to 14 PSI, 9 minutes to 15 PSI. At 10 minutes, 29 seconds, the motor shut off after reaching 18 PSI.
We tried to carefully twist off the hose, and it nearly blew us off. We managed to re-make the connection, and re-pumped it to 15 PSI. Through trial and error, we found that slowly twisting off the hose would lose air. If we quickly pulled off the hose – by pushing/twisting and popping off – it came off easily. So practice a little first. We did use a K-Pump quick check valve.
AquaGlide’s 2017 Super Summer 20% Off Sale starts May 18th.
Get 20% off all in-stock AquaGlide inflatable kayaks, paddle boards and gear during the Super Summer Sale from May 18th through June 1st.
Shop early for the best selection, with kayaks priced at $183.95 to $879.95 and paddle boards as low as $559. 95. No tax and free US shipping via UPS ground on orders over $398.
Visit the AquaGlide product pages at www.AirKayaks.com for details or to purchase.
AquaGlide’s Super Summer 20% Off Sale starts May 18th.
Get 20% off all in-stock AquaGlide inflatable kayaks, paddle boards and gear during the Super Summer Sale from May 18th through June 1st.
Shop early for the best selection, with kayaks priced at $183.95 to $879.95 and paddle boards as low as $559. 95. No tax and free US shipping via UPS ground on orders over $398.
Visit the AquaGlide product pages at www.AirKayaks.com for details or to purchase.
We recently reviewed two of the new Innova inflatable kayaks – the Solar 410C and the Seawave – which are both billed as kayaks for one to three paddlers.
Innova kayaks are manufactured in the Czech Republic under the Gumotex label. The Innova kayaks are well-known for their portability and PVC-free construction, making them a great choice for back-country trekking, plane flights, and environmentally-conscious paddlers. In the photo above, the Solar kayak is green (but also available in red), while the Seawave is red.
One of the most commonly asked questions is – which one is right for me? Below we have compiled a list of similarities and differences to help guide you in making that personal decision.
What’s the same in both kayaks?
Both kayaks are constructed from the same 1200 denier, rubber-coated laminate Nitrylon hull material. Both main chambers can be inflated to 3-PSI, and the smaller chambers to 1-1.5 PSI. Each has the same-style carrying bag, molded rubber handles, removable tracking fin, 3 main military valve chambers and four smaller twistlock chambers. They also have the same rear foot brace, seat attachments, seat straps and loop attachments.
Each comes with two seats, two braces, instructions, adaptor, repair kit and sponge. Each has the option to paddle double, solo, or add an optional third seat for a small child.
So what’s different?
While there are many items that are similar, the Innova Solar 410C (green in photo above) is a simpler, recreational kayak suitable for calmer waters. The Solar features shorter front and rear splash decks with a short length of rope line. There are four sets of tube d-rings for attaching seats and gear, five sets of floor loops/straps with four plastic d-rings, for attaching gear and braces. An integrated “numbering system” on the floor guides solo paddlers where to place the foor brace, based on their height. The front foot brace features a “double hump” system, and the seat back is two inches higher. A rear netting system with 4 clips expands the gear storage options.
At 163 inches long and 32 inches wide, the Solar 410C is shorter; the interior space of 160 in length and 14-15 inches wide is also shorter. There are no options for attaching decks or a rudder system. There is no blow hole. The weight is lighter at 38 lbs for the pack and contents. The carrying capacity is slightly higher at 591 lbs while the MSRP is lower at $749.
The Innova Seawave (red in photo above) has been set up with numerous optional enhancements, making it a better touring choice. The Seawave has longer front and rear splash decks, with rope line running the perimeter of the kayak. Integrated numbering systems on the side hull guide the
This past week we had the opportunity to take our first look at the Innova Seawave inflatable kayak – a two+ person kayak with a versatile design that allows one to attach optional spray decks, spray skirts and a foot rudder system.
The Innova line is unique for a number of reasons. First, all the kayaks are handmade in the Czech Republic; the factory has manufactured inflatable boats for well over 50 years. In Europe, a similar line is marketed under the name Gumotex.
We previously published our review on the new Solar 410C, Innova’s other 2+ person inflatable introduced into the US market simultaneously. So here is our write-up on the the Innova Seawave inflatable tandem kayak, which weighs 44 lbs in the pack, is 15 feet in length with a payload of 551 lbs for two+ persons and gear. (Please note: some of the information will be duplicated from other Innova reviews).
Getting Started with the Innova Seawave
The box as received weighs in at 48 lbs, measuring 27 x 18.5 x 12.5 inches.
Inside is a very nifty 100L backpack with adjustable shoulder straps, front pouch pocket and roll top closure. This contains the kayak body, tracking fin, foot rests, repair kit, instructions, cinch belt, valve adaptor, seats and sponge. Packed dimensions are 24 x 17 x 12 inches as received in the bag, with a weight of 44 lbs. The kayak with seats and foot rests is 41 lbs. (Please note: This is the actual kayak weight, NOT the 29 lbs as stated from the manufacturer’s literature.)
Innova Seawave Kayak Setup/Inflatation
We read through the included instruction manuals. Just like all the other Innova products, the Innova Seawave manual is surprisingly detailed in some aspects, while lacking in others. As the kayaks are made in Europe, many of the details are based around European specs and regulations and can sound more complicated than it actually is. Additionally, some of the translations are a bit difficult to understand.
First step, unpack and unfold the kayak body. What is immediately noticeable is how FLAT the kayak is when deflated – of course, this makes it quite compact for travel.
Next, flip the kayak over to install the tracking fin before inflation, locating the fin “shoe” towards the stern. Slip the end with the larger slot in first, making sure that the fin is pointing towards the “back” of the kayak. This enables it to slide in enough to fit in the second side.
The instructions suggest attaching and inflating the foot braces and seats first, though these actually come pre-attached from the factory. (If they are not attached, start with the foot braces. There are five buckles on the floor – when paddling tandem, use the 1st and
This past week we had the opportunity to take our first look at the Innova Solar 410C inflatable kayak – a 2+ person kayak for recreational paddling.
The Innova line is unique for a number of reasons. First, all the kayaks are handmade in the Czech Republic – the factory has manufactured inflatable boats for well over 50 years. Secondly, the manufacturing process produces kayaks that can become quite compact, making them a great choice for travel. And third, the kayaks are environmentally-friendly as they are mostly PVC-free.
While various iterations of the Solar have been available in Europe for years, Innova recently brought in the newly-redesigned Solar 410C. We had our first opportunity to take out the kayak late last year. So here is our write-up on the the Innova Solar 410C inflatable tandem kayak, which weighs 36 lbs in the pack, is 13 feet 2 inches in length and has a payload of 595 lbs for two persons and gear. (Please note: some of the information will be duplicated from other Innova reviews).
Getting Started with the Innova Solar 410C
The box as received measures 25 x 16 x 11 inches, weighing in at 40 lbs.
Inside is a very nifty and compact backpack with adjustable shoulder straps, front pouch pocket and roll top closure. This contains the kayak body, tracking fin, foot rests, repair kit, instructions, valve adaptor, seats and sponge. Packed dimensions are 25 x 16 x 10 inches as received in the bag, with a weight of 38 lbs for the pack and contents.
We read through the included instruction manuals. Just like all the other Innova products, the Innova Solar manual is surprisingly detailed in some aspects, while lacking in others. As the kayaks are made in Europe, many of the details are based around European specs and regulations and can sound more complicated than it actually is. Please also note that some of the instructions/diagrams have errors.
First step, unpack and unfold the kayak body. What is immediately noticeable is how FLAT the kayak is when deflated – of course, this makes it quite compact for travel.
Install the tracking fin into the “shoe” before inflating the kayak. Slip the end with the larger slot in first, making sure that the fin is pointing towards the “back” of the kayak. This enables it to slide in enough to fit in the second side. The first time we tried this, we struggled to get the second slot into position but this gets easier with use.
The instructions suggest attaching and inflating the foot braces and seats first, but these come already attached from the factory – the front seat is attached to the 2nd set of floor clips, and the back seat to
We recently received news on the new 2017 Kokopelli lineup of inflatable packrafts.
For those unfamiliar with the term, “packrafts” are loosely defined as a an inflatable raft weighing under 10 lbs, that can easily be packed/rolled up, making them a great choice for accessing remote locations. While the sport originated in Alaska, the popularity is rapidly expanding globally.
The 2016 Kokopelli line-up consisted of four whitewater models – the Nirvana and Nirvana XL in self-bailing and spray deck versions – joined by three new Touring series: the Castaway, Castaway XL and Twain two-person version. The Touring Series features packrafts with removable tracking fins, making them better suited for calm water paddling.
While Kokopelli’s main product lineup is not changing in 2017, several new features come into play. Foremost, all Kokopelli packrafts will come with upgraded Leafield D7 military valves, rather than the current Boston valves. The D7 valve has a shorter internal profile than other valves making it ideal for smaller diameter tubes such as inflatable kayak floors. The seal was also designed to be self-cleaning, reducing leakage risks due to dirt contamination.
All models with Tizip now have a 19 inch opening (up from 16 inches) making it easier to access stored gear.
The Nirvana Whitewater series also sports a number of changes, beginning with an added color to round out the selection. The new French Gray (more of a desaturated Army gray-green) is for those opting for less visibility. All Nirvana models now will come with a back band, rather than inflatable seat rest, which provides more coverage and lower back support when traversing rapids. Four d-rings have also been added on the inner tube, allowing paddlers to attach optional thigh straps for more responsive handling.
The Nirvana Self-Bailing models have been slightly redesigned with more volume in the stern. This provides more buoyancy and a slightly lower waterline, eliminating water pooling issues. While the majority of Kokopelli packrafts features two main chambers, the Nirvana Self-Bailing with Tizip now has one main chamber, thus increasing the storage area.
The Touring series – consisting of the Castaway, Castaway XL and Twain 2 – will remain virtually unchanged, except for TiZip increases and the new Leafield D7 military valves.
Weights range from 7.3 to 13.8 lbs. All models come with an inflation “bag” weighing a mere 4 ounces, though they also can be pumped up using a traditional hand or foot pump. Prices range from $725 to $1099 dependent upon the model and options.
The 2017 models are in-transit, and expected to be available in late February. For more details or to order, visit the Kokopelli Packraft product pages at www.AirKayaks.com.
We recently posted our first review on Aire’s Tributary inflatable kayak product-line. The Tributary models – which are made overseas – offer great value for those on a budget or unwilling to make a large investment; these include the Strikes, Sawtooth and Tomcat kayaks as well as several rafts.
This week we had the first opportunity to take out the Aire Tributary Strike 1, a 10 foot 3-inch one-person inflatable with a price of $799. The Strike is billed as a crossover kayak, capable of spanning calm water to rapids. Please note, some of this may be repeated from other write-ups.
Aire Tributary Strike I Inflatable Kayak: Getting Started
The box as received measures 29 x 16 x 13 inches, weighing in at 33 lbs.
Inside is the Strike body, one Cheetah seat, flip strap, instructions and repair kit with adaptor, adaptor tube, wrench and patch material (including some TearAid). The Strike does not come with a carrying case. The body alone weighs 26 lbs, or 29.5 lbs with the seat. The folded body measures roughly 28 x 15 x 12 inches.
Aire Tributary Strike Setup/Inflatation
We read through the included instruction manual. First step, unfold the kayak body. Then pump up tthe main chambers until softly filled.
The Aire Tributary Strike features three main inflation chambers utilizing Summit II military valves – one for the floor and one for each side. 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). Please note – the military valve push pins can sometimes deceptively look as if they are UP when actually in the deflate mode. When this happens, as soon as you remove the pump adaptor all the air will swoosh out. So, make sure they are truly popped up. On the positive side, this is so easy to pump up, it’s not a big issue.
Unlike many kayaks, the Aire Tributary Strike has two main inflation valves at opposite sides of the kayak – one on the upper rear right and one on the upper bow left.
Locate the military valve adaptor in the repair kit. The Strike does not come with a pump, but the adaptor allows one to use the Boston valve conical adaptor found on most pumps. To couple the Strike adaptor with the Boston valve adaptor, Aire has included a two-inch clear plastic tube. Insert the end of the Strike adaptor into one side of the clear tube, and then insert the Boston valve adaptor onto the other side via friction fit. Lock the Aire adaptor onto the military valve with a slight twist. Since the Strike
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