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AquaGlide 2016 Inflatable Kayak & Paddle Board Product Line

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Now entering the third season as a manufacturer of inflatable kayaks, AquaGlide’s paddling line has dramatically expanded the options available to water enthusiasts looking for portability.
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.

Unveiled at last month’s Outdoor Retailer show, the new 2016 Aquaglide inflatable kayak and paddle board product line has expanded to 22 models – including 2 new kayaks, one new angler SUP and 3 paddle board redesigns – with MSRP pricing from $199.95 to $1099.95.

Biggest news is AquaGlide’s expanded Blackfoot line which targets the popular sport of kayak fishing. Two new models – the 10′ 6″ Blackfoot HB Angler SL inflatable kayak and 11′ 6″ Blackfoot ISUP – are joining the current 12′ 8″ Blackfoot HB Angler XL inflatable kayak for one or two paddlers. (Image above features the 10-6 Blackfoot, while the image below shows the current 12-8 Blackfoot.)

Designed with the angler in mind, the two Blackfoot HB inflatable kayaks now include both a single model, and one for 1-2 paddlers. Each features a 6 PSI high-pressure floor. The current 12′ 8 BlackFoot HB can easily be switched from solo to tandem paddling, with a street price $999. The new 10′ 6″ Blackfoot HB Angler SL is a scaled-down version for one paddler, with a lower pricepoint of $799. Both are fishing feature-rich, with integrated Scotty mounts and rod holders.

The new BlackFoot Angler inflatable paddle board is a rugged 11′ 6″ model focused on fishing. With a wider 34 inch beam, beefy 6-inch thickness, integrated Scotty mounts, d-rings and bungee decklacing, the BlackFoot iSUP is guaranteed to comfortably carry an arsenal of fishing gear while providing the stability needed for stand-up fly fishing. Street price is $999.
See our recent Blackfoot Series Sneak Preview for more details on all three models.

On the SUP side, the Cascade inflatable standup paddle board series has undergone a major facelift and overhaul. The Cascades for 2016 feature redesigned graphics now in 10-0, 11-0 and 12-0 sizes with a 32-inch width, 6-inch thickness, higher-density dropstitch material and a longer fin box.

A new Bravo slim-barrel high-pressure pump with aluminum shaft and pressure gauge is now standard with each of the SUPs.

The current backpack has been replaced with an upgraded Crossover DLX Pack – constructed from a 600 denier polyester/PVC laminate, the pack has been redesigned for long distance travel. This comes as standard equipment with each of the inflatable SUPs.

The DLX Pack is joined by the Crossover Roller Pack, a beefed-up backpack with hidden straps and roller

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: AquaGlide Chelan HB One Inflatable Kayak

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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 >>