Tag Archives: children’s kayaks

Product Review: New Panther Compact Inflatable Kayak from Aquaglide

As mentioned in previous posts, Aquaglide, Inc of White Salmon, Washington has recently introduced several new inflatable kayaks for 2015. The Aquaglide kayak product line consists of 15 models with MSRP pricing from $199.95 to $1199.95.

Our first shipment included the new Panther inflatable kayak. Part of Aquaglide’s “pricepoint” series, the Panther is a cross between the Columbia XP One and Chinook One inflatable kayaks, scaled down for “smaller” people – both youth and adults.
Following is our writeup on the Panther, a 24-lb, 9 foot solo model selling for $349.
Getting Started with the AquaGlide Panther Inflatable Kayak
We unpacked the box and laid out the pieces – inflatable kayak, backpack, instructions, repair kit, tracking fin and seat.

Initial measurements showed the kayak body weighs 19 lbs, with a folded size of roughly 25 x 17 x 10 inches, while the kayak with seat in the drawstring sack weighs 24 lbs. Boxed up, the dimensions are 27 x 20 x 10 inches with a shipping weight of 29.5 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.)
AquaGlide Panther Inflatation and Setup:
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.

According to the instructions, the floor is pumped up first, then the two side chambers. First, attach the Boston valves by screwing them onto the kayak.
(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.)

We pumped up the floor until firm (1.0 psi with slight give) using a standard double action hand pump – this took about 20 pumps.

We then pumped up each of the side chambers to 2 PSI – this was about 20 to 23 pumps each side – and screwed on the valve caps. (AirKayaks side note #3:

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

New Aquaglide Inflatable Kayak Lineup for 2015

Earlier this year, the launch of AquaGlide’s inflatable kayak line dramatically expanded the options available to paddlers looking for portability.
A division of North Sports Inc, the Aquaglide brand has grown steadily over the past 13 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 2015 Aquaglide inflatable kayak product line has expanded to 19 models – including 7 new kayaks and 3 redesigns – with MSRP pricing from $199.95 to $1099.95.
The new high-pressure Aquaglide models include the Chelan HB – a touring model in three sizes – and the BlackFoot HB – a high pressure fishing kayak for one to two paddlers. The current two Klickitat self-bailing whitewater kayaks, and the three Deschutes series recreational kayaks – both with high-pressure floor construction – remain the same.

The new Chelan HB high-pressure touring series consists of three sizes, and is a hybrid of the original Columbia HB and Klickitat HB models. The Chelans feature the Columbia’s long sleek waterline but are constructed in the smooth skin Duratex material used on the Klickitats,  which reduces drying time. The sizes include the 11’4 Chelan One HB for solo paddling, the 13’5 Chelan Two HB for one to two paddlers, and the 15 ft Chelan HB Tandem XL for 1 to 3 paddlers. Street prices $799, $999 and $1099 respectively.

The new 12′ 8 BlackFoot HB is a high pressure inflatable for one to two paddlers with the focus on fishing. The kayak body includes integrated Scotty mounts and a utility dry bag/cooler, rigid floor for standup fly fishing, and an ergonomic inflatable jumper seat for enhanced seating. See our recent Blackfoot Sneak Preview for more details. Street price $999.

The Columbia HB series has undergone a significant manufacturing change to a low pressure floor, and is now called the Columbia XP, bridging the gap between the Chinook and Chelan product lines. This includes the Columbia XP One single at 11’4, the 13’5 Columbia XP Two for one to two paddlers, and the 15 ft Columbia XP Tandem XL for 1-3 paddlers. The prices have been reduced to $599, $699 and $799 respectively.
Both the Columbia XP and Chelan HB series can be enclosed with optional single and double spray decks, allowing paddlers to use spray skirts in chillier weather.
While the Chinook and Rogue tandem models remain the same, three new low-pressure single models have been introduced – the Rogue XP1, Panther XP and Chinook XP One.

Weighing in at 20 lbs, the 8 ft Rogue XP One “diveyak” joins the current two person model as an economical fishing option, with

Original Source: AirKayaks >>