We continue with our series on the new Aquaglide line of inflatable kayaks, now turning our sights on the Deschutes HB line of high-pressure recreational kayaks. Prior reviews focused on the Chinook price-point line, then moving on to the flagship Columbia line of high pressure inflatables.

We begin this series with the Deschutes Tandem HB 2+, a 12-foot long inflatable kayak designed with multiple seating positions for one or two paddlers – yet still with extra space for gear, child or pet. (Please note: some of the information will be repeated from other write-ups.)
Getting Started with the Aquaglide Deschutes HB Tandem:

We unpacked the box and laid out the pieces – inflatable kayak, backpack, instructions, repair kit, foot braces, tracking fin, two standard seats and a jumper seat.
Initial measurements showed the kayak body weighs approximately 34 lbs, with a backpack size of roughly 27 x 22 x 18 inches, while the kayak with seats, fin and braces – all in the backpack – weighs 45 lbs. Boxed up, the dimensions are 36 x 24 x 14 inches with a shipping weight of 56 lbs. Folded, the kayak body is 30 x 21 x 9 inches.
(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. There are three more small chambers with twistlock valves, for the seat bases. 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 Deschutes Tandem HB floor requires 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. – but we were aware of this from our previous writeups on the Columbia and Klickitat series, and pulled one out of our parts box. (AirKayaks note #2: As previously mentioned, 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.)
Friction fit the military valve adaptor into the conical Boston valve adaptor (found on most pumps) and then lock the adaptor

Original Source: AirKayaks >>