Tag Archives: inflatable kayaks

2019 Best Selling Gift Ideas for Paddlers from AirKayaks

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The holidays are around the corner. AirKayaks has put together a list of 15 popular Gift Ideas for Paddlers – these include gifts in a wide range of prices, certain to make that special person happy! Our focus is on portable options for those planning on travel or short on space, though many can be used by all water enthusiasts.

1) Paddle Leash from Seattle Sports – $17.95
Don’t be caught “up a creek without a paddle!” The streamlined, low-profile, retractable Paddle Leash cord is easy to pack and stays out of the way while providing an eight-foot expansion. A unique quick-release feature allows your paddle to be quickly and easily attached to and from the leash. Length 34.25 inches expanding to 8 ft, weight 1.8 oz

2) Seattle Sports Magni-Map Pro Splashproof Chart Case. $24.95
Rugged and waterproof map case sized to fit maps up to 14.5 x 12.25 inches. It has an included flexible magnifying tool to enlarge tiny map details on the go.

3) Advanced Elements Packlite Dry Bag Set – $24.95
A nifty, ultra-lightweight set of three rolltop drybags in three sizes – 3, 5 and 10 liters – for dry storage options. Bag measurements are 7 x 8.5 inches, 6.5 x 10 inches and 9 x 16 inches. Available as a set only.

4) Seattle Sports Paddlers Deluxe Breakaway Bilge Pump – $29.95
Features an easy-grab handle, super-strong pump shaft and heavy-duty impact resistant plastic. The modular design can be taken apart for easy cleaning and plunger replacement.

5) Red Paddle Co Original Insulated Water Bottle – $39
A super insulated drink bottle of marine grade stainless steel. Holds up to 750 ml of hot or cold liquids – keep cold drinks cold for 24 hrs and hot drinks hot for 12 hrs with no external condensation. Easily attaches to most SUPs or kayaks with a carabiner.

6) Kokopelli Packraft Feather Rechargeable 12V Pump – 6 oz. $39.95
A pocket-sized, lightweight 12V rechargeable air pump – named “Product of the Year” at the 2019 Germany PADDLE Expo in the Accessory category! It has a 60-minute battery life and works with any micro USB charger. Will fill out (not to full pressure) most inflatables within minutes. Also great for your air-mattress or sleeping pad.

7) Advanced Elements StashPak 20L Rolltop Dry Bag – $49.99
A durable, water-resistant, roll-top dry bag with detachable pouch in 20 liter size! Features detachable straps and four d-rings while a removable pouch with carry handle is perfect for small essentials, and also doubles as a storage case for the StashPak when not in use. Also available in a 40 liter size.
8) MTI Adventurewear Journey PFD Life Vest – $54.95
Weighing only a pound, this stripped-down life vest features a slim fit with ergo-dynamically contoured front panels,

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Choosing an Inflatable Kayak – What Should You Consider

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Gone are the days when inflatable kayaks were simply pool toys. With recent dramatic increases in technology, today’s inflatables have evolved into everything from family recreational fun to high-tech specialized  watercraft – some even rival the performance of hard shell kayaks.

An array of Advanced Elements Inflatable Kayaks
Benefits of Inflatable Kayaks
So why choose an inflatable? The biggest reasons are portability and storage.
Innova 100L Backpack for Innova Kayaks
The ability to travel with an inflatable – either tossed into the back of your car or RV, taking mass transit, backpacking into remote areas or flying around the world – is appealing to many.

Inflatables also solve storage problems – the bags and backpacks can easily fit in a closet  or trunk of a car, and there is no need for cumbersome and expensive roof racks.
AquaGlide Chelan 155 HB XL Kayak for 1-3 paddlers
Many of the inflatables are lightweight – making it easier to manage – and can hold one, two, sometimes three paddlers, making it great for family fun.
AquaGlide Blackfoot 155 Angler HB XL for 1-2 paddlers
Most are rugged and incredibly stable, appealing to those nervous about the water and leary of “tippy” hardshells. Many have hulls which can take scrapes, bumps and submerged sticks and logs without a blip. And in the remote chance that you do puncture your kayak, most can be easily repaired with the included maintenance kits. Simply cut a patch, put on glue, apply pressure and let sit overnight.
Inflatable Kayak Styles and Definitions
With the number of new inflatables hitting the market, there are now many styles to choose from for a wide range of water activities – from oceans to ponds, slow moving rivers to white water or wave running.
Here is an overview of some kayak styles to consider as well as some of the terms you might not be familiar with:
AquaGlide Klickitat 125 HB XL Self-Bailing Inflatable Kayak for 1-2 paddlers
Self-bailing kayaks: These are typically used in whitewater situations. Self-bailing kayaks have numerous ports – or holes – located in the bottom of the kayak. When in a fast-moving whitewater situation, this allows water to enter the kayak and pass back out, ensuring the boat doesn’t fill up. Expect a wet ride. Conversely, if you are on calm water, water will come in through the floor ports unless the kayak has plugs that can be opened or closed. Many self-bailers don’t have tracking fins, meaning they may not perform as well in flat water.
Advanced Elements StraitEdge 2 for 1-2 paddlers
Sit-on top kayak: An open design kayak. This is great for people who have difficulty getting in and out of an enclosed shell, those who tend to feel claustrophobic, and for those in warmer climates. Conversely, water will splash

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Why Choose an Inflatable Kayak or Paddle Board?

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Why Inflatables?
Gone are the days when inflatables were simply pool toys. With recent dramatic increases in technology, today’s inflatables have evolved into everything from family recreational fun to high-tech specialized  watercraft.

So why choose an inflatable?

Lightweight
Simple to inflate and set up
Easy to repair.
Rugged and stable
Perfect for traveling, whether by bike, mass transit, airplane, RV or car
Spur of the moment fun
Uses little storage space – keep it in your car, condo, garage or RV
Roof racks unnecessary
Many sizes and styles to choose from for a wide range of water activities. From oceans to lakes, slow moving rivers to white water or wave running.
Pack it into the back country to get to places others can’t.
Often less expensive to buy than to rent kayaks on vacation
Great for all ages!

Unlike other businesses, AirKayaks.com is focused only on inflatables. With dozens of styles to choose from, we understand it can be difficult weighing all the options. We’re always happy to answer any questions. Feel free to give us a call at 707-998-0135 or email info@airkayaks.com

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: New AdvancedFrame Ultralite 17.5lb Inflatable Kayak from Advanced Elements

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At last summer’s Outdoor Retailer show, Advanced Elements unveiled their 2018 inflatable kayak product line with announcement of the new AE3022 AdvancedFrame Ultralite – a redesigned version of the AdvancedFrame Sport, weighing in at a minimalist 17.5 lbs.

We avidly waited for the first shipment to arrive in early March. The boxes had not been off the truck for two hours, before we were headed down to the beach.
So following is our “hot off the truck” review of the new Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Ultralite – a 10 ft 5-inch performance kayak.
Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Ultralite
The box as received weighs 29 lbs, measuring 32 x 19 x 11 inches.

The rugged carrying case/backpack houses the kayak body, seat, repair kit, foam floor, screw-on adaptor, instructions (located in the small plastic pocket inside the backpack), foot brace, deck riser and deck pole. The kayak folded size is approximately 29 x 18 x 9 inches. Everything in the case weighs 21.5 lbs, while the kayak with seat is 19.5 lbs. The case has just enough room to include a small pump and breakdown paddle (not included). AirKayaks note: Take a good look at how the kayak is folded BEFORE setting up, this will help during breakdown.
AdvancedFrame Ultralite Kayak Setup/Inflation

First step, unfold the kayak. The AdvancedFrame Ultralite – along with all AdvancedFrame models – features an “inner rib” in the bow and stern, which is basically a u-shaped aluminum rib, about a foot long and one-half inch wide.

This comes “pre-assembled” meaning it arrives already inserted into two sleeves inside the kayak cover. Unless you remove the inner bladder, they remain in position. When the kayak is pumped up, the inner bladder with rib presses against the kayak cover – that, in conjunction with two bow and stern plastic sheets, give the kayak a sharp silhouette which aids in slicing through the water.

Now unroll the foam floor, centering it under the two main chambers, with the narrower side pointing toward the nose. The first time this can be a little tricky – smooth out the hull so it’s not wrinkled and then try to evenly position the foam. This can be fine-tuned later.

The kayak features 2 inflation chambers utilizing military valves and 1 twist-lok. The military-style plunger valves are simple to use – twist up to inflate (this is the closed position where air goes in and doesn’t come out) and down to deflate (air goes in and comes back out).

The kayak comes with a screw-on adaptor (found in the repair kit in the mesh pocket behind the seat) which will fit some pumps based on the hose fittings. Otherwise, a standard Boston valve adaptor will friction fit into the opening. AirKayaks note: Make sure to attach the

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Save $250 on Innova Sunny Inflatable Kayak for 1-2 Paddlers

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Special purchase on the Innova Sunny inflatable kayak, regularly $999, now $749 – a 25% savings!

The Innova Sunny is a high-quality, PVC-free, inflatable kayak for 1 or 2 paddlers. At only 33 lbs, the Innova packs small enough to qualify as carry-on luggage!

Featuring a PVC-free construction, the Sunny  is built from a 1200 denier rubber-coated laminate material called Nitrylon – this consists of a synthetic rubber coating over polyester on the inside and outside of the tube. Nitrylon is the same material used in high-end Zodiac-type yacht tenders, and is stronger, more abrasion and puncture resistant than PVC as well as being greener – there is no out-gassing.

The Innova Sunny comes with a very nifty and compact backpack with adjustable shoulder straps containing the kayak body, two seats, a foot rest, repair kit, instructions, tracking fin, valve adaptor and sponge. It’s perfect for lakes, slow-moving rivers, coastal waters and inlets.

Now is a great time to purchase a long-time Innova favorite at a whopping 25% savings.
To purchase or for more info, visit the Innova Sunny product page at AirKayaks.com. You can also read our Detailed Product Review on the Innova Sunny. While supplies last.

 

Original Source: AirKayaks >>