BLUEWAVE GLIDER 2+1 DROP STITCH KAYAK.
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2020
- This is an update on my earlier "Out of the Box" review video on my BLUEWAVE GLIDER 2+1 100% DROP STITCH KAYAK.
Whatever product I am covering, I will normally title the video as “My First Impression”, or “Out Of The Box”. I mean, do you really need to see someone opening the packaging!. For a review, I believe the product must have been used, tried, and tested over a length of time.
Before purchasing this kayak I spent hours searching for owner reviews. Eventually, I found two written reviews and one video which was set to music. In this video I give my out of the water first impressions of this kayak.
UPDATE:
I now have an "On The Water" first impressions review which may be viewed at,
www.davidwilsonoutandabout.co...
Glider 471 Kayak "On The Water" Review - Part 2. Solo Paddling.
www.davidwilsonoutandabout.co...
NEW VIDEO REVIEW:
My Review Of The Bluewave Glider Drop Stitch Kayak One Year On...
• My Thoughts On The Blu...
My preference when kayaking is flatwater rivers, canals, and lakes. I do not sea kayak, so I cannot comment on the kayak's stability or performance at sea.
Additional products talked about in this video.
2 Pack Boat Dock Line 4-5.5 Ft Mooring Rope:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
www.davidwilsonoutandabout.co.uk
If you enjoy my content and would like to support the channel, then please consider heading over to my Buy Me A Coffee page where I will post updates and things you won’t necessarily see on my UA-cam channel.
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Your support is greatly appreciated.
Have an awesome day 👍
All the best, Dave. - Розваги
Great video! I have the same kayak and love it. Hoping to do the full length of the river Wye in it later this year. I find it very stable, even loaded up with camping gear. 👍
Wow, I'm convinced to get one. Thank you for your time
Thank you. 👍
Great video. Thanks for taking time to make and share
Thank you, I now have an "On The Water" first impressions review which may be viewed at,
www.davidwilsonoutandabout.co.uk/2020/06/my-first-set-up-and-on-water-impression.html
Looks good. Another quality choice. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Chris. Yes, I have had this kayak for over 18 months now, still as impressed with it as the day I bought it, This is my one-year appraisal of the kayak, ua-cam.com/video/uWhM7nGm2tE/v-deo.html
ATB, Dave. 👍
Thanks for the video. Really helpful as I'm considering this kayak for myself. Also been watching your other videos as I'm looking to kayak on the river medway as I'm local also. 😁👍
Thank you, I now have an "On The Water" first impressions review which may be viewed at,
www.davidwilsonoutandabout.co.uk/2020/06/my-first-set-up-and-on-water-impression.html
Hi David, wife and I've been toying with the idea of getting one of these for a couple of years. I got one of those 'life really IS short' moments today and decided to order one - helped considerably by your reviews. A big thank you for taking the time. I've subbed and will be coming back.
Thank you, Sam, I am so glad you found the video informative. Indeed, life is far too short. A little tip, if you both find the kayak a bit unstable (tippy) at first, reduces the air pressure to about 8.5psi, this will make it more stable for your first few outings.
ATB, Dave 👍
Looks great. Looking forward to hearing more
Thank you, Simon, much appreciated.
I now have an "On The Water" first impressions review which may be viewed at,
www.davidwilsonoutandabout.co.uk/2020/06/my-first-set-up-and-on-water-impression.html
Thank you for your amazing and interesting video
Pleasure to watch
Thank you, Oleg 👍
Excellent! I love my glider. People worry about the stability of these kayaks, actually getting it to capsize on purpose is really quite difficult, it comes to rest on the side chamber then refuses to go over. I'm looking at the bluewave dropstitch canoe at the moment for more faster running rivers and rapids, plus loads of room for camping gear. Have you seen it? Unfortunately, there are no reviews around at the moment.
Hi Darren,
I have seen the canoe, it does not look much different from the glider other than the seats!
I've just collected mine today. It's got a great internal volume but I was surprised by the weight of the seats! They account for around a third of the weight of the canoe😮
Thanks for this video, I have only found one other.
I just took my new 1 person Glider out today and am afraid to say I found it horribly unstable.
I actually fell out 3 times whilst trying to get in.
It felt like it could tip over at any given moment and took the enjoyment out of it for me.
I'm 6,2" and I suspect this makes me less stable but I must surely be doing something wrong? 🤔
I hope to take it out again on Monday and hope to stay dry this time.
My other kayak is a Sevylor Hudson which is almost impossible to tip over so I feel very secure.
On the downside it's an absolute nightmare to dry which is why I bought the Glider. 🙄
Oh and that stupid bag thing that comes with it?
They should take a tip from the Sea Eagle Razorlight backpack.
Funnily enough the Sea Eagle Razorlight is pretty much exactly the same kayak as the Glider.
Stick with it, Steve. Stability was an issue for me on the first couple of outings. Don't use the booster cushion, and inflate to about 8.5 psi, you will find it a bit more stable. Once you get used to the kayak and you learn to relax into it you can start to increase the pressure towards the maximum of 10psi.
ATB, Dave.
@@DavidWilsonOutandAbout
Thanks for the advice Dave.
I'll definitely persevere although I doubt I'll get many days in before the weather gets too cold for me.
I did take the booster seat out but it was getting into it that caused me to capsize.
It still felt precarious once I was in. I did hard shell sea kayaking 12 years ago and only capsized once so I'm sure I'll manage it eventually.
Hi Dave, great video thanks. I am really keen to get my hands on one. I just need to convince my others half lol. Just wondered what part of the country you are in and whether we might be able to take a look.
Hi Brian, just tell her it was half price in the sale, that is what they do. I am located in Kent, I am probably going to get a few more local paddles in during October, weather permitting, then I may hang up my paddle for the winter.
ATB, Dave.
Thanks for a fantastic out of the box review from a newbie.
You mentioned doing an on the water review - have you done this please and if so do you have a link as I can't find it. Thank you so much, Ben
Hi Ben, thanks for your comment, glad you liked the review. There are two links in the video description under "Updates" which will take you to written reviews on the Glider's performance.
ATB, Dave.
Hi thanks for the review. I also read your on the water reviews on your site. I have 2 questions, sorry if I missed the info... Where did you get the 3.5" skeg you use instead of the 9" one provided? And did you find a way of reinforcing the keel? I'm looking at this kayak or maybe an Itiwit 3 person with a drop stitch base. My kids will be using them as well on holidays and I'm a bit concerned about the sturdiness of both of them. I've read some complaints about the Itiwit puncturing easily on other reviews, and you seemed concerned about the sturdiness of the keel if running aground. Any advice would be greatly received! Thanks again.
Hi there. The 3.5" skeg I use is a spare from my Itiwit 3-person kayak. The Skegs for the Itiwit 1,2,&3 are only £5.99 each. To be honest, I have only used the 9" supplied skeg once and that was on very choppy water on Loch Lubnaig. I am very used to my D/S kayak now so for me there is no tippiness or issues getting in or out, however, if I take my slightly older grandchildren kayaking (11 and 10yrs old) I tend to use my Itiwit 3. Kids like to move about and play, the Itiwit is ideal for this whereby my Glider is a proper touring kayak which would be very unforgiving if the children started fidgeting about. I cannot comment on the new Itiwit with the D/S floor, but my Itiiwit 3 has been a great and robust workhorse over the past 2 years. The only downside is the drying time of the fabric once you get to autumn/winter. Keel wise on the Glider, I used Gorilla tape as a fix and rarely use slipways or run aground fast. If there is a sloping beach or slipway I will head in slowly and turn side-on at the last moment to avoid full-on contact with the keel. This video may be of interest, my D/S kayak is being used by my sons, I am in the Itiwit 3 and at times during the video, I express my thoughts on both kayaks. Hope this helps.
ATB, Dave.
ua-cam.com/video/5IwPo9vgPzk/v-deo.html
Link to the skeg:
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/size-s-kayak-or-stand-up-paddle-fin-black/_/R-p-164391?mc=8387099#v2221042
@@DavidWilsonOutandAbout extremely helpful thanks for your time 👍
Great video mate I enjoyed that. Regards the kayak being "tippy" is that something you get used too? I plan to spend most of my time on the Scottish untidal lochs but I'd also like to do some coastal trips. Cheers John
Thank you, John. I master the kayak by the time I had completed my second time out on the water, I was just so different from the conventional large chambered inflatable kayaks. Now i just jump in, relax, and go.
ATB, Dave.
@@DavidWilsonOutandAbout Dave I want to do some coastal stuff , would u recommend?
@@alba9507 Sorry, John, I cannot comment on using it on the sea, I only paddle rivers, lakes, and canals. However, the comment below (Ian Ewen) has the same model and mentions sea use in his comment.
Hi Vox ,
I have done both the Moray, and Buchan coastline in mine , in sea swell of near a meter . It feels less tippy if you remove the 2inch seat pad .
Hi David getting a Bluewave kayak the same as yours can you give me some advice as to what life jacket to get that is comfortable to were when kayaking.
Hi Brian,
My go-to buoyancy aid is this one, it is very comfortable and not too bulky,
www.amazon.co.uk/Typhoon-Buoyancy-Jacket-Black-Junior/dp/B086LGQN2Z/ref=asc_df_B00MODVLTA/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310493386938&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10937627967074125092&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006811&hvtargid=pla-717548662280&th=1&psc=1
Hi , quick question is it quite rigid in the water as I’ve had a previous inflatable kayak and it would always fold where a person would sit . This does look a good quality kayak. Thanks for the video 👍
Glad you found the video informative. As stated two minutes into the video, the kayak is as rigid as a board., there is no sag or flex at all.
David Wilson Out and About , thanks for the reply I was just checking to see if it was still rigid in the water whilst sat in it 👍
Hi David - great vid. There's still not too much info about these kayaks out there. I'm torn between a single seat and the tandem. It'd mainly be me using it, but there's always a mate that might pop round. What are your thoughts? Have you felt that the tandem was decent as a single passenger kayak? Cheers!
Hi Gareth, this was a dilemma for me last year as I also own a 3 person Itiwit kayak. I chose the 2-person version as I use it for kayak camping now and again, also my son comes out with me occasionally. I mainly paddle solo and find it great to paddle solo from the middle position, in fact, the longer the kayak/canoe, the straighter they track. Furthermore, I even find the extra weight acceptable, however, the length makes the kayak difficult to carry when portaging. I now have a kayak trolley which I take with me for the longer portages at locks. This said, I was going to add the single version to my collection this year, but I have decided to just stick with my 2-person kayak as it is great once it is on the water and I have bags of room for all sorts of kit. The 9" skeg fits in near the rear of the kayak so if you do buy the 2-person version I strongly suggest following my advice in regard to purchasing the 3.5" Itiwit skeg. When 2 people are paddling, the kayak is mainly steered by the paddler at the rear, so from the mid-position, it is far more difficult to yaw (manoeuvre left and right) with the longer skeg fitted. Pro and cons on both sides, if you buy the one-person version you are paddling on your own. If you buy the two-person version which is 3ft longer you may have to add a bit of extra kit to assist you in carrying it any distance. Hope this helps.
Here is my latest Bluewave Glider "One Year On" video which may be of interest to you.
ua-cam.com/video/uWhM7nGm2tE/v-deo.html
ATB, Dave. 👍
@@DavidWilsonOutandAbout That's fantastically helpful. I was veering towards the tandem and I think I'll go for it. The price difference is so small its seems silly not to. Just hope the wait is less than the July stated on the site! Will definitely follow your skeg advice too. Thanks again.
@@gareths3758 The July date was the final thing that made me decide not to buy the single kayak this year, I will have been out on the water dozens of times by then including Coniston Water, Ullswater, and Covid-19 permitting, several lochs in Scotland 😉. Here's hoping they stick to their ETA on deliveries. Happy paddling for when you finally get out on the water.
Hello Dave. Amazing video. @ 12.44 I could not help but notice how thin the amount of plastic holding the foot rest loops is. I would be concerned the plastic attaching the loops to the boat would in time yield under the force of rowing. Am I over-reacting? I am in the market for a drop stich inflatable kayak and have been looking at tons of videos. Yours is one of the better videos I have seen. Thanks, from NYC.
Glad you found the video informative. The d- rings are all the same size and with in excess of 70 hours on the water, they are proving very robust. However, the foot straps on this model are not worth using, plus the lower d-rings are positioned for use by two people, as I generally paddle solo from the mid position they cannot be used.
ATB, Dave.
For coastal trips itiwit 100+ or the glider?? Anybody have a view - worried about the stability of the glider?
The stability of the Glider is fine, you just have to get used to the kayak, plus wind is less of an issue due to the fact to sits lower in the water and has narrow side chambers, it also cuts through the water like butter. The Itiwit X100+ with its larger flat bottom surface area and large side chambers would obviously be more stable from the outset, as in the Itiwit 1,2, and 3 are very difficult to capsize, however, you are at the mercy of the wind.
great vid David , is it very stable? my wife always is worried about tipping over?
I have owned mine for nearly three years, so obviously I can handle it with no problem. However, it was a bit tippy to start with. This kayak can run at 10psi, but I suggest that when you first use the kayak you inflate to about 7psi which makes it much more stable, then you can increase the pressure in stages as you get used to it.
ATB, Dave.
Hi I have a question for you. As I kayak a lot in winter .What is this boat like in the winter? and is it easy to fold when it cold?. As I have sold my hard boat. Thanks for your time
I have never noticed any difference in folding the kayak in the winter. I often get out on the paddle at first light, but rarely in sub-zero temperatures. The only thing you will find in very cold conditions is that once the kayak has been in the water a while, you may feel the need to top up the pressure a tad. Saying that it is as solid as a rock at 7psi.
ua-cam.com/video/uWhM7nGm2tE/v-deo.html
@@DavidWilsonOutandAbout that's for that David as you know that a lot off pump up kayaks go stiff and are very awkward to fold when cold and can split 😬 I'm on the market to buy a FDS kayak and the bluewave is on the top of my list.
Thanks Mike
Dave great video ! Any video showing how it behaved in the water?
Hi Maurico.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. No full video on the glider's performance on the water but references to its performance in several of my videos. Also, there are links to my reviews part one and two of the kayak in the description above which I feel may be of help. I can tell you, it tracks as straight as an arrow and performs like a hardshell kayak. The 9" skeg )fin) supplied with the kayak makes it difficult to yaw left and right, so I generally run with a 3.5" skeg fitted, this is explained in more detail in my written review part two.
ATB, Dave.
Dave thanks, saw them now, just what I needed. I’m in Canada and planning to get the Sea Eagle version of this one.
@@mauriciomesa6455 An excellent craft, happy paddling, Mauricio.
Is it difficult to carry when it's inflated?
Hi Peter. It is more awkward than heavy for one person. There are no handles on the sides in the middle of the kayak which can make it difficult to get out of the water at jetties/canoe platforms. It is the length that sometimes causes the problem when carrying it, the wind can hit it and spin it around which is bloody hard to counter. All this said, it is a two-person kayak and with two people carrying it, it is a breeze. I learned my lesson back in early summer when the wind caught the kayak which resulted in a sprained wrist. I now use a kayak trolley to transport it any distance and as a workaround, I have fitted a couple of shoulder straps to the D rings on both sides to assist in lifting it. At the time of this reply I have over 150 hours out on the water now, including lochs (lakes) in Scotland, I am very impressed with the build quality and handling of this kayak.
@@DavidWilsonOutandAbout Thank you David, you are very kind. It is very helpful information for me.
@@PeterKolta You are welcome, Peter.
Thanks for video! Great review.
(4 dislike-why???? This is not a pro review and there are no other videos about Bluewave Gliders...)
Thank you, Daniel. I am glad you found the video informative. It seems there was a blip in the thumbs up/down feature as this video is now showing 4 thumps up, and one thumb down.
Yes, this video is just my honest out-of-the-box first impression of the Glider 2+1. Maybe people will not like my reference to most of these drop stitch kayaks being produced by the same South Korean manufacturer and branded by the individual sellers!. Either way, you cannot please everybody all the time.
This makes an interesting read.
inflatablekayaksandpackrafts.com/2015/05/27/sea-eagles-10psi-drop-stitch-473rl-razorlite-kayak/
When you out Dave?
So had it wet yet budfy
?