I would add an additional must have for those kayaking in wilderness areas where cell-phone coverage-one of the devices that use Iridium satellites to allow two way textings. Thos include the Garmin InReach and the ZOLEO. They not only allow texting independent of cell phones anywhere on the planet, they can send regular position reports so others can follow where you are.
Do be careful because some repellants will damage pvc and plastic. Up here in Canada we get black flies too noseeums as the Americans call them. We also get white flies when it gets colder but there's no repellent for them. Lol!
Hi Mr. Simmons. New in this kayak world and very thankfull from discovering your channel. You cover all the doubs a rookie may have. Greatings from Venezuela
The intro is spectacular: nice guitar tunes and a welcoming big smile on your face. Just for that I watched the entrie video. Greetings from another (Spanish-) paddler and congratulations with your channel.
I’m very happy that I stumbled upon your channel. Thank you for your expertise. I kayak with my 2 Rescue pitbulls... yes, I’m the same boat with me :) Hopefully this brand will hold up to my 2 babies :)
rjf fern You are welcome. I do these videos trying to help people better understand inflatables. Advanced Elements kayaks are the best out there in my opinion. Me personally I love my Sport and use it most of the time but use my expedition XE for my longer paddles. I have 4 AE’s but getting ready to add a fifth. Working on that with AirKayaks for my Season 3 opener. Thanks for watching.
If you have a paddle that doesn't have the splash rings, no problem, slice off a piece of pool noodle and your good to go. The paddle can get damaged if used to push off so bring along a long stick that can be held in the paddle holders when not in use.
I like that deck dry bag. My two ziploc solution isn’t ideal, but has worked fine thus far. Still, a dry bag is in the future once funds allow. My Star Paragon is a sit-in inflatable that is self-bailing. Leave the gear behind and get your tooshie a wee bit damp.
Carol James hi, most of my Paddling is done solo. Being in Florida waters I must really trust the inflatable I’m in. I’m really partial to the Advanced Elements based on the material they use and how they provide triple protection of the air chambers.
Paddle leash is an absolute must, I reckon. Colleagues all but dared me to kayak to work in early January, in the UK, and when getting in I dropped the paddle and pushed myself some way down the canal. I had to hand-paddle back to get the thing. Didn't get wet, but my hands were too numb to type when I got to the office! Gloves might've helped, had I kept them dry.
I ordered an inflatable kayak off Amazon last month. Its' taking forever to arrive, but I wanted to try it because it looked easy to transport as well.
Great video thank you! I have an explorer k2 which is a sit on kayak, I only have a single action siphon pump for now and a waterproof hard case for keys, phones and etc. I have the paddles that came with it, they are okay but not the best, I'm learning that. Electric air pump. I don't have any dry bags yet or gloves or tethers for the paddles, definitely need that though. I absolutely love my kayak and I feel like it's the best purchase ive ever made. It does have a self bailing port, but whenever we take it out we're at the stated weight limit, so I think having that open would let more water in than out. I'm scatter brained today.
Gregory Kitchens I’m happy you guys enjoy your yak. That’s what it’s all about. Max limit of a kayak details the specific limits for safe operation. You, fortunately you are aware. Having the scupper plugs in place will lessen the water that comes in your yak. Even in my hard kayak I always keep my scupper plugs installed, unless I’m in heavy chop then I take them out. Being this is a tandem and you decide to upgrade your paddles just make sure the are the same. Enjoy your kayaking & thanks for watching.
@@DaleMrDSimmons I am looking to eventually get two Challenger k1s so we can race one another but for now 90% of my enjoyment is that we do it together. We went out on open water on the lake for her first time ever in her life this week and I still can't get the image of her smile out of my head when she said "I never ever thought I would be doing this in my entire life" (up to that point we had stuck to a small swimming area separated by a sand bar for her comfort) I never thought I would be into kayaking either until I pulled the trigger on this yellow thing. I'm hooked.and yes we know to upgrade in pairs.
Hi. great videos. I have subscribed to your channel. In your experience, which inflatables are designed to work well for people with back issues? I am 250+, and have some lower back issues. Thus, back/lumbar support it critical. I really want an inflatable, however I also notice that hardshells like wilderness systems, have very robust seats. its hard to tell online, whether the inflatables seat backs provide any support at all. Thanks in advance.
To best answer your question I would recommend a sit-on-top like the Straightedge with the lumbar support seat. That seat you just blow up to your desired support. I have lumbar seats in three of my AE inflatables. I think the Straight edge would be your best bet and purchase the optional Lumbar seat at the same time. This kayak can support up to 300 lbs. Check out my review on the straightedge ua-cam.com/video/rt0MGvM5ZGI/v-deo.html Thank you for subscribing.
Car 4Sale that is a great idea. When it cools down a little here in Florida I will take on that challenge. I will do a comparison of the Sport, AE1044DSXL, Expedition Elite, Tandem Convertible and the new Airvolution.
To be honest, I don’t care for any inflatable that the hull is part of the main bladder. I don’t care for the channeled bottom hull. Being in Florida waters having multiple layers of material before reaching the main bladder makes me very nervous. In the 4 years that I’ve had an Advanced Element inflatables I’ve never had a failure on water.
@@DaleMrDSimmons I am new to kayaking..so this is a new world for me. Everybody was crazy for the Intex Challenger selling for $40 on this Ohio Kayaking page. It just looks pool-toy quality. Gators or not...i'm not putting my butt in something like that. ;)
harmonicachick100 very wise move. I get many questions on inflatables. More than you can imagine. When they start talking price I always say the same thing “how much is your or your children’s life worth?” I think it gets them thinking. Well I hope it does. I don’t want anyone hurt out there so trying gauge one’s kayak choices on price is my last consideration.
Hey Mr D. I've been watching your videos and they are all awesome. Question, if you have to pick only one kayak, would you prefer the sport or the straightedge?
It is a greate video!! I am searching for inflatable kayak too but so confuse to choose one. Snice you have all three infltable kayak from Advanced Elements, what do you recommend from StraitEdge, AE 1007(ADVANCEDFRAME), AIRFUSION™ ELITE KAYAK.? I want to use this kayak for 2~3 days of kayak camping and some white water recration. Thank you.
Max Kim if you are doing rapids and need storage availability then the Straitedge is the one for you. The AE1006 is rated for class 1-3 rapids and also has a max capacity to 300 lbs. The others are only rated up to class 2 rapids. Also the AE1006 has the most storage availability of all of them. Hope that helps.
Hendi Kaf With proper care they should last a long time. We have a Sport that was built in 2011 and still inflates and operates well. The only problem is some distress on the screened finish. Other than that it works well. It’s pretty much like anything else, treat it well and it will return the service.
Nice video Dale. I’ve got the AE Expedition Elite and just ordered the adjustable foot peg system for it. Do you have any experience with this system on your yaks Dale ?
Jack24396 Yes, I have the rudder kit installed on my expedition XE. Firstly folding your kayak will be a challenge. You will have to make sure you do it right or you will break off the adjustment flags on the peddle assembly as I have on both sides. It was due to improper folding, my bad, but being I’m the only one using that kayak it hasn’t hindered the functionality of the system. Also the top spool of the peddle which is part of the cable routing will pop off while in use making the rudder inoperable. You will have to dock your kayak and put the cable back over the spool. That happened to me many times and was very frustrating. But there is an easy fix for that good ol duct tape three small strips over the top of the peddle spool and it’s all good. I just did another video where I addressed this issue it’s at ua-cam.com/video/Ip3kCEgdQ4A/v-deo.html about the 15 Min mark I show the peddle system with my fancy duct tape mod.
Thanks Dale. I’m installing just the strap on foot peg attachments and not the whole rudder system. Supposed to provide better stability and comfort while paddling. Thanks for your input and as a fellow AE fan I really enjoy your videos.
Fred Frond Hi Fred as I alway say, “it all comes down to personal taste and what you feel most comfortable with.” Enjoy regardless what you purchase. Thanks for watching
@@fredfrond6148 I have both AE1007R and SeaEagle 380x Explorer, and I use them as both tandem and solo. I love the very stiff floor and skeg of the Sea Eagle which tracks much better than AE. The upgraded seats also help us paddle all day. Hope this helps.
Thank you for this Mr. Simmons. Do you have any recommendations for a 2 person kayak? I have a teenager with special needs and she isn't paddling yet so I take her with me.
FWIW my spouse and I use the Intex explorer K2. It's really affordable and handles very well. It's made for calm lakes and rivers, but it handles small waves well and is very stable, even going through large boat wakes didn't bother us. It's a great price to get into the sport and see if you like it, and if you take good care of it it's one you could use for a really long time. I absolutely love it and have not been able to keep myself off the water at least once a week since I bought it, and I completely trust it to keep me safe. I should add that it only costs around $60 and comes with everything someone needs to get started other than life jackets. It comes with two paddles, two seats, a pump and the storage bag and it inflated pretty fast with the included pump, compared to my intex boat anyway, lol bit an electric pump goes faster. It doesn't have a cloth shell or anything though so if you plan to paddle in shallow water around rocks or sticks and such, keep that in mind.
Great Videos Mr. D! We are transitioning from CD Kestrels to IKs. Recently purchased an Aquaglide Blackfoot fishing kayak, and also very interested in acquiring an AE Fusion Evo! I have not seen this model in your vids but curious if you have heard or have opinions about stability, durability, etc. We live in NorCal and do flat-water and some rivers. Thanks for your informative and very high quality videos!
Jerry Lovejoy Hi Jerry, no I have not tested the EVO, as it is not conducive to kayaking photography because of its more narrow beam (24”) But I have heard it is very well made.and has aluminum framing. It does not have an inflatable floor but comes with a dropstich seat. 34 lbs When Assembled it is very rigided and handles chop well. This is a more advanced user kayak.
Dale Mr. D Simmons Thanks Mr. D! My other choice would be the AE Expedition Elite. I think you gave that one a good rating! Hope to visit Florida Keys and Everglades NP this winter... Take good care!
I'm thi king of doing a one week trip along side Vancouver island east coast its not open sea but might get some waves . Also I am a beginner is it easy to learn on .
Abhimanyu Karnatak This is a very stable yak. It has a load capacity of 250lbs (paddler and gear) so keep that in mind if you are doing a long trip. It is rated for only Class 1 and 2 rapids but handles chop very nice. It’s one of my favorites and has never let me down. Great for a beginner and advanced recreational kayaker. Thanks for watching.
Do you have a link for your pump(s)? The hand pump from Advanced elements gets really bad reviews. I bought a different pump, but unfortunately it doesn’t fit the Advanced Element kayak air inflation fitting., and no way to adapt
Valerie Merges Valerie Merges Hi Valerie, I have been using my AE Duel Action w/Gauge for over three years with no problems what so ever and you know I kayak a lot. So I don’t know where all these bad reviews are coming from. I also use a programmable air pump ua-cam.com/video/ATyEcUn9p8M/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/kkzb034SKlY/v-deo.html. The only thing I had to do with this is to make a adapter modification to fit the AE adapter. The gauge on this pump is about a pound off so when I want to inflate I set the program to 2.60 PSI and it will be around 1.5 PSI but that’s for this specific pump. You would have to test it like I did to find out how close the LCD reading is to the actual pressure in your yak using the AE Pump. I normally inflate using the programmable to 2.60PSI, which is actually about 1.5 PSI and finish it off with the hand pump. I do this while the DS floor is being inflated. For the deck lifts I only use the AE pump. Hope that helps.
nice vid but a couple of comments. when you say AE has the best inflatable kayak, better than all other brands, what other brands have you tried? i dont want to come across as snarky but it sounds like you love your kayak (which is great!) and that you may have had some experience with only a few other kayaks. i'm a big inflatable fan and have many, many kayaks/rafts, and i'm not sure i would say that unless i've tried almost all of them. and point #2, i am definitely not a fan of a covered tube kayak. some in my fleet are like that. they get very heavy when wet which is a hassle. that canvas shell holds a lot of water. It also takes a lot longer to dry, almost always requiring reinflating it again at home and letting it sit out for a couple of days to dry. maybe you are okay with that but with my saturn kayaks, the tube and outer shell are one. there is no canvas cover. it dries almost instantly and wipes dry with a towel at the end of the trip and its rolled up and stored until the next trip. as far as durability, my 1100 denier skin is comparable to your outer skin and inner tube combined, perhaps better. The biggest difference is if i ever had an issue (none after 4 years), the repair is quite easy as its easy to pinpoint and patch a leak, even on the water. I could be back on the water in 30 minutes. I'm not sure i would be able to make that same repair in and AE. just a couple of thoughts, mate. happy boating!
snakeclaw snakeclaw you bring up some very good points. I have only tested out a few other than AE like sea eagle, Coleman and Innova. I have not had the opportunity to test out the Saturn but did research on almost every inflatable brand out there. Granted not the same as really trying them all out. But I have some very different standards that must be met as I kayak in Florida waters where not only the normal objects can put any inflatable in trouble but also have gators, gars, Tarpon, exposed cypress roots along with the other hazards we all face. Again my reviews are just my opinion and some of the others I tried just didn’t meet my basic requirements for the environment I paddle. Having the canvas covered main tubes along with the PCV tarpaulin material gives me the confidence I need to paddle areas many won’t. Your points are well taken and valid with regard to drying time. I had one occasion where I made a mistake in over-inflating one of my main tubes and the seam let go. Being that model had more than one main tube I was able to paddle back to my launch site some two miles away. Nervous? Yes I was. As in every body of water in Florida their are gators and was very thankful my craft got me back safe. Your comments were not taken wrong and are appreciated. I own 6 AE kayaks and 2 hard kayaks. Again it is my opinion that AE makes the best inflatable kayaks for the environment I kayak in. If another company wants me to test out there and get an unbiased review I would be more than happy to do so. Thanks for your comments.
i've never owned an AE but they seem like great boats. for my purposes (occassional white water, remote exploring, and river camping) the saturn has much greater load capacity with a commercial grade fabric and drop stitch floor. like you, i'm big into safety and having a kayak rated at 700 lbs cargo is a nice ride. usually i go solo but i can easily take a passenger. on a recent white water trip, a couple of kayakers lost their boat into a strainer and they were stranded as the boat wrapped. it was nice to be able to have the capacity to have them both jump in my yak and paddle 7 miles to the takeout through 6 foot waves. but for what you are doing, your AE is great. the hassle of drying it would drive me nuts but you are probably more patient than me. there are boats made of fabric that is 10x stronger than what you or i have. hyside makes kayaks from hypalon, which is magnitudes better than the chinese pvc that your boat (and my boat have).. get ready to write a big check though. my commercial rafts are made of hypalon. it would take a sharpened spear to pierce it. i wish i had a kayak made of that material but i'm not spending real money either.
Tim M That Tim is a huge question as you didn’t say inflatable or hard kayak. So I will assume your asking about inflatable to narrow my answer. The best is the Advanced Elements Convertible but you’re going to spend upwards of $900. Stay away from the Sea Eagle entry level tandem and Intex yes they’re cheep but not stable or durable. A good mid range is the Innova Solar 401C. When I choose a kayak inflatable or hard price is the last consideration. Hope that helps.
NOMAD Sea Kayaking well that’s because I only do flat water recreational kayaking. There are a couple vids out there that explain that but the procedure is very Similar to a hard kayak except that an inflatable will not sink when it takes on water. But a bailing pump would still be required. Thanks for watching.
You could capsize on dead calm flat water. I asked the question as I was wondering if you had ever capsized and reentered any of your inflatable kayaks on your own or with a paddle buddy?
NOMAD Sea Kayaking oh my bad, no I Have never capsized but did practice in my pool, I know not real conditions, but use the paddle inflatable float on the blade. That is the procedure I use. Thanks
C Bing if you want an inflatable you will want a rated Class III or higher and maybe a sit-on top. If you decide on a sit-in the you will require a spray skirt. Again, if you decide on a sit-in and spray skirt the Sport model will not work. I would recommend the Elite
Dale Mr. D Simmons I want one I that I won’t drown in if you know what I mean 😂 cannot do barrel rolls etc I’m a complete novice and want to mess about in it in the sea and rivers. The sea that I will be using has big waves at times
Class 1&2 no problems. But be careful on the shallow areas. The Sport only has a fwd skid plate. I have added a rear skid plate to my Sport and AEF crafts to reduce rubbing wear.
@@DaleMrDSimmons thanks! Just curious about the drop stitch technology... would this advice go the same for the airvolution? Or do you think that model can handle pretty much anything like a hard shell?
Cheng Fu Hang I have not tested out the Sevylor K1 but did a lot of research on it. Firstly this is a very thin walled single bag inflatable. Kind of like a swim raft. This inflatable sits the paddler way too high and is very cheaply made, hence the $100 price tag. I paddle in Florida waters and there is no way I would put this glorified swim floatie in gator territory water.
I’m from the uk and considering getting into kayaking as a hobby now I’ve purchased a van.dont you feel a bit vunerable in an inflatable kayak with gators around you ?
T Gun When I first started kayaking I had just moved from California to Florida and I was petrified of gators. I soon found that gators really won’t bother you if you don’t bother them. Now provoked yes you could have a problem or during the mating season they get a little ornery if you disturbs their nesting grounds. But mostly they will shy away from man. It’s been 4 years now and I have seen many gators while paddling and now and again I will get a little nervous if I’m too close to a big one (10’+). My general rule is to respect them and their home and they will leave me alone. Thanks for watching.
Dale Mr. D Simmons that makes sense just living in uk worse we have to worry about is pike and crayfish and I reckon I can take both lol.ive subscribe and will be watching more of your content after work.thankyou
J Norris at this time unsponsored. However all my reviews are unbiased. I have researched and reviewed other inflatables and AE is at the top of the list of manufacturers. Yes there are others out there but I paddle in Florida where gators abound a $250 inflatable is not on my menu as I don’t want to be on a gators. Lol thanks for watching. 7-22-2018 REVISION-Paddling Places Florida Website is now sponsored by Advanced Elements. AE understands that all my reviews are unbiased and will remain so. I will review any and all inflatable kayaks from other companies and give them a total unbiased review. Just in the past three years no-one company puts out a better inflatable than AE at this time.
baz Yes, Advanced Elements is a sponsor. But look at how many different products I was referencing during that video. They are an outstanding manufacturer of inflatable kayaks and support equipment. Kind of a one-stop shop for inflatables.Thanks for watching.
@@DaleMrDSimmons :) thanks for the reply , due to your video i am looking at them , so i suppose it wasn't so much a bad thing after all , cheers , Baz (UK)
I was born, raised and live in Florida. This over priced inflatable isn't no safer when it comes to alligators than any other inflatable is. An alligator can take a chunk out of a fiberglass boat and it's teeth can puncture the side of a metal jon boat. Just that BS right their null and voids any kind of advice on inflatables you want to put out. Facts matter!
I would add an additional must have for those kayaking in wilderness areas where cell-phone coverage-one of the devices that use Iridium satellites to allow two way textings. Thos include the Garmin InReach and the ZOLEO. They not only allow texting independent of cell phones anywhere on the planet, they can send regular position reports so others can follow where you are.
Great comments. Thank you
Do be careful because some repellants will damage pvc and plastic. Up here in Canada we get black flies too noseeums as the Americans call them. We also get white flies when it gets colder but there's no repellent for them. Lol!
Great Videos ! Thanks for your Military Service! God Bless You!
Kirk Wallace thank you
Great video and summary of items we need for kayaking.
You talked us into buying these, we love them. I'm still not taking my big boy canon camera in it (lost one a few years ago in a hard side kayak)
Hi Mr. Simmons. New in this kayak world and very thankfull from discovering your channel. You cover all the doubs a rookie may have. Greatings from Venezuela
gioquin83 Always glad to help. Thanks for watching.
You are so funny my fellow Floridian neighbor....
"Floating marshmallows" 😂
Funny yes, but your neighbour is right.
Great advice thinking of starting kayaking and was looking for exactly this kind of advice
Hi great video and really good tips. Like the `must have-nice to have ` lists too. best wishes from Uk 🇬🇧 👍
steve austin Thank you and thanks for watching.
Great video and very helpful. I was looking at this kayak and your review was very helpful. I will get the other items you mentioned too.
Ricardo Grant glad I could be of assistance. Thanks for watching.
The intro is spectacular: nice guitar tunes and a welcoming big smile on your face. Just for that I watched the entrie video. Greetings from another (Spanish-) paddler and congratulations with your channel.
Kayasper Thank you and thanks for watching.
I’m very happy that I stumbled upon your channel. Thank you for your expertise. I kayak with my 2 Rescue pitbulls... yes, I’m the same boat with me :)
Hopefully this brand will hold up to my 2 babies :)
SUSAN TAYLOR-FYFFE Well hello and welcome. I do a lot of kayak related videos. I hope you able to get your information that you need.
No nonsense and very clear video. Well done
Travel Hopefully Photography thank you.
Very informative thank you ! Just recently started looking at inflatable kayaks.
Rich Moore Hi Rich, I’m happy you found the video informative. Thanks for watching.
I have two AE kayaks 1012 DS and AF elite. I mostly paddle the elite. Both are great. Thanks for the tips!
rjf fern You are welcome. I do these videos trying to help people better understand inflatables. Advanced Elements kayaks are the best out there in my opinion. Me personally I love my Sport and use it most of the time but use my expedition XE for my longer paddles. I have 4 AE’s but getting ready to add a fifth. Working on that with AirKayaks for my Season 3 opener. Thanks for watching.
If you have a paddle that doesn't have the splash rings, no problem, slice off a piece of pool noodle and your good to go. The paddle can get damaged if used to push off so bring along a long stick that can be held in the paddle holders when not in use.
I like that deck dry bag. My two ziploc solution isn’t ideal, but has worked fine thus far. Still, a dry bag is in the future once funds allow. My Star Paragon is a sit-in inflatable that is self-bailing. Leave the gear behind and get your tooshie a wee bit damp.
Great info.. thanks for the well done video.
Brett Thomas Thank you
This guy is cool as shit 👍 I want to buy him a beer.
MikhailBlack113 Well Thank you, I accept. Lol
Appreciate the info, thanks!
Getting ready to solo travel in a class b, inflatable kayak would be ideal!!!
Carol James hi, most of my Paddling is done solo. Being in Florida waters I must really trust the inflatable I’m in. I’m really partial to the Advanced Elements based on the material they use and how they provide triple protection of the air chambers.
Thanks. Great video we just bought a convertible.
Mick Taylor congrats on your purchase that’s an awesome tandem. Enjoy
Thank you for this video!
Rita Palma you’re very welcome.
Good info. Thanks.
Paddle leash is an absolute must, I reckon. Colleagues all but dared me to kayak to work in early January, in the UK, and when getting in I dropped the paddle and pushed myself some way down the canal. I had to hand-paddle back to get the thing. Didn't get wet, but my hands were too numb to type when I got to the office! Gloves might've helped, had I kept them dry.
Yup that paddle leash will save you some grief. Thanks for watching.
I ordered an inflatable kayak off Amazon last month. Its' taking forever to arrive, but I wanted to try it because it looked easy to transport as well.
Nepthu what did you order?
Thank you from Alexandria Egypt
mo abdulhamid you are welcome. Thanks for watching.
Great video thank you! I have an explorer k2 which is a sit on kayak, I only have a single action siphon pump for now and a waterproof hard case for keys, phones and etc. I have the paddles that came with it, they are okay but not the best, I'm learning that. Electric air pump. I don't have any dry bags yet or gloves or tethers for the paddles, definitely need that though. I absolutely love my kayak and I feel like it's the best purchase ive ever made. It does have a self bailing port, but whenever we take it out we're at the stated weight limit, so I think having that open would let more water in than out. I'm scatter brained today.
Gregory Kitchens I’m happy you guys enjoy your yak. That’s what it’s all about. Max limit of a kayak details the specific limits for safe operation. You, fortunately you are aware. Having the scupper plugs in place will lessen the water that comes in your yak. Even in my hard kayak I always keep my scupper plugs installed, unless I’m in heavy chop then I take them out. Being this is a tandem and you decide to upgrade your paddles just make sure the are the same. Enjoy your kayaking & thanks for watching.
@@DaleMrDSimmons I am looking to eventually get two Challenger k1s so we can race one another but for now 90% of my enjoyment is that we do it together. We went out on open water on the lake for her first time ever in her life this week and I still can't get the image of her smile out of my head when she said "I never ever thought I would be doing this in my entire life" (up to that point we had stuck to a small swimming area separated by a sand bar for her comfort) I never thought I would be into kayaking either until I pulled the trigger on this yellow thing. I'm hooked.and yes we know to upgrade in pairs.
Gregory Kitchens That’s awesome guys. Yeah, I started with one now I have 8. LOL It grows on you. Enjoy and have fun.
Hi. great videos. I have subscribed to your channel. In your experience, which inflatables are designed to work well for people with back issues? I am 250+, and have some lower back issues. Thus, back/lumbar support it critical. I really want an inflatable, however I also notice that hardshells like wilderness systems, have very robust seats. its hard to tell online, whether the inflatables seat backs provide any support at all. Thanks in advance.
To best answer your question I would recommend a sit-on-top like the Straightedge with the lumbar support seat. That seat you just blow up to your desired support. I have lumbar seats in three of my AE inflatables. I think the Straight edge would be your best bet and purchase the optional Lumbar seat at the same time. This kayak can support up to 300 lbs. Check out my review on the straightedge ua-cam.com/video/rt0MGvM5ZGI/v-deo.html Thank you for subscribing.
Love your vids!!!
Carol James thank you and thank you for watching.
I don't have splash guards on my paddle and I have plenty of fun thank you 😂😂
You should do a compare and contrast of all your kayaks. I am looking at inflatable kayaks and I like your channel info
Car 4Sale that is a great idea. When it cools down a little here in Florida I will take on that challenge. I will do a comparison of the Sport, AE1044DSXL, Expedition Elite, Tandem Convertible and the new Airvolution.
Nice review.I went with the innova swing one kayak.A bit more but no pvc, made from rubber based compounds an eco friendly material.
captain waggy thanks for watching and enjoy your new inflatable.
What do you think of your Innova Swing kayak? It looks well made.
To be honest, I don’t care for any inflatable that the hull is part of the main bladder. I don’t care for the channeled bottom hull. Being in Florida waters having multiple layers of material before reaching the main bladder makes me very nervous. In the 4 years that I’ve had an Advanced Element inflatables I’ve never had a failure on water.
@@DaleMrDSimmons I am new to kayaking..so this is a new world for me. Everybody was crazy for the Intex Challenger selling for $40 on this Ohio Kayaking page. It just looks pool-toy quality. Gators or not...i'm not putting my butt in something like that. ;)
harmonicachick100 very wise move. I get many questions on inflatables. More than you can imagine. When they start talking price I always say the same thing “how much is your or your children’s life worth?” I think it gets them thinking. Well I hope it does. I don’t want anyone hurt out there so trying gauge one’s kayak choices on price is my last consideration.
Hey Mr D. I've been watching your videos and they are all awesome. Question, if you have to pick only one kayak, would you prefer the sport or the straightedge?
herno1 actually I would pick the AE1044DSXL witch is a modified Sport. It’s the blue one you see me in a lot. You can see my review on it on YT
Thanks for posting but would really like to see on boat on the water
You can see all this in action in many of my videos. Check out my channel and thanks for watching.
selling any surplus? nice gear
It is a greate video!! I am searching for inflatable kayak too but so confuse to choose one.
Snice you have all three infltable kayak from Advanced Elements, what do you recommend from StraitEdge, AE 1007(ADVANCEDFRAME), AIRFUSION™ ELITE KAYAK.?
I want to use this kayak for 2~3 days of kayak camping and some white water recration. Thank you.
Max Kim if you are doing rapids and need storage availability then the Straitedge is the one for you. The AE1006 is rated for class 1-3 rapids and also has a max capacity to 300 lbs. The others are only rated up to class 2 rapids. Also the AE1006 has the most storage availability of all of them. Hope that helps.
Hello , can you give some info about life expectancy and eventual repairs for those element kayak.Thanks
Hendi Kaf With proper care they should last a long time. We have a Sport that was built in 2011 and still inflates and operates well. The only problem is some distress on the screened finish. Other than that it works well. It’s pretty much like anything else, treat it well and it will return the service.
Hello mister D -. which one of the advanced elements inflatable fishing kayaks that you have yes there more stable for fishing ?
picpablito Andres for fishing i would recommend the Straitedge Angler. Go to advancedelements.com select angler kayaks. Thank you for watching.
Nice video Dale. I’ve got the AE Expedition Elite and just ordered the adjustable foot peg system for it. Do you have any experience with this system on your yaks Dale ?
Jack24396 Yes, I have the rudder kit installed on my expedition XE. Firstly folding your kayak will be a challenge. You will have to make sure you do it right or you will break off the adjustment flags on the peddle assembly as I have on both sides. It was due to improper folding, my bad, but being I’m the only one using that kayak it hasn’t hindered the functionality of the system. Also the top spool of the peddle which is part of the cable routing will pop off while in use making the rudder inoperable. You will have to dock your kayak and put the cable back over the spool. That happened to me many times and was very frustrating. But there is an easy fix for that good ol duct tape three small strips over the top of the peddle spool and it’s all good. I just did another video where I addressed this issue it’s at ua-cam.com/video/Ip3kCEgdQ4A/v-deo.html about the 15 Min mark I show the peddle system with my fancy duct tape mod.
Thanks Dale. I’m installing just the strap on foot peg attachments and not the whole rudder system. Supposed to provide better stability and comfort while paddling. Thanks for your input and as a fellow AE fan I really enjoy your videos.
I am looking at buying one. The sea eagle with the rigid sides seems to be the one that I like. Three year warranty on puncture I believe.
Fred Frond Hi Fred as I alway say, “it all comes down to personal taste and what you feel most comfortable with.” Enjoy regardless what you purchase. Thanks for watching
Dale Mr. D Simmons thanks for the helpful information.
@@fredfrond6148 I have both AE1007R and SeaEagle 380x Explorer, and I use them as both tandem and solo. I love the very stiff floor and skeg of the Sea Eagle which tracks much better than AE. The upgraded seats also help us paddle all day. Hope this helps.
Hiramb100 thanks for the feedback.👍
What part of Florida I’m a Florida boy too I kayak the wekiva and rock springs
Travis Grider I’m in the Davenport area. I paddle all over Central and Northern Florida.
Great video, but where did you get that T-shirt?
Ron Wiederhold you can find it on Amazon. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for this Mr. Simmons. Do you have any recommendations for a 2 person kayak? I have a teenager with special needs and she isn't paddling yet so I take her with me.
Louis G Hi Louis, if you’re looking at an inflatable tandem I would recommend the AE1007 Convertible. Thanks for watching.
FWIW my spouse and I use the Intex explorer K2. It's really affordable and handles very well. It's made for calm lakes and rivers, but it handles small waves well and is very stable, even going through large boat wakes didn't bother us. It's a great price to get into the sport and see if you like it, and if you take good care of it it's one you could use for a really long time. I absolutely love it and have not been able to keep myself off the water at least once a week since I bought it, and I completely trust it to keep me safe. I should add that it only costs around $60 and comes with everything someone needs to get started other than life jackets. It comes with two paddles, two seats, a pump and the storage bag and it inflated pretty fast with the included pump, compared to my intex boat anyway, lol bit an electric pump goes faster. It doesn't have a cloth shell or anything though so if you plan to paddle in shallow water around rocks or sticks and such, keep that in mind.
Have you done advanced elements vs a sea eagle with the more rigid hull??
Carol James No I haven’t, I did a review of a tandem sea eagle I was not impressed. In fact I returned it and canceled my video review.
Well, hello! Subbed.
I have inflatables, but not looking to use them in Florida fresh water. Gators can chomp right though that.
Great Videos Mr. D!
We are transitioning from CD Kestrels to IKs.
Recently purchased an Aquaglide Blackfoot fishing kayak,
and also very interested in acquiring an AE Fusion Evo!
I have not seen this model in your vids but curious if you have
heard or have opinions about stability, durability, etc. We live in
NorCal and do flat-water and some rivers.
Thanks for your informative and very high quality videos!
Jerry Lovejoy Hi Jerry, no I have not tested the EVO, as it is not conducive to kayaking photography because of its more narrow beam (24”) But I have heard it is very well made.and has aluminum framing. It does not have an inflatable floor but comes with a dropstich seat. 34 lbs When Assembled it is very rigided and handles chop well. This is a more advanced user kayak.
Dale Mr. D Simmons
Thanks Mr. D!
My other choice would be the AE Expedition Elite.
I think you gave that one a good rating!
Hope to visit Florida Keys and Everglades NP this winter...
Take good care!
Jerry Lovejoy I would definitely recommend the Elite over the EVO.
Do you find that the sit insides get hot as I hear that a lot about those types of kayaks in florida?
C Esteves I haven’t found that to be true. The sit-in give me more sun protection, whereas my sit-on-top expose me to that brutal Florida sun.
Great video! What kind of life jacket is that?
Randy E Thank you, The PFD is the onyx 24 (Automatic/Manual) CO2 inflatable. Thanks for watching
I'm thi king of doing a one week trip along side Vancouver island east coast its not open sea but might get some waves . Also I am a beginner is it easy to learn on .
Abhimanyu Karnatak This is a very stable yak. It has a load capacity of 250lbs (paddler and gear) so keep that in mind if you are doing a long trip. It is rated for only Class 1 and 2 rapids but handles chop very nice. It’s one of my favorites and has never let me down. Great for a beginner and advanced recreational kayaker. Thanks for watching.
Do you have a link for your pump(s)? The hand pump from Advanced elements gets really bad reviews. I bought a different pump, but unfortunately it doesn’t fit the Advanced Element kayak air inflation fitting., and no way to adapt
Valerie Merges Valerie Merges Hi Valerie, I have been using my AE Duel Action w/Gauge for over three years with no problems what so ever and you know I kayak a lot. So I don’t know where all these bad reviews are coming from. I also use a programmable air pump ua-cam.com/video/ATyEcUn9p8M/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/kkzb034SKlY/v-deo.html. The only thing I had to do with this is to make a adapter modification to fit the AE adapter. The gauge on this pump is about a pound off so when I want to inflate I set the program to 2.60 PSI and it will be around 1.5 PSI but that’s for this specific pump. You would have to test it like I did to find out how close the LCD reading is to the actual pressure in your yak using the AE Pump. I normally inflate using the programmable to 2.60PSI, which is actually about 1.5 PSI and finish it off with the hand pump. I do this while the DS floor is being inflated. For the deck lifts I only use the AE pump. Hope that helps.
nice vid but a couple of comments. when you say AE has the best inflatable kayak, better than all other brands, what other brands have you tried? i dont want to come across as snarky but it sounds like you love your kayak (which is great!) and that you may have had some experience with only a few other kayaks. i'm a big inflatable fan and have many, many kayaks/rafts, and i'm not sure i would say that unless i've tried almost all of them. and point #2, i am definitely not a fan of a covered tube kayak. some in my fleet are like that. they get very heavy when wet which is a hassle. that canvas shell holds a lot of water. It also takes a lot longer to dry, almost always requiring reinflating it again at home and letting it sit out for a couple of days to dry. maybe you are okay with that but with my saturn kayaks, the tube and outer shell are one. there is no canvas cover. it dries almost instantly and wipes dry with a towel at the end of the trip and its rolled up and stored until the next trip. as far as durability, my 1100 denier skin is comparable to your outer skin and inner tube combined, perhaps better. The biggest difference is if i ever had an issue (none after 4 years), the repair is quite easy as its easy to pinpoint and patch a leak, even on the water. I could be back on the water in 30 minutes. I'm not sure i would be able to make that same repair in and AE. just a couple of thoughts, mate. happy boating!
snakeclaw snakeclaw you bring up some very good points. I have only tested out a few other than AE like sea eagle, Coleman and Innova. I have not had the opportunity to test out the Saturn but did research on almost every inflatable brand out there. Granted not the same as really trying them all out. But I have some very different standards that must be met as I kayak in Florida waters where not only the normal objects can put any inflatable in trouble but also have gators, gars, Tarpon, exposed cypress roots along with the other hazards we all face. Again my reviews are just my opinion and some of the others I tried just didn’t meet my basic requirements for the environment I paddle. Having the canvas covered main tubes along with the PCV tarpaulin material gives me the confidence I need to paddle areas many won’t. Your points are well taken and valid with regard to drying time. I had one occasion where I made a mistake in over-inflating one of my main tubes and the seam let go. Being that model had more than one main tube I was able to paddle back to my launch site some two miles away. Nervous? Yes I was. As in every body of water in Florida their are gators and was very thankful my craft got me back safe. Your comments were not taken wrong and are appreciated. I own 6 AE kayaks and 2 hard kayaks. Again it is my opinion that AE makes the best inflatable kayaks for the environment I kayak in. If another company wants me to test out there and get an unbiased review I would be more than happy to do so. Thanks for your comments.
i've never owned an AE but they seem like great boats. for my purposes (occassional white water, remote exploring, and river camping) the saturn has much greater load capacity with a commercial grade fabric and drop stitch floor. like you, i'm big into safety and having a kayak rated at 700 lbs cargo is a nice ride. usually i go solo but i can easily take a passenger. on a recent white water trip, a couple of kayakers lost their boat into a strainer and they were stranded as the boat wrapped. it was nice to be able to have the capacity to have them both jump in my yak and paddle 7 miles to the takeout through 6 foot waves. but for what you are doing, your AE is great. the hassle of drying it would drive me nuts but you are probably more patient than me. there are boats made of fabric that is 10x stronger than what you or i have. hyside makes kayaks from hypalon, which is magnitudes better than the chinese pvc that your boat (and my boat have).. get ready to write a big check though. my commercial rafts are made of hypalon. it would take a sharpened spear to pierce it. i wish i had a kayak made of that material but i'm not spending real money either.
snakeclaw g
What is you 5 cheapest most durable 2 man kayaks you recommend?
Tim M That Tim is a huge question as you didn’t say inflatable or hard kayak. So I will assume your asking about inflatable to narrow my answer. The best is the Advanced Elements Convertible but you’re going to spend upwards of $900. Stay away from the Sea Eagle entry level tandem and Intex yes they’re cheep but not stable or durable. A good mid range is the Innova Solar 401C. When I choose a kayak inflatable or hard price is the last consideration. Hope that helps.
Nice video, you dont mention how you get back into your kayak in deep cold water after a full capsize?
NOMAD Sea Kayaking well that’s because I only do flat water recreational kayaking. There are a couple vids out there that explain that but the procedure is very Similar to a hard kayak except that an inflatable will not sink when it takes on water. But a bailing pump would still be required. Thanks for watching.
You could capsize on dead calm flat water. I asked the question as I was wondering if you had ever capsized and reentered any of your inflatable kayaks on your own or with a paddle buddy?
NOMAD Sea Kayaking oh my bad, no I Have never capsized but did practice in my pool, I know not real conditions, but use the paddle inflatable float on the blade. That is the procedure I use. Thanks
Cool, that recovery works; its a little long but as long as it gets you out of the water and back in your boat. Thanks for the video, safe paddling.
I want one to go in the sea quite choppy sea as well ? Any ideas . Used in Cromer, Norfolk, England
C Bing if you want an inflatable you will want a rated Class III or higher and maybe a sit-on top. If you decide on a sit-in the you will require a spray skirt. Again, if you decide on a sit-in and spray skirt the Sport model will not work. I would recommend the Elite
Dale Mr. D Simmons I want one I that I won’t drown in if you know what I mean 😂 cannot do barrel rolls etc I’m a complete novice and want to mess about in it in the sea and rivers. The sea that I will be using has big waves at times
How do you think the advanced elements frame sport would do in a class 1 - 2 river with shallow sections rubbing on some rocks?
Class 1&2 no problems. But be careful on the shallow areas. The Sport only has a fwd skid plate. I have added a rear skid plate to my Sport and AEF crafts to reduce rubbing wear.
@@DaleMrDSimmons thanks!
@@DaleMrDSimmons thanks! Just curious about the drop stitch technology... would this advice go the same for the airvolution? Or do you think that model can handle pretty much anything like a hard shell?
@@jacobcastle2741 I have the AirVolution and it is like a hard yak but care must be taken as it is an inflatable.
How do you feel about the sevylor k1 quikpak 1-person inflatable kayak? It's priced at about $100 and I have only seen good reviews on it so far.
Cheng Fu Hang I have not tested out the Sevylor K1 but did a lot of research on it. Firstly this is a very thin walled single bag inflatable. Kind of like a swim raft. This inflatable sits the paddler way too high and is very cheaply made, hence the $100 price tag. I paddle in Florida waters and there is no way I would put this glorified swim floatie in gator territory water.
I also recommend having an anker
anchor
@@JohnSmith-zv8km sorry im dutch
I’m from the uk and considering getting into kayaking as a hobby now I’ve purchased a van.dont you feel a bit vunerable in an inflatable kayak with gators around you ?
T Gun When I first started kayaking I had just moved from California to Florida and I was petrified of gators. I soon found that gators really won’t bother you if you don’t bother them. Now provoked yes you could have a problem or during the mating season they get a little ornery if you disturbs their nesting grounds. But mostly they will shy away from man. It’s been 4 years now and I have seen many gators while paddling and now and again I will get a little nervous if I’m too close to a big one (10’+). My general rule is to respect them and their home and they will leave me alone. Thanks for watching.
Dale Mr. D Simmons that makes sense just living in uk worse we have to worry about is pike and crayfish and I reckon I can take both lol.ive subscribe and will be watching more of your content after work.thankyou
T Gun thank you, yes we also have Alligator Gars which are pretty nasty but the hull material on the AE is pretty tough. Thanks for watching.
@@DaleMrDSimmons this is one the most "balls of steel" thing I've heard
Hi. Where you buy this Kayak?
Viktoras Jurgutis you can purchase this through AirKayaks.com or through Advancedelements.com. Thanks for watching
Are you sponsored by Advanced Elements at all or is this completely unbiased? Just curious.
J Norris at this time unsponsored. However all my reviews are unbiased. I have researched and reviewed other inflatables and AE is at the top of the list of manufacturers. Yes there are others out there but I paddle in Florida where gators abound a $250 inflatable is not on my menu as I don’t want to be on a gators. Lol thanks for watching.
7-22-2018 REVISION-Paddling Places Florida Website is now sponsored by Advanced Elements. AE understands that all my reviews are unbiased and will remain so. I will review any and all inflatable kayaks from other companies and give them a total unbiased review. Just in the past three years no-one company puts out a better inflatable than AE at this time.
We don't have alligators are pike ok ? ;-)
Snoek jonguh
I have an Intex explorer K2. Brilliant kayak. About the cheapest inflatable on the market and can really take a beating.
@@bengamedev1872 post back when you've tried it. Ours works in the sea, but best in millpond conditions
I would add a fire steel, knife and cash on your person and survival kit ready to grab.
Good call. I've got a small waterproof box clipped to my lifejacket, containing fire steel, cash, space blanket, and some first-aid items.
guess who the sponsor is ? good video but my god how many times must you say that companies name !
baz Yes, Advanced Elements is a sponsor. But look at how many different products I was referencing during that video. They are an outstanding manufacturer of inflatable kayaks and support equipment. Kind of a one-stop shop for inflatables.Thanks for watching.
@@DaleMrDSimmons :) thanks for the reply , due to your video i am looking at them , so i suppose it wasn't so much a bad thing after all , cheers , Baz (UK)
Why do you write the plurals of kayak, need and want correctly, and then add an apostrophe to the plural of why, which is incorrect? Makes no sense.
I was born, raised and live in Florida. This over priced inflatable isn't no safer when it comes to alligators than any other inflatable is. An alligator can take a chunk out of a fiberglass boat and it's teeth can puncture the side of a metal jon boat. Just that BS right their null and voids any kind of advice on inflatables you want to put out. Facts matter!
Dandy Dan Well Dan, you are correct. A gator can put a hurt on any kayak that’s no secret.