I have owned one of these for about 3 years and use it heavily to crab in the Puget Sound. The main point of failure is the seams. I have only had two “punctures” where something rough or sharp actually pierces the material, but 5-10 holes where a seam failed. To avoid that, I recommend always slightly under-inflating. People always talk about how if you inflate a kayak and take it on the water it will deflate slightly because the water cools the air in the kayak, but that’s because they take it out on warm summer days. If the air temp is 40 F and the water is 55 F, the water will heat it and cause it to expand. Also, more importantly, buy some HH-66 vinyl cement and some extra pvc material (I already had the material from a torn kids floaty) and preemptively patch the seams at the fore and aft in the bottom section where the separating sections terminate. Do this on the inside floor (I don’t know if it’s called a deck in a kayak) and the bottom hull. This ends up being 16 patches, but it is much easier to to strengthen than to repair a seam failure here.
Hi, thank you for the good advice. Seams are definitely the weak point. I had a ripped seam just under the seat but to be honest I think it was due to the way I was carrying it. I've used it about 8 times but had a major rip on the bottom. I managed to patch it using Flex Seal enough to finish my trip but need a new kayak. I have abused it a bit this summer lol but for the price it has given me many days and hours of fun
@@A1rdy it’s up to you, but it’s likely repairable. Flex seal works for one or two trips but isn’t as tough as PVC. HH-66 or Loctite-brand vinyl adhesive (which you can get in a smaller quantity for like $3) will patch it. Despite all my patches, I’ve never had a patch job fail (subsequent leaks have always been new tears). I had two seam tears in the sitting area that I patched; one was about three inches long, the other one inch. Both have been patched and are holding up. You can consider getting a better seat and using the old seat for repair material. I have a piece of .5” plywood with pool noodle on the edges, about 2’ x 3’, that I sit on instead of that massive blow up seat. Or, you could use that green triangle that comes with it and is pointless for material.
Kayak season is approaching! 😁
I need a new kayak after the incident 👀
@@Chucs_Padida that's awesome, how was it?
I have owned one of these for about 3 years and use it heavily to crab in the Puget Sound. The main point of failure is the seams. I have only had two “punctures” where something rough or sharp actually pierces the material, but 5-10 holes where a seam failed.
To avoid that, I recommend always slightly under-inflating. People always talk about how if you inflate a kayak and take it on the water it will deflate slightly because the water cools the air in the kayak, but that’s because they take it out on warm summer days. If the air temp is 40 F and the water is 55 F, the water will heat it and cause it to expand.
Also, more importantly, buy some HH-66 vinyl cement and some extra pvc material (I already had the material from a torn kids floaty) and preemptively patch the seams at the fore and aft in the bottom section where the separating sections terminate. Do this on the inside floor (I don’t know if it’s called a deck in a kayak) and the bottom hull. This ends up being 16 patches, but it is much easier to to strengthen than to repair a seam failure here.
Hi, thank you for the good advice. Seams are definitely the weak point. I had a ripped seam just under the seat but to be honest I think it was due to the way I was carrying it. I've used it about 8 times but had a major rip on the bottom. I managed to patch it using Flex Seal enough to finish my trip but need a new kayak. I have abused it a bit this summer lol but for the price it has given me many days and hours of fun
@@A1rdy it’s up to you, but it’s likely repairable. Flex seal works for one or two trips but isn’t as tough as PVC. HH-66 or Loctite-brand vinyl adhesive (which you can get in a smaller quantity for like $3) will patch it. Despite all my patches, I’ve never had a patch job fail (subsequent leaks have always been new tears). I had two seam tears in the sitting area that I patched; one was about three inches long, the other one inch. Both have been patched and are holding up.
You can consider getting a better seat and using the old seat for repair material. I have a piece of .5” plywood with pool noodle on the edges, about 2’ x 3’, that I sit on instead of that massive blow up seat. Or, you could use that green triangle that comes with it and is pointless for material.
It s okay for fishing ?
The only problem for fishing would be the side to side stability while trying to do another task, you have to constantly correct it to keep steady
Still can't believe you got like 4 punctures in 1 day 😂
Well It was 100% my fault and stupidity lol
🛶🛶🛶
🛶🛶 🥩🛶🛶 🦆 🛶🛶🛶
@@A1rdy - Was just about to ask why there's a steak 🥩 in there.
Then I remembered that TESCO Diced Steak we found floating down the river, haha.
@@deanaird it's accurate lol 😊