Inflatable Kayak Review - Star Raven Pro
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- While the majority of inflatable kayaks are recreational kayaks, designed for calm, flat water conditions, there are some recreational kayaks that are designed for rough and challenging paddling conditions. This is where the Star Raven Pro comes in. The Raven Pro is an inflatable kayak that is designed for river running - from Class 1 fast moving water, to Class 4 challenging whitewater. In this video, we're putting the Star Raven Pro to the full test, both on flatwater and in the whitewater.
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Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Paddle:
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Now that looked like fun. 😁👍🚣♂️
My last inflatable was by AIRE and I loved it! I had a single for whitewater and my husband and I had a duo for touring. My single lasted 7 years until I hit a rock (or something) and the air cell got punctured. We bought a replacement tube and it forged on for another 2 years. During the off season, we stored both in our shed and both became brittle and cracked. We went back to using the hard shell kayak but my preference is an inflatable. This one looks good because I am not looking for speed, just fun on the North Carolina rivers and Lake Fontana.
Love this keep them coming so can buy my next one
That would be awesome on the new.
Looks fun and ... that's it. I like you Ken and I need more your videos! Paddleholic fan! Greetings from Poland 🇵🇱🍻
Ha! I'll keep 'em coming as quick as I can! Thanks!
I see people taking these things down class IVs up there in Oregon.
If you're not racing, and just want to play in the river, it's great!
Nice review. Could you provide some instruction on how to best run the white water in the Raven? Some particular paddle strokes or technique? Thanks
There is nothing substantially different than a hardshell. Check out the thousands of YT vids on paddling.
Great review. White water inflatables are a lot of fun. I have had mine on the Leigh, Tohickon, and the Mongaup. I have seen them on the Upper Youghiogheny but I’m not there yet. Maybe a review on the Aire Lynx and Force. Those are the boats I have been running the white water on.
I'll check out the Lynx and Force. I'm not familiar with them. Thanks!
I don’t know where you are but I would loan you one or both if you want to review them. W
3:03
Who among us haven't done *this* ?
I feel your pain!
I've never seen an inflatable with that much rocker. No wonder it spins on a dime! I reckon that you could get some tight turns out of it.
38" width???
Aircraft carrier stability & snail slow hull speed...
Thanks for the review!
Ha! Yup. I don't think I could have flipped it if I tried! In hindsight, I should have tried rolling it!
Great Review. Is there a skeg? I have a Chelan 120 which I have not yet learned not enjoy? I'd would appreciate your review of that boat and some tips on folding it up.
Nope. No skeg on the Raven. Skegs aren't good things to have for whitewater. I'm not familiar with the Chelan 120. I'll have to check it out. Thanks!
You should check out some of the Aquaglide inflatables, specifically the Blackfoot or Chelan models. I am not associated, but just got a 2021 Blackfoot 160 and love it. They have limited reviews on YT, but their product seems superior to most other options for flatwater inflatables.
I appreciate it. I've never tried an Aquaglide kayak, but I'm looking forward to it!
Hey Ken, I have your DVD “Whitewater Kayaking” 👍🏼👍🏼💥 I’d like to see ww test of Seaeagle 380x.
Ha! I think that DVD is a classic now. :). Thanks for the note, and hopefully I can get my hands on a 380 soon.
I enjoyed the video cause I can handle a hardshell WW boat, just want something more comfy. Gotta rent one first.
Seaeagle 300x is similar, but should improvise foot and leg straps. Tracks a bit straighter and has 16 large auto bailers. Optional very comfy inflatable seat. Shrugs off massive wave inundation gracefully, and even surfs a bit!
Would you say the 300x is better? I do like how the 300x comes with a paddle as well. (The package) I like the Sea Eagle however I think the foot pads on this STAR are a game changer.
We call them duckies. That one is pretty slick
One slick ducky!
Thx for the review. I’d love to see a side-by-side comparison of several higher end brands for river running-Star, AIRE, NRS, Kokopelli, Sea Eagle, Hyside, and maybe Cronin’s ugly ducky.
I’ve used the AIRE singles and doubles and enjoyed those but some of the others above at 1/2 the cost are appealing-except for Hyside and NRS that are priced about $2k like the AIRE’s. Not really looking at the tributary line in that they only have 1 year warranties (I think their strike boat is 5 years so that would be ok to include) although Cronin is only 1 year but it’s a unique boat and I’d love to see how it stacks up to the others. AIRE Lynx, Force, and Outfitter and NRS Maverick both have a 10 year warranty although I don’t see the NRS Mavericks on their website anymore, just the Star brand.
Anyway, a friend has 8 of the AIRE boats, 4 singles and 4 doubles, that we have been using with our youth club and I’ve been researching boats to see if I or the club can pick some up. If I can find something cheaper but as good as the AIRE boats I’d look hard at those.
Yup. So many to choose from, and they do go up in price quickly. I'll see what I can do!
Great review. Very informative. Mine is in the mail so I can't contribute yet.
Hi, Ken.
Hope you make some videos about packraft boats one day.
There are a lot of videos about packrafts, but not much helpful or informative as yours.
Really hope to see experts' perspective for packrafts.
I'm looking forward to trying a packraft too! What brand would you recommend trying?
@@PaddleTV Wow!! Great!! I'm not well aware of brands. I own one of the MRS packrafts(Barracuda).
Alpacka and Kokopelli are awesome too.
Honestly, brands dont matter to me.
I just want to hear your thoughts, perspective and opinions about packrafts. Most of your videos are super helpful to me.
Hi Ken, I'm relatively new to paddling and have been using a Jackson Nirvana in class III, but just bought a Star Outlaw II IK (with thigh braces) because I don't have a roll and want to get on other parts of the Upper New River. What kind of paddles would you recommend for the Tandem Outlaw (240cm)? - I'm 5'10 200lbs.
Hi Donald. Good boat choice! Yes, I would say that 240cm will do the trick for you. It's a wide boat, and so I wouldn't go any shorter. Here's the paddle that I use for whitewater paddling in inflatables - bit.ly/3QEb8R5. It's a carbon shaft, with carbon reinforced nylon blades. This makes the blades super durable for banging around on rocks.
Ken is there a way to write to yourself off line? I have a Outlaw II 12ft. that i want to set up like the PRO w the Seat Thigh Braces and Foot Pegs. Do I sit at mid boat and adjust from there? Im 5'11" and 230
Will paddle mostly on CL II - III in the South Eastern US Georgia Alabama Tennessee SC/NC.
Please advise
Bill
When you say slow, how would it compare to a white water packraft? I have a packraft but I consider buying this to be able to move faster and surf better (while still sitting on top)
I’m trying to narrow down what I want, looking at this, the Viper XL, or the RMR Taylor.
I have had both the latter2. Right now its the Viper. They are both great boats. The RMR is v similar to the boat KW reviewed in this vid. Same sort of rocker, roughly the same dimensions and performance. One issue which came up was that it had very few drain holes and was slow to drain. Unless you are running continuous big water its not an issue IMO.
The Viper is the copy of the AIRE Force boats with Flotation chambers at each end. Its a little more comfortable with the chambers acting as a backrest and a foot brace. The rocker is less and this makes it faster. The hull bottom is very flat and it really spins on a dime. There are enough drain holes. It also comes with thigh straps, not an after purchase item. The side tubes may be a 1/2 inch larger, definitely not smaller. Of the 2 it has the closest performance to a river running hardshell. The performance difference of all these 3 boats is minute and you really can't go wrong with any of them. BTW they are all rated to 275 lbs paddler weight.
Hey Ken! What length paddle did you use for this boat?
I would suggest something around 230cm.
Does anyone know how the Star Raven stacks up against the Sea Eagle 300x?
They look very similar. The Sea Eagle has the bonus of the drop skeg if you're using the boat for flatwater or ocean surf. The Star has the bonus of foot braces and thigh straps, which will make it higher performing for whitewater..
Have you paddled the Star Viper and if so how does it compare?
Not yet... Hope to soon.
18kg seem a loads , I have a inflatable kayak packraft that can handle up to grade 5. Has seat, thigh straps, feet braces and it weighs 6.2kg
Do you have a video on aquaglide mckenzie.
Not yet... but AquaGlide Chelan 120 is coming up very soon!
Thing weighs 40 lbs, so why not just use a regular whitewater kayak that can take a spray skirt and carry gear and won't pop?
There are lots of benefits to a quality inflatable whitewater kayak. They're much more stable than typical whitewater kayaks, many people will never set foot in a whitewater kayak because of the feeling of confinement, and an inflatable kayak like this allows someone who only paddles in whitewater periodically, to enjoy more challenging whitewater than they would be able to in a typical whitewater kayak - much like a raft does.
need a review of the new bluefin 142 from pakayak please
Would love to. I've reached out to them to see about getting a test boat, but haven't heard back yet. Hopefully soon.
@@PaddleTV Really hope they get back to you! I bought one recently but I'm a novice paddler so I'd love to see what you think of it and what you think its strengths and limitations are.
Wat paddles
Way too much editing of the white water run to even think about buying it ! Please show a top to bottom run with uninterrupted video! Please . do the have a drop down keel?
No. The boat doesn't have a drop down keel/skeg. Those would just get destroyed in whitewater.