Story Ranger 1-Person Inflatable Kayak. Unboxing & First Impressions.
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- My Story one person hybrid kayak has arrived from Denmark.
This kayak is known as a hybrid, due to its drop-stitch high pressure floor (deck), and more traditional side chambers.
The Ranger One comes in three colours:
Orange, Turquoise, and Maroon.
Here are my thoughts on this kayak straight out of the box. Also in this video, I share the specifications and a few tips in relation to inflating the kayak and how I stop the seat from sliding about. In Part Two, which will be my "On The Water" video, I will check out the performance of the kayak, the seat, and the supplied paddle.
The kayak arrived within 7 working days. The condition of the kayak was very good, but the bag and fabric footrest were covered in mould. I emailed the seller (Euroskateshop) attaching photos and a link to this video showing the condition of the bag and footrest and am pleased to say that Euroskateshop Claims Department got back to me within four working days, and we have come to an agreement in regard to my complaint with no fuss. Excellent customer service in relation to this issue.
PART 2. My on the water video may be viewed here, • On The Water - Story R...
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFO:
Box Size: 95 cm L (37.4”) W 56 cm (22”) H 35 cm (13.8”)
Box Total Weight: 19.5 kg (43 IB)
Kayak Weight Folded (in the bag): 13 kg (29 IB)
Kayak Weight Inflated: 13 kg (29 IB)
**** I weighed the kayak deflated in its bag for transportation, and then inflated for carrying while portaging. Inflated, it was the same weight as deflated in its bag.
Length: 310 cm
Width External: 90 cm (3ft)
Width Internal: 56 cm (1’ 10”)
Max Load: 130 kg (287 IB)
Recommended Load: 120 kg (265 IB)
1 x 20 cm (8") Removable Skeg (Fin)
Max Leg Length: 120 cm
Some links to products mentioned in this video:
2-PART ADJUSTABLE SYMMETRICAL KAYAK PADDLE
225-235 cm (can extend to 240 cm)
www.decathlon....
0-15PSI 12V/15A ELECTRIC PUMP FOR INFLATABLE STAND-UP-PADDLE BOARDS AND KAYAKS
www.decathlon....
STORY RANGER ONE PERSON HYBRID KAYAK
euroskateshop....
GEL SEAT
www.amazon.co....
Please note, I have no affiliation with any of the companies supplying the products in this video, or listed in the description. All the products that I review or recommend are purchased with my own money.
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Interesting review,look forward to the ‘on the water’ report, thanks David.
Thank you, Edward. I should be out on the water Thursday or Friday to test this kayak out.
ATB, Dave 👍.
Hi Dave , great videos really enjoyed and taken your advice on yalding to oak lock , just a quick question about the ranger I am 6ft 2 111kg would this be suitable currently using a itiwit 100 good boat but the tracking is way off , can you advise, thanks in advance
Hi Geoff,
Height-wise, I thank you would just about get away with it. The recommended weight is 120 kg, with a maximum of 130 kg. Personally, at your height, I would opt for the two-person version, although that would be longer and heavier. The Story Ranger 2 is coming in at a whopping £712.86 at the moment, have you considered any other style of kayak?. I also own an AquaTec Ottawa Pro, in the single-seat version, the cockpit would be too small for you, but the tandem version would work. Tracks great, full drop-stitch up to 12psi, beautiful-looking craft. The tandem version is £599.99 which is not bad at all. I have a playlist reviewing this kayak, may be worth a look.
ATB, Dave 👍
Thank you Dave for some great advice really appreciate it , i will take a look at your recommendations, also do you know of any kayak shops that have a selection of inflated kyac to try, thanks again and looking forward to the next vid
@@GeoffForster No, mate. Most IK dealers simply order direct from China in bulk and ship them out from a warehouse. I always try to do as much research on a kayak design (not so much the brand name) before purchasing. Saying that, I was the first owner of the Bluewave Glider to upload review videos of the product. Also, there were only two review videos showing the Story Ranger. The Aquatec Ottawa Pro also only had two reviews as well, so I suppose I do take calculated risks when purchasing my crafts. That is mainly why I test and share my opinions of these kayaks, I actually find reviewing products tiresome sometimes as I just want to get out there and enjoy the outdoors 🤣
Nice video buddy, I did my first paddle on my ranger 3 days ago, went 7miles & it was great. Enjoy
Thanks Jon, I have a 5-mile paddle planned for tomorrow 👍
Hi Jon, this kayak bag may be of interest to you!. www.davidwilsonoutandabout.co.uk/2022/03/andes-inflatable-kayak-storage-bag-for.html
Hi David, interested to hear your thoughts on this style of kayak Vs your glider.
In the market for my first 'owned' inflatable after hiring itiwit low-pressure boats previously.
Blue wave offer the glider which you have and a 385cm version of this story called the cruiser (both notionally two person boats)
My use case would be lochs, some navigable rivers (nothing above grade 1 whitewater, eg canoe bypasses on the Medway etc) and maybe some sea loch/coastal sea journeys. Paddling solo with gear or tandem on day trips.
The main attraction of this style of kayak is stability (as well as saving about £100!) But obviously conscious that stability means it's less speedy for longer paddles.
Interested to hear your thoughts.
Hi there, I hope you enjoyed my first Ranger review video and found it informative!
Personally, I feel that the Bluewave Cruiser or Story Ranger (which are essentially the same design craft) would be fine on non-tidal rivers and canals, as the only thing that could unduly affect its performance would be strong winds. However, the Bluewave Glider is a far superior craft in several ways. The glider with its narrow side chambers is much less susceptible to wind, less drag, tougher as in treble layered PVC with drop stitch technology, and obviously less effort to paddle.
I have been out on many lochs over the past 3 years and hit (or narrowly avoided) many sharp rocks in the Glider without any damage. I have also had the weather change on me in an instant to gust of 35-40 mph on Coniston Water and Loch Lomond with white-tipped waves in excess of 2 feet and still felt in control of the kayak, I honestly would not take my Ranger out on large lakes or lochs for any distance unless I was guaranteed calm, light wind conditions.
The main issue with stability on the Glider is on entry and exit from the kayak, not when out on the water. This said the Ranger had quite low and small side chambers and as you generally enter reaching for the far side chamber to stabilise yourself on entry, this is also proving to be a bit of a bugger at present be it a tad easier.
Canoe passes. I doubt you will be running any canoe passes with the Gliders 9” skeg, or the Rangers 8” skeg. These skeg's will snag on the passes brushes and you will grind to a halt. If you fit the 3.5” skeg as I often do, you will be able to run the low-grade canoe passes with brushes. The concrete-based passes such as Oak Weir and Sluice lock on the Medway will destroy your skeg, and possibly destroy your kayak.
Obviously, there is also the weight issue to consider, but for longer-distance paddles or kayak camping trips, the Glider is my go-to craft. The Ranger is my short-range leisure (fun) craft.
I am not sure if you have seen them, but I have two other videos whereby I review or discuss the Story Ranger's overall performance and build quality.
ua-cam.com/video/r_VVZNNQkq4/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/rD1PvkH4LgY/v-deo.html
I hope this helps you make a decision!
All the best, Dave 👍
@@DavidWilsonOutandAbout thanks for your comprehensive reply!
All very good points and yes, I'd go skegless if there were canoe passes and certainly wouldn't take an inflatable down the concrete ones!
I think for my needs the cruiser would likely be fine 90% of the time and for those bigger expedition paddles I guess hiring a canoe or kayak may be justified.
@@emc8366 Think you may have issues with tracking without a skeg, may be worth purchasing an Itiwit 3.5" skeg from Decathlon, which I often use on my Glider and Ranger. This will allow you to run the passes with brushes.
@David Wilson Having just bought a solo Glider I wonder if you have any tips or advice for getting in and out of the kayak? Thanks.
@@buellzebub48 I tend to get one foot either side of the bow in knee deep water and then sort of sit down, then swing my feet into it.
Only issue is this approach can send you gliding backwards and get the skeg grounded which isn't ideal so I usually try and have the paddle handy.
With the inflatable bottom, can you stand up in it and use it as a sup board too without it collapsing in the middle?
My apologies, I did not get a notification of your post. I do not use this kayak as a SUP, however, the base is drop-stitch and pressured to 10psi, so it is as rigid as an inflatable paddle board. Saying this, it may be awkward to paddle due to the kayak's total width and side chambers.
@@DavidWilsonOutandAbout Doesn’t matter anymore, i got another model. Just wanted to know how stiff the bottom actually was to know if it would sink a bit and drag as you went along, standing on it would be a good test of that. But yes dropstich works really well it seems.
Looks good Dave, but your weighing it without any air in it so its going to be lighter...
Hi Mark,
I weighed it deflated in its bag for transportation, and then inflated for carrying while portaging.
Looks more stable than the glider
I should image to will be with a width of 90 cm and large side chambers. However, I imagine it will be far slower and not track so well.
You did not show the paddle
No, I will probably try the paddle out when I do my "On The Water" review.