Top 5 Inflatable and Folding Kayaks of 2021 - 2022 | PaddleTV Award Winners
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- The time has finally come. The time to make my selection for the 'Best Portable Kayaks of the Year'. Please note that this selection only takes into account the portable kayaks that I tested this past year. I'm sure there are some other kayaks that deserve to be in this conversation, but that doesn't change the fact that these kayaks deserve special recognition. And so these are my picks for the PaddleTV Awards for 'Best Portable Kayaks of 2021'.
PORTABLE KAYAKS
Sea Eagle 393rl: bit.ly/3mVOXbw
Oru Kayak Inlet: bit.ly/3vpjxhS
Hobie iTrek-9: bit.ly/3o0TMlM
Pakayak Bluefin 142: pakayak.com/?ref=ken
RECREATIONAL KAYAKS
Jackson Kayak Tupelo 12.5: bit.ly/3phR8aS
Wilderness Systems Pungo 120: bit.ly/3E5BoOl
Perception Pescador: bit.ly/3FPuWeK
Watch the full reviews on each of these products here:
- Sea Eagle 393rl: • Inflatable Kayak Gear ...
- Oru Kayak Inlet: • Folding Kayak Gear Rev...
- Star Raven Pro: • Inflatable Kayak Revie...
- Trak 2.0: • The Ultimate Touring K...
- Hobie iTrek 9: • Most Maneuverable Kaya...
Take a free online safety course for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling (SUP), brought to you by the American Canoe Association and the U.S. Coast Guard: americancanoe.org/education/r...
Other paddling gear I use and recommend:
NOTE: These are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it's a great way to show your support. Thanks!
KAYAKS I recommend
Sea Eagle 380x: bit.ly/37jRbxP
Sea Eagle 393rl: bit.ly/3mVOXbw
Sea Eagle 385ft:
Tucktec: bit.ly/3mQnmcn
Pakayak: pakayak.com/?uap_ref=ken
Decathlon Itiwit:
Oru Kayak Inlet: bit.ly/3vpjxhS
AquaGlide Chelan 120: bit.ly/3IRNde0
Advanced Elements Advanced Frame: bit.ly/3hJNpAl
Star Rival Inflatable Kayak: bit.ly/3lipNno
Isle Switch Hybrid SUP/Kayak: islesurfsup.sjv.io/5bJMJn
Jackson Kayak Tupelo 12.5: bit.ly/3phR8aS
Wilderness Systems Pungo 120: bit.ly/3E5BoOl
Perception Pescador: bit.ly/3FPuWeK
PADDLES
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Paddle:
Aqua Bound Tango Fibreglass Paddle: bit.ly/3iaGleJ
Aqua Bound Whiskey Carbon Bent Shaft Paddle: bit.ly/3z1kiOH
FOOTWEAR
NRS Kicker Remix Shoe: bit.ly/36F1B6Y
NRS Boundary Boot: bit.ly/2TaCMgl
PADDLING SHIRTS / TOPS
NRS Guide Long Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3yVID8j
NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3dkDYaD
NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt: bit.ly/3xF43pX
NRS H2Core Silkweight Long Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3yZGbO2
NRS Hydroskin Short Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3wCvoI3
NRS Riptide Splash Jacket: bit.ly/3BbAZZJ
NRS Flux Dry Top: bit.ly/2U3Pvlw
PFD’S
NRS Odyssey PFD: bit.ly/3ibIk2n
NRS Zen PFD: bit.ly/2VCfrF3
NRS Chinook PFD: bit.ly/2TaEAG9
OTHER PADDLING GEAR
Zoleo Communicator: bit.ly/3zw7gw1
NRS Drylander Sprayskirt: bit.ly/36z5BG6
WRSI Current Helmet: bit.ly/2Te6KA6
PADDLING SHORTS/BOTTOMS
NRS Benny Board Short: bit.ly/2VIbK0L
NRS Hydroskin Shorts: bit.ly/3hCXPl2
SUNGLASSES
WileyX: bit.ly/3NtJQKR
FOLLOW KEN
Facebook: / gopaddle
Instagram: / paddle365
Twitter: / gopaddle
Blog: in4adventure.com
MADE POSSIBLE with the Support of:
Ontario Creates: www.ontariocreates.ca/
Bell Fund: bellfund.ca/
PRODUCED BY
Heliconia: www.heliconia.ca
Contact: info@heliconia.ca
#PaddleTV #RecreationalKayak #InflatableKayak #FoldingKayak #KayakTouring #KayakingSafety #PortableKayak - Спорт
Take a free online US Coast Guard Safety Course for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling (SUP): cms.americancanoe.org/Online-Courses/Present/Paddlesports-Safety-Online-Course
Pakayak is my favorite.
Truly clever design, very happy with it.
Can't wait to try one! I've heard good things from others as well.
Pakayak is awesome. Just wish the cockpit was a few inches longer.
I have one and am super happy with it. Have it down to
@@PaddleTV
Yup, it's a solid design.
Mind your fingers, those latches are tough!
I also looked at Oru kayaks, but they need to be completely rinsed and dried to prevent mold within the plastic layers.
Cheers 😎 👍
This was cool to watch to see what's new. We bought our tandem NRS outlaw in 2018 to ride the Colorado River. It's amazing how many options are out there! Thanks for sharing
I really like that first blue inflatable kayak. My bf has been looking for something portable and big enough for 6'-2" 240lbs bigger people would love this kayak. It also looks like a couch which helps.
You’re so more intresting to watch now than 10 years ago. Love your camera confidence. Thanks for getting all those kayaks for us.
Great Ken the Yak 😉 kayaks academy awards 😁 Cant wait for another new Paddle Tales episodes 👍🏻
Ha! Kayak Academy Awards... I like it!
This is a life saver when you need one the most!
Awesome video, will love to see a review more on Fishing SUPs like Blackfoot, Memba.
I like your vibe, you done a amazing work .. thanks !!
Great video and exactly what I was hopping to find. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
After a few uses on class II and class III, I have rave reviews for my Advanced Elements Attack Pro (Plus it was 40% off in Amazon Warehouse!!) At 34 pounds slightly heavy, but I love it.
Great review video!
My hardshell Dagger Kayak is also portable. Not inflatable or foldable, but portable. I see all the great advantages of the inflatable or foldable kayaks, but i don’t want to take care of ground contact. Cool Video anyway, interesting. Thanks!
For those who learned rolling with @PaddleTV. We need to see a rolling video of these kayaks... 🤣
I have paddled a bit since this summer. What I value in kayaks surely is 1. weight, 2. stability 3. space for camping and food stuff.
Narrowing down your priorities like this is great! You can really find your perfect kayak this way... although nothing compares with testing it out.
I have similar priorities. May I ask what you found that met your needs?
@@nicolasmartinez8015 Hi! I am using Itiwit. The price was right. It is French design.
@travelvideos may I ask which model because I had seen the review of one of those boats here but that particular one was deemed a bit unstable
Over 40 years ago, I bought a Tahiti K79 Sevylor inflatable Kayak. My fly fishing buddies and I decided we would give up the two man military surplus boats we carried down into the canyon of the S Fork Flathead. and float down to the Hungry Horse reservoir in Montana. Additionally we decided to hike 30 miles into the Bob Marshal Wilderness and float out 30 miles to the point at the bridge where we usually started our float. I bought the K79 on the of season at the Bon Marche in Seattle for $50. Stripped down it weighed 13 pounds and I used a small kids wooden canoe paddle for a walking stick. It took about 15 minutes of good lung exercise to inflate. The best feature was using it as a bed (you need a nylon tarp to repel the dew that occurs about 4:00am). A one week pack weighed less than 50 pounds. In subsequent years we floated the Clark Fork, Black Foot, Swan and Bitteroot rivers in MT. and later I did floats on the Snoqualmie in WA and the Willamette in OR. You are amphibious, hiking until you hit water and then blow up your boat and paddle. Often your just an hour away from your own private sand bar or grassy bank where you can fish, camp or picnic. Coming to rough white water I usually had a lead rope to walk around the hazard. You tend to take good care of your boat. A tube of Shoe Goo has often com in handy.
Iguana
Some of those folding kayaks are attractive because you can take them on a plane.
I'm wait until you can fit a portable plane on a kayak.
I purchased an Advanced Elements Airframe and took it to Beaver River. It was performing decent right up until I had to go against a sort of strong current over top a fallen tree and I became stuck. This was largely due to the fact that without the drop stitch flooring your butt really sinks and you feel all the rocks and trees that much more. I was worried about the fabric tearing. Luckily another paddler came by and saw my predicament, and I was able to hitch a ride.
In short; get the drop stitch flooring if you plan on buying one of the Advanced Elements. I'm set on buying a Sea Eagle. Until then the Riot Quest 10 will do just fine.
That's a great point! Thanks for sharing. A stiff floor is much better for dealing with shallows.
Cool, I have a Solstice kayak which is basically a knock-off of a Sea Eagle 300 explorer but for only $550.
Great review. I own a sea eagle 393 razorlite and love it for calm water but I would be interested in what you think of the sea eagle 385 fast track, an inflatable that apparently tracks well in calm water and can be used in up to class 2 rapids so sounds like a good all rounder.
The 385 looks like it would be fine in class 1 and 2 rapids, as long as you removed the fin, because I think it would get broken very quickly. It will definitely be more stable than the 393, and with a drop stitch floor, it should perform well. Without the fin, it will track horribly on flatwater, and so you'll likely want to pull over to shore and put the removable fin back on for long calm water stretches. It would be a little hassle, but not a big deal.
Thank you for your great videos! Really helped me zero in on my needs .. is there a kayak you recommend for single person kayak made for fishing soft water inner bay or lakes ? Thanks
My pleasure! As for your question... That's a tough one to answer! There are so many fishing kayaks that would work for you. Sit-on-top kayaks are typically the best for kayak fishing. Otherwise... your budget will dictate what kayaks to look at. That being said... if you're not needing to cover big distances, I would look for a sit-on-top fishing kayak somewhere between 10 - 11 feet long. If you let me know how much you'd like to spend, I might be able to provide more direction.
Great video. I purchased the Aquamarina Tomahawk Air C so me and my 2 daughters could use it for visits to the beech. Only using it in sheltered bays and canals but that's a full drop-stitch construction with high back seats and a 3 seater. No foot supports so you can't give it that but I only go out for leasure paddling. That's a great option to for a family. Get a folding sack barrow and big ratchet strap and you can wheel the back to the beech to as its to big to use the straps.
All those options look great whichever you choose
Nice boat! I actually just tested the Tomahawk myself. I'll be releasing the review video soon.
Entertaining host, informative and doesn't just read the ingredients on the box like your typical salesperson.
Very good.
Nice job
Wish you'd review the nested kayak Pakayak!
It's coming! They're sending me a Bluefin 142 to review for next spring! Stay tuned...
Thank you
Welcome!
Hey! I enjoyed your video. Could you make one for portable tandem kayaks?
I did love my Elements kayak until it was stolen out of the back of my truck a couple of weeks ago. They didn’t take the bag, nor the seat, or the paddle. Heck, they didn’t even take the pump! So, if you saw someone lugging a deflated orange and gray kayak downtown Toronto, that was mine. I’m now thinking about the Oru foldable.
That sucks!
Great review Ken. I upgrading my travel trailer to a 5th wheel so I will loss my truck bed space and the ability to haul my Eddyline Kayaks. Seems like from your inflatable kayak reviews the two better ones out there are the Sea Eagle 393RL and the Advanced Elements Airvolution. If I love my Eddyline Skylack which of the two do you think I would like the best out of these two and are there any others I should consider? Thanks
If your not bothered by price look into alpackaraft. Rafts inheritable have more stability, carrying capacity, dry storage, take up less room ect. But no where as fast as kayak or canoe
What are your thoughts on the Sea Eagle 437 paddleski? I would like something that could go on easier rivers that I could also put an electric outboard motor on for larger bodies of water and when I have my wife with me. She is not much help when paddling a two person kayak. I also thought it would be cool to try a sail, although I do not know how well they work on boats like this.
Hello, I’d like to see you review the same class of kayaks, but for fishing.
Love my TUCKTEC ❤
Would love to see you test out a Decathlon itiwit x500 kayak. Seems like the Sea Eagle Razorlite 393 is similar, but the x500 is a sit in kayak and looks much more like a hardshell "real" kayak! Sadly mostly in the EU however I think Canada has them too!
I'm trying to get my hands on one to test! I agree that it looks cool!
@@PaddleTV Fly me out and you can use mine! 😉
You get a portable kayak because it fits in your apartment's elevator! If I had to portage up and down 17 floors I don't think it is something I would use every day. The times are a changing I have ordered Oru's newest The Lake it is shaved down to 18 pounds and the designer's personal best for complete assembly is 45 seconds.
I am looking at the Rocky Mountain Rafts Taylor IK 126 or the Raven Pro
A key issue is does it autobail, not so much whether you are "on top". I sit IN my SeaEagle Explorer (like your Star?) but it has 16 large autobailers that will eject a full cockpit of whitewater in seconds. I think Razorlight has a drain that won't bail and my Oru Beach has no drain so incoming water rushes some place hard to scoop out. I wouldn't want to use a skirted cockpit in the tropics where cheese grater coral is just under the hull which may de-skin your shoulders in a roll. Too bad Hobie retired it's very sailable inflato pedal kayaks, but the new pedalboards shed sizeable wave water without scuppers and fin type pedals rule due to using bigger muscle groups. Wonder how you rate my modular Point65 Tequila which doesn't like my weight.
Great points! Hope to try the Point65 soon. I've reached out to them, but so far, no response.
I was wondering which one of these you would recommend that could be carried for short hikes to mountain lakes, and do some fishing?
Good question... The Oru Kayak is definitely the lightest for hiking. To be honest, none of these are ideal for what you describe. I would go for something like the Sea Eagle 385fta - bit.ly/3dFPLgC. It's an ideal fishing platform, and still fun to paddle if you're not fishing. I'll be doing a full review on it this spring.
Here's a great question Ken.
"If" you had to choose between recommending a Sea Eagle Razorlite or an ORU Inlet folding kayak, both similarly priced, to a kayaker with some experience using hard shell kayaks, but by no means an expert, which one would you choose? And yes, I'm well aware that not everyone is the same and there can be many factors in determine this, but without knowing the people and any specific needs, how would you make the quick decision for them? We'll say you can't ask them any questions, and they want a boat for an up coming trip on calm water.
I mention this as I know a ton of people trying to choose between these two.
Great question! Here's the quick answer...
The Oru Kayak would be the choice if your priorities were 1. A stable kayak. 2. A super lightweight kayak
The Sea Eagle 393 would be the choice if your priorities were 1. A higher performing kayak (faster) 2. Slightly more comfortable kayak.
@@PaddleTV Excellent answer.
@@PaddleTV Hi Ken, loving my Sea Eagles, but I'd love to see you review the Advanced Elements Packlite. I'm finally seeing a few more videos on it. Might be a good special purpose kayak to add to my fleet. I want to know if it's more than a pool toy.
The Packlite weighs just 4 lbs, and packs down to 11″ X 11″ X 5″. You can literally throw the kayak, a tiny pump & paddle in a tiny backpack like a kid would take to school and easily take the boat on a bike. I'm thinking this would be great for remote ponds. I'm sure performance isn't going to compare to other inflatables, but it looks better than I was expecting with the new online videos. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it. Not overly expensive at about $300 on Amazon. Not something your going to want to paddle for more than a mile or two, but it will get you on the water in places more difficult to reach with larger, heavier kayaks.
Great video! I regards to portable kayaks I see a lot of reviews on inflatable and folding kayaks. Have you looked at point 65 modular kayaks. I live down town Chicago and I don’t have the space for a standard kayak so I’m considering all my options. Using it primarily for fishing call water lakes. If you have any thoughts I’d love hear them. The ITrek 9 may be a good option based on your review.
Thanks! I haven't tried the Point 65 yet, although I've wanted to. Are you looking for a pedal kayak specifically? If not, Sea Eagle has a solid inflatable fishing kayak called the 385 Fast Track Angler - bit.ly/3dFPLgC. I recently tested the 385 Fast Track (non angler version) and was really impressed with it. I've been impressed with Sea Eagle products in general. Food for thought!
@@PaddleTV Oh, wow... This is excellent. I've been looking for a while now and this checks all the boxes. Thanks for the recommendation!
Better you than me Brotherman!
Ha!
I am researching drop stitch inflatables given my current condo living situation and that I don’t live near an ocean but do have several lakes and slow moving rivers nearby. Did you compare the Sea Eagle Razor Lite to any other brands/models before crowning it the winner? It just seems like many of the ones I have seen reviewed look like they might all be the same boat with just different graphics and sold at different prices.
You're right. There are a number of similar looking boats out there. I did test the Aquamarina Tomahawk, which is very similar to the Sea Eagle 393. I also tested the AE Airvolution ua-cam.com/video/L0synNnGKKs/v-deo.html which many people seem to be choosing between. I personally like the 393, but it certainly doesn't mean those aren't good boats, because they are.
They are all made by Woosung in China. Woosung is a corean company which have the patents on the drop stitch technology. They all looks the same but the dimensions are differents so their comportements can be also very different
Great info. I have a BOTE Lono Aero that is a Kayak/Sup that can be paddled or peddle driven. I love peddling it. It’s super stable and moves quick but paddling is not so fun due to lack of foot braces (trying to figure out a DIY solution). The inflatable seat is trash, I use the lawn chair style from hard shell yak. The whole reason for getting it was portability, my Wilderness systems Tarpon 120 is the best all around yak in my opinion but my 5’2 215 self struggled getting on my vehicle to get it to the water. But the BOTE catches wind like a kite and makes the paddling unenoyable in any open water situation.
I've been enjoying a Razorlite 393rl for about a year now. In fact I like it so much I just bought the 473RL. So now I have even more cargo capacity when solo kayak camping. If I have any complaints about the 393rl it is that the cargo area is behind the paddler so it ends up bow high when loaded. Not an issue with the 473rl, because I sit in the rear and put the cargo in the front.
Although that Trak 2.0 sure is sexy!
That makes total sense! Does the 473 feel a lot more stable than the 393?
@@PaddleTV Stability difference between the 393rl and the 473rl is in my humble opinion negligible. Personally I don't feel much if any difference.
I find that they both have fantastic secondary stability but the flat 'keel' provides limited primary stability. Hence they both feel slightly 'tippy' at first, but are actually really hard to flip. ( I have yet to...)
Also worth noting that the speed difference is also negligible.
Tracking is where the 473rl starts to show it's chops. (With or without the skeg)
I have been kayaking in the Razorlite 393 for over six years and wondered about single kayaking in the 473. Can you center the seat in the 473 for single kayaking?
@@InBonesWeTrust Yes!
You can center the seat. Biggest issue is that the foot pegs are not in the correct spot. So if you do you'll probably want to rig up some footrest. Easy to do.
@@CactusCycles What size paddle would you recommend for solo paddling the 473 in the centered seat position?
You need a disclaimer to say if you want a seaworthy folding kayak only the TRAK is to be considered of the ones you tested. In my experience it's the fastest folding kayak available due to the high skin tension, just don't hit any submerged objects in it (my experience). iThe other seaworthy kayaks to be considered are Pakboats Quest (light), Nautiraid (aluminum or wooden frame) and Long Haul (a bit big and heavy for my liking). Fujita are also nice but made in Japan and not widely distributed. I own or have owned all the above (plus others) except Long Haul.
Another key one worth mentioning (which will be getting an award this year) is the Pakayak Bluefin 142. It has the durability of a hardshell touring kayak, because it is a hardshell touring kayak. :) So many good boats out there to try...
Any thoughts about the Pakayak? We’re going to be moving to Portugal and once there we will be limited to bicycles and public transportation. It seems to have great reviews and dedicated followers.
I will know soon enough! They said they're sending me a reviewing boat in the near future. Stay tuned!
I have one and love it. However, the wheels on the bag it comes with are tiny. Most Pakayak owners end up getting a C-Tug cart, which makes it sooooo easy to use. It's a fun kayak to paddle and I look forward to doing overnight trips with it next year. I had a drop stitch inflatable before this, but the Pakayak truly is like a real hardshell kayak.
Mark at Longhaul Folding Kayaks should send you a demo boat to review. Longhaul and Klepper are a different class of boat.
Hope to try one soon... which would you recommend first?
@@PaddleTV The Mk1 or Mk2 are both good. Mk2 are the most popular by far being a tandem that can be paddled solo as well.
If you do manage to get one, look for some choppy or swelly open water. The seaworthiness will impress.
Princess Auto in Canada has an inflatable pedal kayak...on sale for approx $1000 CAD
I was surprised not to see the AE Airvolution. For me, the length, width, and fin options all added up to stability and good enough speed. Just curious.
I did a full review of the Airvolution this summer and did enjoy it a lot. ua-cam.com/video/L0synNnGKKs/v-deo.html. That being said, the removable fin broke on me, which was likely just a random defect, but it was still a strike against it. Otherwise, I think it's a solid kayak, and a great option for many people, but I felt it traded a bit too much performance for stability for me.
@@PaddleTV I owned a SUP so I was already aware of care you need to take once it’s on. I wait now until I drop it in the water. The NRS fin is great (shorter). I do think the foot pedal is a weakness and the seat needs improvement. I don’t find speed an issue or tracking at all. The lighter weight is nice too.
Thank you! What do you think about the Aquaglide Chelan 140 or Navarro 145?
I haven't had the chance to try either yet, but I've heard good things about them. I have a Chelan 120 coming in the spring to test, and so I'll know more then.
I have an Acquaglide Chelan 140 and love it. I bought it so my wife could paddle with me but it's great when I go solo or want to fish. It's quite fast even compared to my hard shell Eddylne's. It's also very stable and maneuverable and the fin glides over seaweed and shallow areas.
Any ideas what the best kayak for large open water and big waves?
that Hobie isnt the only choice for inflatable with pedals. I own a Saturn 12' Inflatable Pedal Kayak PK365. Its awesome and fast at only 800 dollars.
Thanks for sharing! I haven't heard of it.
Search for Robfin packraft. 6kg and as close to hardshell kayak as you can get.
You should see the Itiwit Strenfit x500
I agree! I've reached out to them but haven't heard back yet. Hopefully I do hear back soon.
@@PaddleTV You’ll have a lot of fun, it’s the closest thing to a rigid hull kayak (in the inflatable category).
@Yury Chernyshov try to improve your balance skill! that boat has a v shape, so if you are not used to this you will allways feel unstable. But if you try to understand its balance you will love it (like me). good luck and enjoy
Thanks for sharing! I'm hoping to test that boat next spring!
@@Andreademagistris try to improve balance skills?the x500 is notoriously tippy and I’m glad someone else spoke up about this FACT.
What are you thoughts on the Aquaglide Blackfoot 130?
Haven't tried it yet, but hoping to in 2022!
Despite slick packaging, I always find that paddling in an oru looks like sitting in a USPS crater.
Ha! I can see that. Never thought of that until now... I'm afraid I'll see that now every time I look at it. :)
Klepper for the win, pouch second. Not cheap but great design and durable. Never had any problem with them.
Feathercraft is unfortunately no longer in business. Trak is very nice. Handling and weight. But I don't trust the alu frame.
Still need to try a Klepper. Hope to do so soon. As for the Trak, I can tell you that the Frame is trustworthy. I've taken it into the roughest conditions, from 7 foot surf, to class 4 whitewater, and it has handled it all. I've ground on rocks too, without a problem. The only time I've had any damage was hitting barnacles hard, and it gauged the skin enough to cause a small leak. I fixed it with Tear Aid in 2 minutes.
I agree … went up the Pacific coast of Vanvouver Island, paddled Kroatia from north to south, Norway, the Philipines, the Baltic Sea … all in my Feathercraft Kahuna (with the Whisper‘s strap-on skeg to turn it into a sea kayak ;-). Best (and lightest) folding kayak I ever had. Never had a problem with the alu frame but I thoroughly cleaned and waxed it after each trip.
Trying to figure out which inflatable to get my wife. I want the drop stitch floor, but looking for a light weight option. What would you recommend?
Thanks for the idea. I've put it on my list.
Ken, can you please review the Point 65 North Tequila modular kayak?
I would love to! I've reached out to them with the hopes of getting a review boat for 2022. Hope to try it soon!
@@PaddleTV Fantastic! I can't wait to hear your opinion.
Hi Ken, what size paddle do you prefer for the SeaEagle? It comes with a 245cm. I’m 5’11” (180cm) tall. Thank you in advance.
The Sea Eagle is wide compared to a sea kayak, but narrow for a recreational kayak, and so my best guess for you would be 230 - 240cm. The 245cm paddle will totally do the trick though, especially if you're going to be casually paddling (what we call a low-angle stroke). With a low angle stroke, your hands are held low on your body, and so you tend to need a bit more length from your paddle to fully engaged the blades in the water (without reaching for each stroke). If you're a more energetic paddler (as I am) you'll naturally use a higher angle stroke, where your top hand is closer to chin height. A shorter paddle is better for this type of stroke. If you're not sure, then I would go 235cm.
@@PaddleTV Brilliant, thank you for the prompt response.
Best portable one or still water, slow water marsh like, photography?
Hi, it is possible to you to review any of the point 65 series? another portable kayak, there is no real review as far as i looked. thanks
I would love to! I've reached out to them a couple of times with no luck. It would really help if you sent their customer service an email telling them that they should send me a kayak to review! :)
Crossed passes while looking into my first kayak. I’m interested in a very stable, portable, value, etc i really want a kayak that last long as well I’m not sure about kayak durability
If you take care of them, all of these kayaks will last a long time!
plus if your on a big adventure some where and you want to do some on land stuff, you can hide it easily. dig a hole in the sand and drop it in...
Sea Eagle 420x FTW
Could you make a video for best kayak for photography and especially birds
Can’t fault my Advanced Elements Elite kayak
@@leeellis3382 Thanks, I was thinking of a hard shell kayak for photographing with super tele lenses. I believe the Native Ultimate fx 12 must be one of the choices.
Youre a great presenter
Thanks!
How about the. SeaEagle razorlite 473rl with only one seat in it?
Good question! I'm hoping to try another Sea Eagle model out in 2022. I'm really impressed with them.
So you can take the TRAK 2.0 out on whitewater? Class IV? Class V?
The Trak 2.0 will handle some very rough conditions for sure! I wouldn't say it could handle class 5 whitewater, but it can definitely handle big whitewater and surf. I tested it in some good sized surf in Jamaica a few years ago - ua-cam.com/video/5rZb20QVwD0/v-deo.html and in some big whitewater on the Ottawa too - ua-cam.com/video/F4M2fu8pD40/v-deo.html. The only thing to worry about is rocks. It won't handle hitting rocks hard in those conditions.
I wonder how the Oru Bay ST would have placed in the line up
Hope to find out soon!
You mentioned because of COVID, you could not test all kayaks, or at least more. Certainly a Klemperer inflatable, crossed the Atlantic, traveled the length of the Yukon and traveled from Seattle to Alaska. Or how about the long haul inflatable. Both of these boats are used by the military?
How would the razor lite kayak be for fishing? I have fished out of a Sea Eagle Fast Track for 10 years but it finally died on me. I like the idea of a speedier razorlite but wonder about the tippyness of it. The Fast Track is very stable and great to fish out of and is relatively fast. I am also wondering how much faster the RL is and if it is worth it for the speed/lack of stability.
It really depends on how important stability is for you. Most fishing kayaks weigh heavy on the stability side of things, and so the 393 is different in that way. I don't think it's the ideal platform, because if you do flip, you're going to lose fishing gear.
3:16 - THAT PADDLE!?!?!! wtf is that thing?
sorry...
Great video as always!!
Ha! It's the Gearlab Outdoors Kalleq Greenland paddle.
The razor lite certainly does not look like a “touring” kayak”.
The 393 is more of a canoe/kayak hybrid for sure... but it still has many of the performance characteristics of a touring kayak.
@@PaddleTV I’ve never seen a touring kayak with an open top?
Can you put a 40lb dog in any of these. It would be well under the weight limit with both of us. Wondering if claws might puncture them. Anyone have any experience with this?
Generally speaking, dogs claws won't puncture a quality portable kayak. They're surprisingly durable. All of these kayaks could handle your dogs claws. Although it really depends on the type of kayaking you're going to do, you might want to look at the Sea Eagle 385 Fast Track- bit.ly/3eYJ8H2. I think it would be a good kayak to have your dog join you on. Much more stable than the 393rl.
Next time for your best in class review - Origami Paddler. :-)
I hope to get one to test in the near future! I reached out to them this spring/summer, but haven't heard back yet.
@@PaddleTV They're fulfilling orders to Kickstarters now, after that, pre-orders and then website orders. Maybe once they're father along in production and ready for an increase in orders (from being promoted on a video 😉), they'll be ready to connect. Try again in February. 😃
Anyone have experience with BOTE products, specifically inflatable kayaks? Are they any good/comparable to sea eagle products?
I haven't tried a Bite kayak, but they look pretty nice. I can't tell you how they compare to Sea Eagle yet though.
My good friend. I’m looking to purchase a solo kayak for island hopping/wild camping. Need stability, leg room (6’5”) and space for camping gear. Inflatable or solid but preferably inflatable due to mobility issues. Help!
Forgot to mention, I’m in Scotland!
@@thewanderingbooler The Sea Eagle Fast Track would fit the bill. More stability than the razor lite and 600 lb capacity.
@@garygrenier2016 thanks.
I would go with a kayak between 12 and 15 feet in length. There are a bunch of options for hard shell kayaks in that range, which accommodate a skirt, like the Dagger Stratos. You could also go with a tandem inflatable kayak like the Sea Eagle 385ft, which allows you to use it as a solo kayak. This leaves you lots of room for camping gear.
Can the Raven pro be used on the open ocean?
It can definitely be used on the open ocean, but it will be very slow moving, especially if you have any wind to deal with. If you want an inflatable kayak for the open ocean, I would look at something more like the NRS Paragon or the Sea Eagle 385 Fast Track.
@@PaddleTV Ok thank you!
I would buy the hobie, yet it cant reverse. Otherwise i would use it to fish
No Tucktec?
No Super-Kayak?
Dead link for the Hobie
what about the Tuktek foldable kayak
Review is coming soon! I just got my hands on one. :)
I sold my TuckTec. What a horrible experience. Impossible to put together easily and very clunky on the water. Pakayak all the way for me!
How about Peddle Kayaks?
There was one pedal kayak in this Top 5 list - the Hobie iTrek. I haven't tested enough pedal kayaks to do a Top 5 Pedal Kayaks video... hopefully by the end of next summer I will have.
Homework Haven
For $3600 I'll just buy 3 or 4 different kayaks 😂
Dude, there’s like eight grand worth of foldable kayaks on your back lol
why aren't you showing what pumps are used to inflate them? No electric power? Pumps included, special nozzles????
Too expensive, thanks
Duckys
Who is this kayak for. People with no arms.
I'm in danger of repeating myself but that last one is not a kayak! Surely at a minimum a kayak is something you have to power with a double ended paddle, using your arms. You'll have to start a new channel for that other horrid thing 😆
what a joke, how about u do a review on ones the normal ppl can afford
If you check out my channel, you'll see that I have reviewed everything from the cheapest portable kayak you can find (Intex Challenger) to the most expensive.
Nothing says DON'T buy me louder than an inflatable kayak or an inflatable ANYTHING!!! EVER!!!
Thanks, Ken. I'll take one of each. 😋👍🙂🚣♂️
Only one? :)