I see alot of comments sometimes about the price. To me (someone who lives in the midwest) I've always wanted to take my kayak (emphasis on MY kayak, rentals are shitty sometimes) to more exotic places that many other people take for granted. Oru kayaks allows me to do that. That reason right there is why I can justify owning one.
Hey just wanted to comment on my experience flying with the Oru Beach model for anyone that might be interested in that topic. (The Oru Beach is different than the Bay but I'm sure it's the same experience for traveling ) -I checked it like a regular bag and didn't get charged any oversize fees. I got a lot of questions like "What's in your ridiculously giant square backpack?". One employee called a manager over to see if they should charge the oversize fee, so really I think it might depend on who you get. I measured it myself and it does actually measure over the dimensions for American, so if you travel a lot with it you might randomly get slapped with an oversize fee from some overachiever employee. -Cliff covers it well in the video but to be able to slip in a life jacket and paddles into one single package is pretty awesome. I actually have a Packraft too and that's the problem I'm running into right now is yes the boat is smaller and easier to pack but when you add life jackets and paddles to the mix it eats up a lot of space in your luggage. -I have the additional backpack it works well and helps you tote around the kayak but if you are walking over a mile I wouldn't want to do it. If you plan on doing air travel with it, I think it's a must. If you are just going to drive to the lake and take it out of your car you don't really need the backpack as the shoulder strap works well. Also if anyone is interested in the Beach model, it's pretty fun! I think it might be better to fish out of with the open cockpit and you can fit a dog or a small kid as well. Probably not as fast as the bay since it's more on the recreational end though.
Justin Leach Thank you so much for your comments Justin. I totally agree with you about your beach. It is a very versatile boat and you have the ability to do a lot more with it because of the open cockpit. Safe paddling out there!
I have it too, and I love it for its portability and compact size, but nobody mentions its real problem. it doesn't come with true bulkhead, nor float bag. If you capsize this boat, boat will quickly fill up with water and you can't self -rescue. I tried. Make sure you don't capsize this boat, or make sure you have float bag inside bow and stern bulkhead, and also all your belongings you should put in dry bag and keep inside boat to aide when it capsize. Oru is not honestly open up on this issue and no reviewers are addressing this issue. I wish Oru company open up this issue and includes float bag with their models, but they don't even mention it on their advertisement videos.
Cycling Gospel - You have some very good points. All of which I have considered after owning and using my ORU. I have recently switched over to the Sea Eagle 393RL - A review video and adventure videos are coming shortly. Check it out: www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=b17adfb1-22f8-4d8e-8fc9-cd8d332fb595&website_id=1eefcf3c-ec45-4710-b3f3-8d35d8aabf98&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.seaeagle.com%2FRazorLite%2F393rl
Everyone is so happy and satisfied that they can afford to buy it, but for me it’s like a dream and I think that I won’t be able to afford it or I’ll have to save up for a very long time.
Try before you buy. I'm a seasoned kayaker and this kayak has too many compromises for me. Has too much flex, seat that is the worst I've ever sat on, glide is poor, tracking is just ok, but many owners not happy with broken straps/buckles. A better alternative IMO, is the Sea Eagle RazorLite at 12'10", and constructed with drop stitch technology which makes the floor and two sides (3 fill chambers) stiff without flex. It's almost half the price too and ready to go in 10 minutes. The speed of the Sea Eagle is a bit faster too with much more cargo room as bonus. Paddle both and see/feel the difference.
I actually have a sea eagle razorlite and am looking to move on from it. I have been considering an oru now lol. I tried a tuktec but it collapsed in on itself and sank. (too tall for it) Sick up pumping up 3 chambers on hot days as well as trying to get water out of it before packing up. Also concerns where cracks are forming at fold points as well as having to be careful about where you paddle all the time. It's fairly ridged but the front flexes and slaps on he water. It also blows around quite a bit. It does glide and track well though
If you want my opinion, stay away from the ORU. That was my first affiliate and I was NOT impressed with the quality or performance. They are a sinking ship if they swamp too! I have found the Pakayak (link below) to be the best option if you want a rigid hull kayak, they just reduced it’s weight by 10lbs. which makes it a real nice option now. For me, I LOVE my RazorLite, it’s one of the best performing kayaks out there IMHO. Check out the Pakayak link below, really great boat too! Pakayak Bluefin 142 - pakayak.com/?ref=kayakcliff My review of the Bluefin 142 - ua-cam.com/video/-QKkW4ObnfE/v-deo.html
In just picked up one of these, and am really excited to use it with my kayak group's outing in the spring. My 14' Current Designs is a little to big for small rivers we do, and now I don't need to haul my trailer (my vehicle can't do roof racks).
Good vid. To@Sue Mullen, I am a 68 yr old women and I am in okay shape. It did take me a a while to put the kayak together the first couple of times; however, it can be done, and it does get easier! The more you put it together, the easier it gets. Follow the tutorial on UA-cam for this kayak. I have an inflatable Sea Eagle kayak and I love the Oru kayak by far better. This kayak is by far more forgiving. I always worried about puncturing the Sea Eagle. I do not worry about that with the Oru... Happy Kayaking!!!
Will it hold up to surf launches and landings? How bad is weather cocking in the kayaking. Can you use a spray deck with the kayak? How well will it hold up to re-entry from the water or someone dumping it in an assisted rescue? I did like the review style but it looks like it is really only for the rec kayak crowd and really not a touring/sea kayak. I do not see using this on anything other than a lake or sheltered river or anywhere where there could be heavy chop or confused conditions. You mentioned your other kayaks. Would the Oru become your primary go to kayak? Knowing they gave you the kayak for an "unbiased" review I would have expected more on the cons and not only the pros of the kayak.
Adventure Lorax - yes, the kayak will take a skirt, no problem. If you are going to explore big water or heavier coastal surf, I would look at the ORU coast kayak, it is a true 16 foot touring kayak. Wet entry in the bay ST is certainly possible. Safe paddling out there!
Thanks for watching and commenting Michael! Sorry, I forgot to include that, great idea! The ORU Bay would be suitable for flat / open water (lakes, bays etc.) If it gets a little rough, you would want to put a spray skirt on in case you take water over the bow to keep from flooding the craft. I have since moved on from ORU as my foldable kayak of choice to Sea Eagle. I believe Sea Eagle products FAR exceed ORU in: Quality Customer Service Performance on the water Safety Load carrying capacity Please check out my reviews! Awesome Inflatable Kayak - Sea Eagle RazorLite™ 393RL ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html The Most Versatile Inflatable Kayak? Sea Eagle FastTrack ua-cam.com/video/Nw5ZhcsM8vg/v-deo.html Sea Eagle PaddleSki motorized boat kayak SUP 437ps ua-cam.com/video/9h0BoJi8XjI/v-deo.html Sea Eagle’s website links: 393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance: bit.ly/3Enpq1z FastTrack Kayak Rivers & Flatwater: bit.ly/3ecBQ1V Explorer Kayak - River & Whitewater: bit.ly/3phWOTp PaddleSki Boat / Kayak / SUP - The “Do Everything” boat! bit.ly/33PbnFH Paddle boards: bit.ly/35b6VBV
Hi! First of all great videos that you are making. Secondly how would u compare this Oru kayak vs sea eagle 393rl? Which one is faster? Better for sea / ocean waters? Better for couple days hiking?
Hi 👋 there! Are you wanting to kayak camp out of it for a couple days or hike with it on your back for a couple days? Let me know, and then I can respond later with an answer to your questions about the comparison between the two….. thanks!
skan8 - I would not treat it any differently than you would any plastic kayak. When running over a rock and sticks that are underwater in a river, typically they are very smooth. These do not pose any problems to traditional plastic hulls or even the ORU Kayak. You just need to be concerned about the random broken piece of glass, which will hurt any type of plastic kayak. I have found the ORU to be a very durable boat. I hope this helps!
Hello thanks for the video. Can you tell me how well it has held up over the years? Still happy with it? Am curious how tall you are if you don't mind? I'm 6'1 and 205lbs. Not sure if it will be hard to get in and out of this model? The cabin maybe looks small. Thanks
Hi 👋 there , thanks for asking. I was NOT happy at all with the ORU kayaks (Bay and Coast). On my review videos, I made sure to update my notes in the description box to reflect my change of opinion over time of the ORU. I am far more impressed with Sea Eagle inflatables now, they have high quality boats to suit any need you have from high performance touring (faster than the ORU) to Class 4 whitewater adventuring. I’m paste some links below . . . Also, check out the Pakayak BlueFin that is an awesome option if you want a fine hard shell touring kayak that breaks down too! kayakcliff.com/inflatable-kayaks-%26-boats kayakcliff.com/favorite-hardshell-kayaks
@@KayakCliff oh interesting, I appreciate the feedback. I have a chinese clone of the original razorlight (basic strap footrest, 10psi) and I've been quite happy with it's performance but I'm tired of pumping it in the heat and having to deal with drying it more at home. I also just don't trust it to not fail at some point as I see small cracks at fold points, and have to worry about running into things. I'd love a modular but the cost of a pakayak.. ouch.. I was hoping that the oru beach lt would give me similar performance as my inflatable as I just keep to flat water anyway.
@d7359 Unless I am traveling by airplane and have to do it manually, I only use a battery powered pump. It is life-changing. Pumps up the boat in a matter of minutes and no sweat. Air Inflation Pumps: alnk.to/9btN2h3 I can't vouch for the Chinese knock offs, but I can say that the sea Eagle products are designed to last with three-year warranties and unbelievable customer service. I know countless people that have had sea Eagles greater than 10 years.
@@KayakCliff Awesome thanks for the info. Haha I'm not sure why I don't already have a battery powered pump, I should probably just get one. I watched a video on the razorlite current model and I can see several ways it is better than my clone. I'm sure mine actually has a few years left in it too. I've just started folding it at a different starting spot to avoid wearing the one area out. I will probably wait until I can come across a modular design that is more reasonably priced. Cheers
@d7359 I actually rarely roll mine up like they originally came, because I'm not traveling with them. I just fold them into thirds and throw it in the back of my truck and then put it on the shelf in my garage. Have a great one!
Now that you’ve had your Oru for awhile, do you continue to use it and how has it held up? I’m right on lake Grapevine. I’d love to be able to pack down the trail and set her in!
BowZam03 Thank you for asking! The kayak still gets used quite frequently, especially when I travel or am light on space! I highly recommend it’s durability and performance. The next one I want to get is the 16 foot touring model. Safe paddling out there!
That’s great Cynthia! It looks like a really cool boat and so small and packable! How does it track? Is it pretty fast? I need to try one out sometime.
Might be good, worth checking out! Have you seen this new model? I much prefer the inflatables now! EZLite 10 Sea Eagle - alnk.to/60ZT3Sz My Review: Best Ultralight Kayak For Your Money Sea Eagle EZLite ua-cam.com/video/FgzpJMpcu2g/v-deo.html
Stop by an REI store if you have one nearby. They Stock several models of these. Perhaps they would have one that you could at least sit in and check out on the showroom floor. Not sure if they have a way to try it out in the water.
Hello! I have since moved on from ORU as my foldable kayak of choice to Sea Eagle. I believe Sea Eagle products FAR exceed ORU in: Quality Customer Service Performance on the water Safety Load carrying capacity Please check out my reviews! Awesome Inflatable Kayak - Sea Eagle RazorLite™ 393RL ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html The Most Versatile Inflatable Kayak? Sea Eagle FastTrack ua-cam.com/video/Nw5ZhcsM8vg/v-deo.html Sea Eagle PaddleSki motorized boat kayak SUP 437ps ua-cam.com/video/9h0BoJi8XjI/v-deo.html Sea Eagle’s website links: 393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance: bit.ly/3Enpq1z FastTrack Kayak Rivers & Flatwater: bit.ly/3ecBQ1V Explorer Kayak - River & Whitewater: bit.ly/3phWOTp PaddleSki Boat / Kayak / SUP - The “Do Everything” boat! bit.ly/33PbnFH Paddle boards: bit.ly/35b6VBV
how would this handle crossing felled trees crossing a river? i love the idea of these kayaks but i have concerns with durabilty. i recently went kayaking on a river and there was quite a bit of fell trees that you couldnt really see until you were on top of them. im a 200lbs 5,7 guy and got stuck teetering on one of the trees. i was using a hard shell rental that handle the issue well enough, but worry doing something simular in any oru would fold the oru i half or at least damage it to the point of non usable. most vids i find for these oru kayaks seem to be in lakes or bays. i need river vids as thats where id be using mine the most(if i can ever afford one). so i guess to simplify, how strong are these if used like a teeter totter on a fell tree?
I have only used mine on flat waters. Never taken down a river, simply because I did not want to scrape the bottom with rocks or trees. I’m more comfortable taking a rotomolded plastic boat down those types of rivers. I don’t think there’s any chance of them folding it in half unless you get into some pretty big Rapids. Scraping of the bottom, is what I would be concerned with.
Resilient Embers - Great question! Yes, ORU does now have a tandem kayak in their fleet of products. It’s called the Haven. www.orukayak.com/products/the-haven-tandem-kayak
Hey there! I have since moved on from ORU kayaks. Check out Sea Eagle boats - they perform better in every way over folding kayaks. Much more comfortable for standing and sitting and all day use. Here is the endorsement page from my website on these products. Let me know anytime if you have any questions! My contact information is on my website. kayakcliff.com/endorsed-products
Hey I recently got a used Oru Beach model. It is a bit more recreational, still moves fast though and can also be used for fishing. How has air travel gone for you? Are you being charged the additional oversize fee or are you checking it as you would a normal bag?
Justin Leach Hi Justin - I fly American a lot for business, so I don’t pay baggage fees. With the ORU in the ORU back pack, I never get charged anything. I’ve flown with it twice. Safe paddling and enjoy that ORU Beach!!!
So what is the fishing experience like? I want to get this or the tandem for fishing rivers and local ponds/lakes but reluctant because, for example, the Bay ST looks like I can get in, but not much room for gear to fish from.
@@barddzen I got rid of the Oru a while ago, I now have a Sea Eagle Fishing Sup, Sea Eagle 385ft, and two Kokopelli packrafts which I'm about to sell. The Oru for fishing wouldn't be ideal for long periods of time, you can do it but it's not comfortable. For tandem fishing I'd look at the Sea Eagle 385ft, I've had mine for four years now and it is awesome. I know hooks and inflatable boats don't seem like they would mix well but Sea Eagle boats are incredibly tough. The 385ft is cool too because you can flip the front seat around and if you have a kid with you that's better to help them out. Also you can stand up in them if you have good balance.
But then you'll be flying on planes though, I'd imagine a Sea Eagle wouldn't be the sturdiest for frequent flights, I mean eventually you'll get a puncture. So maybe the Oru would be the best fit for you, I would just maybe figure out where things will go like a rod holder, keep your tackle light, where does the paddle go when you aren't using it, if you want a bottle of water where does it go, add some comfort to the seat as well.
Would you take this kayak in Florida? In particular a park that has alligators. I ask because I heard alligators can only see the color white hence getting their attention
I contemplated taking mine on a three day trip down the Suwanee River in Florida last year, but ended up using my Jackson journey instead. I would’ve not had any problem with it with the alligators, I’m glad I did not bring it though. The water level was very low, so I was constantly scraping sharp lime stone formations.
I may want to purchase one of these to kayak to work. When folding this kayak up will it still be pretty wet or does the material repel most of the water pretty well?
corey dirksmeier - Hi Corey, that would be pretty cool to kayak to work! Do you have the opportunity to commute across a big River? In answer to your question, the ORU Kayak Hull material does not absorb any water at all. If you have a towel or a chamois with you - you can dry it off completely, very easily. If you do purchase - please use my affiliate link. This gets me a little $$ back from ORU Kayak - to help me pay for the videos I produce. Please let me know if there’s any other questions I can answer! Here is my affiliate link: www.orukayak.com/?aff=20 Safe paddling! Kayak Cliff
Tim Bisbee Hey Tim - If you do end up purchasing an Oru Kayak(s) - would you mind ordering off my Oru affiliate link? www.orukayak.com/?aff=20 Oru supports me in the making of my videos through purchases made with my affiliate link. Thanks and safe paddling!
Great video! Can't wait to see more videos with you using it on different waters. I've read such varying reviews on this kayak. A couple of questions: 1. How do you wash it? 2. Would you say it is stable for small waves in the bay? 3. Is this good for a beginner who may not be used to a less stable kayak? 4. Have you bought the spray skirt? The Oru Beach doesn't have a spray skirt, so that is an advantage of this model.
Hi Jennie, I just wash it down with a microfiber cloth or car wash brush and mild soap, cleans up real nice and easy. I found it to be very stable in common bay, lake and river conditions. Mild waves are no problem. This, in my opinion is perfect for the 100lb - 200lb beginner paddler. I think they will find it very stable. I do like the option of using a spray skirt with the Bay ST model. You can always keep it stowed away and if the waves get a little bigger, just put it on for safer paddling. Post some photos of you in a BAY ST if you decide to get one! Safe paddling!
U Do It Hey John, I’m glad that I had a chance to meet you this past week! I thought the VMW was great and very worthwhile! I checked out your channel - great videos!!! Have a great week!
Sorry for the delay in responding. You would do a wet entry in this boat like any other touring kayak. Getting in normally, is just like getting into any other touring kayak. Straddle the boat and lower your rear end into the seat while gripping the sides with your hands. Slowly put one foot in at a time. Hope this helps!
Nice review! I'm considering the Oru bay as well because I have been paddling a pygmy arctic tern 17 for 10 yrs and like the hard chines on a Greenland style hull. How do you find the glide and long distance efficiency compared to a longer hard-shelled touring yak?
Phrancis5 - Hi There! Thanks for the comments! Your question about the glide and long distance efficiency. I have the Oru Bay 12’ model, the glide efficiency is good, but not nearly as efficient as my 15’ hard shelled touring kayak. It’s what I would expect (or even a little better) for a 12’ touring kayak though. My understanding is that the Coast 16’ ORU kayak is much more efficient in glide and long distance.
Phrancis5 - oh you won’t be disappointed in the Bay! The weight, convenience and the portability, far outweigh any reduction in glide ratio. It’s a perfect kayak for many of your adventures and essential for travel! Everywhere you paddle - you will get lots of favorable comments about your kayak!
Themi Stoklis - I have paddled the the 12’ Bay and 16’ coast. Both paddle very well, however, the stroke to glide ratio is a little slower than similar rigid body kayaks. Still good in the end, considering all the convenience factors that you get with the ORU product!
Ynse Schaap - I found that the neoprene fairings at the bow and stern are very tight fitting and didn’t create any perceptible drag that I could feel. The physical plastic hull folds in on itself at the bow and stern, so the neoprene is necessary to smooth out the hull at the waterline.
Hi Mort - I strictly use it when I travel by air or by car with no kayak rack. I mainly paddle my two Jackson Journey 14’ touring kayaks. Have used the ORU probably 15 times
Yes, I wholeheartedly recommend the brand. If you’re looking for a boat that is extremely portable, easy to travel with, and easy to store. You can’t beat this kayak brand.
Hello Michael - I currently use the NRS Ninja PFD, I cant recommend it any more. Extremely comfortable & minimalistic, but highly buoyant! Won’t get in your way while kayaking / paddling etc.....
Hello Eric, thank you for your comments! Oru Kayak’s website says that the maximum paddler height for the bay is 6‘3“. Good news though, the bay and the coast models allow peddler height up to 6‘6“! Safe paddling out there and thanks for watching my videos!
Hello 👋 MoonLightOnWater - I am no longer an affiliate for ORU. I have since moved on from ORU as my foldable / portable kayak of choice to Sea Eagle. I believe Sea Eagle products FAR exceed ORU in: * Quality * Customer Service * Speed & performance on the water * Safety * Load carrying capacity In my opinion, Pakayak is another much better option than ORU. Please check out my reviews and adventures! Awesome Inflatable Kayak - Sea Eagle RazorLite™ 393RL ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html Pakayak website and adventure video of mine. Pakayak Bluefin 142 6-piece touring kayak pakayak.com/?ref=kayakcliff Texas Kayaking Caddo Lake in the Fall in the Pakayak Bluefin 142 ua-cam.com/video/CUdY_S9AvDk/v-deo.html The Most Versatile Inflatable Kayak? Sea Eagle FastTrack ua-cam.com/video/Nw5ZhcsM8vg/v-deo.html Sea Eagle PaddleSki motorized boat kayak SUP 437ps ua-cam.com/video/9h0BoJi8XjI/v-deo.html Sea Eagle’s website links: 393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance: bit.ly/3Enpq1z FastTrack Kayak Rivers & Flatwater: bit.ly/3ecBQ1V Explorer Kayak - River & Whitewater: bit.ly/3phWOTp PaddleSki Boat / Kayak / SUP - The “Do Everything” boat! bit.ly/33PbnFH Paddle boards: bit.ly/35b6VBV
Congratulations! You will love the boat. I enjoyed mine. I just found that the sea eagle inflatables, and the Pakayak performed better to my liking. 393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance: Sea Eagle website RazorLite page - bit.ly/3Enpq1z RazorLite Tandem - bit.ly/3CqBUGT My review of the RazorLite - ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html Adventure videos in the RazorLite: Florida Kayaking Withlacoochee River Dunnellon Florida in the Sea Eagle RazorLite 393RL ua-cam.com/video/A7urz2yIQmQ/v-deo.html Kayak Camping 20 miles on the Brazos ua-cam.com/video/yOea6TfzsHw/v-deo.html Paddling & Diving sunken airplane - ua-cam.com/video/gFZ9gjnO1r8/v-deo.html Earth Day Caddo Lake - ua-cam.com/video/ceOGrVkOyzU/v-deo.html Weedon Island Mangrove Trails - ua-cam.com/video/9lNst39pZsk/v-deo.html Ft Worth Nature Center - ua-cam.com/video/30iakMQHkaI/v-deo.html Trinity River Elm Fork - ua-cam.com/video/o6LbEkF7Vrc/v-deo.html Silver Springs Florida - ua-cam.com/video/T8MZjjmxM9Y/v-deo.html How to fold the RazorLite - ua-cam.com/video/Dfbp_lm3jGY/v-deo.html Pakayak pakayak.com/?ref=kayakcliff The Ultimate Hard Shell Touring Kayak Pakayak Bluefin 142 #pakayak ua-cam.com/video/-QKkW4ObnfE/v-deo.html Texas Kayaking Caddo Lake in the Fall in the Pakayak Bluefin 142 ua-cam.com/video/CUdY_S9AvDk/v-deo.html
Hi Jeremy Lelea - I think that is a decent price. If it is in excellent condition you will get a lot of use out of that boat and it will be a very nice one for you. I would try to get 800 or $850. If you can’t, I think 950 is reasonable! Safe paddling out there!
Elise - I have not had that problem with mine. I would contact Oru Kayak and see it it is covered. Here is their phone number : (415) 630-3717. Safe paddling!!!
Cheap Van Life With Nana GoBye-Bye - Hi there! No, I have never had any problem with any water leaking into the ORU Kayak. Hope this helps & safe paddling!
Well, I recall strip and cloth kayaks and this is the same weight as my 4 m (13 ft) fiberglass Letterman Olymph slalom kayak that I made for $50 at high school in 1974 and Kevlar slalom kayaks at that time weighted about 12 lb. So that's what other kayaks you can lift up like that. To my mind the expensive tanks paddled today are just ridiculous and don't even qualify to be called kayaks because their weight defeats the whole point.
My experience so far differs. I am a female, 59 yo, pretty good shape, and I cannot get this b*tch of a kayak assembled. To bring the sides together, because I don't have enough strength, I have to use ratcheting tie-downs to close the gap, then slide the zippers on. Once I release the tie down, the sides come apart from each other, leaving a huge 1.5 in gap. I also required a hammer to make light taps to get the bulkheads seated in the grooves. Maybe one needs the hand strength of a 30 year old diesel mechanic to get the sides to join at the top and stay there. Well, heck, just call the help line, I says to myself. No answer, voice mail box is full. So far not happy with my purchase.
Sue Seashell - Hi Sue, I’m sorry to hear about your experience putting (& keeping ) your ORU together. Which model do you have? From experience, I can speak about what might be happening to you. It took me a couple times putting my BAY ST together to learn how to properly engage the black baton strips as I zipped the hull together. If the black strips don’t fully engage the folds of the hull, the boat will not stay together. You need to press both sides of the hull down flat as you bring them together, then slide the black baton strip into place. You can feel the black strip engage the folds of the hull, if it is seating properly. If you have any further problems, feel free to contact ORU Kayak for some technical assistance. Maybe even Skype or FaceTime them, so they can see what you are doing. . . . . . ORU’s number is - 415-630-3717 Safe paddling out there!!
I truly felt that attract pretty well! Sure, the bow pointed left right left right, but it stayed on a steady straight course even when I stopped paddling, it would continue on that course. Pretty good for just a 12 foot boat!
I always have a hard time believing when you've been given a free product that it's possible to provide an objective review. I've read about many many problems with pinholes and leaking with these kayaks, though as a 63 year old woman I'd love to believe they are "all that." I'm just not convinced yet.
Hello! I have since moved on from ORU as my foldable / portable kayak of choice to Sea Eagle. I believe Sea Eagle products FAR exceed ORU in: * Quality * Customer Service * Speed & performance on the water * Safety * Load carrying capacity Please check out my reviews and adventures! Awesome Inflatable Kayak - Sea Eagle RazorLite™ 393RL ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html The Most Versatile Inflatable Kayak? Sea Eagle FastTrack ua-cam.com/video/Nw5ZhcsM8vg/v-deo.html Sea Eagle PaddleSki motorized boat kayak SUP 437ps ua-cam.com/video/9h0BoJi8XjI/v-deo.html Sea Eagle’s website links: 393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance: bit.ly/3Enpq1z FastTrack Kayak Rivers & Flatwater: bit.ly/3ecBQ1V Explorer Kayak - River & Whitewater: bit.ly/3phWOTp PaddleSki Boat / Kayak / SUP - The “Do Everything” boat! bit.ly/33PbnFH Paddle boards: bit.ly/35b6VBV
You go fold it 20,000 times and get back to us how that went. That number is probably nonsense: it doesn't apply to corners, or take into account drying out of the plastic nor degradation from the sun. 1000 more realistic?
Bottom line - if you always store it in an acclimated space, I’m sure you will never have a problem with too many folding cycles. Safe paddling out there!
this a piece of crap, once it get capsized it almost impossible to recover it, it sinks and get very heavy in water, portability is good but useless as kayak
In the description box for this video, I put a statement that I have moved on from ORU. Was not happy with the quality, performance and safety. I am solely Sea Eagle inflatable now + the Pakayak. Check out my website kayakcliff.com to see the boats I use and highly recommend!
yeah that's right Pakayak is the closest design to a portable touring/sea kayak. little bit expensive but kind the best in market, and razorlite from sea eagle also. thanks for the videos, big fan
Well. . . . . . You can always just stop watching it, if it’s too long for you . . . Most people appreciate the time saving of a time-lapse in a video. As I recall, I put many detail shots spaced throughout the video that reinforce & coincide with where the time-lapse was currently at.
@@KayakCliff thank u sir for the reply...💞💖☺🤗...no worries tho...just wanted folks to know my experience n now its been almost one month since i left 3 phone calls n now 3 emails w no response. I was gonna purchase another kayak n had 3 referrals for em...but im done w em...i'll have to figure out how to fix my 3 week old kayak. They must have enuff biz to treat customers So poorly. I wouldnt have a biz if i treated my customers like they do. I even emailed Robert Herjavek, one of the sharks that invested in 25% of the co on shark tanks n let him know☺🤗💞💖take care n god bless I thank em...i need another 2k kayak like i need a hole in the head...n so glad i found out their customer serviced sucked...or my friends would be mad at me if their kayaks got punctured since the co doesnt cover normal wear n tear...ever...even if on a peaceful body of water💞💖☺🤗ive never heard of a co that doesnt cover normal wear n tear for a day after purchase
@@tjadventures9163 it's Ben awhile. This is a folding kayak. Get it a folding kayak he time lapse over this main selling point of the kayak and spend time talking what's it's made of but no mention or demo of the assembly and his thoughts on what was it like putting it together.
I see alot of comments sometimes about the price. To me (someone who lives in the midwest) I've always wanted to take my kayak (emphasis on MY kayak, rentals are shitty sometimes) to more exotic places that many other people take for granted. Oru kayaks allows me to do that. That reason right there is why I can justify owning one.
Very good point! Thank you for commenting and watching!
Hey just wanted to comment on my experience flying with the Oru Beach model for anyone that might be interested in that topic. (The Oru Beach is different than the Bay but I'm sure it's the same experience for traveling )
-I checked it like a regular bag and didn't get charged any oversize fees. I got a lot of questions like "What's in your ridiculously giant square backpack?". One employee called a manager over to see if they should charge the oversize fee, so really I think it might depend on who you get. I measured it myself and it does actually measure over the dimensions for American, so if you travel a lot with it you might randomly get slapped with an oversize fee from some overachiever employee.
-Cliff covers it well in the video but to be able to slip in a life jacket and paddles into one single package is pretty awesome. I actually have a Packraft too and that's the problem I'm running into right now is yes the boat is smaller and easier to pack but when you add life jackets and paddles to the mix it eats up a lot of space in your luggage.
-I have the additional backpack it works well and helps you tote around the kayak but if you are walking over a mile I wouldn't want to do it. If you plan on doing air travel with it, I think it's a must. If you are just going to drive to the lake and take it out of your car you don't really need the backpack as the shoulder strap works well.
Also if anyone is interested in the Beach model, it's pretty fun! I think it might be better to fish out of with the open cockpit and you can fit a dog or a small kid as well. Probably not as fast as the bay since it's more on the recreational end though.
Justin Leach Thank you so much for your comments Justin. I totally agree with you about your beach. It is a very versatile boat and you have the ability to do a lot more with it because of the open cockpit. Safe paddling out there!
I have it too, and I love it for its portability and compact size, but nobody mentions its real problem. it doesn't come with true bulkhead, nor float bag. If you capsize this boat, boat will quickly fill up with water and you can't self -rescue. I tried. Make sure you don't capsize this boat, or make sure you have float bag inside bow and stern bulkhead, and also all your belongings you should put in dry bag and keep inside boat to aide when it capsize. Oru is not honestly open up on this issue and no reviewers are addressing this issue. I wish Oru company open up this issue and includes float bag with their models, but they don't even mention it on their advertisement videos.
Cycling Gospel - You have some very good points. All of which I have considered after owning and using my ORU. I have recently switched over to the Sea Eagle 393RL - A review video and adventure videos are coming shortly. Check it out: www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=b17adfb1-22f8-4d8e-8fc9-cd8d332fb595&website_id=1eefcf3c-ec45-4710-b3f3-8d35d8aabf98&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.seaeagle.com%2FRazorLite%2F393rl
Oru does sell float bags. I bought some for use with my Bay ST
Thanks for putting this problem here. I just ordered the bay and went back and ordered the float bags due to your review.
Everyone is so happy and satisfied that they can afford to buy it, but for me it’s like a dream and I think that I won’t be able to afford it or I’ll have to save up for a very long time.
Try before you buy. I'm a seasoned kayaker and this kayak has too many compromises for me. Has too much flex, seat that is the worst I've ever sat on, glide is poor, tracking is just ok, but many owners not happy with broken straps/buckles. A better alternative IMO, is the Sea Eagle RazorLite at 12'10", and constructed with drop stitch technology which makes the floor and two sides (3 fill chambers) stiff without flex. It's almost half the price too and ready to go in 10 minutes. The speed of the Sea Eagle is a bit faster too with much more cargo room as bonus. Paddle both and see/feel the difference.
Jim McCarthy - The Sea Eagle Razorlite sounds like an interesting boat.
I actually have a sea eagle razorlite and am looking to move on from it. I have been considering an oru now lol. I tried a tuktec but it collapsed in on itself and sank. (too tall for it) Sick up pumping up 3 chambers on hot days as well as trying to get water out of it before packing up. Also concerns where cracks are forming at fold points as well as having to be careful about where you paddle all the time. It's fairly ridged but the front flexes and slaps on he water. It also blows around quite a bit. It does glide and track well though
If you want my opinion, stay away from the ORU. That was my first affiliate and I was NOT impressed with the quality or performance. They are
a sinking ship if they swamp too! I have found the Pakayak (link below) to be the best option if you want a rigid hull kayak, they just reduced it’s weight
by 10lbs. which makes it a real nice option now.
For me, I LOVE my RazorLite, it’s one of the best performing kayaks out there IMHO. Check out the Pakayak link below, really great boat too!
Pakayak Bluefin 142 - pakayak.com/?ref=kayakcliff
My review of the Bluefin 142 - ua-cam.com/video/-QKkW4ObnfE/v-deo.html
In just picked up one of these, and am really excited to use it with my kayak group's outing in the spring. My 14' Current Designs is a little to big for small rivers we do, and now I don't need to haul my trailer (my vehicle can't do roof racks).
Good vid. To@Sue Mullen, I am a 68 yr old women and I am in okay shape. It did take me a a while to put the kayak together the first couple of times; however, it can be done, and it does get easier! The more you put it together, the easier it gets. Follow the tutorial on UA-cam for this kayak. I have an inflatable Sea Eagle kayak and I love the Oru kayak by far better. This kayak is by far more forgiving. I always worried about puncturing the Sea Eagle. I do not worry about that with the Oru... Happy Kayaking!!!
Loved the Pick and paddle initiative! Congrats for the idea. I will start doing it once I get my Oru as well!
I love my Oru Kayak. I have the called The Beach. It's great!
That’s great Vivian - safe paddling, Spring is here!
Will it hold up to surf launches and landings? How bad is weather cocking in the kayaking. Can you use a spray deck with the kayak? How well will it hold up to re-entry from the water or someone dumping it in an assisted rescue? I did like the review style but it looks like it is really only for the rec kayak crowd and really not a touring/sea kayak. I do not see using this on anything other than a lake or sheltered river or anywhere where there could be heavy chop or confused conditions.
You mentioned your other kayaks. Would the Oru become your primary go to kayak? Knowing they gave you the kayak for an "unbiased" review I would have expected more on the cons and not only the pros of the kayak.
Adventure Lorax - yes, the kayak will take a skirt, no problem. If you are going to explore big water or heavier coastal surf, I would look at the ORU coast kayak, it is a true 16 foot touring kayak. Wet entry in the bay ST is certainly possible. Safe paddling out there!
Thanks for the review! Been thinking about getting one and this is very helpful.
Thanks Travis! Safe adventuring and paddling this summer!
Great overview. just wish you had cover water conditions that this one can handle. thanks!
Thanks for watching and commenting Michael! Sorry, I forgot to include that, great idea! The ORU Bay would be suitable for flat / open water (lakes, bays etc.) If it gets a little rough, you would want to put a spray skirt on in case you take water over the bow to keep from flooding the craft.
I have since moved on from ORU as my foldable kayak of choice to Sea Eagle. I believe Sea Eagle products FAR exceed ORU in:
Quality
Customer Service
Performance on the water
Safety
Load carrying capacity
Please check out my reviews!
Awesome Inflatable Kayak - Sea Eagle RazorLite™ 393RL
ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html
The Most Versatile Inflatable Kayak? Sea Eagle FastTrack
ua-cam.com/video/Nw5ZhcsM8vg/v-deo.html
Sea Eagle PaddleSki motorized boat kayak SUP 437ps
ua-cam.com/video/9h0BoJi8XjI/v-deo.html
Sea Eagle’s website links:
393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance:
bit.ly/3Enpq1z
FastTrack Kayak Rivers & Flatwater:
bit.ly/3ecBQ1V
Explorer Kayak - River & Whitewater:
bit.ly/3phWOTp
PaddleSki Boat / Kayak / SUP - The “Do Everything” boat!
bit.ly/33PbnFH
Paddle boards:
bit.ly/35b6VBV
The koyak is great, but it will remain a dream. .
Great video but bad math ;)
20*365*2 is only 14600 cycles. (Two times is from folding in and out)
So yeah 28 years ;)
Excellent, educational and informative review of a fascinating kayak design!
Thanks David! I’m going to do a review of their 16 foot coast touring kayak as well.
They look Amazing!-great for our mountain treks
Hi! First of all great videos that you are making. Secondly how would u compare this Oru kayak vs sea eagle 393rl? Which one is faster? Better for sea / ocean waters? Better for couple days hiking?
Hi 👋 there! Are you wanting to kayak camp out of it for a couple days or hike with it on your back for a couple days? Let me know, and then I can respond later with an answer to your questions about the comparison between the two….. thanks!
Looks like a good little kayak. I am very interested in getting one. But, it is a paddle, not an oar.
I am curious how will it bear the rocks and branches in the more shallow river with medium speed .
skan8 - I would not treat it any differently than you would any plastic kayak. When running over a rock and sticks that are underwater in a river, typically they are very smooth. These do not pose any problems to traditional plastic hulls or even the ORU Kayak. You just need to be concerned about the random broken piece of glass, which will hurt any type of plastic kayak. I have found the ORU to be a very durable boat. I hope this helps!
Excellent and very informative video! Thank you!
Thank you for your kind comments Scott!
Hello thanks for the video. Can you tell me how well it has held up over the years? Still happy with it? Am curious how tall you are if you don't mind? I'm 6'1 and 205lbs. Not sure if it will be hard to get in and out of this model? The cabin maybe looks small. Thanks
Hi 👋 there , thanks for asking. I was NOT happy at all with the ORU kayaks (Bay and Coast). On my review videos, I made sure to update my
notes in the description box to reflect my change of opinion over time of the ORU. I am far more impressed with Sea Eagle inflatables now, they
have high quality boats to suit any need you have from high performance touring (faster than the ORU) to Class 4 whitewater adventuring. I’m paste
some links below . . .
Also, check out the Pakayak BlueFin that is an awesome option if you want a fine hard shell touring kayak that breaks down too!
kayakcliff.com/inflatable-kayaks-%26-boats
kayakcliff.com/favorite-hardshell-kayaks
@@KayakCliff oh interesting, I appreciate the feedback. I have a chinese clone of the original razorlight (basic strap footrest, 10psi) and I've been quite happy with it's performance but I'm tired of pumping it in the heat and having to deal with drying it more at home. I also just don't trust it to not fail at some point as I see small cracks at fold points, and have to worry about running into things. I'd love a modular but the cost of a pakayak.. ouch.. I was hoping that the oru beach lt would give me similar performance as my inflatable as I just keep to flat water anyway.
@d7359
Unless I am traveling by airplane and have to do it manually, I only use a battery powered pump. It is life-changing. Pumps up the boat in a matter of minutes and no sweat.
Air Inflation Pumps:
alnk.to/9btN2h3
I can't vouch for the Chinese knock offs, but I can say that the sea Eagle products are designed to last with three-year warranties and unbelievable customer service. I know countless people that have had sea Eagles greater than 10 years.
@@KayakCliff Awesome thanks for the info. Haha I'm not sure why I don't already have a battery powered pump, I should probably just get one. I watched a video on the razorlite current model and I can see several ways it is better than my clone. I'm sure mine actually has a few years left in it too. I've just started folding it at a different starting spot to avoid wearing the one area out. I will probably wait until I can come across a modular design that is more reasonably priced.
Cheers
@d7359 I actually rarely roll mine up like they originally came, because I'm not traveling with them. I just fold them into thirds and throw it in the back of my truck and then put it on the shelf in my garage.
Have a great one!
Now that you’ve had your Oru for awhile, do you continue to use it and how has it held up? I’m right on lake Grapevine. I’d love to be able to pack down the trail and set her in!
BowZam03 Thank you for asking! The kayak still gets used quite frequently, especially when I travel or am light on space! I highly recommend it’s durability and performance. The next one I want to get is the 16 foot touring model. Safe paddling out there!
Love my Oru Inlet!
That’s great Cynthia! It looks like a really cool boat and so small and packable! How does it track? Is it pretty fast? I need to try one out sometime.
@@KayakCliff tracks pretty well, not as fast as a hard shell, probably because of its flatter bottom. Didn’t impede my ability to keep up with others
might get a used one for 360!
Might be good, worth checking out!
Have you seen this new model? I much prefer the inflatables now!
EZLite 10 Sea Eagle - alnk.to/60ZT3Sz
My Review:
Best Ultralight Kayak For Your Money Sea Eagle EZLite
ua-cam.com/video/FgzpJMpcu2g/v-deo.html
I've paid in full and only received a box of accessories how and when do I get my kayak???
Stop by an REI store if you have one nearby. They Stock several models of these. Perhaps they would have one that you could at least sit in and check out on the showroom floor. Not sure if they have a way to try it out in the water.
Intriguing - watching for Cindy Lou's recent purchase of this as she's an avid kayaker...
Hello! I have since moved on from ORU as my foldable kayak of choice to Sea Eagle. I believe Sea Eagle products FAR exceed ORU in:
Quality
Customer Service
Performance on the water
Safety
Load carrying capacity
Please check out my reviews!
Awesome Inflatable Kayak - Sea Eagle RazorLite™ 393RL
ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html
The Most Versatile Inflatable Kayak? Sea Eagle FastTrack
ua-cam.com/video/Nw5ZhcsM8vg/v-deo.html
Sea Eagle PaddleSki motorized boat kayak SUP 437ps
ua-cam.com/video/9h0BoJi8XjI/v-deo.html
Sea Eagle’s website links:
393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance:
bit.ly/3Enpq1z
FastTrack Kayak Rivers & Flatwater:
bit.ly/3ecBQ1V
Explorer Kayak - River & Whitewater:
bit.ly/3phWOTp
PaddleSki Boat / Kayak / SUP - The “Do Everything” boat!
bit.ly/33PbnFH
Paddle boards:
bit.ly/35b6VBV
how would this handle crossing felled trees crossing a river? i love the idea of these kayaks but i have concerns with durabilty. i recently went kayaking on a river and there was quite a bit of fell trees that you couldnt really see until you were on top of them. im a 200lbs 5,7 guy and got stuck teetering on one of the trees. i was using a hard shell rental that handle the issue well enough, but worry doing something simular in any oru would fold the oru i half or at least damage it to the point of non usable. most vids i find for these oru kayaks seem to be in lakes or bays. i need river vids as thats where id be using mine the most(if i can ever afford one). so i guess to simplify, how strong are these if used like a teeter totter on a fell tree?
I have only used mine on flat waters. Never taken down a river, simply because I did not want to scrape the bottom with rocks or trees. I’m more comfortable taking a rotomolded plastic boat down those types of rivers. I don’t think there’s any chance of them folding it in half unless you get into some pretty big Rapids. Scraping of the bottom, is what I would be concerned with.
Thanks for the informative review. Are they still working on releasing a tandem kayak? I only saw info on prototypes.
Resilient Embers - Great question! Yes, ORU does now have a tandem kayak in their fleet of products. It’s called the Haven. www.orukayak.com/products/the-haven-tandem-kayak
How comfortable is the seat for all day use? Can you fish from this?
Hey there! I have since moved on from ORU kayaks. Check out Sea Eagle boats - they perform better in every way over folding kayaks. Much more comfortable for standing and sitting and all day use. Here is the endorsement page from my website on these products. Let me know anytime if you have any questions! My contact information is on my website.
kayakcliff.com/endorsed-products
man i wish i could try it out before i bought one!
I bet at $1500 plus
Hey I recently got a used Oru Beach model. It is a bit more recreational, still moves fast though and can also be used for fishing. How has air travel gone for you? Are you being charged the additional oversize fee or are you checking it as you would a normal bag?
Justin Leach Hi Justin - I fly American a lot for business, so I don’t pay baggage fees. With the ORU in the ORU back pack, I never get charged anything. I’ve flown with it twice. Safe paddling and enjoy that ORU Beach!!!
@@KayakCliff Thanks for the quick reply!
So what is the fishing experience like? I want to get this or the tandem for fishing rivers and local ponds/lakes but reluctant because, for example, the Bay ST looks like I can get in, but not much room for gear to fish from.
@@barddzen I got rid of the Oru a while ago, I now have a Sea Eagle Fishing Sup, Sea Eagle 385ft, and two Kokopelli packrafts which I'm about to sell. The Oru for fishing wouldn't be ideal for long periods of time, you can do it but it's not comfortable. For tandem fishing I'd look at the Sea Eagle 385ft, I've had mine for four years now and it is awesome. I know hooks and inflatable boats don't seem like they would mix well but Sea Eagle boats are incredibly tough. The 385ft is cool too because you can flip the front seat around and if you have a kid with you that's better to help them out. Also you can stand up in them if you have good balance.
But then you'll be flying on planes though, I'd imagine a Sea Eagle wouldn't be the sturdiest for frequent flights, I mean eventually you'll get a puncture. So maybe the Oru would be the best fit for you, I would just maybe figure out where things will go like a rod holder, keep your tackle light, where does the paddle go when you aren't using it, if you want a bottle of water where does it go, add some comfort to the seat as well.
Would you take this kayak in Florida? In particular a park that has alligators. I ask because I heard alligators can only see the color white hence getting their attention
I contemplated taking mine on a three day trip down the Suwanee River in Florida last year, but ended up using my Jackson journey instead. I would’ve not had any problem with it with the alligators, I’m glad I did not bring it though. The water level was very low, so I was constantly scraping sharp lime stone formations.
I may want to purchase one of these to kayak to work. When folding this kayak up will it still be pretty wet or does the material repel most of the water pretty well?
corey dirksmeier - Hi Corey, that would be pretty cool to kayak to work! Do you have the opportunity to commute across a big River? In answer to your question, the ORU Kayak Hull material does not absorb any water at all. If you have a towel or a chamois with you - you can dry it off completely, very easily. If you do purchase - please use my affiliate link. This gets me a little $$ back from ORU Kayak - to help me pay for the videos I produce. Please let me know if there’s any other questions I can answer!
Here is my affiliate link:
www.orukayak.com/?aff=20
Safe paddling!
Kayak Cliff
Thanks for the response! I move in about two weeks. If I end up trying one of these out I will definitely use your link. Thanks!
We found this very educational and informative. All the useful insight really helped us make our decision. Thanks brother.🇺🇸
Tim Bisbee Thanks Tim! Safe and enjoyable paddling out there!
Tim Bisbee Hey Tim - If you do end up purchasing an Oru Kayak(s) - would you mind ordering off my Oru affiliate link? www.orukayak.com/?aff=20
Oru supports me in the making of my videos through purchases made with my affiliate link. Thanks and safe paddling!
Great video! Can't wait to see more videos with you using it on different waters. I've read such varying reviews on this kayak. A couple of questions: 1. How do you wash it? 2. Would you say it is stable for small waves in the bay? 3. Is this good for a beginner who may not be used to a less stable kayak? 4. Have you bought the spray skirt? The Oru Beach doesn't have a spray skirt, so that is an advantage of this model.
Hi Jennie, I just wash it down with a microfiber cloth or car wash brush and mild soap, cleans up real nice and easy. I found it to be very stable in common bay, lake and river conditions. Mild waves are no problem. This, in my opinion is perfect for the 100lb - 200lb beginner paddler. I think they will find it very stable. I do like the option of using a spray skirt with the Bay ST model. You can always keep it stowed away and if the waves get a little bigger, just put it on for safer paddling. Post some photos of you in a BAY ST if you decide to get one! Safe paddling!
Nice connecting with you at videoMW18 Cliff!
U Do It Hey John, I’m glad that I had a chance to meet you this past week! I thought the VMW was great and very worthwhile! I checked out your channel - great videos!!! Have a great week!
Hi! Where I can get the travel bag
Hello, are you referring to the backpack that the kayak fits in? I got that from ORU.
Great review! How easy is it to enter the boat?
Sorry for the delay in responding. You would do a wet entry in this boat like any other touring kayak. Getting in normally, is just like getting into any other touring kayak. Straddle the boat and lower your rear end into the seat while gripping the sides with your hands. Slowly put one foot in at a time. Hope this helps!
Very interesting Kayak! Great looking video!
Thank You for the comment Jay! Just for my own understanding - What one thing did you like about the kayak most? Safe paddling!!
Kayak Cliff I’ve never even been in a kayak, but the idea of this being lightweight and foldable....seems intriguing!
Awesome review.
Thanks you tube wonderland! Have a great week!
Thumbs up cause he's from Texas...yeehaw!
Nice review! I'm considering the Oru bay as well because I have been paddling a pygmy arctic tern 17 for 10 yrs and like the hard chines on a Greenland style hull. How do you find the glide and long distance efficiency compared to a longer hard-shelled touring yak?
Phrancis5 - Hi There! Thanks for the comments! Your question about the glide and long distance efficiency. I have the Oru Bay 12’ model, the glide efficiency is good, but not nearly as efficient as my 15’ hard shelled touring kayak. It’s what I would expect (or even a little better) for a 12’ touring kayak though. My understanding is that the Coast 16’ ORU kayak is much more efficient in glide and long distance.
@@KayakCliff Thanks. Yeah, I'm sure the aspect ratio of the Coast would make it faster/efficient, but the Bay is just barely in my price range.
Phrancis5 - oh you won’t be disappointed in the Bay! The weight, convenience and the portability, far outweigh any reduction in glide ratio. It’s a perfect kayak for many of your adventures and essential for travel! Everywhere you paddle - you will get lots of favorable comments about your kayak!
How easy is it to paddle? Does it drag?
Themi Stoklis - I have paddled the the 12’ Bay and 16’ coast. Both paddle very well, however, the stroke to glide ratio is a little slower than similar rigid body kayaks. Still good in the end, considering all the convenience factors that you get with the ORU product!
Very nifty design but bow and bottom look like they have big drag points
Ynse Schaap - I found that the neoprene fairings at the bow and stern are very tight fitting and didn’t create any perceptible drag that I could feel. The physical plastic hull folds in on itself at the bow and stern, so the neoprene is necessary to smooth out the hull at the waterline.
@@KayakCliff Well nothing beats a good test "drive" I need something new so it's on the to try list 😁
As a fan, how many times have you used it since?
Hi Mort - I strictly use it when I travel by air or by car with no kayak rack. I mainly paddle my two Jackson Journey 14’ touring kayaks. Have used the ORU probably 15 times
@@KayakCliff, thank you for your prompt response!
Would you recommend the Oru?
Yes, I wholeheartedly recommend the brand. If you’re looking for a boat that is extremely portable, easy to travel with, and easy to store. You can’t beat this kayak brand.
A 12 foot kayak will top out at a hull speed well below a cruising speed that would define any kayak as the world’s best folding kayak
Great video. What pfd would you recommend?
Hello Michael - I currently use the NRS Ninja PFD, I cant recommend it any more. Extremely comfortable & minimalistic, but highly buoyant! Won’t get in your way while kayaking / paddling etc.....
@@KayakCliff thank you. I recently purchased the bay St. Can't wait to try it out. The pfd is the last piece of the puzzle to get it out in the water
What happens when you capsize? Cheers
You will need to make sure you purchase bow and stern air bags, otherwise it will sink.
Great video Cliff! What an awesome product!
Jake Tollenger - Thanks Jake!!
Great video! Appreciate you making the review. I’m 6’6. Do you think the Bay has the leg room for me to paddle comfortably for several hours. Thanks!
Hello Eric, thank you for your comments! Oru Kayak’s website says that the maximum paddler height for the bay is 6‘3“. Good news though, the bay and the coast models allow peddler height up to 6‘6“! Safe paddling out there and thanks for watching my videos!
Is anyone able to find the link? I’m sure I’m just looking past it but it’s a lot of stuff in the description box and I may be just looking past it.
Hello 👋 MoonLightOnWater - I am no longer an affiliate for ORU. I have since moved on from ORU as my foldable / portable kayak of choice to Sea Eagle.
I believe Sea Eagle products FAR exceed ORU in:
* Quality
* Customer Service
* Speed & performance on the water
* Safety
* Load carrying capacity
In my opinion, Pakayak is another much better option than ORU.
Please check out my reviews and adventures!
Awesome Inflatable Kayak - Sea Eagle RazorLite™ 393RL
ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html
Pakayak website and adventure video of mine.
Pakayak Bluefin 142 6-piece touring kayak
pakayak.com/?ref=kayakcliff
Texas Kayaking Caddo Lake in the Fall in the Pakayak Bluefin 142
ua-cam.com/video/CUdY_S9AvDk/v-deo.html
The Most Versatile Inflatable Kayak? Sea Eagle FastTrack
ua-cam.com/video/Nw5ZhcsM8vg/v-deo.html
Sea Eagle PaddleSki motorized boat kayak SUP 437ps
ua-cam.com/video/9h0BoJi8XjI/v-deo.html
Sea Eagle’s website links:
393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance:
bit.ly/3Enpq1z
FastTrack Kayak Rivers & Flatwater:
bit.ly/3ecBQ1V
Explorer Kayak - River & Whitewater:
bit.ly/3phWOTp
PaddleSki Boat / Kayak / SUP - The “Do Everything” boat!
bit.ly/33PbnFH
Paddle boards:
bit.ly/35b6VBV
@@KayakCliff oh wow! I just bought the Bay St last night
Congratulations! You will love the boat. I enjoyed mine. I just found that the sea eagle inflatables, and the Pakayak performed better to my liking.
393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance:
Sea Eagle website RazorLite page - bit.ly/3Enpq1z
RazorLite Tandem - bit.ly/3CqBUGT
My review of the RazorLite - ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html
Adventure videos in the RazorLite:
Florida Kayaking Withlacoochee River Dunnellon Florida in the Sea Eagle RazorLite 393RL
ua-cam.com/video/A7urz2yIQmQ/v-deo.html
Kayak Camping 20 miles on the Brazos
ua-cam.com/video/yOea6TfzsHw/v-deo.html
Paddling & Diving sunken airplane - ua-cam.com/video/gFZ9gjnO1r8/v-deo.html
Earth Day Caddo Lake - ua-cam.com/video/ceOGrVkOyzU/v-deo.html
Weedon Island Mangrove Trails - ua-cam.com/video/9lNst39pZsk/v-deo.html
Ft Worth Nature Center - ua-cam.com/video/30iakMQHkaI/v-deo.html
Trinity River Elm Fork - ua-cam.com/video/o6LbEkF7Vrc/v-deo.html
Silver Springs Florida - ua-cam.com/video/T8MZjjmxM9Y/v-deo.html
How to fold the RazorLite - ua-cam.com/video/Dfbp_lm3jGY/v-deo.html
Pakayak
pakayak.com/?ref=kayakcliff
The Ultimate Hard Shell Touring Kayak Pakayak Bluefin 142 #pakayak
ua-cam.com/video/-QKkW4ObnfE/v-deo.html
Texas Kayaking Caddo Lake in the Fall in the Pakayak Bluefin 142
ua-cam.com/video/CUdY_S9AvDk/v-deo.html
I just found one for $950 used, is that a decent deal? is it worth buying it used if it's in great condition? @Kayak Cliff
Hi Jeremy Lelea - I think that is a decent price. If it is in excellent condition you will get a lot of use out of that boat and it will be a very nice one for you. I would try to get 800 or $850. If you can’t, I think 950 is reasonable! Safe paddling out there!
None of the reviews show or describe self rescue . I’d like to see that .
Is there anyone out there that has thr rubber coming off the top cover seat? If so is there anyway to glue it back on again?
Elise - I have not had that problem with mine. I would contact Oru Kayak and see it it is covered. Here is their phone number : (415) 630-3717. Safe paddling!!!
@@KayakCliff Thank you..
Does any water leak into it ????
Cheap Van Life With Nana GoBye-Bye - Hi there! No, I have never had any problem with any water leaking into the ORU Kayak. Hope this helps & safe paddling!
I am 6 3 240 lb. Would I fit?
I would go with the ORU Beach Kayak, it’s more open and would probably fit you better than the Bay model.
@@KayakCliff Thank you. I was starting to think that. The Kayak looks fun.
The link is not working!
Hello Tae Kim - try this:
oru-kayak.kckb.st/kayak-cliff
Your coupon code is: KAYAK-CLIFF
Well, I recall strip and cloth kayaks and this is the same weight as my 4 m (13 ft) fiberglass Letterman Olymph slalom kayak that I made for $50 at high school in 1974 and Kevlar slalom kayaks at that time weighted about 12 lb. So that's what other kayaks you can lift up like that. To my mind the expensive tanks paddled today are just ridiculous and don't even qualify to be called kayaks because their weight defeats the whole point.
Amazing product way to expensive
My experience so far differs. I am a female, 59 yo, pretty good shape, and I cannot get this b*tch of a kayak assembled. To bring the sides together, because I don't have enough strength, I have to use ratcheting tie-downs to close the gap, then slide the zippers on. Once I release the tie down, the sides come apart from each other, leaving a huge 1.5 in gap. I also required a hammer to make light taps to get the bulkheads seated in the grooves. Maybe one needs the hand strength of a 30 year old diesel mechanic to get the sides to join at the top and stay there. Well, heck, just call the help line, I says to myself. No answer, voice mail box is full. So far not happy with my purchase.
Sue Seashell - Hi Sue, I’m sorry to hear about your experience putting (& keeping ) your ORU together. Which model do you have? From experience, I can speak about what might be happening to you. It took me a couple times putting my BAY ST together to learn how to properly engage the black baton strips as I zipped the hull together. If the black strips don’t fully engage the folds of the hull, the boat will not stay together. You need to press both sides of the hull down flat as you bring them together, then slide the black baton strip into place. You can feel the black strip engage the folds of the hull, if it is seating properly. If you have any further problems, feel free to contact ORU Kayak for some technical assistance. Maybe even Skype or FaceTime them, so they can see what you are doing. . . . . . ORU’s number is - 415-630-3717 Safe paddling out there!!
There customer service is terrible-non existance, i returned mine
Only way I would get it would be if I got for free also lol
"It tracks nicely" It surely didn't look like that.
I truly felt that attract pretty well! Sure, the bow pointed left right left right, but it stayed on a steady straight course even when I stopped paddling, it would continue on that course. Pretty good for just a 12 foot boat!
I always have a hard time believing when you've been given a free product that it's possible to provide an objective review. I've read about many many problems with pinholes and leaking with these kayaks, though as a 63 year old woman I'd love to believe they are "all that." I'm just not convinced yet.
Hello! I have since moved on from ORU as my foldable / portable kayak of choice to Sea Eagle.
I believe Sea Eagle products FAR exceed ORU in:
* Quality
* Customer Service
* Speed & performance on the water
* Safety
* Load carrying capacity
Please check out my reviews and adventures!
Awesome Inflatable Kayak - Sea Eagle RazorLite™ 393RL
ua-cam.com/video/wCpz9gl_8Nc/v-deo.html
The Most Versatile Inflatable Kayak? Sea Eagle FastTrack
ua-cam.com/video/Nw5ZhcsM8vg/v-deo.html
Sea Eagle PaddleSki motorized boat kayak SUP 437ps
ua-cam.com/video/9h0BoJi8XjI/v-deo.html
Sea Eagle’s website links:
393RL Razorlite Kayak - Slow rivers & flat / open water, high performance:
bit.ly/3Enpq1z
FastTrack Kayak Rivers & Flatwater:
bit.ly/3ecBQ1V
Explorer Kayak - River & Whitewater:
bit.ly/3phWOTp
PaddleSki Boat / Kayak / SUP - The “Do Everything” boat!
bit.ly/33PbnFH
Paddle boards:
bit.ly/35b6VBV
20,000 folds? If true, you’d have to unfold and fold daily for 55 years to wear it out. 20k/365 = 54.79 years.
Yes, I am very skeptical of that number now.
Why no more likes??
Julio Cesar Franco - Hi Julio - I’m not sure I’m following you......
You go fold it 20,000 times and get back to us how that went.
That number is probably nonsense: it doesn't apply to corners, or take into account drying out of the plastic nor degradation from the sun. 1000 more realistic?
Bottom line - if you always store it in an acclimated space, I’m sure you will never have a problem with too many folding cycles. Safe paddling out there!
this a piece of crap, once it get capsized it almost impossible to recover it, it sinks and get very heavy in water, portability is good but useless as kayak
In the description box for this video, I put a statement that I have moved on from ORU. Was not happy with the quality, performance and safety.
I am solely Sea Eagle inflatable now + the Pakayak. Check out my website kayakcliff.com to see the boats I use and highly recommend!
yeah that's right Pakayak is the closest design to a portable touring/sea kayak. little bit expensive but kind the best in market, and razorlite from sea eagle also. thanks for the videos, big fan
@Kevin_geekgineering thanks for watching and commenting! Have a great week!
Too long of a video... too bad there is time-lapse right on the assembly of it...
Well. . . . . . You can always just stop watching it, if it’s too long for you . . . Most people appreciate the time saving of a time-lapse in a video. As I recall, I put many detail shots spaced throughout the video that reinforce & coincide with where the time-lapse was currently at.
Horrible customer service
Worst customer service, ever
Yes, unfortunately, you are definitely not the first that has told me that. Sorry for your experience
@@KayakCliff thank u sir for the reply...💞💖☺🤗...no worries tho...just wanted folks to know my experience n now its been almost one month since i left 3 phone calls n now 3 emails w no response. I was gonna purchase another kayak n had 3 referrals for em...but im done w em...i'll have to figure out how to fix my 3 week old kayak. They must have enuff biz to treat customers So poorly. I wouldnt have a biz if i treated my customers like they do. I even emailed Robert Herjavek, one of the sharks that invested in 25% of the co on shark tanks n let him know☺🤗💞💖take care n god bless
I thank em...i need another 2k kayak like i need a hole in the head...n so glad i found out their customer serviced sucked...or my friends would be mad at me if their kayaks got punctured since the co doesnt cover normal wear n tear...ever...even if on a peaceful body of water💞💖☺🤗ive never heard of a co that doesnt cover normal wear n tear for a day after purchase
@@KayakCliff mite be Best folding kayak...but its the 2nd to worse customer service ive seen in 58 years...god bless em💞💖☺🤗💞💖☺🤗
If 5heir customer service would return a call, cool...but they dont💞💖☺🤗
It would be more interesting if you stop talking and just show how to put it together. Maybe time lapse you talking
Bill Cheng Good suggestion, I will try something like that out on a future product review.
Bill Cheng, what have you ever done to help out your fellow citizens, you're just wasting everyone's time. Time lapse that
Bill Cheng wow, what a flippin rude a.
@@tjadventures9163 it's Ben awhile. This is a folding kayak. Get it a folding kayak he time lapse over this main selling point of the kayak and spend time talking what's it's made of but no mention or demo of the assembly and his thoughts on what was it like putting it together.
pakayak
THE ALL MIGHTY SPOGHATRS DAACK - The Pakayak looks interesting. Do you have one? Have you paddled one?