New Inflatable Kayak Reviews for 2010
May 29, 2010 by IK World
We have done a number of new reviews for inflatable kayaks this year… some of them brand new models that have hit the market. Each of them has their own unique features as well as pros and cons.
Lucky for us, inflatable kayak companies are always working on improving the design, function and quality of their boats. It is always exciting to see what innovative ideas they come up with.
New Inflatable Kayak Reviews
Click on the Inflatable Kayak name to read our full detailed review.
Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Sport – The new AE Sport is a fun little solo inflatable kayak that paddles decently and has a great look… I love the colors on this kayak. It is best for flat water and comes with a removable tracking fin. The Sport will also appeal to those who travel as it weighs only 26 lbs. It is also very affordable.
Advanced Elements AirFusion – The new AE AirFusion is a perfect example of an inflatable kayak company coming up with a new and unique design. This kayak has aluminum alloy frame poles with inflatable pressurized air tubes. This means that you get a very rigid and powerful frame while still having the convenience of being able to deflate your kayak. The AirFusion will paddle best on flat water, in class I – II rivers or in bays and estuaries.
Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 – Advanced Elements used to have an inflatable kayak called the Dragonfly. They no longer make this kayak and instead have the Lagoon 1. The Lagoon is their second smallest inflatable kayak and is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable, lightweight, easy to use kayak for flat water paddling. It sets up very quickly and will get you out on the water with ease.
Aire Tributary Sawtooth II – I had been waiting for a tandem version of the Sawtooth and this year it has arrived. The Tributary Sawtooth is one of the faster inflatable kayaks on the market and paddles great in flat water, easy rivers and bays. Although I really like this inflatable kayak and there are several pros to the Sawtooth II, there are also a few cons that I found slightly disappointing including the weight and load capacity of this kayak.
Innova K1 – The K1 is a super tough solo whitewater inflatable kayak that is designed to be paddled solely in rivers. It can handle up to class IV rapids. Although the Innova K1 has a lot of great features and offers good control, it does not have the popularity that many others in its class do. My guess is the hefty price tag and the fact that it only comes with a two year warranty may be a bit of a deterrent. This inflatable kayak also comes in a tandem version, the Innova K2… review on this one still to come.
NRS Rascal – You have to love a kayak named the Rascal… it just sounds fun. The new NRS Rascal is a very cool “mini” inflatable kayak. It is quite small and weighs very little (17 lbs.). It would best suit kids or anyone who wants to backpack to remote areas with their kayak. It paddles best in mild whitewater, has great maneuverability, is PVC-free and comes with a decent warranty.
NRS Riken Seminole – The Riken Seminole is a hardcore solo whitewater inflatable kayak that is built to withstand anything. It is designed for whitewater kayaking with up to class IV rapids, has super strong 1100 denier Hypalon material and comes with a phenomenal ten year warranty. This inflatable kayak is best for those with a little experience with whitewater paddling who are looking for a boat that can get the job done, perform all the tricks and likely last forever.
Sea Eagle FastTrack – The FastTrack is Sea Eagle’s contribution to new inflatable kayaks for this year and it’s a good one. Very similar to their Explorer kayaks, the FastTrack is built with the same tough exterior but has a slightly different design to allow it to have more speed as well as to weigh less. It is quite versatile and can paddle well on flat water, ocean waves or whitewater with up to class III rapids. Had I not already owned the Sea Eagle 380X, I would have seriously considered purchasing the FastTrack as it seems to offer most everything that my 380X does except it weighs less and supposedly can go a lot faster.
For a complete list of inflatable kayak models please see our inflatable kayak reviews.
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Are there any reviews on the new INNOVA Doubletwist 2 kayak? I have searched the internet and can’t find a video of it in the water or anybody that has wirtten a review of it. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Dave
Hi Dave,
I haven’t reviewed the Innova Double Twist yet, mostly because I have no direct experience with it. However I can give you a few details… To sum up the Double Twist I would say that it has three major pluses… It is extremely lightweight and packs up into a very small package so is ideal for traveling; it is an affordable option for a tandem kayak, and it offers good quality for the price paid.
I would expect with the light weight and the basic design that the performance will only be ‘so-so’ but I would have no hesitation using this kayak myself as I do trust Innova’s inflatable kayaks. Keep in mind that the Double Twist needs to be paddled only in calm flatwater and that it is not very big (just under 12′) so it won’t hold much gear.
Not sure if you have already seen this but I found a video on YouTube of the Double Twist made by the owner of Innova. It does not show the kayak in the water but maybe it will help… Innova Double Twist Video
I found the Innova Double Twist available at:
they offer free shipping
MPGear.com
InnovaKayak.com
Hope that helps, good luck to you!
Allison
Allison, I have seen the videos of the owner of the company talking about the twist 2, but what I really would like to see is the kayak actually on the water. I also could not find one review of this kayak anywhere on the internet. I think it is just a little to small for two people.
On a side note, the Zoik AlterEgo II looks like it might be the ticket. I hope somebody gives a review of this one.
I figured you had likely seen that video… it seems to be the only one on the net. I think it would be really ideal for travel but I agree with you it could be squishy for two.
Good luck with your search!