Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma
Best Uses: Lakes, calm water
Brand: Clear Blue Hawaii
Available At: Amazon.com – Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma Inflatable Kayak
Number of Paddlers: 2
Stats: Length 11’, Width 34”, Weight 32.5 lbs., Load Capacity 500 lbs
Accessories Included: Mesh carrying bag, adjustable seats with fanny packs, gear pouches, bottle holders & fasteners for dive flags, 1 year warranty
Kayak Material: 840 denier nylon, fabric reinforced hull
Pros: Dual clear viewing panels, lightweight, portable, stable, easy for storage and traveling, comfortable seats, storage compartment in back of kayak
Cons: Overpriced, viewing panel may bubble if boat is not inflated really tight, slow
More about the Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma Inflatable Kayak
The Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma is not perfect but it has a lot of neat features and is really a fun kayak. Even though I am drawn to the Hanauma I do believe that it is a little over-priced as I know that you can get a better inflatable kayak for less money. However there are lots of positives that just might make this kayak worth while for you.
The Hanauma’s big marketed feature is the clear 40-gauge PVC viewing panels in front of each of the two seats. This is the only inflatable kayak (I believe) that offers clear viewing panels on the bottom of the kayak. It is a fun idea that perhaps may draw a lot of people.
At first glance I thought that the clear panels are a really fun idea. It would be fun to be able to see the aquatic life through the bottom of the kayak. However on second thought you may want to consider these things:
- Would you really move your legs to try and see beneath the kayak? You can see just as much from looking over the side of the inflatable kayak.
- What if the bottom of the clear panels get scratched? – as can easily happen – then even if you did look through them, the view would be blurred.
- Are these clear panels worth paying more than the inflatable kayak is really worth?
These panels, in my opinion, are a marketing tactic. They seem very appealing, but really not necessary.
Comparing the Hanauma to other Inflatable Kayaks
When I see the Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma I automatically think of the Sea Eagle explorer kayaks. They are similar in style but there are some major differences to be aware of:
- The Hanauma is similar in length to the Sea Eagle 340X but is slimmer in width by a few inches. This could possibly give the Hanauma more speed but will not offer as much comfort for moving around.
- The Sea Eagle explorer kayaks can hold a LOT more weight than the Hanauma.
- The Sea Eagle explorer kayaks are made with stronger PVC material – 1000 denier as opposed to the Hanauma’s 840 denier.
- Sea Eagle kayaks are self-bailing, the Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma is not.
- Sea Eagle kayaks can handle ANY water condition, the Hanauma needs to stay in calmer water.
- The Sea Eagle 340X inflatable kayak, which is the most comparable in size, cost roughly $150 less then the Hanauma. Even the larger Sea Eagle explorer kayaks cost less than this Clear Blue Hawaii.
- Sea Eagle kayaks have a 3 year warranty, the Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma only offers a 1 year warranty.
As you can see, even though the Hanauma seems like a very appealing inflatable kayak it is lacking in some major areas for the price it is asking. I would say the one big positive it has over the Sea Eagle kayaks is that it weighs about 10 pounds less. If you plan to take it traveling by airplane, that could be a real positive for you.
Final Thoughts on the Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma Inflatable Kayak
At first glance, the Hanauma looks great. It is a good inflatable kayak with lots of handy features. The problem is that I feel it is overpriced for what it does offer. If you are okay paying the extra bucks then by all means you will likely have a lot of fun in it. It does make a great inflatable kayak for traveling. Besides could anything with ‘Hawaii’ in its name be all THAT bad?!
Pro Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma
- Dual clear viewing panels
- Lightweight – especially for a tandem inflatable kayak
- Portable
- Stable
- Easy for storage and traveling
- Comfortable seats with lots of storage
- Storage compartment in back of kayak
Against Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma
- Overpriced
- Viewing panel may bubble if boat is not inflated really tight
- Slow
The Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma Inflatable Kayak is Available At:
- Amazon.com – Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma Inflatable Kayak
We Also Recommend…
- Sea Eagle 340X
- Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Convertible
- Innova Sunny
- Sea Eagle 380X
- Innova Helios II
If you own or have used the Clear Blue Hawaii Hanauma please leave a comment and share your thoughts with others.
Did You Know?By clicking on our links then shopping at Sea Eagle
, NRS, MPGear, Amazon, Altrec, Innova, Backcountry, REI, Water Outfitters or West Marine you are helping us to keep IKWorld growing. Thank you for supporting us at Inflatable Kayak World.
Print
