The Sevylor Rio is a solo inflatable canoe that is best suited for recreational paddling and fishing. It has a great design which not only looks good but offers comfort as well as stability while paddling.
Update: This inflatable canoe is no longer available. However the tandem version the Sevylor Colorado is available and very popular. See our review for the Sevylor Colorado here or go to Amazon.com for more details.
Most canoes are designed for two or more people and the Rio is one of the few solo models on the market.
As such it is light weight and easy to carry. It is a very affordable option for anyone looking for a convenient and portable canoe that can go anywhere.
The Sevylor Rio works equally well paddled with a canoe paddle or with kayak paddles depending on your preference.
Best Uses: Rivers, lakes, fishing
Accessories Included: 1 flexible bucket seat, removable stern storage bag, nylon carrying bag, repair kit
Optional Accessories: 12-volt motor
Kayak Material: 18 gauge PVC
Pros: Works well with either canoe or kayak paddles, option of adding a small motor, convenient, very easy set up, comfortable, stable, rugged, light enough to easily carry, decent storage, paddle/oar holders
Cons: Tracking not so good, water tends to accumulate inside even with drain hole (if paddling through rapids)
IMPORTANT FEATURES
There are lots of great features to be aware of with this inflatable canoe.
Grab Handles
This inflatable canoe has 4 grap handles. One at either end of the canoe as well as one on both sides of the canoe.
The side grab handles make it very convenient to carry by yourself. Simply lift it over your head once it is inflated and carry to the water.
Comfort
Although I am not always a big fan of Sevylor, I did find the Rio to be extremely comfortable.
There is an inflatable cushion under the seat and the seat itself offers great back support as well as a zippered pouch in the back that can easily hold snacks or little accessories. The seat also has two convenient water bottle holders.
I found there to be ample leg room and althought the pontoon sides are fairly wide I did not find that my hands or arms rubbed them when I paddled the canoe with kayak paddles.
Valves
Valves tend to differ on different inflatable kayaks. Typically the more expensive models will have far better valves.
The Sevylor Rio is very affordable and a couple of the reasons it is able to charge such a little amount is because it is made overseas and some of the parts are cheaper. This is the case with the valves.
Although the valves do work well, I found them difficult to work with until you really know what you are doing.
Therefore make sure to read the instructions first before inflating your canoe and expect the set-up time to take a little longer your first couple of times until you get the hang of how the valves work.
The Rio uses Double Lock™ / Mini Double Lock™ valves which locks in air two ways. Personally these are not my favourite valves to use.
However if you use them correctly your canoe will be inflated very hard and no air will leak.
Cargo Space
Considering the Rio isn’t very long, I found there to be a decent amount of cargo space. There is a little bit of room up front (after your legs) and there is also some room in the back.
The Rio comes with a removable stern mesh storage bag which attaches to the back of the canoe. You can store cargo underneath the bag as well as inside the bag.
There are also some D-rings and tie downs that make it easy to secure your gear.
Performance
Considering the Rio is not an expensive inflatable canoe I think the performance was quite good. I felt very comfortable out on the water whether I was in flat water or moving rapids.
Maneuverability
The Rio is very easy to maneuver. Its light weight and shorter length make it very responsive and would be easy for any person of any age or skill level to paddle.
Tracking
Even though there are directional skegs attached to the bottom of this canoe, the tracking is not the greatest in flat water. However if you use kayak paddles as I did with the Rio it moves along fairly well.
It will certainly not be the fastest canoe in the water but again I think for the price paid, it does okay. It maneuvers well however in smaller rapids.
Final Thoughts
I think for the price of this inflatable canoe you can’t go wrong.
Just be sure to fully read the instructions before setting it up to avoid some frustrations. The Rio comes with a 1 year warranty.
I never inflate the floor on my Rio, instead I use a foam surfboard (the small ones for surf skimming)
I place it on the floor on top of the seat area. After inflating the sides I place a square life cushion over the seat area and a hard stadium seat on top of that, works great. you can install the original seat then put the stadium seat in that, also works well. I have several inflatable kayaks (and 5 hard-shell) and have been kayak (fishing) for around 55 years so I have a lot of modification experience and look for the best way for comfort and ease of use.
I’ve owned my sevylor rio canoe for many many years
So very comfortable to canoe all day
Review say only for use on calm water – bullshit !!! A few of us own a sevylor rio canoe & canoed for approx 10 hours going down many rapids
I’m a girl & it takes me about 10 minutes to fully inflate
So much room to store a large back pack at top of canoe & still heaps room for you feet
Hubby and I always only own Sevylor Rio plus hubbb owns the double too – wouldn’t buy another brand !!!!
I love my sevylor rio canoe 🛶
Score 10/10
Amazon does not have the best price. They are the highest. Target is lower and I think Walmart is a mistake at $88.11. Anyway, loved my kayak but lent it out. And the floor bladder came back compromised, a leak, then blew out the bevels in the floor bladder. You cannot find replacement bladders. Considering buying another of the same, then I’ll have spare parts.
Yes you can’t get spare parts which is the only stupid thing about the sevylor canoe
Happened to my hubby too but he bought a 2nd’s one for $100 working good so other no spare parts so try looking for a 2nd’s