In the past I was never too fond of the Aquaglide kayaks but in the last few years they have really improved and their latest models are pretty great.
The Aquaglide McKenzie 125 is just a fantastic all-around versatile inflatable kayak. It’s a hybrid model meaning that it can be used for recreational paddling on calm water or it can tackle up to class III whitewater rapids.
It’s a cross-over tandem kayak that is really fun to paddle and is priced really well. It comes with two seats and comfortably seats two adults.
The seats can also be adjusted for solo use as well and it is surprisingly easy to paddle solo. I found that it took less effort to paddle solo than some other tandem models.
The McKenzie is quite stable and nearly impossible to tip. Consequently it’s a very comfortable ride.
It also comes with some great features that create a very functional and well performing kayak.
| SPECS | |
|---|---|
| LENGTH X WIDTH | 12’2″ x 34.5″ |
| WEIGHT | 30 LBS. |
| MAX LOAD | 600 LBS. |
| STABILITY |  |
| PERFORMANCE |  |
| WARRANTY | 1 YEAR |
| BEST DEAL | OUTDOORPLAY.COM |
IMPORTANT FEATURES
There are no shortage of features on this kayak. Below are the important ones to know of.
EVOBEAM FLOOR
The EvoBeam floor has both some pros and cons. The floor has a raised centre beam in a v-hull shape on the underside that helps with tracking. It also allows the side rails to be released when leaning for easier turning.
This type of floor is great for whitewater kayaking. However in my experience a more rigid high-pressure drop stitch floor works better for flat water touring.
A rigid high-pressure floor creates a more rigid kayak that simply glides smoother with less drag.
So although the EvoBeam floor keeps the McKenzie very versatile and the v-hull shape does help with tracking, it will not reach the same speed as other similar models that do have a high-pressure drop stitch floor.
13 INCH SIDE TUBES
The oversized 13” side tubes provide excellent stability. You will feel solid in this kayak regardless of the type of water you are paddling in.
With the large side tubes and 34.5” width you might notice your paddle rubbing against the sides sometimes when you paddle.
This is very common with inflatable kayaks, especially with those with larger side tubes. It’s not a big deal and as you adjust your stroke you’ll likely find you do it less and less.
DURATEX CONSTRUCTION
The reinforced PVC construction is very strong and has the added bonus of being quite lightweight.
For the size of the McKenzie it is extremely lightweight at only 30 lbs. The seams are heat welded together and there are no inner bladders.
I haven’t heard of any issues with the Aquaglide construction but worth noting it is only single layer construction, which is why you only get the one-year warranty.
REMOVABLE POSI-TRACK FIN
The fin is great and I love that it comes with a large touring fin, it greatly helps with tracking.
A cool feature with the fin is that it is made of flexible vinyl, which you don’t often see. The flexible vinyl helps to keep the fin for getting broken or bent.
It attaches to a standard US fin box and secures with a screw and fin plate – no tools necessary.
I would highly recommend always using the fin for flat water touring. You can leave the fin off if paddling in shallow rivers or in areas with rocks and debris.
HEAVY-DUTY NOSE CONE
The nose cone on the bow of the kayak is fantastic for extra protection and durability.
MESH SELF-DRAIN VALVES
There are 4 large mesh permanently open self-bailing drain valves. The drain valves are strategically located for quick drainage when paddling in whitewater.
I was a little nervous that the drains are permanently open. I though for sure the whole floor of the kayak would be wet even when flat water paddling.
However they work great and the only water that came in was a little along the seams, which wasn’t a big deal at all.
MOLDED CARRY HANDLES
There is a sturdy molded plastic handle at both the bow and stern for easy carrying. Weighing only 30 lbs, the McKenzie is very easy to carry with two people.
There are also two side carry handles for carrying it solo. It’s a little more awkward to carry it this way, but very doable.
If you plan to paddle solo it would be worth setting up the kayak close to the water.
HALKEY-ROBERTS TYPE VALVES
The Halkey-Roberts style valves are the valves you want on your inflatable kayak. They work great and don’t let any air escape when inflating it.
There is a valve on each side tube as well as one on the floor. Printed beside each valve is the recommended air pressure so you always know how high to inflate.
This kayak can be inflated in under ten minutes with a dual action high-pressure hand pump.
Worth noting this kayak does NOT come with a pump.
If you’d rather skip the hard work of manually inflating it you can get a 12V electric pump to do the job for you.
This is the one I use and highly recommend. It attaches to the 12V plug in your vehicle and inflates hands free. It switches off automatically once it reaches the desired air pressure.
AQUAGLIDE CORE SEATS
The seats have a 6-point attachment system so they are very well secured. You can adjust the back straps to make the back as rigid as you need for added support.
They seat cushioning is decent and overall this seat is quite comfortable.
You can reposition the seats for solo or tandem use and you can also have the seats facing each other, which can be fun for a water picnic or if paddling with kids.
The seats also include a back D-ring that can be used to secure gear.
STAINLESS STEEL D-RINGS
There are 4 stainless steel d-rings – 2 on each side tube. The d-rings are for attaching the seats.
TIE-DOWN FLOOR LOOPS
There are 22 webbing loops along the sides of the floor (one every 6”-12” along the cockpit) for securing the seat and any other gear you want to bring along such as dry bags or a cooler.
They are also to be used for securing thigh straps for whitewater kayaking.
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
This is something that I haven’t often seen before and it’s a great feature.
The pressure relief valve is exactly what it sounds like and protects the kayak from over inflation. Great feature!
PERFORMANCE
The kayak is great. It’s easy, comfortable and versatile. It’s great for cruising around and it’s really nice to have the versatility of being able to use it on any type of water.
However it’s slower to paddle and there is a little bit of drag. Tracking is decent though so although you’re moving a little slower, it stays fairly straight.
Even with the longer length it is very easy to maneuver and turn. It takes a little more effort when paddling solo of course but I think even total beginners will feel very comfortable quickly in this inflatable kayak.
It wouldn’t be my choice if you plan to mostly use it for flat water touring.
However if you really want a hybrid model that can cruise as well as handle whitewater rapids, then it becomes a good choice.
It is ideal for whitewater kayaking and handles on rivers really well.
When flat water paddling the performance is greatly improved with the touring fin installed. Without the fin the tracking is definitely not as good.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Kayak Hull
- 2 Core Kayak Seats
- 1 Touring Fin
- 1 Storage Bag
- Halkey-Roberts Valve Adaptor
- Repair Kit
COMPLAINTS
My biggest gripe with the Aquaglide is that it does not come with a pump or paddles. I’ve never seen an inflatable kayak that doesn’t include a pump or paddle. That doesn’t make any sense to me.
For the price I really feel that it should include these accessories.
WARRANTY
The Aquaglide McKenzie 125 comes with a 1 year warranty against defects.
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST DEAL
This kayak can be purchased at a couple different places. Please click the links below to find the best deal. Both stores below offer free shipping in the US.
Click Here For The Aquaglide McKenzie Inflatable Kayak At Outdoorplay.com.
Click Here For The Aquaglide McKenzie 125 Inflatable Kayak At Amazon.com.
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Hi – thanks for the review. What kind of paddle would you recommend? I bought high-angle paddles, but because of the McKenzie’s width I’m thinking low-angle might be better. I haven’t taken it on the water yet and it’s not too late to exchange my paddles.
Bought the Aqua Glide II which is more expensive than the featured kayak above. Outstanding manoeuvrability and assembly. Seats are not comfortable and there is no extra nose cover/protection fir the front of the kayak.
I bought a Blackfoot 160 Aqua Glide and consider it to be a great inflatable kayak. Equipped for fishing. The floor like a paddle board (dropstich), enable me to stand easily. The stability and maneuverability are exemplary. I went out 26 times this summer in tandem with my wife, on lacs and rivers. I know it is expensive, but my wife feel save in it, so it is worth.