| |
Shop
| |  |
|
Best Sellers | | Home Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak | |
|  | |  | | | Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak | | | | | | | |
List Price:
| $499.99 | |
Our Price:
| $419.99 | |
You Save:
| $80.00 (16%)
| | Shipping: | This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | |
*Shipping:
| |
| | | SKU:
| | In Stock | | Availability:
Usually ships in 1 business days | | |
|
| | Features | Built-in aluminum ribs define the bow and stern and improves trackingThree layers of material for extreme puncture resistancePreassembled at the factory; simply unfold, inflate, and attach the seatHigh support, adjustable padded seat provides comfort for hours of paddlingLooks and paddles similar to a rigid hard-shell kayak with the portability of an inflatable
| |
| | Description | The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame® is a hybrid of a folding frame kayak and an inflatable kayak. Its bow slices through water like a knife and rivals the trackability of hard-shell kayaks. The stern acts as a skeg, increasing the tracking performance. It uses extremely durable materials and high-end components. There is plenty of on-board storage room for extended trips and it sets up in just a few minutes. | |
| | Product Details | | Product Length: | 20.0 inches | | Product Width: | 15.0 inches | | Product Height: | 15.0 inches | | Product Weight: | 25.0 pounds | | Package Length: | 30.8 inches | | Package Width: | 18.3 inches | | Package Height: | 11.2 inches | | Package Weight: | 43.0 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 40 reviews |
| |
| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 40 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
123 of 123 found the following review helpful:
 Great Recreational Kayak Jun 22, 2008
By Billy Radcliffe
For those that don't have the space or the budget for a nice fiberglass kayak, the Advanced Elements is the next best thing. I purchased this early this year for my wife (having purchased the Expidition model for myself) and I have had the opportunity to use it a few times this season. I continue to think it's one of the best purchases I've ever made. It's easy to store, easy to set up, handles well, performs well, and is very comfortable. All around a great recreational kayak.
Setup is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. This model has 7 chambers to fill, which sounds like a lot but it's really not. There are two main chambers which get filled up first, and then the floor and the deck lift chambers, and finally the combing for the skirt. The two first chambers take the longest - maybe 10 minutes total using the bi-directional hand pump. The rest can be filled in under 5 minutes, making the total time for inflation about 15 minutes.
Construction of the AF Expedition is excellent. All materials are sturdy, and the coating on the bottom (the gray part) seems to be tough enough for years of use. The top part of the construction (the red part) is a thick nylon that is not waterproof but which provides some protection from the elements. I would recommend using a waterproofing spray on the top part to ensure that there is minimal water absorption, since this makes drying it out before storage a lot easier. The material on this model is particularly nice - it has a sort of sheen and a subtle pattern to it that is very cool. Wish I had it on my Expidition, actually, but I think that might be a difference between last year's model and this.
Once inflated the AF is very sturdy and firm. It does not flex at all, and feels much like a hardshell kayak. In the water it is very stable, a product no doubt of its relatively wide stance (32 inches). The byproduct of that wide stance is that in the water it is a bit slower than a top-notch hardshell kayak (that generally run about 26 inches wide). It tracks well and is actually pretty fast -- my wife hasn't had any trouble keeping up with other recreational kayaks. Because the shape is rigid (reinforced with the aluminum bits in the front and back) it cuts through the water easily.
Paddling is comfortable so long as you use the right length of paddle; we use a 220cm and it seems to be the perfect size. I tried using a shorter paddle at one point and fount that it was not as comfortable and often found myself brushing the sides of the kayak with my knuckles. But with a longer paddle that's not a problem and paddling is a breeze.
The interior of the kayak is largely taken up by the inflatable chambers. There's a little room behind the cockpit to store things, but really not more than what you might take on a day trip. People looking for more storage should get a deck bag.
Deflating and storing is very easy to - the whole thing breaks down in about 10 minutes and is back in the case and ready for transport. This model stores in a bag about the size of a medium sized suitcase, and weighs about 30 pounds, which makes it quite easy to carry. The fact that it stores so easily is obviously the best "feature" of this inflatable kayak - it can be easily transported in the trunk of a car or even on a plane, and can be stored in a closet of an apartment. Being able to transport it for weekend trips without worrying about lashing it to the top of the car or having to go get it out of a slip somewhere just makes kayaking that much easier to do on a whim.
As for whether or not to buy this one or the larger AdvancedFrame Expedition model, I own both so I have some insight. I bought the smaller one for my wife after I had tested the Expedition model. The smaller one is even easier to inflate (since it has fewer chambers) and is lighter and smaller to store. But the trade-off is a smaller cockpit with less storage space. For me, at 6' 175lbs, the Expedition model seems just right or a little large. For my wife, the smaller one is a perfect fit. I think a person of my size might feel somewhat cramped in the 10' model, as she described it as comfortably snug. So if you're under 5'10" the smaller 10' model might be just fine, but larger folks should consider the Expedition.
Overall this kayak is a great purchase for someone looking for a first kayak to take on casual trips, or for a second kayak for those who might want to travel where they can't take their hardshell. Performance is on par with other hardshell recreational kayaks, but without the hassle of storage or transport. Highly recommended.
74 of 75 found the following review helpful:
A convenient pleasure Apr 03, 2007
By Michael Sands
We've been doing hardshell sit ins and sit upon kayaking, both touring and in the ocean for years. This year we thought it would be fun during a visit to Venice, Italy to kayak the canals and participate in the Vogalonga. After extensive internet research, it didn't appear that there were any kayak rentals easily available in Venice. A little more research and we stumbled on Advanced Elements 10 foot inflatable as a good possibility to take with us to Italy.
We've now tried it out locally touring on flat water 4 times and my wife wants to throw out all of our other kayaks. Warning, the first inflation takes about 20 minutes with the manual; after that it takes about 5 minutes. Fully inflated it tracks pretty well and can keep up a good touring pace with hardshell sit ins. It's comfortable to sit in; my wife keeps on asking if it's OK to inflate it and put it in the water just to nap in.
The take down is simple, quick and the reverse of inflations. We wipe it down with one of those super absorbant camp towels before stowing it in the carrying bag. Then off it goes into the back of the SUV and laughs at us while we spend the next 45 minutes hoisting and securing the remaining kayaks on top of the truck.
I would definitely recommend it as a well designed and constructed inflatable. It's not a pool toy. Let you know how it likes the Italian food.
57 of 57 found the following review helpful:
A Great Product!! Nov 12, 2007
By J. Ida
This inflatable kayak is just great! It is inexpensive and made of strong material. It looks great, like a hardshell, not like a boat-shaped balloon costing 3 times as much. It is lighter than hardshells and you don't need to buy a $600 roof rack to take it places. Unlike other reviewers, the first time I assembled it, it took about 20 minutes. 8 or 9 assemblies later, it takes less than 10 minutes. It is the most comfortable kayak I have ever sat in or on, and has been quite durable. If you are purchasing this product, you ABSOLUTELY MUST also purchase the floor beam. Advanced Elements BackBone-Bow & Stern Frame-Advanced Frame I This beam goes under the floor mat of the kayak and converts the base of the boat from flat to v-shaped, drastically improving tracking and speed, as well as efficiency, allowing one to paddle further expending less energy. It makes an enormous difference. Also, Advanced Elements makes a large line of products to accompany this boat, and most accessories for standard kayaks fit this boat. If you are in the market for an inflatable kayak, buy this one!!
36 of 36 found the following review helpful:
 I t does the job Dec 05, 2007
By D. Pace
I've been using this kayak for a couple years. I mainly wanted something to get me out on the water for photographing wildlife in the bay. I paddle it around a wetland wildlife reserve, through a large, heavily-trafficed harbor, out into the open ocean. The boat is slow compared to 17' to 19' touring kayaks I've paddled, but far more stable. I bought the AE Backbone to stiffen the boat - which helps.
I use a relatively heavy camera to shoot birds, etc., so stability is more important than anything else. I can maneuver this boat however I need it with total ease, and lean way over to get a low-profile shot.
Setup only takes 5 minutes now that I'm used to the process. I use a double-action pump to push air on both the downstroke and the upstroke (nice and fast). Cold water causes air in the main tube to compress, so a good pump is needed to provide enough pressure to compensate.
I can't really complain about quality. I've run the boat up onto rocks and into all kinds of muck. I got one tear in a top seam, but patched it with the provided patch kit. The longer I've had it, the less care I take with it, but it still performs and holds up well.
It's not ideal for long or fast trips, nor for open-ocean swells, but it does exactly what I wanted it to do. Calm-water paddling and riding currents are great, while chop makes it sluggish. Keep it recreational and all will be fine.
26 of 26 found the following review helpful:
great in a lot of ways, a few pointers Jul 05, 2009
By Cedar's mom
This is not your cheap inflatable. VERY good quality. I bought both the single and the double used. They are great for hot days when you have your bathing suit on. The boat is very comfortable and cushiony, and incredibly stable. it's great for adults and kids rowing around a lake, jumping in for a swim and getting back on. the problem with sitting on the floor instead of a seat is if you get any water in the boat--like with your feet or from paddles, it will go right to the seat of your pants and get you soaked. (The double has a blow up back rest option rather than the click in seat, so you're sitting on the floor). I only use these kayak in the summertime. the kayak works best when everything is blown up to maximum capacity--eventhough they say "don't overfill". When it's full, it's hard and acts like a fiberglass boat.
Don't think it's easy to carry, however. Eventhough the deflation and bag with handles make it handy for storage, these are HEAVY! park near the water! Don't drag the boats to the water, because they do get holes in the bottom--i have had to patch a few, which works well.
I really like the boats, but the main negatives are: 200lb or 5"10" max for the single (or boat will bend in the middle), you have to dry it well before packing it away, watching out when you get in and out close to shore that the bottom doesn't drag on pebbles and punch holes, and the tracking, I have found, isn't great. Tracking is better when care is taken that the plastic guide on the bottom doesn't get bent. If it's not straight, it won't help you row straight. It can get bent in storage or by sitting to long on the ground upright. Tip boat over when blown up but not in use; and lay the bag on it's side when not in use if the bottom of the kayak is at the bottom of the bag.
See all 40 customer reviews on Amazon.com
| |
| |
| |  | |  |
|
Recently Viewed | You may also like ... |
