AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak

Description

The fastest kayak in it's category, the AdvancedFrame™ is a day touring boat equipped with a built-in aluminum structure for outstanding performance on the water

Experience the best of both worlds with the AdvancedFrame™– the ultimate hybrid kayak that combines the convenience of an inflatable kayak with the performance of a folding frame kayak. Equipped with built-in aluminum ribs in the bow and stern, this kayak boasts unparalleled slicing power, allowing it to glide through water with ease and rival the trackability of hard-shell kayaks. The stern even doubles as a skeg to further enhance its tracking performance. Crafted from an extremely durable 3-layer construction and featuring premium components, the AdvancedFrame™ is designed to offer you many years of adventure. It also has ample onboard storage, making it perfect for extended trips. Setting it up takes just a few minutes, and it's compact enough to take on a weekend adventure.

Features

Hull design:  The AdvancedFrame™ is built for outstanding performance, thanks to its built-in aluminum ribs that define the bow and stern and the skeg tracking fin that keeps you on course.

Seating system:  Adjustable high-back seat that offers comfort for hours on the water.

Included Accessories

Included Accessories 

• Carrying duffel bag,
• Folding seat,
• Double-action manual inflation pump,
• Repair kit and

• Owner's manual.

Staff Review

 
Reviewed by Diane Jenkins

Staff Review of the AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak

The AdvancedFrame inflatable kayak was my first venture into the world of inflatable kayaks and it was eye opening.  My expectation was (1) it would be slow, (2) would not track well, and (3) would be easily blown around by the wind.

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

As I launched into the lake, the first thing I noticed was the comfort of the kayak.  Basically you're sitting on an air cushion.  But you also have air cushions at your hips and back.  It has a high back seat, and the straps allow you to adjust and position it just to your liking.  Although you can add foot pegs, mine did not have them.  But I found I really didn't need them.  I could snuggle my feet into the sides of the air tubes and get the support and leverage that I needed.

Now on to the paddling.  Very quickly, all of my prior expectations were quickly squashed.  This kayak paddles, tracks and maneuvers beautifully.  It is downright fast.  Faster than most sit-on-top kayaks, and on par with most sit-in kayaks of similar length.  

I was fortunate to have the wind kick up for a while so I could see how it impacted the AdvancedFrame.  What I found was the kayak sits relatively low to the water, so there isn't a lot of kayak above the water to be pushed around.  I felt very little impact from the wind.  As a matter of fact, I don't know that I've been in a kayak that was so un-affected.

What about rivers?  I didn't take it out on a river that day, but I know enough to know this would be great on Class I-II rivers.  The bow sits low, so if you run into any waves they would come up and over the bow, but hopefully the inflatable coam would divert most of the water away from the cockpit.

Conclusion.  I'm a big fan!  Comfortable, smooth gliding, fast, tracks very well, maneuvers easily, and doesn't get pushed around.  Great for ponds, lakes, and Class I-II rivers.  And only weighs 36 lbs!

Other Notes

Capacity:  I would be considered a small paddler, and although it's rated up to 250 lbs of capacity, I think anyone over 200 lbs would be too big for this one.  The other nice thing about an inflatable is you can adjust the inflation to fit the paddler.

Accessories:  One of the things I really like about Advanced Elements is everything you need comes with the kayak.  The carrying case, pump, seat, and repair kit are all included.  That's not the case with all inflatable kayaks.

Video Review