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Sea Eagle Sport 370 Pro Kayak Package Review

As named, this two person inflatable kayak really performs like a Sea Eagle. When considering a new addition of an inflatable kayak, it’s hard to overlook the Sea Eagle Sport 370 kayak. There is good reason that this kayak scores well out of this class of kayaks. Read on and find out why this is a 4/5 star product and a favorite amongst kayaking enthusiasts, beginners, intermediates and experts alike.

Basic Measurements

Starting with the basics, The Sea Eagle Sport 370 Kayak (not to be confused with the 330!) is an inflatable kayak that is designed to seat two people. It has a maximum weight capacity of 650 pounds (and has been tested with around 450 lbs and faired great!) and comes in around 150L x 34W x 13H inches. (Boring stuff but gives you an idea of what to expect).

[Note: For a unique option, the Oru Bay kayak does not disappoint].

Before I get in-depth with this specific kayak, let me clarify something: if you’re JUST getting into kayaking or have a budget (or both), an inflatable kayak is a great investment. However, if you’re used to taking out hard shelled kayaks, love being speedy or want to experience the rapids, then an inflatable kayak is NOT the way to go. A good number of the bad reputation these kayaks receive is due to false expectations, so it’s important to clear the air here. Be forewarned that buying a hard shelled kayak, an entry level one, will cost anywhere from $500-$1000 depending on your purpose for it. If you just want to have some fun in the sun and don’t have an extravagant budget, stick around for this review.

Is the Seating Comfortable?

The 370 has room to seat two people and most people have found that to be pretty roomy (even tall folks) so room size isn’t a concern. If you are on the heavier side, then the 370 has the room advantage over the 330. If you are a tall person, I would consider buying two of these (especially if leg room is a huge concern). With one person, there is plenty of leg room and storage room for a small cooler or supplies; with two people, there isn’t as much room but the leg room is comfortable and a small cooler, supplies or some snacks are pretty doable. However, if you kayak for hours with two people in one of these things (tall people, ahem), then roominess could be a factor. The best thing to do is to try this out for yourself.

The kayak itself is pretty easy to inflate. Some people might find it a bit of annoyance to work with the valves (that seems to be a standard issue with inflatable kayaks!) but once attached, it’s a matter of about 10 minutes to get this baby inflated properly.

Even with dual skegs, it can be hard for a few folks to navigate ‘straight’ but give yourself a few minutes to adjust to an inflatable kayak and you won’t find navigating the 370 challenging at all.

Can the 370 Endure Strong Winds?

A lot of folks have tested the Sea Eagle 370 in decent wind conditions around islands and small lakes and have found it to be extremely sturdy (this is not to say that you shouldn’t test this kayak’s limits first on your own, cautiously). The material seems nice and durable which makes me feel ‘safer’.

Is the Sea Eagle 370 Pro Package Worth My Hard Earned Cash?

Most people are more than ‘satisfied’ with the purchase of their Sea Eagle 370 Pro package and a lot give it a high ‘best bang for the buck’ score. It’s not as cheap as a couple of the other options out there but the extra money is more than worth it if you want to invest in a stable inflatable kayak and take it out in calm waters and wind around the year.

NMMA Certified?

The 370 is also NMMA certified which means this particular inflatable kayak meets the minimum manufacturing regulations set forth by the US Coast Guard.

Flexibility

The kayak comes in around 32 pounds. An added bonus is that it’s a perfect fit for small cars and any other type of tight transportation. Not only does it inflate and deflate reasonably well but it packs comfortably in the back of a small vehicle. Storage is extremely important for people with small vehicles and living space and this kayak passes that check easily.

Verdict

The Sea Eagle Sport 370 Pro kayak is one of the best options available for tandem hiking. Check out the Sea Eagle 370 on Amazon by clicking here.

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AIRHEAD AHTK-2 Montana Performance 2 Person Kayak In-Depth Review

ahtk-2 2 person montana My Gosh! If you live somewhere perfect like Southern California or any where the weather is sunny and beautiful even in the “winter months”, then you may be looking for something as fun as a two person inflatable kayak. And, since you’re here, let’s dive into a review of the Airhead AHTK-2 Montana Performance Kayak.

Wow, that’s a mouthful and a handful to type!

Check out the Airhead AHTK-2 Montana on Amazon by click here.

The Basics

Yes, the Airhead AHTK-2 Montana is a two seater inflatable kayak and comes in around 12 feet long. It is constructed of durable material making it ideal for kayaking in the lakes and moderate white river rafting. The floor is designed as tubular I-beam floor (typical) and weighs around 36.3 lbs. Some of you may love the orange colour and some may hate it but it’s a smart choice for safety enthusiasts as it makes the product high visibility. The tubular I-beam flooring does make it very comfortable to sit in. It contains two Boston valves for quick inflation and deflation. For an option that’s not inflatable nor hardshell, the foldable convenient Oru Kayak is an expensive but well performing option.

And look: it can support upto 500 pounds! If size is an issue, this baby can definitely handle that. Have a look at this beaut:

ahtk-2 demonstration pic

The Meat of the Airhead AHTK-2 Montana Kayak

If pricing isn’t an issue and you are looking for an inflatable boat that can fit tall people comfortable or upto 500 pounds, then the Airhead Montana 2 person kayak is a great choice.

If that isn’t impressive, a reviewer on Amazon touts that AIRHEAD AHTK-2 Montana Performance 2 Person Kayakhe bought the AHTK-2 in 2006 for the purpose of roughing it (in 2006) and that it still hasn’t developed any leaks.

This is due to the build of the Airhead Montana 2 person kayak which is constructed from the nylon denier fabric shell. When it comes to leaks, this kayak is extremely durable.

Another cool thing about the Montana Two Person Kayak is that it looks very nice and doesn’t look “cheap” as some of these can. Of course, priced around $375, you’d think this would be standard but sadly, it’s not the case with all inflatable boats and kayaks.

Even with two people, there is plenty of space for you to store additional items (trust me, this comes in handy). It’s extremely easy and quick to inflate and deflate. Also, thanks to its build and the four fins it comes with, you’ll find the tracking to be consistent and the maneuverability to be better than most kayaks in its class.

The Cons…

I expect you to read this section before you read any additional reviews. That’s what I do 😉

The only two cons are that the Airhead two persona inflatable boat comes with straps which is fine for carrying but a tad bit cumbersome. It does NOT come with a bag to put it away which would’ve been ACE.

Because of that, the weight comes into factor. This two person kayak weighs 36 pounds and sometimes, you can feel it.

The Verdict

If you are looking for safety, room, durability, stability, and good tracking, this is solid buy.

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All The Details You Can Get: AIRHEAD Montana Performance Kayak (AHTK-1)

Wow! It has been a while since I posted an update but you know what? The time sounds about right since it’s mid summer and you all can benefit from exercising–especially in the form or canoeing or kayaking >:)

Today, I’m critiquing the Airhead Montana Performance kayak, another inflatable kayak with a terrible name (AHTK?) To be honest, right from the start, the Airhead one person kayak will run you around $220-$275 on average, making it not the most expensive option but also, not the least expensive option.

Is it worth your money, though? You decide. Let’s slice and dice this baby.

The Basics

This kayak is a one person seater with plenty of space coming in around 9 feet long. Its build is compact and lightweight, designed specifically for lakes and easy white water shenanigans. The build of its three chambers is lined with a strong 840 denier nylon. It also comes with 4 bottom fins making it easy to steer. As is typical, the Airhead Montana Performance kayak comes with ultra-violet and water resistant coatings.

The Meat Of the Airhead Montana One Seater

To be honest, this inflatable kayak has quite a few things going for it but there is a common complaint about it. Some folks seem to absolutely love the Airhead Montana while others wish they hadn’t purchased it.
Let’s start with the durable material. Even though I mentioned that you can go white water rafting on it, the kayak has been tested in medium waters and has performed well (read more Amazon reviews here).
One thing you can’t do is compare any inflatable kayak to a hard shelled kayak, neither when it comes to build nor speed… and well, nor trekking.

Even though this inflatable boat comes with 4 fins on the bottom, trekking seems to be an issue. Moving with the downstream, it seems to move well. However, going upstream or in slightly rough waters, the kayak has trouble being maneuvered and some reviewers have mentioned it to be a challenge to go in a straight line. Due to that, the speed is kind of slow or average at best.

To be fair, for the price point of around $240, this inflatable kayak will proudly take a few bruises without receiving much of any damage. Compared to a hard shell, the price is somewhere in the middle (not cheap nor expensive) and that reflects the quality of the product. It performs and is built better than the cheaper inflatable kayaks I have reviewed.

One major drawback with this product is that the valve isn’t tethered to the boat itself. There doesn’t seem to be any good reason for this. In fact, there is danger in losing the value as it needs to be removed in order for the kayak to be deflated.

Verdict

In Conclusion, the Airhead kayak can be used by a beginner or intermediate kayaker in mild waters and really, for recreational or exercise purpose and with the price, many folks will find this option appetizing.

Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Kayak – Expensive Or Well Worth It?

In case you haven’t noticed, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible kayak is one of the more expensive inflatable kayaks we’ve taken the time out to review. After all, coming in around $550, why should one invest in one of these inflatable kayaks rather than shell out money for a hard-shelled kayak?

That’s one of the bigger questions we will be answering in this review but first, let’s start with the basics and move our way through this sexy option (I’m not biased, I promise!)

The Basics

The AdvancedFrame Convertible kayak is a two seater kayak and comes in around 15 feet long (much longer than the standard inflatable kayaks that I’ve checked out). Its frame is built with aluminum ribs that shape the bow and stern. Due to the ‘weightiness’, this kayak also treks straight and well (which can be a little bit of a problem with light inflatable kayaks). While the trekking is not as well as a hardshell kayak but it comes very close to it. That says a lot about an inflatable kayak!

The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible inflatable kayak is also constructed of three layers for safety reasons: if one layer gets punctured, you’re still safe due to the other two layers being puncture resistant.

Even though this baby is designed for tandem (or two people) kayaking, you can take the extra seat out (or use it as added back comfort) and take it out solo. [Note: For a hardshell option, check out the Sun Dolphin Bali kayak right here. We also have our inflatable kayak guide].

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or an expert kayaker, setup is a breeze. The first time, it may take you a good 20 minutes to accomplish this but it gets easier each time. You simple take it out of the package, unfold it, pump it with air and set it up. Viola!

Just in case, here’s a demonstration video:

Storage Compartment

Unlike other kayaks, this one has a nice storage department for some serious gear. Here, take a look at the image: There is surprisingly a fair amount of storage and the deck lacing is just… super sexy. Go ahead and sprinkle your jelly beans everywhere! (Joking… keep it clean!)

Bonus Points for Puncture Resistant Build

When you’re out and about in one of these inflatable kayaks, the last thing you want to do is be worried if it can take a little bit of a hit (let’s face it: sometimes I don’t plan on rough surfaces but that doesn’t mean my kayaks don’t end up getting scratched!) As mentioned earlier, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible inflatable kayak kayak is built of three layers of puncture resistant material.

The kayak is so well-built that even through rough surfaces, it will, on average, last you 5-10 years (please keep in mind this depends on the usage). If you are using the Advanced Elements inflatable kayak in pretty rough waters, you should know that while it does well in heavier conditions, still, this isn’t a hard kayak! (Always remain cautious and go with a buddy to test how well a new kayak responds in an environment). If roughing it is a huge issue for you, then you will find the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible inflatable kayak one tough inflatable sob!

Is The Advanced Elements Inflatable Kayak Heavy As Heck!?

One of the main complains on Amazon is regarding the weight of this kayak. If you examine this a bit, this is a good thing! The kayak comes in around 55 pounds which means it’s a bit heavy to carry. However, this kind of weight is good especially if you want to trek well and straight in the water. And that, my friends, the Advanced Elements inflatable kayak does really well. If you’ve shopped around for lighter inflatable kayaks, you’ll see that getting them to move straight can take a bit of getting used to.

Now, if you’re not very strong, then carrying this a fair distance could become a problem. If you know you’ll be in good company or are a strong person and don’t mind carry it, then you know this kayak is right for you. Additionally, you could purchase a dolly to help you carry this. I don’t want to blow this out of proportion; just know that the size could be an issue if you’re a very light person and need to carry this thing a mile to the lake or a river.

Is Cleaning Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Inflatable Kayak A Drag?

Okay, so inflating this baby takes around a good 5-10 minutes (for first timers, it can be longer). That’s not a problem. However, after you’ve used it, you’ll notice water collect at the bottom. Well, if you’ve invested in a $500 kayak, you also have to take good care of it which includes drying it off and folding it properly.

This means you have to empty out the kayak, let it dry off then unfold it. Frankly, this is the nature of most kayaks so if this bothers you, perhaps you should invest in a hardshell kayak.

Why is The Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Convertible Kayak a Great Investment?

If you’re like me and live in a cramped apartment, own a small car or hate carrying a hardshell kayak, then this is a solid investment. It’s not like a super lightweight inflatable kayak. It doesn’t come with the problem of a superlight inflatable kayak either. It has a bit of weight to it (55-60 lbs) but this also helps it move straight and speedier than most inflatable kayaks. If you have believe in quality products and want something more reliable than a $150 inflatable kayak (those have their own advantages), then you will definitely love investing in the AdvancedFrame inflatable kayak.

Still Torn About The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Inflatable Kayak …?

Still torn? Welp, seein’ IS believin’, they say. And if this doesn’t help, then check out our other reviews on the site 🙂

Verdict

The Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Convertible kayak is one of the more expensive inflatable kayaks on the market but is one of the best and sturdiest options available as well. Its pricing fluctuates around $500 so it’s a serious investment. For anyone looking for a sturdy inflatable kayak, this is a must buy.

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Sevylor Inflatable kayak Worth the Price Tag?

Of all the kayaks I have reviewed, I am seriously excited about the Sevylor Tahiti Fishing/Hunting inflatable kayak. First check out this handsome canoe: It’s outfitted in that cool hunting green color and style that screams. “Let’s take this baby out for some fishin’!” All kidding aside, Sevylor nailed the design of this kayak (paint me vain). The color also helps blend in if you’re taking it out on a lake or marsh for hunting purposes.

Like other Sevylor inflatables, this kayak comes with their Airtight system that guarantees no leaks…. And those are the type of guarantees I love to have when it comes to these lightweight toys. The Tahiti is constructed of 26 gauge PVC (measurement for thickness of the material that the kayak is made of) and a tubular I-beam floor for maximum stability. It comes out to be 10 feet 9 inches by 2 feet and 4 inches and can handle a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds. Two adults should fit into this kayak very well or one heavy/tall person.

Note: If you’re looking for a hard shell option, the Sun Dolphin Bali 10 SS is a great option.

Sevylor Tahiti Fishing & Hunting Kayak Easy to Maneuver?

Maneuvering the Tahiti is as easy as maneuvering any other inflatable kayak. Once you test it out and get into the ‘rhythm’, you’ll find this Sevylor inflatable kayak glides quite nicely. However, we do recommend purchasing a skeg separately and utilizing it for a bit more maneuvering ease.

However, some people are stuck on this very issue. There seems to be an issue where the kayak may go in circles instead of going straight. This could be due to many reasons. It could be because the heavier person may be seated in the front causing the light end/the back to not anchor properly. It could also be wrong expectations transferring from having used a hard shelled kayak.

I do recommend purchasing a skeg for this kayak for added reliability.

Check out the Sevylor Fishing & Hunting Kayak on Amazon by clicking here!

Plenty of people have used this Sevylor inflatable kayak well and found it enjoyable. However, please do not take it where there is a lot of swell, wind or high waves. Inflatable kayaks are supposed to be enjoyed in calmer areas like a lake. Any area where there are tree branches poking out, rough rivers or lots of rocks—keep away from all such areas! Even though this kayak is built to take a fair amount of abuse, caution should be practiced. For this reason, always keep a patch kit with you. Some folks have found that their Tahiti did very well in areas that I’m cautioning you against.

Also, if you’re taking the Tahiti out for fishing purposes, then seriously consider taking a light anchor with you (for obvious reasons). This is one of the more well known fishing kayak.

Construction of the Tahiti Inflatable Kayak

This bit is something pretty cool I observed about the Sevylor Tahiti Fishing & Hunting inflatable kayak. There are three main compartments that need to be inflated to properly inflate it. These three parts are all separate: two along the side and one underneath you. It could very well be that if the sides deflated, you’d still float because of the bottom remaining intact. (Please don’t test this in dangerous conditions!)

Another neat thing is that the seats are adjustable so depending on your and your partner’s weight and size, you can move them as needed. Or you can position them to face each other.

Recommended Upgrades

If you have a little more spending money, definitely opt for more quality paddles. The ones that come with this Sevylor inflatable kayak (the Tahiti) work okay but investing in a nice pair will pay off. Another recommendation is buying a skeg because the main complaint people have had is they can’t get the canoe to trek straight (though I believe there are other reasons at play). Invest in a skeg and you won’t regret it!

Quirks Pertaining To This Sevylor Inflatable Kayak?

The only quirk that I’ve noticed is the folks who had issues navigating the Tahiti properly. As discussed in this review earlier, this could be due to inexperience or the lack of a skeg. Opt for a skeg! It only helps. Also, remember to use it in calm waters with light wind as it’s meant to be utilized in those situations specifically.

Sevylor Tahiti Fishing & Hunting Kayak Review Summary

With an average rating of 4 stars and a great price of under $130, this inflatable kayak is a great purchase. For another Sevylor option, check out the Sevylor Quickpak Coverless Sit-on-Top inflatable kayak.

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