This kayak is STOUT! We have two hard side sit on top kayaks but I wanted something we could transport without a rack or our truck. When I told my husband about this one, he kept referring to it as a Blow-up raft! He ate his words when we got it. Had a blast with our two dachshunds paddling the lakes near home and we take it camping also.

it is well made and not cheap looking like some other brands. I would recommend getting the double action pump with gauge. Makes it much quicker to pump up. I also ordered the Backbone as it stiffens bottom and makes it track better plus with two people and two dogs we are close to maxing the weight capacity.

Looking forward to more adventures on our new water toy!

I am in love. I wanted a kayak for years.after finally being ready I did some research. My goal was to be able to take my dog and not have to buy a whole riof rack assembly for something I probably couldn't lift over my head.I initiallyconsidered a modular, but aftet the reviews I read, I decided I had to gind something else. Enter Advanced Elements kayaks. The reviews, reasonable price and portability sold me. And let me say, I am a single woman almost 50, and I was able to tote the bag from car to dock and be able to air up and hit the lake in kess than 15 minutes with my dog. I love this product, but will definitely invest in the drop stitch floor for extra stability and peace of mind.

We have taken this out several times and had a great time. It is easy to inflate and deflate and its fits great in our small car. It is really durable and there is plenty of leg room. We even have room for our Chihuahua who loves to be out on the kayak with us. He even rides out on the bow. We would definitely recommend this product. Love the portability.

We bought this for a two week trip to Hawaii. We were able to be in the water in about ten minuets from the time we arrived at the beach. This was a hit for the kids, and the wife. I liked being able to quickly change from double to single. Plenty of room for two adults and some gear. My wife and I paddled all over the coastline in this, it felt stable and tracked well.

We launched from the beach in small to moderate waves and didn't have any problems. Coming back in to the beach was similar, unless your passenger waits too long to get out... you take waves over the stern. We were out in in windy, choppy seas and the boat felt stable the whole time. I took it out a couple of times in about 3 foot swells and white caps, water over the bow, but other than that no problem. I did wish I had purchased the skirting for those occasions. The kayak is sable enough that my 15 year old could stand up in the front and dive in to the water.

There were only a couple of minor things that I noticed;
1. I wish both sides had double paddle loops.
2. Self bailing would be nice, once it gets full of water you have to flip it over in the water, but it wasn't a huge issue.
3. The zippers on the sides were rough on my fingers if I grazed them while paddling.

Overall this was a lot of fun for the family and easy to transport.

Not wanting to transport our canoe on top of the SUV when camping, we had to find a more practical solution to getting on the water. I had researched a few inflatables earlier and was leery as to durability. When I started to read about AE products I felt this was what I needed. It has proven to be both portable and durable.
This is a great looking kayak and tracks well. We will use it for sightseeing and fishing. Perfect for rivers, lakes and bays. I have no intention of using it in too severe conditions but would feel comfortable if those conditions arise.
Setup and take down is relatively easy. Allow 30 minutes for each. Make sure it is dry before storing. The process takes some common sense in maintaining your investment. It will last many years if taken care of properly.
I really don't feel there are any negatives on this kayak. Some complain that it is heavy (53lbs) but that is a sign of its quality. I know my 14' Old Town canoe weighs in at 75 lbs. It may not be a speed demon, but it is not designed to be.