Therefore, the review is of three very different kayaks. The first is the Emotion Glide Kayak, a hard shell and probably the best in its price range. The second is the Sea Eagle SE-330 package, an inflatable kayak, and finally, the Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Convertible Kayak, which is a hybrid of a rigid and inflatable kayak.
Thrill Glide Kayak
A well balanced, easy handling and stable kayak that has good tracking in a straight line. (Follow-through is judged by how the nose rolls with each paddle stroke.) Having a lightweight ‘V’ shaped hull helps maintain stability and tracking. It has a choice of colors. The cabin is large, allowing easy entry and exit. It is easy to launch from a pier by simply holding on to one of the supports to climb onto it. The seats are good, but for more comfort take another cushion.
The elastic cords are well placed. Weighing just 37 pounds, it’s fairly easy to load and unload from the roof of a car. Excessive heat while transporting in the roof rack can cause the shell to warp, but it springs back into shape when cooled. However, a proper kayak carrier will eliminate this.
The kayak is 9’7″ long and can carry a load of between 225 lbs and 275 lbs.
It is bought by people of all ages and receives positive feedback. For this reason it is given a big ‘thumbs up’.
SE-330 Sea Eagle
This inflatable kayak package comes with a carry bag, inflatable pump, and oars. Inflatable, it’s 11’2″ long and can carry a load of up to 500 pounds. In other words, it’s roomy. However, it’s better suited to two smaller paddlers. The seats can be placed in positions that work best for you. to the occupants., but one small drawback to the seats is that they have “pinch” valves, which means they inflate by inflating them with a pair of human lungs.
Total inflation time is around 10 minutes.
Two built-in skegs help stabilize the boat, allowing it to handle Class II and some Class III whitewater and is best on rivers or lakes. Overall, the positives of this boat far outweigh the negatives. And that’s why she also gives him a big ‘plus’.
Advanced Elements Convertible Advanced Frame
This kayak is a cross between an inflatable and a hard shell. It offers the best of both types of kayaks: easy to transport but with a rigid hull. There is good storage and leg room and the seats are very comfortable.
It weighs 60 pounds and has a maximum capacity of 550 pounds. It’s 15′ long, tracks straight, paddles fast, and the zippered deck adds extra firmness, as well as being useful for a sit-back paddler where the spray is maximum. It must be completely dried before storing, which may mean that the flooring must be removed and the cover dried before deflating.
Suitable for all ages, as long as the decision to buy weighing 60 pounds is considered. It is also possible to buy a ‘backbone’ for it for added stability. Valve caps come off the valve quite easily, so it’s a good idea to have a separate secure storage bag for them.
Overall, its speed, tracking, and stability make it well worth the outlay.
